News

From the desk of the Supreme Secretary
by Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members and friends a happy and healthy New Year 2026! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends.

The beginning of a new year is always an opportunity to think positively and set our priorities for the year ahead. If you made any of the traditional New Year’s resolutions (exercise more, do more around the house, save more money, etc.), I hope that you are staying strong and are still faithful to them. If I may, I would like to add one more resolution to your list. Get involved in our activities.

Not many institutions can boast of more than a century of success with outstanding fraternal and sporting activities, along with our stable financial strength. It was on July 4, 1905, that a group of your Slovak immigrants met in Passaic, NJ and established our great organization. We have been able to sustain our strength due to a membership that has always remained active. We need our membership, especially our youngsters, to stay engaged. Try to make a commitment this year to get more involved in your local Assembly/Wreath and/or Group. Local level functions are the cornerstone of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. It is through these events that our message is delivered to our current members and potential members.

What is another way that you can help our Society? You can tell someone, whether it be a family member or friend, about our organization and the benefits that go along with being a member. You can ask if their insurance needs are being met, and it not, give them the phone number of our Home Office. These are just a few things that do not take a lot of time but can go a long way in insuring our Society’s future.

This time of year is also a wonderful opportunity to look at your very own insurance needs. Life insurance can be a financial blessing during a challenging time. The purchase of it can mean saving your home, sending your children to college, or preserving the quality of life for your family. If your children do not have an S.C.S. policy yet, it is a wonderful time to get them one. Since premiums are based on age, your child’s premium will never be lower than it is currently right now. Along with financial protection, your child or grandchild will enjoy the many benefits our Society offers including our scholarship program. If you have any questions, please contact the Home Office and we would be glad to assist you.

We are looking forward to a successful fraternal year in 2026, and we realize that we need to continue to evolve. Change is not something that comes easy, but it is necessary given our current fiscal environment. We will be getting started early with our Supreme Board of Directors meeting on January 15th and our Supreme Physical Fitness Board meeting on January 17th. Both meetings will be held virtually as we continue to find ways to be more efficient and cost effective. If you have any thoughts for either Board, please reach out to the Home Office.

Until next time, have a blessed and healthy New Year, stay warm, and may God bless you!
Stay safe, stay strong, and STAY POSITIVE!
Zdar Boh!