Lodge NewsHome Office News

T E X A S F A R M E R An RVOS Insurance Publication

June 2015 Volume 101 | Issue 02

2

UpFront

R O L N Í K JUNE 2015

T wo of my favorite seasons of the year are fall and spring. Fall brings the different colors, red, orange, yellow, brown and other colors in the changing of the leaves. Spring too has its colors

blue, pink, yellow, orange, purple, white, green and other shades of the rainbow in the flowers and trees that bloom. The beauties of these seasons also bring to us who suffer from them, the dreaded allergies that are brought on by the pollen and dust. At the most inconvenient time, not that any time is convenient, they strike. When you need to be at your best you get laryngitis, headache, a sore throat, sinusitis,

enlarged glands, fever, either a runny nose or a stopped up one. Your eyes turn red, water and itch. Your body aches and you feel like…., well you know how you feel. You can go to the doctor, but most times he will tell you it has to run its course or they send you to an allergist where you have to get tested and then go every week for allergy shots. Most of us probably just take the over counter medicine to help you get through the day. You just have to feel bad until it runs its course which is usually 2 weeks unless it turns into something really bad like pneumonia or bronchitis and you could end up in the hospital. What a relief it is when it all passes. Hope you all stay well and enjoy your summer.

T E X A S FA R M E R June 2015 Volume 101 | Issue 02

officers + directors president Wiley Shockley vice president Wes Jacksonvice president-at-large Richard Hykel secretary James Smith

district directors dist. 1 Joe W. Liles | P.O. Box 366 | Holland, TX 76534 dist. 2 Nelson Hall | PO Box 572 | Granger, TX 76530 dist. 3 Tom Stavinoha | 10420 Will Lehman Rd | Needville , TX 77461 dist. 4 Dennis R. Vanek | 501 Kelly Crick Rd | Victoria, TX 77904 dist. 5 Jack W. Clark | 4000 S Georgia St, Ste B1 | Amarillo, TX 79109 dist. 6 Rhonda R. Steelman | 5780 Loving Trail | Frisco, TX 75034 dist. 7 Wayne Wilson | 7026 E OSR | Bryan, TX 77808

notice of privacy policyRVOS Insurance Group, including RVOS Farm Mutual Insurance Company, Priority One Insurance Company, New Century Insurance and RVOS General Agency, Inc., understands that securing your privacy is extremely important. We maintain physical and electronic safeguards and enforce procedures to protect your non public personal information. We do not sell, trade, lend, lease or share non public personal information to affiliate or non-affiliated third parties, except as permitted by law.

We collect data from insurance applications. We may collect claim history, credit history, driving records and medical records from a third party if necessary. Transactions will provide payment history, underwriting and claims information. We do share information between our group of companies including name, address and transaction experience. However, we do not share medical or health information among companies or with third parties except to process transactions or to provide services at your request.

A full privacy policy is available on rvos.com/privacy or upon request by calling 800.792.3084.

The contents of this publication are not intended to provide medical, financial or legal advice. RVOS recommends that you seek the advice of a competent professional for such services.

ISSN. 8750-9873 home office 2301 S. 37th St.USPS No. 540-020 mailing address P.O. Box 6106 Temple, Texas 76503-6106 800.792.3084 RVOS.com

editor Sharlet Sladecek

published quarterly

circulation over 62,000official organ RVOS Farm Mutual Insurance CompanyPeriodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and additional mailing offices.Subscription price per year, $1.00Send all change of address to: Texas Farmer, P.O. Box 6106, Temple, TX 76503-6106. Always include your old and new address, lodge number, and zip code.

postmaster send change of address to: Texas Farmer, P.O. Box 6106, Temple, TX 76503-6106

UPFRONT 2 Letter from the Editor

3 Letter from the President

LODGENEWS4 Lodge News

LODGEMEETINGS4 Lodge Meetings

HOME OFFICENEWS7 Home Office News

SEASONALFEATURE10 Family Vacation

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS For over 100 years

Letter from the Editor

SHARLET SLADECEKEditor

3

UpFront

R O L N Í KJUNE 2015

From the President Nazdar and Greetings to All,

This Spring brought some much needed rain across Texas, helping to raise lake and reservoir levels just in time for Summer activities. Numerous areas were impacted by more severe weather such as hail, windstorms and tornados. Heavy rains caused destructive flooding in numerous areas over the Memorial Day weekend. We are now in hurricane season which history shows will primarily affect coastal residents but have been known to travel further inland as well. As always, RVOS stands ready in the event that any of our members should suffer a covered loss.

Our local lodges will begin having their annual meetings after July 1st and all members are encouraged to attend and participate in discussions regarding what

activities, donations or sponsorships might benefit their local communities.

The RVOS Home Office recently sponsored the outstanding Bell County Sheriff Department Deputy for 2015 and helped support the Morgan’s Point Resort Police and Fire Department's as a sponsor at their annual Lake Jamboree and Bar-B-Q Cook-Off Fundraiser. These occurred in the Central Texas area but are examples of what the RVOS local lodges do statewide to help show support in the local townships.

RVOS also proudly supports our retired and active duty veterans along with their families through the Department of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) headquartered in Austin. This includes being a sponsor in their statewide Voice of Democracy scholarship program in which 1,951 high school students participated in 2014-2015.

District meetings will be held for RVOS in District 1 and District 3 this year to elect District Directors and Alternate Directors as well as By-Law Committee members and Alternates. Delegates from the 2014 Convention in Waco, who serve from Convention to Convention will attend and vote on behalf of the members who elected them. More information on the meetings is included in this issue.

The 2015 Texas Legislature is now adjourned and the effects of legislative action or inaction remain to be seen and probably will for years to come. Out of the

thousands of bills that are filed, only a virtual handful actually make their way through the entire process to become law. Trying to get hundreds of people to agree on something that does not affect a specific legislator or their constituents has its challenges. Partisan politics in Austin is not much different than in Washington, D.C. and having been involved in the process, it becomes easy to see how good laws never make it to fruition and bad ones are passed on to the citizens, usually in some form or fashion such as a tax increase or assessment that ends up leaving less money in your pocket. But we still live in the greatest country in the world.

Thank you and Na shledanou,

Letter from the President

WILEY SHOCKLEYPresident

RVOS Farm Mutual Insurance

for more information, contact us at:

2301 South 37th StreetTemple, TX 76504

phone (800)792-3084email info@rvos.com

www.RVOS.com

If you know someone who commits insurance fraud, speak up! Stopping fraudulent activity helps keep premiums down. If you know someone who commits arson or theft of property insured by RVOS, let us know. If that person is convicted, you could receive a reward up to $500.

The following RVOS fee schedule is being provided for your information and convenience.

Annual Policy Fee - $25.00Quarterly Fee - $5.00 per quarter

Monthly Draft Fee - $1.00 per monthLate Fee: $25.00 per policy

The RVOS Insurance Group has implemented a new online payment method on all policies that have been converted into the new policy management system. Details about how to pay online using electronic check or credit card can be found on your invoice. We accept electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card payment through Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. For more information about online payments, contact your agent.

Fee ScheduleOnline Payments

Fraud Reward

R O L N Í K JUNE 2015

4

LodgeNewsLODGE 26On March 16 Pierce Lodge 26 made three generous donations totaling $4,500. These donations were made to the El Campo, Louise, and Danevang Volunteer Fire Departments.

Pictured (L-R): Lodge Secretary/Treasurer Diana David, Lodge President Charlie Merta, El Campo VFD representatives Jimmy George and Kenny Socha, Lodge Vice President Charlene Smith.

LODGE 51Members and guests of Ennis Lodge 51 gathered at their annual party on March 14 at the SPJST Hall in Ennis, TX. All those in attendance enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Bubba’s Barbeque. Czech music was performed by the Legend Oaks band and door prizes were also given. Guests representing the Home Office were District 6 Director, Rhonda Steelman and Vice President-at-large Richard Hykel. Donations were given to the following volunteer fire departments whose representatives were also in attendance: Garrett, Rosser, Telico, Alma and Bristol. Pictured (L-R): representing the volunteer fire departments, Garrett VFD Sheldon Ross, Rosser VFD Charles Orman, Telico VFD Laura Trojacek, Alma VFD Tommy Marusak and Bristol VFD John Treadway.

Austin Lodge 150 Annual Meeting

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2015Time: 4:00 p.m.Place: Pok-e-Jo's Smokehouse 2121 W. Parmer Lane Austin TXRSVP by September 23 John Ermis, (512) 258-8397 orBeno Hellinger, (512) 452-9748

Holland Lodge 83Annual Meeting

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2015Time: 2:00 p.m.Place: Holland SPJST Hall #80

Houston Lodge 108Annual Meeting

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2015Time: 2:00 p.m. Meeting with meal to followPlace: SPJST Lodge 88 Annex Bldg. 1435 Beall St. Houston, TX

Waco Lodge 109Family Day

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2015Time: 1:00 p.m.Place: Geneva Hall 740 S Connally Dr. Elm Mott, TX 76640Info: LaNell Brem (254) 722-0006

Pictured (L-R): Lodge Secretary/Treasurer Diana David, Lodge President Charlie Merta, Louise VFD representative Bobby Popp, Lodge Vice President Charlene Smith.

Pictured (L-R): Lodge President Charlie Merta, Secretary/Treasurer Diana David, Danevang VFD representative Richard Chomout, Lodge Vice President Charlene Smith.

LODGE 174Agent Sharon Evans sponsored the Palestine High School Baseball Team by providing and placing a banner at the center of the Palestine Field. Pictured (L-R): Sharon’s grandchildren Brock Evans & Brooklynn Evans and Agent Sharon Evans.

LODGEMEETINGS

R O L N Í KJUNE 2015

5

LodgeNewsLODGE 55Shillerville Lodge 55 held their annual social on April 12 at DeCosta Hall in Victoria. Nursery and Placedo Volunteer Fire departments were recipients of donations given by the lodge.

Pictured: (L-R): Lodge Secretary Marilyn Kabela, Agent Kathleen Garrett, Nursery VFD representative Brent Mickey, Lodge President Beatrice Neisser, District 4 Director & Agent Dennis Vanek and Vice President Gay Revel.

Pictured (L-R): Agent Kathleen Garrett, Lodge Secretary Mariyln Kabela, Placedo VFD representative Robert Zapata, Lodge President Beatrice Neisser, District 4 Director & Agent Dennis Vanek and Vice President Gay Revel.

LODGE 103Tioga-Whitesboro Lodge 103 celebrated their 100th anniversary on April 18 at the KC Hall in Pilot Point. Home Office President Wiley Shockley presented a plaque in recognition of the special occasion. Lodge officers from 142 and 151 were in attendance as well to help celebrate.

Pictured standing (L-R): President Brian Heitzman, Lodge 142 President Laddie Gajdica, Home Office President Wiley Shockley, Lodge 151 President Rudy Rejcek, Lodge 142 Treasurer Charles Chandler, Agent Moses Hejny, Seated (L-R): Secretary Karen Prescher, District 6 Director & Agent Rhonda Steelman.

Pictured (L-R): Agent Moses Hejny, Home Office President Wiley Shockley, Mary Shockley, Secretary Karen Prescher, Vice President Edward Blakley, Agent & District 6 Director Rhonda Steelman, President Brian Heitzman.

LODGE 109Knights of Columbus Council 7202 from Bellmead hosted their 2nd annual golf tournament benefitting Meals & Wheels Senior Ministries on May 2 at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco. To help make this event a success Gaidusek Insurance Agency and RVOS District 1 Director Joe Liles provided sponsorships. The contributions from this event doubled from last year with a total donation of $2,419 given to Meals & Wheels.

Pictured (L-R): Moose Stoval, RVOS member Dan Bateman, Lodge 109 Agent Johnnie Gaidusek and RVOS member Sam Michel.

Pictured (L-R): Meals & Wheels President Craven Green and K C Council 7202 Deputy Grand Knight Curtis Stone.

LODGE 167Corsicana Lodge 167 awarded 7 scholarships to the Corsicana High School Softball Team. Pictured (L-R): Ashley Spence, Lodge Vice President/Secretary Anele Richardson, Leeah Seth, Jennifer Skinner, Agent Denise Brown, Katy Andrews, Jourdan Bruce, Anna Carver and Rosalinda Cortez.

R O L N Í K JUNE 2015

6

LodgeNews

In Sympathy Royce Zatopek Sr. Past Lodge 47 Agent

Donna Sue Anders Lodge 89 Secretary

Gary Don Rowe, Jr. Lodge 706 Agent

LODGE 127

Jourdanton Lodge 127 made a donation on March 12 to Relay for Life which is a sponsor of the American Cancer Society. Pictured (L-R): Community Manager John Pish, Committee Treasurer Gail Dale, Lodge President Bobby Tymrak, Vice President John R. Muckleroy and Secretary Bettie House.

On April 18 the lodge held their Spring social at Granny D's Restaurant in Pleasanton. Donations were presented to local Project Graduation groups. Pictured (L-R): District 4 Director Dennis Vanek, Lodge President Bobby Tymrak, Agent Janice Favor, Pleasanton Project Grad representative Marilyn Vasquez, Poteet Project Grad representative Leonard Keeling, Lodge Vice President John R. Muckleroy, Secretary Bettie House. Not present were Agent Cheryl Henry and Jourdanton Project Grad representative.

LODGE 142

Dallas Lodge 142 held their annual dinner on March 22 at the Sokol Hall in Dallas. At this event the lodge celebrated its 65th anniversary. District 6 Director Rhonda Steelman presented a lily plant to the lodge in recognition of the anniversary. Charter member Eleanor Rusnak was recognized for her many years of service and was presented with a plaque to thank her for her dedication. More than 125 members and guests gathered for a traditional Czech dinner and door prizes were given. Pictured (L-R): District 6 Director Rhonda Steelman and Secretary Sadie Liska.

Bosque Lodge 189 made a donation of $500 to the Valley Mills Food Pantry on November 26, 2014. Pictured (L-R): Food Pantry representative Jean Brown and Agent Johnnie Gaidusek.

Pictured (L-R): President Laddie Gajdica, Secretary Sadie Liska, District 6 Director Rhonda Steelman, Treasurer Charles Chandler.

Pictured (L-R): Eleanor Rusnak, President Laddie Gajdica and Irvin Rusnak.

LODGE 189

On March 7 Valley Mills Fire Department held their annual fund raising event in which RVOS provided sponsorship. Pictured (L-R): Valley Mills Fire Department representatives Sterlee Fisk and David Fisk.

R O L N Í KJUNE 2015

7

HomeOfficeNews

R O L N Í K

Every four years at their respective district meeting delegates from the district will elect a District Director, an Alternate District Director, a By-law Committee member and an Alternate By-law Committee member. District meetings are held in the district’s set election year, which is staggered by district. This year these positions are eligible for election in District 1 and District 3. District 1 will hold

Applications for Elected

District Positions are now available

their meeting October 24, 2015 with registration at 9:00 and the meeting at 10:00 a.m., at the SPJST Home Office, 520 North Main St, Temple, TX 76501. District 3 will hold their meeting October 31, 2015 at the Rosenberg Civic Center, 3825 Hwy 36 South, Rosenberg TX 77471 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Applicants for a position must meet the eligibility requirements below to be eligible to run at the district meeting.

District Director, By-Law Committee or Respective Alternate Eligibility Requirements

Application ProcessThe following documents must be submitted to the Home Office at least 45 days prior to the district meeting:

Application

PreCheck Disclosure and Authorization for background check

SignedConflictofInterestForm

Signed Exposure and Fiduciary Duty FormApplications for District 1 must be received at the Home Office on or before September 9, 2015. Applications for District 3 must be received at the Home Office on or before September 16.

If approved by the Home Office screening, the member must attend the district meeting in order to be elected to a position.

Candidates who meet the above qualifications and are interested in one of the elective positions can contact Wiley Shockley at wshockley@rvos.com or Sharlet Sladecek at ssladecek@rvos.com to request an application.

The member must have been a member in the Association for at least three years immediately prior to being elected.

The member must have been a member in the district for which he/she is elected at least one year prior to being elected, and must reside within those district boundaries at all times.

The member must hold at least $3,000 of insurance with the Association.

The member must not be related to any member of the Board within the third degree as dictated by Section 573.002 of the Texas Government Code.

If the member owns his/her own home, that home must be insured by the Association in order to be eligible to serve as a Director, By-law Committee member or Alternate to either position.

The member must not be an officer of any other fire or extended coverage insurance company. If he/she becomes an officer of such company after being elected, he/she automatically resigns from that position.

The member must meet other qualifications as outlined in the Conflict of Interest Statement or as set by the Association.

The member must never have had a license for any professional designation placed on probation, denied, suspended, revoked, canceled or non-renewed by any state or regulatory body.

The member must never have been disciplined or fined by a state department or other regulatory body.

The member must never have been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contender (no contest) to any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or to any felony.

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

R O L N Í K JUNE 2015

8

HomeOfficeNews

Doris Bruggman celebrated her retirement with the Home Office staff and officers on February 27 with a cake and punch reception. She was presented a plaque recognizing her service with RVOS. Doris retired after serving for 22 years and 8 months. Doris began her career as an Assessment Clerk in the Accounting Department. Upon her retirement she served as Senior Accounting Clerk. Doris and her husband Larry plan on spending more time with their children and grandchildren. We wish Doris a happy and enjoyable retirement. Pictured (L-R): RVOS Home Office Secretary James Smith, Vice President Wes Jackson, Comptroller Renee Quinn, Doris Bruggman, and President Wiley Shockley.

Doris Bruggman Retires

Quality Care Nursing HomeSausage Cookout

Residents of Quality Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Waco, TX were treated to sausage wraps and the trimmings on May 12 by Vice President- at-large Richard Hykel (R) and District 1 Director Joe Liles (L). Many of the residents from West Rest Haven Nursing Home in West were relocated to Waco after the fertilizer plant explosion 3 years ago destroyed the nursing home.

TOCA Award CeremonyPreserving Our Culture

Saturday, March 29 The Texans of Czech Ancestry (TOCA) held their Appreciation Awards Ceremony at the Texas Czech Heritage Cultural Center in La Grange. At this event the RVOS TOCA nominee Charles Chandler was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his contribution to preserving the Czech culture and heritage. RVOS also made a donation to the Texas Czech Heritage Cultural Center (TCHCC) to put towards the preservation of the Czech culture.

RVOS TOCA Award presented. Pictured (L-R): RVOS Home Office Secretary James Smith, TOCA nominee Charles Chandler, and TOCA President Arlene Cloyd

Presentation of TCHCC donationFront Row (L-R): Linda Wilson, Betty Smith, RVOS Secretary James Smith, TCHCC President Rhetta Chandler, and District 4 Director Dennis Vanek. Back Row (L-R): District 7 Director Wayne Wilson, TOCA Secretary & District 3 Director Thomas Stavinoha, TCHCC Director Joseph Bartosh and Donna Vanek.

R O L N Í KJUNE 2015

9

HomeOfficeNews

Elsie Jez was recognized April 10 for her 20 years of service with RVOS. Elsie started working as a Policy/File Clerk. She now serves as a Policy Processing Clerk.

Elsie came to Temple in 1950 after graduating from Yoe High School in Cameron. She married the late Wallace Jez, October 24, 1953. Together they have 2 children, son Adrian and daughter Magdalen, 2 granddaughters Jennifer and Lindsey and one grandson Ethan, 2 great granddaughters Harper and Jenny, and 1 great grandson Jace Wallace.

They enjoyed dancing and especially dancing the Beseda, playing 42, Tarak and going to Louisiana. Elsie and Wallace enjoyed working their farm in which Elsie still takes care of the cows and chickens. On her own birthday she bakes some of the best desserts and brings them to work to celebrate her birthday with her coworkers. We congratulate Elsie and wish her many more years of service with RVOS.

RVOS Service Pin

Bell County Law Enforcement Appreciation

RVOS was a proud sponsor of the 47th Annual Bell County Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards held at the Knights of Columbus Council 3444 in Temple on April 28. The Outstanding Bell County Deputy award was given to Deputy Sheriff Carlos Davis.

Pictured (L-R): Bell County Sheriff Department Lieutenant Glenn Pitrucha, Deputy Sheriff Carlos Davis and RVOS President Wiley Shockley.

20 YEAR

S

Grape Salad

2 lb green grapes, seedless 2 lb red grapes, seedless 1/2 cup, granulated sugar 8 oz cream cheese 8 oz sour cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup pecans, toasted, coarsely chopped

Wash grapes, pull gently off vine and pat dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, cream together sugar, cream cheese, sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently fold in grapes and place in a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle top with brown sugar and pecans. Refrigerate overnight.

Home Office Employee:Jalene Baldwin

R O L N Í K JUNE 2015

10

SeasonalFeature

R O L N Í K JUNE 2015

A Family Vacation

As the breezy Spring days start to warm and become still and the school year is winding down for my girls, I start to think of the upcoming summer weekends and vacation. When I was growing up it wasn't so much what we were going to do, but when. We enjoyed the outdoors and being away from

the hustle and bustle of the city so we would go camping. I remember my dad telling us scary stories while sitting around camp fires and mom telling him to stop scaring us. We also went on long hikes in the woods exploring together. We stayed connected as a family on these camping trips instead of using electronic devices as so many do now. When I was in middle school we went to Padre Island to camp with my Aunts and Uncles and their families. This became a traditional vacation that continued for many years. Some of our favorite things to do were walking the beaches searching for treasures, swimming in the ocean and eating our food really fast before the sea gulls started hovering over us begging to be fed. Now that I have my own family we don't go camping anymore.

Even though I miss the tradition of camping, I cherish the vacation time we spend together. Our yearly ritual is to go to Schlitterbahn for a couple of days. Our ongoing mission for the two days we are there is to ride all the rides the first day, so that on the second day before heading home we can relax in the wave pool. On our trip home we usually go shopping for summer clothes and eat at a local restaurant. For the rest of our vacation days we wind down by spending family time watching movies, grilling, going on hikes and bowling. I've learned as I grow older that regardless of what you do on your vacation making memories is the most important part.

Hope you all have a great Summer and don't forget the sunscreen!!

Samantha Nowaski, Communications Manager

R O L N Í KJUNE 2015

11

SeasonalFeature

R O L N Í KJUNE 2015

PO Box 6106Temple, Texas

76503

An RVOS Insurance Publication

HAVE YOU UPDATEDYOUR POLICY LATELY?

Contact Your Agent