Volume 102 Number 8
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
SPJST Supreme Lodge Vice President Gene McBride announces retirement
Supreme Lodge Vice President Gene McBride recently announced that he will retire from SPJST on March 28, 2014, after 35 years and seven months of service. Vice President McBride was elected to serve a fouryear term at the 2012 SPJST Convention. “I want to apologize to the convention delegates for not completing the term that I was elected for,” Brother McBride shared with the Vestnik last week. “However, under the circumstances, I felt that it was best to leave my position as Supreme Lodge Vice President.” He stated that he did have several plans for the next two years, but he wishes much success to the next Vice President. The Supreme Lodge will meet in late February to discuss filling Brother McBride’s unexpired term that ends on July 31, 2016. According to Article 29 (a) of the SPJST By-Laws that were adopted by delegates at the 31st SPJST Convention in 2012, “In the event of death, resignation, incompetence, or permanent incapacity of any member of the Supreme Lodge or editor/ director of communication, except the president and directors, such vacancy will be filled by the Supreme Lodge.” Article 26 under Supreme Lodge states: “To be an elected officer of the
Supreme Lodge, an individual must meet the following requirements: (a) Be an active member of this Society for at least five consecutive years prior to his election. (b) Shall continue their active membership during the tenure of their office. (c) Is present at the convention or has an excuse acceptable by twothirds of the delegates for not being present. (d) Have knowledge of both the Czech and English languages. (e) Is a citizen of the United States of America at the time of election. (f) Must have at least $50,000.00 of insurance or if uninsurable, then an annuity in at least the amount of $20,000. Such insurance or annuity to be with SPJST.” Article 27 (b) states, “No officer can hold more than one office at one time and receive more than one compensation at one time.” Article 28 says, “No person can be an employee or member of the Supreme Lodge if he is related to any member of the Supreme Lodge within the third degree, as construed under Section 573 of the Government Code of the Texas Revised Civil Statutes.” Article 37 - Vice President of the SPJST By-Laws outlines the job duties. (a) The vice president of the Supreme Lodge assists the president and is his successor in case of vacancy and would vacate the office of the vice president. (b) Is in charge of the Insurance De-
Important Dates ...................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 Interest Rates.......................................3 From Around the Districts..................3 Longtime Member Recognition ......4-6 Lodge Section......................................8
In Memoriam ......................................19 Youth Section.....................................21 Czech Culture ....................................26 Czech Cultural Calendar...................27 Advertisements .................................29 Lodge Calendar .................................30
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February 19, 2014
SPJST Introduces “Step Up To The Plate” 2014 Membership Campaign See special section pull-out on pages 15 to 18. SPJST mourns loss of Honorary District Two Director Willie E. Kohutek
Brother Kohutek was an active Honorary District Two Director Willie Edwin Kohutek, 90, of Buck- member of SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton holts, passed away Sunday, February 9, and served as a sales agent for 39 years. He also served the 2014, in a Cameron Supreme Lodge as nursing center. FuDistrict Two Direcneral service was at tor from 1984 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, 1996. February 12 at He was preceded Marek-Burns- Layin death by a grandwell Funeral Home son, Kenneth Kowith Reverend hutek, Jr. Denise Mikeska ofHe is survived by ficiating. Burial folwife Adeline Kolowed in Corinth hutek of Cameron; Cemetery near sons Dr. Kenneth Buckholts. VisitaKohutek and wife tion was Tuesday, Ann Marie of February 11 from 6 Bryant Station, until 8 p.m. at the Ralph Kohutek and funeral home. wife Trish of RockBrother Kohutek dale, and Gordon was born July 9, Lee Kohutek and wife 1923, to Edwin and Willie E. Kohutek Lillie of Georgetown; Mary (Adamek) Kohutek in the Bryant Station community brother Louis Kohutek of Temple; near Buckholts. He graduated from eight grandchildren; and six greatRogers High School in 1943 and joined grandchildren. Brother Kohutek will be deeply the United States Army Air Force. He married Adeline Shenkir on April 19, missed by all who knew him. May our 1945. He worked for Blackland Re- departed brother rest in peace. —SPJST— search Center until 1979.
Inside Th is Week’s Vestnik
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Lodge 24 Cyclone members receive 50-, 75-year pins
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Lodge 29 Taylor members represent Czech heritage
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Mikulas’ celebrate 50 years of marriage