District News

Guitars event that will be held at Camp Kubena.

2022 SPJST Lodge Enhanced Premium Refund Guidelines

Please see the guidelines below that were passed in the January 2022 Executive Committee Meeting by the Board of Directors. Let me know if you have any questions or need any assistance. We are here to help you attain your lodge’s goals in 2022!

Contact Us! State Fraternal Director Frank Horak 254-773-1575, ext. 177 254-534-0681 frankh@spjst.com Fraternal Services Specialist Tammy Martinez 254-773-1575, ext. 164 tammym@spjst.com District One FAC Kyle Skrabanek 979-820-0531 District Two FAC Ruth Hanusch 254-771-0193 District Three FAC Vicki Sims 214-763-0341 District Four FAC Janeece Williams 806-632-5239 District Five FAC Linda Bratina 832-647-9971 District Six FAC Helen Zabransky 361-798-3347 District Seven FAC Kathleen Polasek 830-570-5800

Fraternally, Frank Horak State Fraternal Director —SPJST—

2022 SPJST Lodge Enhanced Premium Refund Guidelines

One of the most important financial benefits that the SPJST Executive Committee has extended to local lodges is the annual Premium Refund Program. The purpose of this program has been to help SPJST lodges keep their operations on a sound financial basis. The formula for calculating the refund is:

1. $1.00 for each paid-up certificate in the lodge; and 2. 1.25% of the lodge’s annual earned premium.

To receive the refund in early 2023, lodges must meet the following four-point criteria: r 1. Hold Regular Lodge Meetings in Accordance with Section 74 of the SPJST By-Laws and Offer a Well-Rounded Fraternal Program. Every lodge is required to hold regular meetings to discuss lodge business with its members. Service to each other — as fellow SPJST members — and service to the community is an important part of SPJST’s mission. Rather than mandating a specific number of fraternal activities that your lodge must accomplish in a given year in order to remain in good standing and qualify for incentives, the greater focus is on lodges working to host a healthy mix of “quality” events that bring value to SPJST’s community presence. r 2. Return All Requested Paperwork by January 15, 2023.

• Form 990 or Form 990-T • Fraternal Activity Summaries • Updated Lodge Officer Listing r 3. Submit Routine News/Photos to the Vestnik.

Every lodge is required to submit news of upcoming events, lodge meetings, and/or meeting/event summaries and/or photographs to the Vestnik as well as to their local media. Youth submissions, member features, and obituaries can also be submitted to the Vestnik. Every lodge is required to have a submission in at least 4 of the 24 published Vestniks in 2022. Of course, the lodge may contribute to the Vestnik more frequently. Local news media features can also satisfy these requirements when the features are shared with the Vestnik (see contact details below).

Vestniks are published on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Unless otherwise noted in the Vestnik, the deadline for submitting items for publication are the first and third Mondays of each month at 5 p.m.

Articles and photos may be submitted in several ways:

• Online at www.spjst.org under the “News” tab • Email to vestnik@spjst.org • Fax to 254-773-8087 (articles only; photos not accepted through fax) • Mail to SPJST Vestnik • PO Box 100 • Temple, TX 76503-0100 • Text to 254-534-0807

r 4. Share Lodge/Member Activities and Stories on Social Media. Lodges are encouraged to share lodge/member activities and stories on Facebook and/or Instagram. Some examples include lodge members serving a meal at a soup kitchen; members cleaning a cemetery; food drive for local pantry; hosting a heritage or cultural event; and contribution to non-profit organization. The Communication Department is available to assist with fulfilling the lodge’s social media requirement.

District One Annual Meeting Sunday, April 10 at Lodge 9, Snook

The District One Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Lodge 9, Snook. Lodge 9 will host the meeting with registration starting at 12:30 p.m. Lodge 9 hall is located at 457 County Road 269W in Snook, Texas.

A meal will be served from 12 to 1 p.m. The meeting will start at 1:30 p.m. This is also the time for election of officers and the directors of the 501(c)(3) organizations.

Youth members are encouraged to participate in a decorated rock contest. Contest rules can be found in the youth handbook.

We hope to have a large turn out for our meeting. I hope to see you there. Fraternally, Randy Gaas District One President —SPJST—

District One Annual Meeting Agenda

Sunday, April 10, 2022 • Lodge 9, Snook Hall 457 County Road 269W • Snook, Texas

12:30 p.m. - Registration 12 to 1 p.m. - Meal Served 1:30 pm. - Meeting Begins

501(c)(3) Directors’ Reports

Camp Kubena.........................................................................................Sharon Russell

Czech Heritage Museum.............................................................................Betty Suehs

S.P.J.S.T. Rest Home and Assisted Living/Senior Living Centers.....Donnie Victorick

Appoint Audit Committee...............................................................................Randy Gaas

Call Meeting to Order......................................................................................Randy Gaas Pledge of Allegiance.............................................................District One King and Queen Welcome by Lodge 9 President.......................................................................Donnie Hejl Roll Call of Officers, Lodges.........................................................................Sandra Stone Recognition of Guests......................................................................................Randy Gaas Reading of Minutes........................................................................................Sandra Stone Tribute to Departed Members (Reading of Deceased Members)..............Kyle Skrabanek Reading of 50- and 75-Year and Age 96 Members..............Randy Gaas/Kyle Skrabanek Treasurer Report...........................................................................................Sharon Kovar District Youth Counselor Report.................................................................Hannah Kovar Governance Committee Report..........................................................................Bill Orsak Executive Committee Report.................SPJST Chief Financial Officer Leonard Mikeska State Fraternal Director Report.......................................................................Frank Horak District Director Report...........................................................................Donnie Victorick Old Business Audit Committee Report New Business Election of District Officers for 2022 and 501(c)(3) Directors Selection of Site, Time, Date of Fall Fun Day and 2023 Annual Meeting Adjournment

District Two Annual Meeting at Lodge 24, Cyclone on May 22

The District Two Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Lodge 24, Cyclone, located at 411 FM 964, Cyclone. Registration begins at 1 p.m., and the meeting starts at 2 p.m. We are planning a great meeting. District officers will be elected. If anyone is interested in serving, please let us know.

We are asking all youth and adults to decorate a rock for the contest. Use your imagination in decorating. I know you can come up with a great idea! Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place winners. Come on everyone . . . let’s have a bunch of you enter decorated rocks.

District Two Youth Counselor Patsy Koslovsky is planning a silent auction for the youth club. She is asking for members to bring an item for this auction. Let’s help the youth raise some money for their fund.

Lodge 24 is planning a great meal for the meeting which consists of chicken spaghetti, salad, drink, and fruit. All of this will only be $3! Where else can you get a great plate of food for $3!

Please mark your calendar for May 22, and come on to Lodge 24, Cyclone. Join members and friends for a great day together. Thank you and see you on then!

Fraternally, Ruth Hanusch District Two Vice President/FAC —SPJST—

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District Seven Annual Meeting at Sokol Hall in Corpus Christi on March 13

SPJST District Seven Spring Meeting, hosted by Lodge 79, Corpus Christi, will be Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Sokol Hall, located at 5502 Kostoryz Road in Corpus Christi.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be furnished by Lodge 79, Corpus Christi. Lunch served at 12:15 p.m. will consist of hamburger steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, rolls, and iced tea for $5. Members are asked to report the number of plates needed to your lodge secretary by Friday, March 7.

The meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Members are asked to bring items for the silent auction. Money raised will go to the district fund to offset expenses. Members are also asked to bring eyeglasses and cases, hearing aids, and aluminum can tabs.

Your attendance and support will be appreciated. Bring a friend. Fraternally, Wendy Pruski, District Seven Secretary —SPJST—

District Seven Annual Meeting Agenda

Sunday, March 13, 2022 • Hosted by Lodge 79, Corpus Christi Sokol Hall • 5502 Kostoryz Road • Corpus Christi, Texas

10 a.m. - Registration Refreshments and drinks provided by Lodge 79, Corpus Christi Decorated Rock Contest (Youth)

10:30 a.m. - General Discussion Czech Heritage Museum............................................Director Roxanne Bertrand Senior Living Centers (Rest Homes)......................................Director Val Barta

Meeting Begins.......................................................District President James House Presentation of Colors/Pledge of Allegiance.....................District Youth Members

Welcome.......................................................Lodge 79 President Mark Rebecek

Introduction of Guests..........................................District President James House

Announce Committees.......................................District President James House

Roll Call of Officers/Lodges.................................District Secretary Wendy Pruski

Memorial Ceremony...................................District Seven Director Regina House

Minutes.............................................................District Secretary Wendy Pruski

Correspondence..................................................District Secretary Wendy Pruski

Financial Report............................................District Treasurer Sandra Hoggard

Recognition of 50-Year, 75-Year

Age 96, and Age 100 Honorees..........................District FAC Kathleen Polasek District Youth Report ................................................................DYC April Howard Governance Committee Report............................................................Oscar Korus

12:15 p.m. - Meal - Hamburger Steak Plate - $5

Executive Committee Report ................SPJST Vice President of Communications Melanie Zavodny SPJST Home Office......................................State Fraternal Director Frank Horak District Director....................................................................Director Regina House Audit Committee Report Old Business New Business Nominating Committee Report/Election of Officers Site of Fall Fun Day Youth Contest Winners..............................................................DYC April Howard Youth Prize Drawing Winners Announced Split-the-Pot Winners Announced Silent Auction results Door Prizes Adjournment

Scenes from SPJST State Tarok Tournament

Saturday, February 12, 2022 • SPJST Home Office, Temple

Tammy and I were excited to welcome everyone to the SPJST Home Office to play taroks on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Unfortunately, we had to move our state tarok tournament back a week from the originally scheduled date of February 5 due to the Texas weather in February! Nevertheless, everyone who attended our tournament at the Home Office had a great time. We had a total of 36 players, and our youngest player was 15 years old. Of the 36 players who participated in the sixround tournament, eight were members. We had players from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, South Texas, and our local area.

To make things interesting, between rounds, we added a chance for a player to win a scratch-off ticket. Even though no one walked away a winner, everyone enjoyed getting the chance to win a ticket.

In the morning, players enjoyed kolaches from Green’s Sausage House, coffee, and juice. A big thank you to Ratibor Country Grill for the best hamburgers during the noon hour. (If you are in the Temple area, please go by and say hello to members Edwin and Judy Pechal, who own Ratibor Country Grill. They are members of Lodge 47, Seaton.)

High round winners of the tarok tournament were: Round 1 - Mark Brezina with 170 points Round 2 - Sonny Klepac with 271 points Round 3 - Jay Zrubek with 225 points Round 4 - Sonny Klepac with 185 points Round 5 - Leroy Meyer with 178 points Round 6 - Jill Mach with 256 points

Plaque and money winners were:

1st - Sonny Klepec with 898 points 2nd - Jill Mach with 734 points 3rd - Travis Mixon with 697 points 4th - Mary Jo Tschoerner with 694 points

Our ‘lowest points’ player is presented with a gift at the end of the tournament. It’s all in the name of fun! This year, Augie Svehlak was the big winner of the box of Lucky Charms cereal and a $10 scratch-off ticket. I sure hope Augie won some money off that ticket.

Thanks to the tournament participants from across the state who came out and made the 2022 SPJST State Tarok Tournament a success that was filled with fun and fraternalism. Thank you to State Fraternal Services Specialist Tammy Martinez for her hard work and assistance. We are looking forward to next year’s tarok tournament. Fraternally, Frank Horak State Fraternal Director —SPJST—

Congratulations to, front, left to right, 1st Sonny Klepec, 2nd - Jill Mach, 3rd - Travis Mixon, back, and 4th Mary Jo Tschoerner. They are pictured with Fraternal Services Specialist Tammy Martinez, back, left, and State Fraternal Director Frank Horak.

Left to right are Mary Jo Tschoerner; Jimmie Coufal of Lodge 47, Seaton; John Paprskar of Lodge 92, Fort Worth; and Sam Mach of Arlington.