It's called the Vestnik and it's the SPJST's weekly membership newspaper. Translated, the name means "bulletin" and in the year 2008, it has been 96 years since Mr. Frank Fabian edited and published the first issue in Hallettsville, Texas. SPJST members believed then - just as now - in the necessity of effective and regular communication between all parts of the organization. In a very real way, the newspaper has been a builder of images and a shaper of opinions and attitudes about the fraternal activities, insurance and other benefits available to members. Through two world wars, the Great Depression and decades of national and international tension and triumph, the Vestnik continues to evolve to reflect the changing needs and special concerns of SPJST members. On a weekly basis, the Vestnik delivers news on a wide range of organizational and cultural topics. In addition, each issue provides SPJST members with a forum for sharing news and information about happenings at their local lodges and youth clubs. Subscriptions to the Vestnik are free upon request to members of SPJST. Non-members may purchase a subscription to the newspaper at the rate of $25 annually. Subscription requests may be directed to the Financial Secretary's Office, in care of the SPJST Home Office in Temple. Vestnik Deadline Wednesday at 5 p.m. prior to the publication date Send Vestnik information directly to: Vestnik Editor/Director of Communication Melanie Zavodny melaniez@vvm.com P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas  76503-0100 (254) 774-7447 fax (800) 727-7578  •  (254) 534-0807

Ten Suggestions for your News and Photos to the Vestnik for publication 1. The deadline for receiving news and photos for the following week's issue is Wednesday at 5 p.m. Fax your news items to (254) 774-7447 or send an email to melaniez@vvm.com 2. In preparing your lodge reports and features, please include complete information. All stories submitted should be written legibly or typed. Also take care to check the spelling on names.  People love to see their names in print - especially when they are spelled correctly. In case there are any questions on the editor's end, it's always a good idea for the correspondent to include his or her name, address and telephone number somewhere on the story. 3. Keep in mind, your well-written lodge letters may also have strong reader appeal for your local newspaper - especially if your area is served by a weekly paper dedicated to promoting local news and activities. 4. In composing your stories, please feel free to be creative. Some of the most interesting lodge letters and features incorporate colorful quotes, descriptions and background information. 5. Regarding photographs in the Vestnik, clear color photographs make the best reproductions in the Vestnik. 6. Be creative! People-oriented photos draw readers into your story. For instance, a shot of two dancers out on the floor will attract much more attention than a picture of two people standing in front of a wall. Submit your photographs with short, descriptive captions. 7. Good contrast and an uncluttered background are also important for a good photo. When photographing people, it's especially important to be CLOSE to the subjects. People - typically the focal point of most photos - are more important than the background. Before you take a photograph, check the background and try different angles if possible. If necessary, move your subjects to avoid distractions. Light-colored backgrounds work best. 8. Take special care when shooting photographs of people outdoors. It's usually a good idea to use your flash attachment - especially on bright days - to fill in the harsh shadows caused by sunlight. 9. The Vestnik is your newspaper and is made available for you to use as a tool to promote fraternalism in your lodge and throughout the SPJST. It can also be an effective aid in recruiting new members. It can help boost the morale of active members. It can be used as a source of ideas for social and fraternal activities and as a source of information about the SPJST and its many fraternal insurance and financial products. 10. The Vestnik is always looking for feature stories about lodges, lodge members and special events that will appeal to the readership. Also, if you ever have any suggestions or questions about submitting your news and photos to the Vestnik, please call the Editor at (800) 727-7578; (254) 773-1575; or (254) 534-0807.

SPJST • P.O. Box 100 • Temple, Texas 76503
(800) 727-7578 • info@spjst.org