22 minute read
“It’s Your Life”
from Vestnik 2021.08.09
by SPJST
From the Desk of SPJST Vice President Delisle L. Doherty It’s Your Life
The Power of Positivity
The last year and a half has been very challenging for many of us. This pandemic has caused us to make many life changes. We were stuck inside for a long time; we were told what we can do and what we can’t do. Some of us lost our jobs and struggled with our health and the health of friends and families. Our married life was tested. Our children and grandchildren were struggling without their friends. Everything changed, and with that, our attitudes started changing, too. It became all too easy to focus on the negative and forget about all the positives around us.
All these “not” words created an environment where we looked at the negative first. The negative became a pandemic in itself. Each one of us started feeding off the other’s negative, and soon we forgot how fortunate we really are.
If you spend your time looking at the negatives, after a while, you will look for the negatives. Look at the positives, and you find yourself looking for the positives.
During this pandemic, I realized how blessed I really am.
1. I have lost friends to the Covid, but I had those friends in the first place.
2. If you lost relatives to Covid, cherish the times you had with them not the time without them.
3. When everything was locked down, I could still talk to my relatives through Zoom or phone and email. I still have my voice to talk to them and my ears to listen to them. 4. I have a wife to worry about.
5. I have children that worry about me.
6. I have grandchildren who are happy to see me.
7. I get up every morning and put two feet on the floor.
8. My son-in-law lost his job, but he still had a wife and kids to wake up to and a family to support him.
9. I get to see the sun, feel the rain, hear the thunder, and smell the flowers.
10. If I lost my job today, my life would still be good. I will still have my life, God, family, and friends.
They are still there, even if the job isn’t.
The negative can be just as debilitating as a disease. The positive can be just as therapeutic as a prescription. Wake up every morning and thank God you are about to experience life - good or bad, you have a life to experience.
When I took this position, I took it knowing there is nothing I had to do to make my money, except to show up every day. My job was secure. It didn’t matter if I did a bad job; it was still secure. I listened to committee after committee telling us how bad everything is . . . telling us to cut this, cut that, take this away, take that away.
I saw a team of people looking for the negative and finding it. I didn’t fall into that trap. My job is to look at the 360-degree view. I know if we look at the positive, we can make the moves to eliminate the negative. It’s never about cutting expenses. It’s about the cost to cut that expense. It doesn’t help to save $5,000 if it costs $6,000 to do it. But if we can make shifts in efficiency, that allows us to make $10,000 when we make that $5,000 cut, it becomes a positive. If we have to spend a million dollars to get a system that will help us save $500,000 and make $2 million at the same time, then that is a positive.
It’s time to leave the negative behind and focus on the power of positivity. Every move we have made this year has been for the positive. If we saw negative effects, we stopped. Every move has one question attached—how does it affect the 360degree view? If it’s positive, we move forward.
As we go into the 33rd Convention this week, and SPJST starts to enter a new era, let’s focus on the positive. If you are reading this article, you know I believe we should leave the past in the past and move forward. We move forward by looking for the positive. SPJST is as strong as ever. We are improving our systems - not to spend money - but to bring value and growth. Every dollar spent is being looked at for the value it can bring. Nothing is being spent just to spend.
We are looking to change our governance to make the leaders accountable.
Today, I can kick my feet up on the desk and do nothing and still have my job (until you vote me out). I am confident that next month, you will not allow me to do that. And, that is a good thing. Some think this governance is taking away their control over the leadership. That’s looking at the negative. Looking at the positive, it is giving you more control. If I’m doing a bad job, you can get the District Directors to make the President/CEO act to eliminate me and get someone in before I create bigger problems. You don’t have to wait four years to vote me out. Do you know how much damage a person can do in four years if they are not qualified? And at the same time, you are paying them to mess up the system. I like job security, but I am okay with someone holding me accountable. If you see the positive, you will see good things coming. If you see good things coming, you will see more positive. It’s time to leave the negative behind with COVID-19 and start looking for the positive. I look forward to the Convention and the new era of positivity.
Some people say the glass is half full; some say it’s half empty. I say, “I feel blessed there is something in the glass.”
My door is always open, figuratively and literally. Always be blessed! Delisle L. Doherty 832-232-2049
Note: This article is the opinion of Delisle L. Doherty and does not necessarily reflect those of the officers and directors (although I think it does).
—SPJST—
FROM THE SUPREME LODGE
July 20, 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, July 20, 2021, at 8:09 a.m.
ATTENDING: Brian Vanicek, President; Delisle Doherty, Vice President; Leonard Mikeska (joining the meeting via video conference), Chief Financial Officer; Roy Vajdak, Controller; Donnie Victorick - District One/Supreme Lodge Vice Chair; Jesse Pospisil - District Two; John Engelke - District Three/Supreme Lodge Chair; Bobby Davis - District Four; Bradley Stavinoha - District Five; Annie Vahalik (joining the meeting via video conference) - District Six; Regina House - District Seven; Melanie Zavodny, Editor/Director of Communication; Janie Coakley (joining the meeting via video conference), Recording Secretary.
OPENING OF MEETING The meeting was opened by Supreme Lodge Chair 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, firefighters, EMS, healthcare workers and others affected by COVID-19, especially our members. Chief Financial Officer Mikeska led the Supreme Lodge in an opening prayer. Chief Financial Officer Mikeska, Director Vahalik, and Janie Coakley joined the meeting via video conference.
ANNOUNCEMENTS President Vanicek announced there will be three visitors joining via video conference - Rob Clift, Executive Director of Camp Kubena, at 1 p.m. to report on the camp, and Larry White and Stephen Gonzalez, both of AQS Asset Management, at 4 p.m. to report on investments.
APPROVAL OF SUPREME LODGE MINUTES After review of the April 20 and 21, 2021, regular meeting minutes, Director Stavinoha moved we accept all the minutes as written, seconded by Director House, and the motion carried unanimously. MANAGEMENT TEAM MEETING NOTES The Management Team meeting notes were reviewed. Director Stavinoha moved to accept the notes as written, Director House 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 report was accepted as presented.
Lodge 63, Sweet Home requested to meet quarterly. President Vanicek recommended to allow the lodge its request but would prefer the members hold meetings in a restaurant instead of personal homes. President Vanicek moved to allow Lodge 63, Sweet Home to hold quarterly meetings in a public place, seconded by Director Victorick, and the motion passed unanimously.
Recess for break was taken from 9:29 to 9:40 a.m.
EQUISOFT ADMIN SYSTEM Director Victorick moved we proceed to purchase and utilize the Equisoft admin system. The motion was seconded by Director Davis, and the motion passed with 10 in favor and one opposition. Voting in favor: President Vanicek, Vice President Doherty, Chief Financial Officer Mikeska, Director Victorick, Director Pospisil, Director Engelke, Director Davis, Director Stavinoha, Director House, and Director Vahalik. Voting in opposition: Controller Vajdak.
CAMP KUBENA Executive Director Rob Clift and Assistant Camp Director David Motley presented a report on Camp Kubena via video conference.
Director Victorick moved to proceed with the remodel to convert the medical lodge building to a living quarters for the assistant camp director. The funds for this remodel are being utilized from approved prior unused funds, from the previous relocation of the maintenance barn. Director Pospisil seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS The Executive Officers each presented a report on their new business, and each report was accepted as presented.
Recess for break was taken from 2:25 to 2:40 p.m.
Chief Financial Officer Mikeska moved approval of the recommended six delinquencies as presented, Director Pospisil seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Chief Financial Officer Mikeska moved ratification of investments for the period from April 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. Director House seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
The Investment Policy Statement was presented, and no changes were needed.
Chief Financial Officer Mikeska moved approval of annuity payout rates for the period from August 1, 2021, to October 31, 2021, as presented. Renewal rates will be 3.25 percent. Controller Vajdak seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Chief Financial Officer Mikeska moved approval of Universal Life accumulation rates for the period from August 1, 2021, to October 31, 2021. Director House seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
Controller Vajdak gave his report on financials and reported who the external auditor from JRBT will be that will be working with him for the next five years.
Director Stavinoha moved that the monthly billing statements cease to be mailed to individuals as of January 1, 2022. Controller Vajdak seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
Director Stavinoha asked for the Human Resource Department to look at a year-end bonus for employees and salary increase for the October board meeting presentation to be voted on.
Director Victorick moved if the proposed governance is accepted, the officers and staff will continue in their current positions. Director Pospisil seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Recess was taken for a SPJST Foundation meeting from 3:40 to 4 p.m.
AQS INVESTMENT REPORT Larry White and Stephen Gonzalez gave a report on investment progress via video conference.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Director Davis moved for adjournment. Vice President Doherty seconded the motion, and the motion to adjourn carried unanimously.
Supreme Lodge Chair Engelke adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Supreme Lodge will begin at 8 a.m. on October 19, 2021.
Janie Coakley, Recording Secretary Leonard Mikeska, Chief Financial Officer —SPJST—
DISTRICT DIRECTORS’ REPORTS
District One Director Donnie Victorick
Activity Report
April - Annuity class at Home Office; webinar with QL Administration.
May - Delegates’ Advisory Council webinar; Lodge 17, New Tabor presentation for 50-, 75-, and Age 96 members; Lodge 9, Snook meeting; scholarship presentation at Snook High School for Jaycie Brisco, Jaxson Brisco, Riley Green, Kamree Walker, Kylie Hruska, and Connor Eldridge; Blieblerville Annual Fish Fry; scholarship presentation at Navarro High School for Aden Supak; By-Law Committee meeting at Home Office; meeting with Equisoft representative at Home Office; scholarship presentation at Franklin High School for Keegan Wilson.
June - Lodge 9, Snook meeting; District One Annual Meeting at Lodge 9, Snook; “Board Orientation’ webinar with American Fraternal Alliance; Lodge 38, Kovar meeting; cooked burgers for Leaders-in-Training camp at Camp Kubena.
July - Cooked burgers for Districts Three, Four, Five, and Seven junior campers at Camp Kubena; Lodge 17, New Tabor meeting and youth meeting; Audit Committee meeting at Home Office; Supreme Lodge meeting; District One Delegates’ Meeting in Snook.
Fraternally, Donnie Victorick, FICF, CFFM District One Director/ Supreme Lodge Vice Chair
District Two Director Jesse Pospisil
Activity Report
April - Meeting with Vice President Doherty and Regional General Agent Garcia in Temple; “Understanding Universal Life” sales agent class in College Station; Lodge 80, Holland meeting; funeral service for Honorary Supreme Lodge Financial Secretary Jerry Mikulas; Supreme Lodge Audit Committee meeting; Supreme Lodge meeting.
May - Fraternal Focus webcast; By-Law Committee meeting (via video conference); meeting with Equisoft representative at Home Office; District Two sales agents’ meeting at Home Office; funeral service for Janice Victorick of Lodge 9, Snook.
June - Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy meeting; District Two Annual Meeting at Lodge 48, Beyersville; helped prepare burgers at Camp Kubena for Leaders-in-Training camp. Commentary
I would like to thank all officers and directors for their reports and information. We had our first one-day Supreme Lodge meeting due in part to receiving the reports via email which allowed us to prepare ourselves prior to the meeting for the business at hand.
We made some very important decisions that will make our sales agents more effective and hopefully, make SPJST more profitable in the near future.
I want to personally thank the By-Law Committee members for their hard work on the proposed issues to be presented to the delegates at the Convention. I also want to thank all the delegates of the Convention for devoting their time and efforts in guiding SPJST into the future. Fraternally, Jesse Pospisil District Two Director
District Three Director John Engelke
Activity Report
April - Lodge 66, Waco meeting; funeral service for Mrs. Neumann in Waco; delegates’ webinar; virtual meetings.
May - Delegates’ Advisory Council webinar; memorial for Rome Milan of Lodge 154, Fort Worth; visitation for Mildred Stanislav in West; Fraternal Focus webcast; By-Law Committee meeting via video conference); Equisoft presentation via video conference; Lodge 66, Waco meeting; scholarship presentation to Alana Machac in Bruceville-Eddy; National Polka Festival Parade in Ennis; visitation and funeral service of Janice Victorick of Lodge 9, Snook.
June - Lodge 54, West meeting and 50- and 75-year pin presentations; Lodge 6, Cottonwood meeting; District Three Annual Meeting and Delegates’ Meeting; packaged kolaches for West Nursing Home with Lodge 54, West; Lodge 92, Fort Worth meeting; volunteered with the City of Temple for the Great Race event; Fraternal Focus webcast; cooked burgers for Leaders-in-Training camp at Camp Kubena; Lodge 66, Waco meeting.
July - Lodge 180, Burleson meeting; cooked burgers for Districts Three, Four, Five, and Seven Junior Camp Session 1 at Camp Kubena; Lodge 6, Cottonwood meeting and planning for picnic; pickup lodge signs from Home Office; deliver signs to Lodge 35, Elk; deliver signs to Lodge 6, Cottonwood and peel potatoes; Lodge 6, Cottonwood picnic - served food and helped; Supreme Lodge Audit Committee meeting at Home Office; Supreme Lodge meeting at Home Office.
Commentary
Thank you to the officers and directors for their reports being sent out in advance. By their attention to detail, we were able to complete our meeting in one day.
We ask that our delegates come to the convention prepared and ready to make good decisions for the betterment of the SPJST Society.
As we get back to our new normal of activities, please enjoy your time with one another and practice safe precautions. Thank you to all our members. Fraternally, John Engelke District Three Director/ Supreme Lodge Chairman
District Four Director Bobby Davis
Activity Report
May - Delegates’ Advisory Council webinar; sales training in San Angelo; By-Law Committee meeting (via video conference).
June - Assist member with death benefits in San Antonio; Lodge 229, Abilene meeting; Lodge 230, Midland meeting; service work in Brownwood and sale; District Four Delegates’ Meeting at Lodge 49, Rowena; new business in Rowena - discuss new membership in business program.
July - Meeting with Cyndy Kristinek, delegate and officer of Lodge 157, Lubbock; Supreme Lodge meeting.
Commentary
We had a good meeting with some good discussion. We are all working on more detail and asking more questions which is paying off. Delisle had a good report and gave us the facts and costs on some projects he is working on - also where he is negotiating the prices which is saving us money. Thank you, Delisle, for your hard work and dedication. Leonard had a good report - investments are looking good. Roy had a good report; he gave some explanations on some items that helped. Things are looking good. Let’s just keep it up, and we are all on the same team. Thank you. Fraternally, Bobby Davis, FICF, CFFM District Four Director
District Five Director Bradley Stavinoha
Activity Report
April - Fraternal Focus webcast; Join Hands Day in Needville.
May - Delegates’ Advisory Council webinar; sales agent training; Lodge 88, Houston swimming pool; fundraiser in Needville; Equisoft presentation via video conference; funeral service of Janice Victorick of Lodge 9, Snook.
June - funeral service in Houston; SPJST host chamber function in Needville; Kolache Klobase Festival - KJT in East Bernard; Fraternal Focus webcast;
cooked burgers for Leaders-in-Training camp at Camp Kubena; District Five Annual Meeting at Lodge 81, Needville.
July - St. John’s Picnic in Schulenburg; cooked burgers for Districts Three, Four, Five, and Seven Junior Camp Session 1 at Camp Kubena; Lodge 81, Needville; Supreme Lodge Audit Committee meeting; Supreme Lodge meeting.
Commentary
As the Supreme Lodge, we were pleased to see a profit in operations up until June 2021 so far. SPJST also continues to see improvement in investment net income. This has been very difficult in this low interest environment. We have seen many other fraternal insurance companies struggle throughout the United States.
The Supreme Lodge unanimously approved all the By-Law Committee recommendations that are to be set forth before the Convention delegates. Good corporate governance is an important step for the future of SPJST.
The Audit Committee sees improvements and great changes in the Insurance Department. The Audit Committee reviewed the audit by JRBT, and all went well. Board members continue to talk and meet in between Supreme Lodge meetings on a variety of topics.
Camp Kubena continues its improvements on facilities and programs.
The Supreme Lodge has worked so efficiently, and members are so well prepared before the meetings that we were able to finish business in a single day - saving the Society much money. SPJST’s Supreme Lodge members and RVOS’ board of directors had a social following the meeting. Both organizations share so many of the Czech values and have the same agents. Great fellowship was had, and old acquaintances were rekindled. Fraternally, Bradley Stavinoha District Five Director
District Six Director Annie Vahalik
Activity Report
May - Delegates’ Advisory Council meeting; Lodge 30, Taiton Spring Awards Banquet; Lodge 32, Victoria meeting; Mayfest at Czech Cultural Center in La Grange; youth webcast; Lodge 41, Port Lavaca meeting; Virtual Keys to Successful Networking webinar; By-Law Committee meeting via video conference; Equisoft presentation via video conference; funeral of Janice Victorick of Lodge 9, Snook.
June - Lodge 40, El Campo-Hillje meeting; District Six Meeting at Camp Kubena; Lodge 4, Hallettsville meeting; Lodge 97, Placedo meeting; afternoon conference call for SPJST Foundation; Lodge 8, Weimar meeting.
Commentary
This was a good meeting. Thank you for the advance reports. Information was presented well. I’m looking forward to State Youth Achievement Day and the Convention. Fraternally, Annie Vahalik District Six Director
District Seven Director Regina House
Activity Report
April - Fraternal Focus webcast.
May - Delegates’ Advisory Council meeting; scholarship presentation to Brooke Henke at Floresville High School; Fraternal Focus webcast; By-Law Committee meeting via video conference; Equisoft presentation via video conference.
June - Lodge 202, Jourdanton meeting; Lodge 185, New Braunfels meeting; Lodge 79, Corpus Christi meeting; Fraternal Focus webcast; Management Team meeting via teleconference concerning Czech Moravian Benevolence Fund.
July - Districts Three, Four, Five, and Seven Junior Camp Session 1 (July 7 to 11) as camp photographer.
Commentary
I want to thank my fellow Supreme Lodge members for such a great and productive meeting. Amazingly, we were able to accomplish our goals in one day! This does not mean that we did not put thought and effort into the deliberations, but that we are truly able to work together and come to an agreement on difficult matters.
I also want to thank Rob Clift for the great work he has been doing at Camp Kubena. I thoroughly enjoyed being a camper this summer, and I am looking forward to great things to come. Fraternally, Regina House District Seven Director —SPJST—
District Two delegates representing Lodges 20, Granger; 24, Cyclone; 29, Taylor; 47, Seaton; 48, Beyersville; 80, Holland; 87, Temple; 182, Falls County; and 246, Morgan’s Point participated in a meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021, in preparation for the 33rd SPJST Convention. The informative meeting was hosted by Lodge 24, Cyclone. CENTER PHOTO: Lodge 24, Cyclone Secretary Linda Wilde greets the delegates. In back are District Two Director Jesse Pospisil, left, and Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek. RIGHT PHOTO: Left to right are Honorary Supreme Lodge President Howard Leshikar, Honorary Supreme Lodge Legal Advisor Sidney Kacir, and Supreme Lodge President Vanicek.
District Three delegates representing Lodges 6, Cottonwood; 25, Ennis; 66, Waco; 84, Dallas; 92, Fort Worth; 154, Fort Worth; and 183, Arlington participated in a meeting on Sunday, July 25, 2021, in preparation for the 33rd SPJST Convention. The informative meeting was hosted by Lodge 25, Ennis. TOP LEFT PHOTO: Delegates participate in the meeting. TOP CENTER PHOTO: Lodge 25, Ennis delegates listen attentively. They are, from left, Margaret Krajca, Linda Trojacek, Betty Macalik, and Raymond Elleven. TOP RIGHT PHOTO: Delegates/Members are, from left to right, Jim Liska (84), Kay Weeks (183), Ann Pustejovsky (183), Dana McAdams (66), Milton and Irene Peterson (6), Cheryl Petr (84), and Jerry Milan (154).
LEFT PHOTO: Delegates pictured on the left side of the table are, front to back, Edwin Vasicek (47), Michael Galler (66), Lynda Novak (84) - barely visible, Vicki Sims (84), Cheryl Petr (84), and Milton Peterson (6). Delegates pictured on the right side of the table are, front to back, Diana Engelke (66), Pam Durham (92), Jeanette Beseda (6), Lori Pace (154), Jerry Milan (154), and Irene Peterson (6). RIGHT PHOTO: District Three By-Law Committee Member Mary Steinman (154) and District Three Director John Engelke lead the discussion.
From the Desk of SPJST Vice President Delisle L. Doherty It’s Your Life
Commercial vs. Fraternal Benefits
Every life insurance company can come up with a list of 10 things life insurance can do for you:
1. Build a college fund. 2. Help supplement retirement. 3. Protect your estate. 4. Fund a buy/sell agreement. 5. Protect your family from your business. 6. Provide a deferred compensation plan for your top employees. 7. Provide collateral for a loan. 8. Help pay your house off early or provide a down payment for a new one. 9. Provide your family with peace of mind for debt left behind. 10. Provide a proper burial.
Only the SPJST fraternal life insurance can provide additional benefits that commercial companies do not provide:
1. Scholarships for high school students. 2. Perk Spot - Thousands of discounts over and above online discounts for products from jewelry, clothing, sports, entertainment, hotels, flight, car rentals, etc. 3. The ability for your children to be part of a youth club and learn leadership skills that will carry them far into life. 4. Summer camp for children ages five to 17 years old. 5. A weekend beach getaway for all current certificate owners (held prior to covid). 6. Community service hours for students to help build their college resume. 7. Youth achievement recognition through a youth achievement day to recognize community-minded students, craft students, science students, and art and social talents. 8. Activities for young adults and seniors, such as dances, dinner socials, festivals, bingos, domino tournaments, etc. to help keep adults active in mind and body. 9. Charitable opportunities through your local lodge to stay active in the community. 10. Access to seven types of annuities. 11. Discount on travel guard insurance through our affiliates. 12. Free listing in our online member services business directory. 13. Opportunity to donate to the SPJST
Foundation when you purchase items from Amazon through our
Amazon Smile program (ask for details). 14. Subscription to SPJST’s bimonthly newsletter - Vestnik, which is available by email or print. The Vestnik includes lodge and youth club news, activities, and event listings; recipes; interesting features; contests; and Czech language lessons and heritage information.
If you know anyone who can benefit from this, please refer them to the SPJST Home Office, and we will get the best qualified agent to take care of them. We have a new member referral program that will allow you to earn a $25 gift card as our thank you (see page 1 for details) if they become a member.
My door is always open - figuratively and literally. Stay blessed. —SPJST—
