The Lancaster County Chapter Board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans met on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at Friedens Lutheran Church, 540 ‘D’ Street, Lincoln, NE. President Jeff Peterson called the regular monthly chapter meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. and Vice President Shane Larson opened with prayer. Later in the meeting Jeff thanked the members of Friedens Lutheran Church for hosting the meeting and attendees introduced themselves. Board members in attendance included: Jeff Peterson, Shane Larsen, Jan Beck, Kristy Plander, Billie Frost, Judy Janssen, Keith Plummer and Margaret Simmons. Advisory Board members present included: Dennis Engelbart and Roger Simmons. Guests present included Financial Associate-Tom Hansen and Friedens Lutheran congregational coordinator-Peggy Russell.

Reports

Records Director: The minutes of the May 27, 2008 meeting had been distributed to the Board members prior to the meeting. The motion was made by Billie Frost and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve the May meeting minutes as presented and distributed. The motion passed. The May 27th minutes will be posted to the website.

The minutes of the June 24, 2008 meeting was passed out at the meeting for Board members to review. The motion was made by Billie Frost and seconded by Keith Plummer to approve the June minutes as presented at the meeting. The motion passed. The June 24th 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 of the Lancaster County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans from June 22, 2008 through July 20, 2008 – 26 Benefit members, 6 Associate members and 7 Youth members for a total of 39 members. The motion passed.

Financial Director: The Chapter financial report from the June meeting through July 20rd was distributed to Board members prior to the meeting. Kristy Plander reported that changes from last month were minimal and if all project requests to be presented at this meeting are approved, there will be approximately $20,000 remaining in Care Abounds in Communities funds.

Events Director: Judy Janssen reported on the Faith and Family Night at Haymarket Park, which will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2008 with the game against St. Paul beginning at 6:05 p.m. Communication has been sent to the coordinators through Vicki Onken, Congregational Service Team Director, listing the Saltdog guidelines, bulletin notice and contact information. The Christian band featured will be ‘No Better Cause’ (same as 2007). The Chapter has 200 tickets reserved with the Chapter paying $5 per person and the person purchasing the ticket paying $5. The Chapter has two sections (100/102) side by side behind home plate. Some congregational coordinators called with concerns that only 200 tickets are available. In addition there are 29 extra seats on hold at $10 per ticket. The tickets are on a first come, first served basis with the ticket considered purchased when the Chapter has the money. The Chapter decided to have Kristy pay for all the tickets and have Judy distribute the tickets as she receives the money.

The Fall Event on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School is progressing. The tables have been rented from AAA Rents with delivery on Friday afternoon, October 17th and pick-up Monday morning, October 20th. Sullivan’s Catering has been chosen for the noon meal and will provide hot/cold sandwich, chips and dip, fruit/vegetable plate and possible cupcakes. The caterer will also provide the coffee, cold drink and servers. They will use four serving lines and the costs of the event (table rental and meal) are the same as last year. Judy will contact the Fall Event committee to determine what the menu will be for the day.

Communications Director: Margaret Simmons reported that she has had computer problems and as a result has not sent the July newsletter to Home Office in Appleton for approval and distribution. I also did not get enough information for four pages. The Board discussed doing two pages and using postcards for the events coming very soon. Everyone was reminded about the Wisconsin Style Fish Feed for Orphan Grain Train on August 10th at noon, Saltdogs game in the evening and the Waffleman at Sheridan on Thursday, August 21st for Habitat for Humanity. Margaret will try to get a newsletter to members before August 10th and plan another issue for late September with details about the Fall Event and election. An election notice will be sent the first part of October.

Vice President: Shane Larson is working on nominees for the two open positions (Assistant Financial Director and Communications Director) for the 2009 Chapter Board. Names of nominees should be given to Shane and time will be devoted to this topic at the August Chapter Board meeting. Kristy Plander has also met with a Financial Associate concerning names for potential Board members.

President: Jeff Peterson did not have alot of new information to report. He asked whether or not we need to make changes to streamline our processes. It was suggested that the Board individually review the processes adopted earlier in 2008 and made sure that everyone is doing their part. We need to have a back-up to contact if for some reason we are not able to perform our part of the process and also let other people know if there is a problem. The discussion was related to Care Abounds in Community project requests and the process from the time the project request in approved at a meeting until it has been completed by the project team.

As Internet Director Jeff reported that there have been only about 50 hits in the past month. One Board member brought up the fact the she could not open the attachment listing the information about the Volunteer Recognition honorees,

Action Items

Community Service Team Director: Keith Plummer presented eight Care Abounds in Community projects for the Chapter Board’s action.

Project #08-30242-48: This project request for $800 was from a group of individuals for Charlie Brown’s Kids – Good Grief. This event will be held on July 29, 2008 and is titled ‘Third Annual Evening of Jazz with David White’. The project request had been approved via email due to the date of the project and the need for publicity about the project. The motion to ratify the email vote was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to ratify the approved project request for up to $800. The motion to ratify the earlier action passed.

Project #08-30242-49: This project request for $2500 was from a group of individuals for Connie Hoerle. This event will be held on July 27, 2008 and is titled ‘Lasanga Lunch and Silent Auction. The project request had been approved via email due to the date of the project and the need for publicity. The motion to ratify the email vote was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to ratify the approved project request for up to $2500. The motion to ratify the earlier action passed.

Project #08-30242-50: This project request for $800 is from a group of individuals for Kids Against Hunger. This event is titled ‘Packaging Meals’ scheduled to be held on November 10, 2008. The funds for this project will be used to purchase materials for the projects. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve the project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-51: This project request for $800 is from Camp Carol Joy Holling camp. This event is titled ‘Quilt Auction’ scheduled to be held on July 26, 2008. The funds raised from this event are used to purchase products to put in the meal packages. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve the project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-52: This project request for $800 is from Camp Carol Joy Holling camp for their golf tournament. This event is titled ‘Carol Joy Holling Camp Classic Golf Tournament scheduled to be held on September 8, 2008. The funds for this project will be used to subsidize for Campership Fund. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve the project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-53: This project request for $800 is from Christ Lutheran School. This event is titled ‘Family Film Festival’ scheduled to be held on August 17, 2008. The funds raised from this project will be used to financial support the school, specifically the tuition assistance program. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve the project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-54: This project request for $800 is from St. Mark Lutheran School. This event is titled ‘St. Mark Lutheran Family Carnival and Community Outreach Fair’ scheduled to be held on August 23, 2008. The funds raised from this project will be used to purchase updates for the school’s computer lab. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve the project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Project #08-30242-55: This project request for $800 is from Redeemer Lutheran Pre-School. This event will be held on August 1, 2008 and the funds raised will be used for the general operation of the preschool. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve the project request for up to $800. The motion passed.

Director of Member Engagement Region 378: Dennis Engelbart attended a portion of the meeting but did not have a formal report. He commended the Board for the work that is done every month in touching the lives of individuals and organizations.

Announcement: The next monthly chapter meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The location is Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1201 Benton Street, Lincoln, NE.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Jan Beck
Chapter Records Director