One of the fundamental principles that distinguishes SPJST from other business forms is that the members—not outside investors—control the organization.  Member control is exercised through elections of leaders on the local lodge, district, and state levels.  A convention is held every four years.  It is during the convention that SPJST By-Laws and proposed changes in the structure of the fraternal are considered.  The next convention will be in June 2012 in Killeen, Texas.    SPJST Supreme Lodge While members "own" and control SPJST, responsibility for making sure things run smoothly is delegated to a 10-member body, democratically elected at our quadriennial conventions. This group is collectively referred to as the SPJST Supreme Lodge and consist of three officers and seven district directors. Supreme Lodge Officers President  Brian Vanicek Vice President Gene McBride Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Mikeska   Supreme Lodge Directors District One Director/Supreme Lodge Chairman Donnie Victorick District One includes the following counties: Austin, Bastrop (Except Lodge 18, Elgin), Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Gonzales, Lee, Caldwell, Washington, and Leon.   District Two Director Bobby Wuensche District Two includes the following counties: Bell, Falls, Houston, Milam, Travis, Williamson, and portions of Bastrop (Lodge 18, Elgin) and McLennan (Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy).   District Three Director Johnnie Krizan District Three includes the following counties: Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Grayson, Hamilton, Hill, Kaufman, Limestone, McLennan (except Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy), Tarrant, Gregg and Johnson.   District Four Director Billy Rollwitz, FIC District Four includes the following counties: Baylor, Foard, Haskell, Jones, Knox, Lubbock, Lynn, Runnels, Tom Green and Wichita.   District Five Director Larry W. Pflughaupt, FIC District Five includes the following counties: Angelina, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Waller and Montgomery.   District Six Director/Supreme Lodge Vice Chairman Michael K. Ahlstrom, FIC, CFFM District Six includes the following counties: Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Victoria and Wharton.   District Seven Director Bob Bayer, FIC District Seven includes the following counties: Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Cameron, Karnes, Kleburg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Wilson, Coman and Guadalupe. Supreme Lodge History

Vestnik Editor/Director of Communication Melanie Zavodny, FIC

SPJST Standing Committees   The convention also elects four standing committees: By-Law, Finance, Insurance and Publication. The committees have the authorization to deliberate and make recommendations between conventions with regard to their respective areas.   BY-LAW COMMITTEE District One - Richard Ford District Two - Ronnie Rieger District Three - Al Kercho District Four - Beverly Teplicek District Five - Mildred Holeman District Six - Joe Siptak District Seven - Bettie House FINANCE COMMITTEE District One - Thomas Cannon District Two - Edwin Pechal District Three - Michael Galler District Four - Herman D. Weise District Five - Marceil Malak District Six - Glenn Kaminsky District Seven - Roy Haag INSURANCE COMMITTEE District One - Susan Skrabanek District Two - Dolores Skrabanek District Three - Daniel Roznovsky District Four - Leonard Jansa District Five - Helen Hegwood District Six - Jerome Hlavaty District Seven - Wendy Pruski PUBLICATION COMMITTEE District One - Floyd Kostelka District Two - Tammy Whatley District Three - Bessie Petr District Four - Sharon Hohmann District Five - Lorenda Baldwin District Six - Helen Kelner District Seven - Jarolyn Popp

SPJST By-Laws The guidelines which describe how the business of SPJST is to be conducted is found in the bylaws. The services that members expect to receive from their Society are also set out in general terms in the by-laws.   Between conventions, it is the duty of the Supreme Lodge to oversee the administration of the business affairs of the Society in accordance with the By-Laws. Copies of the bylaws may be obtained from delegates to the preceding SPJST convention or your local lodge president. A limited number of copies are also available to members through the SPJST Home Office.