Volume 100 Number 11
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
March 14, 2012
SPJST Home Office to Host Model Lodge Workshops
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a workshop for SPJST youth club members. One of the topics explored the role that SPJST plays in the lives of its members. Simply stated, we were seeking to construct a solid understanding of the role SPJST seeks to fill in the lives of its members and in the life of the community. The question, “Why are we here?” generated a wide assortment of answers. The fact that SPJST touches so many and varied aspects of our lives makes that a challenging question to answer. Think about it: We’re financial. We’re cultural. We’re social. We’re educational. We’re recreational. The strength of the SPJST resides in its diversity. The challenge is how to effectively convey this multi-faceted mission to our members and to the community at large. Several years ago, I settled on a simple response to the question, “What is SPJST?” “We’re a fraternal benefit society,” I would say. “The basis of the SPJST is to do good. Doing good for each other and doing good for the communities that we seek to serve.” That answer, I believe, speaks to the
heart of our fraternal mission. Even so, it’s far from a complete explanation. As stated in our By-Laws, “The purpose of this Society is to provide security for its members and the families of the insured, through the various certificates issued in accordance with the fraternal insurance laws of the State of Texas.” There’s m o r e : “This Society promotes providing a wholesome family environment for the entire family unit and endeavors to promote our common bond by keeping alive and encouraging the cherished traditions of the Czech history, culture, heritage, and family.” SPJST lodges help to further define and convey this purpose. SPJST lodges are the face of our fraternal order in the communities that we seek to serve. Lodges offer a sense of community to our members, establishing a common bond among men, women, boys, and girls of many backgrounds. Lodges help to keep members informed of the life insurance programs and array of fraternal benefits afforded
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Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Mortgage Loan Information................3 Convention Corner..............................3 Readers Write ......................................4 District News .......................................6
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Beseda Dancin’ at the State Capitol
SPJST Youth Club members from Districts One and Two celebrated Texas Independence Day at the State Capitol in Austin by sharing Czech heritage and entertaining all with the Ceska Beseda dance. More on page 18.
Lodge 89, Rosebud Members Invited to Special-Called Sunday, March 25 Meeting
Dear Members, As a valued member of SPJST, you and your family are invited to join in a special-called meeting of SPJST Lodge 89, Rosebud at the HiWay 77 Cafe, located at 1101 US Highway 77, just north of Rosebud on Sunday, March 25. A delicious buffet dinner will be served starting at 1 p.m. in appreciation of your attendance. The meeting will follow, and door prizes will be awarded. SPJST is a family organization that cherishes the idea of service to each other and the community. In addition to reviewing your benefits of membership in SPJST, Society officials want to visit with lodge members and receive
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
Lodge Section....................................10 In Memoriam ......................................16 Youth Section ....................................17 Czech Culture ....................................19 Advertisements..................................21 Lodge Calendar .................................22
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Scenes from State Straight Domino Tournament
their input in helping to make decisions which will determine the future course of direction for Lodge 89, Rosebud and its members. Feel free to extend this invitation to others in your household or friends who are not already members. Please RSVP on or before 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 by calling SPJST Fraternal Services Specialist Tammy Martinez (254) 773-1575. Thank you for your attention and consideration. I look forward to seeing you on March 25! Fraternally, Brian Vanicek Supreme Lodge President —SPJST—
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Scenes from District Six Spring Meeting
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District Two King serves as Wildflower Belle escort