CSAGSI President's Message

Bill Hosna, President CSAGSI

September 2003

     September 1 brings us to the beginning of a new year for the Society, as our recently elected officers and board members started their terms on that day. These persons have committed to volunteer many hours of their life over the next few years to keep our Society active and growing. I thank them for that commitment.
     At this time, I must ask for additional volunteers. Our Society will need four volunteers to represent CSAGSI at monthly meetings of the Bohemian National Cemetery Association on the first Wednesday evening of each month. Meetings are held in Berwyn, IL.
     We will also need four volunteers to represent CSAGSI at monthly meetings of the Czechoslovak American Congress on the first Thursday evening of each month. Meetings held in No. Riverside and Brookfield, IL.
     We are also looking for more volunteers to be Christmas Party chairperson and committee persons to start work on the Christmas Party for 2004.
     We are also looking for IDEAS and volunteers for our March Genealogy Workshop. What facet of our “Quest for Ancestors” would you like to know more about, that could be presented in a one-day workshop? Please contact an officer or board member with your idea.
     At our last meeting, I asked if you were PROUD of your Czech or Slovak Heritage. Most said yes. I then asked how many had attended the LIDICE MEMORIAL SERVICE, or the MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES at Bohemian National Cemetery, or one of the CZECH/SLOVAK/MORAVIAN picnics. Far fewer hands went up. Saying you are proud of your heritage is one thing. Demonstrating it with your active participation at ethnic functions is another. Many people in this country would appreciate a Czech/Slovak butcher shop, bakery, or restaurant in their neighborhood. Some of us complain that our neighborhoods are changing to other ethnic groups. Have you considered that the change is due to lack of participation in our community’s Czech/Slovak ethnic functions? Many Czech/Slovak butchers, bakeries, and restaurants are no longer in business because not enough of us are patronizing them regularly. What have you taught your children or grandchildren about their heritage? Are they proud to be descendants of Czech/Slovak ancestors? Do they even know what their heritage is?
     Think about it!

Bill

Back to the CSAGSI Home Page.

All material presented here is Copyright 2003 CSAGSI, Inc.
Webmaster: Chris Miksanek
Last updated: September 23, 2003