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Monday, May 10, 2021
FROM THE SUPREME LODGE April 20 and 21, 2021 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of SPJST Supreme Lodge held at the SPJST Home Office Temple, Texas PRESIDING The meeting was called to order by Supreme Lodge Chairman John Engelke on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 8:10 a.m. ATTENDING: Brian Vanicek, President; Delisle Doherty, Vice President; Leonard Mikeska, Chief Financial Officer; Roy Vajdak, Controller; Donnie Victorick - District One/Supreme Lodge Vice Chairman; Jesse Pospisil - District Two; John Engelke - District Three/Supreme Lodge Chairman; Bobby Davis - District Four; Bradley Stavinoha (joining the meeting on a video conference call) District Five; Annie Vahalik - District Six; Regina House - District Seven; Melanie Zavodny, Editor/Director of Communication; Janie Coakley, Recording Secretary. OPENING OF MEETING The meeting was opened by Supreme Lodge Chairman Engelke with a welcome to all. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a moment of silence was observed in respect to our departed members and in honor of our government officials, military troops, law enforcement, firemen, EMS, healthcare workers, and others affected by COVID-19, especially our members who have been affected. Chief Financial Officer Mikeska led the Supreme Lodge in an opening prayer. ANNOUNCEMENTS President Vanicek announced there will be three visitors on Wednesday - Larry White and Stephen Gonzalez of AQS Asset Management will be present at 11 a.m. to report on investments and Rob Clift, Executive Director of Camp Kubena, will be on a video conference call at 1 p.m. to report on the camp. APPROVAL OF SUPREME LODGE MINUTES After review of the minutes of the February 3, 2021, Regular Meeting and March 10, 2021, Special Called Meeting, Director House moved we accept all the minutes as written, seconded by Director Vahalik, and the motion carried unanimously. MANAGEMENT TEAM MEETING NOTES The Management Team meeting notes were reviewed. Director Pospisil moved to accept the notes as written, Director Vahalik seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS The executive officers and the Editor/Director of Communication each presented a report on their old business, and each was accepted as presented.
VĚSTNÍK Recess for break was from 9:36 to 9:51 a.m. Recess for lunch break was taken from 12:11 to 12:45 p.m. NEW BUSINESS President Vanicek presented and reported on his new business. USSI CONTRACT ANNOUNCEMENT President Vanicek moved we stay with USSI at this time and engage in a three-month term contract at the hourly rate proposed in the written bid. The motion was seconded by Vice President Doherty, and the motion passed unanimously. SUPREME LODGE ALLOCATIONS FOR 2021 The SPJST Finance Committee submitted its pre-convention report in June 2020 for the 33rd SPJST Convention. Due to the 33rd SPJST Convention being advanced to August 13 to 15, 2021, and in the interest of supporting various longstanding SPJST initiatives, the Supreme Lodge considered and took action in the following areas: President Vanicek presented the proposed recommendation from the Finance Committee for payment of $150 per day for the District Youth Counselors, and all assistants as outlined by the by-laws, be paid $100 per day, mileage paid at the current IRS rate at time of travel less 20 cents per mile, lodging, and actual cost of meals with receipts not to exceed $35 per day while on duty. Any other reimbursements will be recommended to and approved by the Supreme Lodge. Per diems should only be paid one-half of the per diem if away from their home base for less than 4 hours. To be reviewed annually by the Finance Committee. Recommendation was accepted and approved unanimously. Director Victorick moved that any time the 20 cents mileage decrease payment per mile is mentioned, it be removed. President Vanicek seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Director Victorick moved to authorize the Supreme Lodge to allocate $195 per youth camper for each camper attending camp for 2021. These funds are to be used exclusively for the youth. Chief Financial Officer Mikeska seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Director Vahalik moved to authorize the Supreme Lodge to contribute to the district 80 cents per year for every insured member who has attained the age of 16 years. This amount must be for the benefit of the youth. Director Victorick seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Director Victorick moved to remove the sentence “To be reviewed by the Finance Committee” from any and all proposed Finance Committee recommendations. Director House seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
Director Stavinoha moved to authorize a $10,000 contribution plus will match a grant of monies raised up to $25,000 to the Czech Heritage Museum for operations. Vice President Doherty seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Chief Financial Officer Mikeska moved to authorize the Supreme Lodge to contribute $25,000 per year to the Scholarship Fund. Controller Vajdak seconded the motion, and the motion carried with 10 in favor and one in opposition. Voting in favor: President Vanicek, Vice President Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Mikeska, Controller Vajdak, Director Pospisil, Director Engelke, Director Davis, Director Stavinoha, Director House, and Director Vahalik. Voting in opposition: Director Victorick. Recess for break was taken from 2:50 to 3:04 p.m. President Vanicek moved to reconsider the vote on allocation to the Scholarship Fund, as he had previously voted on the prevailing side noting that his “motion to reconsider” would require a two-thirds vote to pass. Vice President Doherty seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously. Director Victorick moved we contribute $30,000 to the Scholarship Fund and any unused remainder go to the Endowment Fund. President Vanicek seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Director Victorick moved to authorize the Supreme Lodge to administer and disburse $600 per year per cemetery for the upkeep of each of the SPJST Cemeteries. Director House seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Director Victorick moved to authorize a $1,000 contribution to the Czech Heritage Society of Texas for its publication which promotes SPJST. Director House seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. There was a discussion about the recommended charter committees for the Supreme Lodge. Director Victorick moved to proceed and establish the three committees when the time comes. The three committees are the Governance Committee, Communication Committee, and the Compensation Committee. Director Pospisil seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. BY-LAW REVIEW The by-laws and recommendations for changes were reviewed extensively. SUPREME LODGE RECOMMENDATION REVIEW Controller Vajdak moved to add to the Operations Manual: The Investment Committee, by majority vote, approves all commercial first lien mortgages and investments not covered by a discretionary agreement with an Investment Manager. The members of the Investment Committee are the President, Vice President of Marketing, Chief Financial Officer, and Controller. Director Victorick seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
