The Lancaster County Chapter Board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans met on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at Friedens Lutheran Church, 540 D St., Lincoln NE at 6:30 p.m. President Phil Wittig called the regular monthly chapter meeting to order and a quorum was declared Board members in attendance included: Phil Wittig, Jeff Peterson, Kristy Plander, Billie Frost, Judy Janssen, Keith Plummer, Margaret Simmons, Sally Mertens and Tim Wiggins. Advisory Board members present included: Dennis Engelbart, Roger Simmons and Linda Stubbendick. Board member absent with notice was Jan Beck Others present included: Friedens Lutheran Congregational Coordinators, Rev. Howard Rasmussen and Peggy Russell. President Phil extended the Board’s thanks and appreciation to Friedens Lutheran for hosting our monthly chapter meeting.

Reports
Records Director: The minutes of the July 26, 2007 monthly chapter meeting were approved as printed and distributed.

Correspondence: Kristy Plander, Financial Director, read three pieces of correspondence which included a Thank-you Note from the Financial Associates concerning the Tailgate Party at the Salt Dogs Basball event; a Thank-you Note from the Lutheran Student Center on the UNL Campus and a Thank-you Note from Camp Luther.

New Chapter Members: The motion was made by Billie Frost and seconded by Billie Keith Plummer to admit into membership in the Lancaster County Chapter of Thrivent for Lutherans as of August 25, 2007 – 63 Benefit members, 7 Associate members and 14 Youth members for a total of 84 members. The motion passed.

Financial Director: Kristy Plander provided the July report to the Chapter Board prior to the meeting. Currently there is $6,272,00 in Operating Funds in the Chapter checking account. The balance of our allocation for Care Abounds in Communities (CAIC) is $26,869.00 or 36 percent of our total allocation. The July report has been filed for audit.

Congregational Service Team Director: Tim Wiggins provided a written report prior to the meeting. Christ Lutheran currently has two coordinators and he has been working with them to recruit a third coordinator.

Revised Funding Guidelines for CAIC projects: Financial Director, Kristy Plander, presented the Revised Guidelines for funding CAIC projects. The motion was made by Kristy Plander and seconded by Keith Plummer to adopt the guidelines as presented with the following changes. The Lancaster County Chapter website would be added and the bottom two paragraphs at the end of both columns would be deleted.

President: Phil Wittig provided a written report prior to the meeting and added the following notes of appreciation. Phil recognized Judy Janssen for the great success of the Salt Dog Baseball event in August and also to Kristy Plander providing the information about the Lancaster County Chapter to those at the Baseball game.

Volunteer Recognition Program: Phil Wittig presented information from the Task Force concerning the program. The motion was made by Jeff Peterson and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve the concept of the program but not provided funding for the program until a later date. The motion passed.

Your Director: Sally Mertens reported that she is continuing to work with the Fall Festival Committee.

Events Director: Judy Janssen provided a written report to the Board prior to the meeting. The Congregational Coordinators did an excellent job getting the word out about the Salt Dog game and getting the ticket information to her. The Lincoln Crop Walk is the same day as the Fall Festival, The suggestion was made that ‘free tickets’ be given to the Coordinators for the Fall Festival to emphasize the importance of attending the event.

Vice President (Webmaster): Jeff Peterson reported that the Website had 559 hits last month. The nomination for Chapter Officers is in process and nominees for the position of Vice President and Congregational Service Team Director are still needed. Jeff will be serving as president in 2008. All other positions in the Chapter will be filled by the individual leader that is currently in that position.

Communications Director: Margaret Simmons is in need of articles for the Fall newsletter. A card will be sent concerning the Camp Carol Holling Fall Holiday Festival with the Wisconsin style Fish Feed/ as well as several other events being scheduled. The manual for Congregational Coordinators will be ready at the Coordinators training in January.
Action Items

Community Project Team Director’s Report: Keith Plummer presented six ‘Care Abounds in Community’ (CAIC) activity requests which had been received since the July 24th Lancaster County Chapter meeting. All CAIC approved requests are being funded 1:1 unless otherwise noted.

Project #07-30242-49: This project request for $800 is from the First Lutheran and is titled ‘Meals on Wheels Endowment Challenge’. The activity will be held on September 30, 2007 at Sheridan Lutheran Church. The event will be a live and silent auction of donated wood items. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for $800. The motion passed.

Project #07-30242-50: This project request for $800 is from Camp Carol Joy Holling and is titled ‘Carol Joy Holling Camp Classic Golf Tournament’. The activity will be held on September 10, 2007 and the funds raised will be used to subsidize the Campership Fund Program. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for $800. The motion passed.

Project #07-30242-51: This project request for $800 is from Lincoln Lutheran Middle-Senior High School and is titled ‘Lincoln Lutheran Third Annual Bowling Tournament’. The activity will be held at Parkway Lanes-Lincoln on September 30, 2007. The funds raised will be used for the Lincoln Lutheran Basketball program and student athletes. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for $800. The motion passed.

Project #07-30242-52: This project request for $2500 is from Sheridan Lutheran and is titled ‘Brueggemann Benefit Soup Supper and Chili Tasting. The activity will be held on October 6, 2007 from 4-6 p.m. The funds raised will be used for medical expenses and cash assistance for the Brueggemann family. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for $2500. The motion passed. The Communications Director plans to send a postcard on this project.

Project #07-30242-53: This project request for $800 is from Jason Garder help fund his Eagle Scout project. The Eagle Scout project involves the purchasing of materials and supplies to rebuild a pedestrian bridge at Camp Carol Joy Holling. The bridge will be torn out and rebuilt on September 16, 2007. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for $800. The motion passed.

Project #07-30242-54: This project request for $2500 is from Christ Lutheran Church and is titled ‘Chandra Penny Benefit’. The activity will be held on September 10, 2007 (What is correct date?) and the funds raised will be used medical expenses and cash assistance. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for $2500. The motion passed.

Financial Director, Kristy Plander, estimated that we have between $18,000 and $20,000 remaining in CAIC funds for calendar 2007.

Reports(continued)

Director of Member Engagement Region 378: Dennis Engelbart thanked those members who have volunteered to help in the Nebraska State Fair booth. Lancaster County Chapter has committed to take responsibility for the booth for two days. Dennis reminded the group to include their Fair booth hours with your regular volunteer hours in September. Dennis encouraged everyone to attend the Thrivent event at Camp Carol Joy Holling.

Thrivent Builds Specialist: Linda Stubbendick reported that the Habitat house in Air Park is nearly finished. No final word yet on the ‘D’ project as we are waiting for City approval on the permit. The tentative Wall Raising is set for September 1st but will probably be a later date. Our participation in these projects is ‘Not a ‘Hand Out. . .But a Hand Up’. There will be a Habitat Build in Biloxi, MS beginning November 5th. Contact Julie Ferri if you are interested in going. Chapter members can get a Stipend. Arnett Garris and Dennis Engelbart helped with the Habitat Build in South Dakota earlier this year.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.