Programs
Care Program information
As illustrated on the left side of this page, the chapter system is comprised of approximately 1,400 chapters each led by a Chapter Leadership Board; Congregational Service Teams led by congregational coordinators; Community Service Teams; and three Care programs — Care Abounds in Communities®, Care in Congregations® and Care in Regions®. This system provides multiple opportunities for members and volunteers from the community to help others and their communities in ways that best fit their time and talents.
I need help keeping all of these programs straight!
I don't understand the chapter structure.
Chapter Leadership Boards
Each chapter leadership board consists of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members, elected by members in the chapter, who provide leadership to the chapter. The leadership board is responsible for administering funds to community service teams for helping individuals, families and qualified not-for-profit organizations via the Care Abounds in Communities® program.
The leadership board is comprised of five required elected positions, five optional elected positions and a number of advisory people who are appointed by the elected leaders.
I need a more detailed explanation of the leadership positions.
I'm interested in becoming a chapter leader. What's next?
Service Teams (anyone can be on a service team)
You can volunteer with Thrivent Finasncial for Lutherans through one or more service teams. A service team is a group of at least six people from different Thrivent Financial for Lutherans member households, that conducts one or more chapter activities. Once the six household requirement is met, members and nonmembers, Lutherans and non-Lutherans may be participants on a service team.
For more details about service teams, please refer to CHIP, which contains information on Congregational and Community Service Teams.
I'd like to be involved with my chapter. Who do I contact?
Where can I search for more information?
return to top
Care In Regions
The Care in Regions™ program of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides funds for members of multiple chapters to come together, through community service teams, to address a significant regional need.
All decisions regarding funding for this program will be made by the Manager of Lutheran Community Services (MLCS) and the Lutheran Community Services Specialists (LCSS). The Lutheran Community Services Team will review all requests and respond within 30 days of receipt of application.
- Disaster Response Program
- Disaster Response Program funding is disbursed using the Care in Regions™ program.
- All purposes, procedures, and requirements of other Care in Regions™ projects apply.
- The program expands the recipient category to include: individuals/families, non-profit organizations [501(c)(3)] and congregations.
- Funds are to be used for immediate needs of disasters.
- Funds can be used for responding to disasters or for disaster preparedness.
- As with other Care programs, projects are member driven. Requests should consider what members in the Texas Regional Financial Office want and expect in times of disaster.
Applications for Care in Regions™ and Care in Regions™ Disaster Response are currently being accepted. Applications will be accepted until funding is depleted. Funding for eligible applications are considered by the date they are received. Plan ahead!
Find a Care In Regions project
I have a specific question about a Care In Regions project.
return to top
Care Abounds In Communities
Thrivent Financial members receive financial support and other resources for volunteer projects and/or fund-raising activities that benefit individuals, families, local communities or organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, excluding congregations. Members submit activity/funding requests to their local Thrivent chapter leadership board. [Which chapter do I belong to?]
I need ideas for a project.
I need help planning my activity.
How do I publicize my event?
What forms do I need?
I have questions about this program.
return to top
Care In Congregations
Thrivent Financial members receive financial support and other resources through this annual program for volunteer projects and/or fund-raising activities that benefit Lutheran congregations and related Lutheran organizations, including schools. In 2008 in the Texas Region, Lutheran churches received between $1300 and $2100 per congregation to support these activities. Three Congregational Coordinators for each congregation help identify needs within their church community, administer funding, and coach congregational service teams. The Lutheran Community Services Team encourages every church to utilize their entire funding amount. Has your congregation used its funding?
Interested in taking a leadership role in your congregation? Congregational Coordinators are the life-line for the Fraternal Programs in the Lutheran congregations. We provide guidelines, materials, and resources to assist our coordinators with their efforts in their congregations and communities. If you would more information on how to become a Congregational Coordinator please contact any member of your Lutheran Community Services Team.
return to top
Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a new financial, volunteer and advocacy alliance formed between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. The four-year, $105-million alliance includes four programs under the Thrivent Builds umbrella:
Where can I go for more details about
Thrivent Builds in Texas
and
PICTURES?
- Thrivent Builds Homes: Thrivent Financial sponsors the construction of hundreds of Habitat homes annually and seek to engage thousands of volunteers in Habitat homebuilding projects. Sixty-five percent of the funding for each Thrivent Builds home will come from Thrivent Financial with 35 percent of the remaining funding coming from the continuing fund-raising efforts of local Thrivent chapters and Habitat for Humanity affiliates.
- Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods: Thrivent Financial provides comprehensive grants each year to community organizations, coalitions and nonprofits for projects that will measurably improve poverty housing in specific neighborhoods
- Thrivent Builds Worldwide: Thrivent Financial promotes short-term (one- to three-weeks) trips in conjunction with Habitat’s Global Village program by its members and Lutheran congregations to build homes abroad and in the Gulf Coast.
For more information go to: http://www.thriventbuilds.com
return to top
JOIN HANDS DAY is a national volunteer day sponsored by America’s fraternal benefit societies. This special day generates awareness about the powerful impact grassroots volunteerism has on communities across the nation while bringing youth and adults together to build lasting friendships across generations.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its members have been strong supporters of this day since its start in 2000. This year, Thrivent chapters in the Texas Region conducted 76 JOIN HANDS DAY activities, resulting in 13,607 volunteer hours of service.
I need more details about JOIN HANDS DAY.
How can I find a JOIN HANDS DAY project near me?
return to top
Member Benefits
- Member benefits:
One way Thrivent Financial shows its concern for members and their families is by offering complimentary benefits designed to enhance their quality of life.
These resources are created to help support our members in their faith, reinforce shared values and educate about how to care for their families in times of need. These products are an exclusive benefit of membership in Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
"Benefit members" (generally those who have been admitted into membership and own Thrivent Financial for Lutherans insurance or annuity products) are entitled to order a copy of all member benefits each year. "Associate members" (all others who have been admitted into membership but do not own Thrivent Financial for Lutherans insurance or annuity products) may order a total of two member benefits each year.
Member Benefit Products
Where can I find a list of current complimentary member benefit products?
Where do I go to order my member benefits online?
(You will need your LutheransOnline User ID & password in order to log in to your account and order these benefits.)
return to top
|