Come Join the Brazos Valley Czech Heritage Society!
The Brazos Valley Czech Heritage Society (BVCHS) was established June 23, 1997. From its start with 13 charter members, BVCHS membership has blossomed to 100 adult and 13 youth members in 2024 and continues to grow and thrive.
BVCHS owes its existence to the parent organization, The Czech Heritage Society of Texas, Inc. [CHS], founded October 30, 1982, in Taylor, Texas, at SPJST Lodge No. 29. Thirty-two [32] members were present at that meeting, called by the Society's founder, the late Albert J. Blaha.
CHS is a nondenominational, nonpolitical, nonprofit Texas corporation, organized under provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 501[c][3], and administered entirely by volunteers. The Corporation is governed by a Board of Trustees and managed by an Executive Committee composed of Elected Officials, Appointed Committees, and Presidents of the 15 member chapters.
The BVCHS is a member chapter, and its mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of all Texans of Czechoslovakian [Bohemian, Moravian, Slovakian, Silesian, or Rusyn] ancestry and pass that on to future generations. The mission is facilitated by bringing people together primarily through social and educational activities incorporating genealogy, history, language, food, and music.
BVCHS has several very experienced members available to assist people in locating their Czechoslovakian ancestors and documenting the family histories for future generations. This assistance is provided without cost.
Chapter activities vary by year and are determined by the BVCHS Executive Committee. For 2024, those activities include Spring and Fall Czech Language Classes, Spring and Fall Czech Kolache and Bread Baking Classes, an annual Scholarship Presentation at a local dining venue, a Summer Social, a Fall Czech Heritage Celebration, and a Christmas Party. The Chapter also hopes to have a booth at Brazos Valley Worldfest if held this year.
Activities that BVCHS has hosted in the past to promote the cultural heritage of its members include State Membership Meetings, Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras Dances, Czech Cuisine Day, Czech Easter Egg Decorating Classes, Game Nights and Socials, and Czech Movie Nights.
BVCHS invites you to join the Chapter and participate in its activities, fun times, and fellowship opportunities. Annual dues are $15 for Adults [$10 State, $5 Chapter] and $3 for Youth [$2 State and $1 Chapter]. Youth are persons under the age of 18 at the time of joining but must have a parent or grandparent who is a CHS member in good standing before they can join. Dues are payable December 31st, but any new member joining after October 1st has their membership extended through the following December 31st.
Dues entitle Adult members to receive three issues of the CHS official newsletter, Český hlas, attend three annual State meetings each hosted by one of the 15 member chapters, and vote on matters of State business. The Spring Meeting focuses on genealogy topics, the Summer Meeting consists of a Queen Pageant and a Youth Royalty Pageant, and the Fall Meeting is the annual "remembrance" meeting which includes a candle-lighting ceremony for chapter members who have passed during the previous year, a musical tribute to United States Armed Forces veterans, awarding of CHS Annual Awards, and a business meeting consisting of matters requiring membership approval.
A Chapter member is further entitled to attend BVCHS Chapter meetings and activities, vote on Chapter business, and volunteer to serve on committees appointed by the Chapter President.
Youth membership is required to participate in CHS-sponsored youth activities such as the Youth Royalty Pageant, planning and voting on future youth social activities, participating in Opening Ceremonies at State meetings, and any other opportunities that may arise for their valued assistance. Youth do not have the right to vote on State business nor receive the Český hlas.
Click on the Menu tabs at the upper left of this page to "Czech out" what the BVCHS is all about. There you will find a direct tab to the CHS membership application form.
Chapter contact information is shown below the Menu tabs.
