Volume 103 Number 36
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
Special Structure Committee presents proposed by-law recommendations
Editor’s Note: This week’s Vestnik features the proposed by-law recommendations from the SPJST Structure Committee. The recommendations are found on pages 6 to 28 and are presented in two documents: “Proposed Recommendations for By-Laws of SPJST” and “SPJST Operations Manual.” Below are questions and answers about the SPJST Structure Committee. This information was presented to delegates at the 31st SPJST Convention in 2012 and has been updated for this week’s Vestnik.
How did the Special Structure Committee get its start? The Special Structure Committee came into being as a result of actions taken by delegates to the 2004 SPJST Convention. Quoting from the proceedings of the 2004 SPJST Convention, “Monta Foster (185) stated that the way we were
Continued on Page 3.
SPJST Special Structure Committee and By-Law Committee members meet to deliberate proposed by-laws for the 2016 Convention. Pictured are, left to right, Kay Lynn Kovar of Lodge 25, Ennis (By-Law Committee); Susan Skrabanek of Lodge 17, New Tabor (Special Structure Committee/Insurance Committee Chairman); Beverly Teplicek of Lodge 49, Rowena (By-Law Committee Secretary); Ronnie Rieger of Lodge 29, Taylor (Special Structure Committee/By-Law Committee Chairman); District Two Director Jesse Pospisil; and Joe Siptak of Lodge 4, Hallettsville (ByLaw Committee).
September 9, 2015
Good Governance Practices Ensure Growth and Change
ISSN —07458800
organized now was acceptable but might not be in the future. We needed to see what structure was necessary to determine needs, so we could discuss it in the 2008 Convention and decide in the 2012 Convention. We must not make changes for the sake of making changes. We should have information to make a knowledgeable decision. Justine Yeager (84) moved that we accept Monta Foster’s (185) recommendation. Leo Jares (8) seconded this motion and stated that we need further study before jumping into something we may regret later . . . Convention Chairman Donnie Victorick (9) stated the motion was to put the redistricting aside, defer to the Supreme Lodge for study, with professional consultants, and for them to report at the next Convention. Justine Yeager (84) confirmed this statement and the motion carried.”
★ Brotherhood
to the younger consumers that repreDear Members of SPJST, Congratulations to your leadership sent the future of your society rather team on its efforts to modernize your than welcome mats. Your proposed changes to elect society’s decision-making process to reflect the realities faced by fraternal fewer officers will result in a much life insurers today. We realize that more effective and accountable reporting process. Unfortumany years of work nately, many have gone into the fraternals still have recommended by-law what we call “dotted changes that your lines” of authority and leadership team is responsibility from proposing for your senior managers 2016 convention. As around the CEO to the CEO of the Amerthose people that vote ican Fraternal Alwhich creates no liance, I have been sense of accountabilinvited to address and ity. Who is your boss? attend many member Who does your boss society conventions report to? These and board meetings. should not be vague One of my greatest questions, and without concerns is the antiAmerican Fraternal Alliance quated and ineffective President and CEO Joseph J. clarity, elected senior policies, rules, and Annotti speaks at the SPJST managers can be procedures many fra- Awards Banquet in 2011 at the placed in an almost ternals use to make Frank W. Mayborn Convention untenable position. While the best pracdecisions about the di- Center in Temple. tice is to have an rection of the organization. These concerns become even elected Board of Directors be responmore acute at conventions where per- sible for hiring one single leader (a paid sonalities and popularity outweigh pro- top staff person called the President or CEO who hires his or her executive fessionalism and pragmatism. Processes that worked for fraternals team), having fewer elected officers is decades ago are in many cases no a good first step toward moving SPJST longer viable and require significant closer to an ideal governance structure. updating. Fraternals that refuse to mod- Having fewer elected officers means ernize governance structures and deci- SPJST will have a better system in sion making procedures find place for hiring a qualified managethemselves on a steady path to obscu- ment team. This same scrutiny should rity and irrelevance because they are no be used when electing board members. longer able to effectively manage con- As delegates, it is your duty to learn stantly changing regulatory compliance about the qualifications needed on your requirements and consumer needs. For board, and it is up to you to elect qualinstance, while younger consumers are ified people. looking for ways to give back to their While SPJST has been moving in communities, fraternal chapters are the right direction for a few years now, often structured and operated in a way your society – along with many other that has little appeal to them or makes fraternals dealing with outdated govit difficult for them to participate. By- ernance structures – came perilously laws that are overly complex, restricContinued on Page 3. tive, or prescriptive serve as roadblocks