Member Engagement News

State Fraternal Director shares June adults, youth activity updates

June is just around the corner, which reminds me of the poem June by Lottie Brown Allen. Here’s the stanza: Oh, what is more sweet than the month of June — When our senses thrill and our hearts keep tune — To the song of the birds and the rose in bloom?

I have always enjoyed working in my yard, designing flower beds and watching the plants grow and bloom. This spring, I planted eight rose bushes in my backyard among my flowering plants. The names of the roses are Nacogdoches, Mother of Perl, Savannah Sunbelt, Soul Sister, Veilchenblau rambler, and Grandbaby shrub roses. These roses and flowers bring in bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other birds to our backyard. My wife, Connie, and I think of it as our sanctuary — a relaxing place to sit and enjoy nature sometimes with a glass of vino or pivo after a day of work.

Connie’s Crops Update

An update on Connie’s hobby . . . all of the plants she started from seed are thriving with all the rain we have had in May. Her cucumbers and green beans are climbing an arch that we constructed in April. The squash and tomatoes are beginning to bear fruit. Her bell and jalapeño pepper plants are starting to grow, and we hope to have those start bearing fruit soon.

State Camp June 21 to 25

SPJST State Camp registration for 2023 has ended. Thank you to the parents that signed up their children for camp.

All camp registration fees must be paid by June 1. Fees (except non-refundable registration fees) are refundable until June 6. Youth who attended meetings or participated in SPJST service projects will receive their credits by June 1.

If you have any questions about camp, please contact me at 254-7731575, ext. 177 or Tammy at 254-7731575, ext. 164.

Special thanks to our adult members who signed up to chaperone our youth at camp. We received many inquiries from adults who wanted to help this year. An email invitation has been sent to the selected chaperones to complete registration and the chaperone contract.

SPJST Camp Gift Card

Leaders and parents, there is still time to set up a gift card for your camper through the camp registration platform for your campers. Campers and chaperones will be able to purchase camp merchandise at Camp Kubena Outpost (camp store). With the gift card, campers and chaperones will not have to keep up with cash or a debit card while at camp.

Visit spjst.org/camp. Then sign into your Amilia (camp registration) account. Under the SPJST logo, click on the tab labeled “Gift Cards.” To the right of the page, you will see Description and five fill boxes. After you have completed adding your information in the fill boxes, click on add to cart. You will then select checkout, and the next page will come up. Select checkout again. Then select Continue my purchase, and on the next screen, you will be able to pay with a credit card.

State Youth Showcase

July 28 and 29

We are looking forward to presenting the 2023 SPJST State Youth Showcase on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29 at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and

Convention Center in Temple. The State Youth Showcase Guidebook and registration is open at spjst.org/showcase

The guidebook is full of information on how to enter, general rules, and all the contests. Registration ends on Friday, June 30 at 11:59 p.m. Don’t delay . . . register today!

2023 Youth Group Incentives

SPJST is also offering a new incentive program to engage our young members in community work and volunteerism. Through this process, youth will help fund their youth clubs by participating in Group Community Service, Social Engagement Activities, and Matching Funds. You can read more about the program by visiting spjst.org/gives. If you have any questions, please contact me for more details.

Tyler Rose Festival VIP Tour

We are excited to share a new member benefit — group tours. Please save the date – October 19 to 21, 2023 – and make plans to attend the 90th Annual Texas Rose Festival in Tyler, Texas. This will be a fun trip for rose enthusiasts and those just wanting to get away and experience this historical festival. Members can choose to drive or ride the passenger bus starting at the Home Office in Temple. You will find more information at spjst.org/tours. This trip looks like a fun time for all! Please consider joining your fellow SPJST members for a fun time!

Czech Republic Holiday Tour

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Czech Republic and all of its beauty – especially during the holiday season, this is your opportunity! Make plans for November 29 to December 11, 2023. The tour is 10 exciting days, visiting 14 cities during Christmas time in the Czech Republic. You will enjoy Christmas markets, museums, vineyards, Prague Castle, and so much more. Visit spjst.org/tours to find all the information you need to plan your trip, including an important FAQ page.

Lodge Incentives

A big thank you to the lodge officers who have submitted their incentive reporting forms on the spjst.org/gives webpage for the first and second quarters of 2023. This is a new system, and it will take some time to get comfortable with the process. If you are feeling overwhelmed, have unanswered questions, or just need to talk, please reach out to me, Tammy, Brooke, Katherine, or Melanie in the Member Engagement/Communications Department. We are all ready and willing to assist.

Now Due . . .

• Annual Financial Reports

• IRS Form 990 and 990-T

We are asking lodges that missed the Monday, May 15 deadline to please submit the Lodge Annual Financial Report and the 2022 IRS Form 990 and 990-T paperwork soon. The IRS forms are for those lodges that file their own taxes. A report will be shared in the next Vestnik with a list of compliant and non-compliant lodges. Submit those reports by June 1 to be on the compliant list!

The lodge incentive program is available at spjst.org/gives. What counts as fraternal hours and community service hours as set by American Fraternal Alliance is outlined in the pages. The process is very similar to previous years. We have prepared two videos on the incentive program. They are “Introducing the New SPJST Lodge Incentive Program” and “How to Submit a Community Service Event.” Both can be viewed at spjst.org/gives

If you were unable to attend the online training sessions on May 15, May 18, or May 23, a recording will soon be available. You may also contact me, and I will set up a time to review the process of entering the information.

Night at the Museum

The May 11 event drew a large number of SPJST members, community residents, and friends to the Czech Heritage Museum in Temple. This was the second of five “Night at the Museum’ events. Carol White, owner of Kolache Kitchen, gave a presentation about making kolaches. Food and drinks were also served. The Museum store was open with items such as Czech glass, food, postcards, gifts, jewelry, and so much more. The next event is Thursday, June 8 at the Czech Heritage Museum in Temple from 5 to 7:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing more friends attend.

Save the Date!

Cars & Guitars - November 4

Cars & Guitars is Saturday, November 4 at Camp Kubena. Planned activities include classic cars, music, food, arts/crafts vendors, kids’ activities, and a lot of family fun. Camp Kubena is lo- cated at 2001 Waldeck Road in Ledbetter. We are currently seeking vendors and sponsors for the event. Please contact Rob at Camp Kubena or Melanie for details.

2023 State Charity ProjectPaws for a Cause

Our second quarter state charity project is Paws for a Cause and goes through June 30. Lodges and youth clubs are asked to identify a local animal shelter or pet rescue organization. Contact them to determine the needs. Then collect items or offer assistance, according to the specific needs. Take photos of your lodge’s or youth club’s project. Submit online at spjst.org/gives. Be sure to also share on social media using #spjstgives.

The July through September state charity project is Back to School Supply Drive to collect school supplies. We will end the 2023 year with Socks for Sen- iors — an October through December drive to collect socks, gloves, etc. for our elderly friends and neighbors.

June Monthly Caring Challenge: Color A Smile

SPJST youth clubs, lodges, and members are invited to color to bring smiles to those in need. Visit colorasmile.org to print and color pages of your choice. Mail your completed coloring pages to the SPJST Home Office, PO Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503. Earn one volunteer hour by sub- mitting six coloring pages, two hours for 12 pages, etc. Your drawings will be sent to senior citizens, our troops, and anyone in need of a smile! Submit now through December 31, 2023.

Fraternally, Frank Horak State Fraternal Director