The Lancaster County Chapter Board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans met on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3930 S. 19th Street, Lincoln, NE. President Jeff Peterson called the regular monthly chapter meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. and opened with prayer. Jeff thanked the members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for hosting the meeting and each attendee introduced themselves. Board members in attendance included: Jeff Peterson, Shane Larson, Jan Beck, Kristy Plander, Billie Frost, Judy Janssen, Keith Plummer, Margaret Simmons, and Vicki Onken. Advisory Board members present included: Dennis Engelbart, Roger Simmons and Phil Wittig. Others present included Financial Associate-Arnette Garris; St. Mark’s congregational coordinator-Marcia Gartzke and Lavern Thomas.
Reports

Records Director: The minutes of the January 22, 2008 were presented and had been distributed to the Board members prior to the meeting. The motion was made by Kristy Plander and seconded by Vicki Onken to approve the minutes as presented and distributed. The motion passed. The January 22nd minutes will be posted to the website.

New Chapter Members: The motion was made by Jan Beck and seconded by Kristy Plander to admit into membership in the Lancaster County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans since January 20, 2008 through February 25, 2008 – 36 Benefit members, 14 Associate members and 13 Youth members for a total of 63 members. The motion passed.

Correspondence: Kristy Plander read a letter from Christ Lutheran School, Lincoln thanking the Chapter for supporting their CAIC project in December 2007.

Financial Director: Kristy Plander provided the financial reports to Board members prior to the meeting. The Care Abounds in Communities (CAIC) report includes Projects 7-9 that were sent to the Board but have not officially been approved and ratified. The Operating Funds Report includes expenses paid as of the February Board meeting. Coordinator training expenses have been reimbursed to Judy Janssen and Kristy Plander but not anyone else. Kristy made to copies for the training instead of Margaret due the timing of the preparation of the material. Kristy purchased and distributed blue polo shirts and black vests for the new Board members. All disbursements were for budget items approved at the January meeting. Kristy also attached a copy of the amended 2008 budget that was approved in January,

Other notes-The Board has not approved the printing of the material for the manuals for the congregational coordinators and service teams not connected with a congregation. When service teams were contacted for the CAIC projects approved at the January meeting, I was informed that they had not received a packet from the Chapter. Kristy has developed some draft emails that were shared with Board members prior to the meeting as examples to use when communicating with project service teams before and after project requests are approved. These draft emails were discussed further and action taken as part of the Communication Director’s report.

Communications Director: Margaret Simmons had developed and presented an amended plan for Chapter mailings since the maximum number per year had increased from six to ten mailings (not including the Chapter election mailing). Margaret’s updated plan is to have a newsletter (1) the end of March for the Volunteer Recognition Event; (2) the end of April for Join Hands Day information and other events in the summer; (3) prior to the Orphan Grain Train Annual Fish Feed and (4) early September for the fall event and election. If the Board approves a CAIC funding request for the Orphan Grain Train’s Annual Fish Feed at Lincoln Lutheran Middle/Senior High School in August that a newsletter be sent before the event featuring the mission and history of Orphan Grain Train and activities of the Lincoln Satellite Division. Other Lutheran nonprofit agencies that have received CAIC funds could be recognized in other newsletters. The motion was made Kristy Plander and seconded by Billie Frost to approve the plan Margaret for the Chapter’s newsletters. The motion passed.

Communication with Service Teams following actions taken on CAIC Project Requests: The motion was made by Kristy Plander and seconded by Keith Plummer to approve the approval examples (fundraiser or hands-on) of the email to be used following project approval in lieu of a packet to be sent by the Communications Director to the service teams that have provided an email address to the Chapter and to those service teams that have not provided an email address will receive a packet via USPS within 72 hours of the Board’s approval. The motion passed.

The motion was made by Kristy Plander and seconded by Vicki Onken to approve the decline example of the email to be used following a project request being declined or tabled would be sent by the Community Service Team Director to service teams that have provided an email address to the Chapter and to those service teams that have not provided an email address would receive notice via USPS within 72 hours of the Board’s action. The motion passed.

The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Billie Frost to have the Community Service Team Director acknowledge the receipt of a CAIC request in the same way within 72 hours of the receipt. The motion passed.

Communication Manual: Margaret Simmons has the manual close to being ready for printing. Kristy Plander suggested that the original be printed on high quality paper. Jan Beck mentioned the updating titles of some Chapter leadership; questioned how difficult it would be to keep the pages from the website up-to-date and suggested putting dates on the locally developed pages.

Events Director: Judy Janssen informed the Board that the Volunteer Recognition Committee met on January 30th to review the original calendar, setup time schedule for the invitations, RSVPs, news releases and distributed assigned responsibilities. We have received one Volunteer Recognition Submission Form at this time. Judy will build a database so that the forms will be able to merge into the appropriate mailings. Judy has also requested from Lincoln Lutheran Middle/Senior High School for the Fall Festival on either the first or second Sunday in October.

Congregational Service Team Director: Vicki Onken reported that 37 congregational coordinators attended the training held on Sunday, February 10th at Sheridan Lutheran. In addition the majority of the members from the Lancaster County Chapter Board attended. Congregations that have one or more new coordinators include: American Lutheran, Lincoln; Freidens, Lincoln; Redeemer, Lincoln; St. Johns, Crete; St. Mark, Lincoln; Trinity, Walton and Zion, Lincoln. Care in Congregations activities have been completed by Holy Savior, Lincoln; Zion, Lincoln and Southwood, Lincoln. Congregational Coordinators were briefly reminded of the Volunteer Recognition at the Coordinators Training.

Youth Director: Sally Mertens was not able to attend the meeting but sent the following report. Dennis Engelbart provided information to the Youth Director concerning the “Kids Against Hunger”. Sally has been in contact with the project coordinator to do a project with the youth of her congregation and trying to coordinate a large scale project on Join Hands Day. The Youth Director would welcome suggestions on ways to invite the youth in our congregations to take part in this activity on Join Hands Day which is May 3, 2008. St. Mark’s Methodist Church is a packaging coordinator in Lincoln. The emphasis this year will be on this project rather than the Prison Bike Ride.

Vice President Report: Shane Larson found the Chapter Volunteer Kickoff in Grand Island and the Congregational Coordinators Training to be very educational. Some coordinators asked about the Thrivent wear (shirts/vests).

President/Internet Director: Jeff Peterson announced the dates and locations of our Chapter meetings through October 2008. Jeff explained what had happened to CAIC Project requests #8 and #9 as to reason that primary activity (#8-February 13/#9-February 20) for each project occurred prior to the Chapter Board acting on the request. There was a problem in communication. Discussion followed as neither project had been approved as of the Chapter meeting. Action will be taken under the Community Service Team report. In terms of the Internet several links and events have been added to the website. A direct link has been created to go to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and for several projects that occurred late in 2007. The hit counter is over 1100.

Lavern Thomas from Orphan Grain Train asked about partnering with the Lancaster County Chapter for the Annual Wisconsin-style Fish Feed. Lavern has an individual to do the publicity and plans to have bulletin inserts for all the churches who are members of Lancaster County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Dennis Engelbart spoke to Lavern’s request that due to issues of liability, etc. the Chapter could supplement Orphan Grain Train CAIC project requests, but could not partner with them in an event.

Volunteer Recognition Event: The event will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 on Saturday, April 19th with the final location yet to be determined (possibly Christ Lutheran). Linda Stubbendick has a potential caterer for the group of potentially 250 guests, Vicki Onken will send an email to the congregational coordinators to remind them of the March 15th deadline to submit the name of a volunteer from their congregation and to save the date . Jeff Peterson will write the letter to officially invite the governor to the recognition.

Thrivent Builds Specialist: Linda Stubbendick and Brent Stehlik were not in attendance at the meeting but provided this report. It is fairly early in the year for Habitat for Humanity homes so families have not been selected. Lancaster County Chapter will be building two Habitat homes in 2008. One house will be built at 4710 Gary Gateley Drive (Airpark) and the other house will be built in the parking lot of Sheridan Lutheran Church’s with the intent that it will be moved to another location. On April 12th and 13th the Thrivent Mobile will be in Kearney.

Action Items

Community Service Team Director’s Report: Keith Plummer presented eighteen ‘Care Abounds in Community’ (CAIC) activity requests that had been received since the January 22nd Chapter meeting. All CAIC approved requests are being funded 1:1 unless otherwise noted.

Project #08-30242-07: This request was approved via e-mail due to the activity being held prior to this Chapter meeting. The project activity was held on February 23, 2008 and requested $2500. The event was titled “Nickels Family Fund” for Jim and Rochelle Nickels following a house fire. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to ratify the email approving the project. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-08: This project request for $2500 was submitted by Holy Savior and is a Lenten Dinner that was held on February 13, 2008. The fundraiser benefit was for Seth Dirks who has had surgeries and incurred medical expenses. The motion was made by Kristy Plander and seconded by Billie Frost via email to approve this project request for up to $2500. The final vote on the motion was taken at the meeting and passed.

Project #08-30242-09: This project request for $2500 was submitted by Holy Savior and is a Lenten Dinner and Auction for Nicki TerMaat and family. The event was held on February 20, 2008. The fundraiser benefit is for cash assistance, food and general living expenses. The motion was made by Kristy Plander and seconded by Billie Frost via email to approve this project request for up to $2500 pending that six Thrivent household are part of the service team. The final vote on the motion was taken at the meeting and passed.

Project #08-30242-10: This project request for $800 was submitted by Holy Savior is a hands-on activity to benefit Matt Talbot Kitchen. The last activity of this event is May 13, 2008 and is to purchase groceries to prepare a meal for the homeless and needy. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-11: This project request for $800 was submitted by Holy Savior is a hands-on activity to benefit Matt Talbot Kitchen. The last activity of this event is August 16, 2008 and is to purchase groceries to prepare a meal for the homeless and needy. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-12: This project request for $800 was submitted by Holy Savior is a hands-on event to benefit Matt Talbot Kitchen. The last activity of this event is December 20, 2008 and is to purchase groceries to prepare a meal for the homeless and needy. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-13: This project request for $800 was submitted by Orphan Grain Train and is a fundraiser for Orphan Grain Train-Lincoln Division. This event will be held on April 13, 2008 and is a Wisconsin-style Fish Feed at St. Paul’s, Beatrice. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-14: This project request for $800 was submitted by Orphan Grain Train and is a fundraiser for Orphan Grain Train-Lincoln Division. This event will be held on John 22, 2008 and is a Wisconsin-style Fish Feed at St. John’s, Crete (Kramer). The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Margaret Simmons to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-15: This project request for $800 was submitted by Orphan Grain Train and is a fundraiser for Orphan Grain Train-Lincoln Division. This event will be held on August 10, 2008 and is a Wisconsin-style Fish Feed at Lincoln Lutheran MS/HS, 1100 N. 56th Street. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-16: This project request for $800 was submitted by Orphan Grain Train and is a fundraiser for Orphan Grain Train-Lincoln Division. This event will be held on September 6, 2008 and is a Wisconsin-style Fish Feed at St. Peter’s, Hampton. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-17: This project request for $800 was submitted by Orphan Grain Train and is a fundraiser for Orphan Grain Train-Lincoln Division. This event will be held on September 21, 2008 and is a Wisconsin-style Fish Feed at St. Paul’s, Utica. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-18: This project request for $800 was submitted by Orphan Grain Train and is a fundraiser for Orphan Grain Train-Lincoln Division. This event will be held on October 19, 2008 and is a Wisconsin-style Fish Feed at Grace, Fairbury. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-19: This project request for $2500 is a fundraiser for Suzanne Miller for medical and general living expenses. This event will be held on March 13, 2008 at the Oasis Room, hosted by La Paloma Restaurant. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Vicky Onken to approve this project for the silent auction only for up to $2500 The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-20: This project request for $2500 was submitted by Redeemer Lutheran Church and is a fundraiser for Jennifer Kahm. This event will be held on March 29, 2008 and will feature the Waffleman at Redeemer, Lincoln. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $2500 The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-21: This project request for $800 was submitted by Good Shepherd Lutheran School for This event will be held on March 7, 2008 and is a Silent Auction/Dinner –Making Dreams Come True held at Catering on the Boulevard. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-22: This project request for $800 was submitted by Followers of Christ from Our Saviour Lutheran Church. The request is a hands-on activity for Chapel Renovation at the Penitentiary. The date of the activity is May 1, 2008 replace flooring, install a new altar and pulpit and purchase chairs. After some discussion since this is a state institution the motion was made by Margaret Simmons and seconded by Billie Frost to table this request until more information is provided. The motion to table the request passed.

Project #08-30242-23: This project request for $800 is for the Fresh Start Home. This event will be held on March 5, 2008 and is a Lenten Meal fundraiser at United Lutheran The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-24: This project request for $800 was submitted by Good Shepherd Lutheran School and is a fundraiser to supplement the school’s annual budget. This event will be held on March 5, 2008 and is a Lent Soup Supper at Good Shepherd. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve this project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Director of Member Engagement Region 378: Dennis Engelbart spoke briefly about a training event that is being planned in Lincoln on January 23-24, 2009. This one large event will take the place of the multiple events that have been held around the state in the past several years.

Financial Associate: Arnette Garris made a request to the Board about getting an updated video of Volunteer Activities from 2007. The Financial Associates are donating a large television for the Lincoln Lutheran Gala Auction in April and would like to play the video during the event. Arnette also ask the Board to consider at a future meeting the partnership between the Financial Associates and the Chapter in hosting several educational sessions during this calendar year. A couple of topics that Arnette suggested were “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate” presented by Debbie Way from Faith Lutheran and another being developed by staff at Tabitha to educate members on Medicare and Medicaid. No action was taken at this time.

Announcement: The next monthly chapter meeting will be held on Tuesday March 26, 2008 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The location is Sheridan Lutheran Church, 6955 Old Cheney Road, Lincoln, NE.

There being not further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Jan Beck
Chapter Records Director