The Lancaster County Chapter Board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans met on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Office, 7431 O Street, Lincoln, NE. Prior to the meeting the Lancaster County Board hosted a reception for the Financial Associates and the families of the Financial Associates and Board members. President Jeff Peterson called the monthly chapter meeting to order and opened with prayer. Board members in attendance included: Jeff Peterson, Shane Larsen, Kristy Plander, Billie Frost, Tyler Frost, Judy Janssen, Keith Plummer, Vicki Onken and Margaret Simmons. Advisory Board members present included: Dennis Engelbart, Roger Simmons and Linda Stubbendick. Financial Associates present included: Arnette and Reinder Siefkes. Following introductions of those in attendance special recognition certificates were given to the members leaving the Lancaster County Chapter Board. The individuals recognized were Billie Frost-4 years of service as Assistant Financial Director; Margaret Simmons-2 years of service as Communication Director and Keith Plummer-2 years of service as Community Service Team Director. Tyler Frost was welcomed to the Board as the Assistant Financial Director beginning January 1, 2009.

Due to the absence of the Records Director, Jan Beck, the president appointed Roger Simmons to take the minutes of this meeting.

Correspondence: Thank you notes were received from Camp Carol Joy Holling for the service project completed by the Chapter Board and their families during the Chapter Retreat Sunday, November 16th; from the Lincoln Lutheran Blue Angels for the donation for performing and the Chapter Fall Festival; and from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Hickman for our participation in their project at Juarez, Mexico. Lutheran Family Services also sent correspondence that they are discontinuing the Prison Bridge Program in 2009.

Community Service Team Director: Keith Plummer was elected to this position for 2009 but has resigned effective December 31, 2008 due to the additional duties and time commitment with his election as an officer at Sheridan Lutheran Church. The president appointed Roger Simmons as Community Service Team Director effective January 1, 2009. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Vicki Onken to approve the appointment Roger Simmons as Community Service Team Director. The motion passed.

Keith Plummer reported that he has received seven Care Abounds in Community requests for 2009. He will be passing those to Roger Simmons for the 2009 Chapter Board to take action.

Project #08-30242-81: This project request for $400 was from a group of individuals for Lincoln Lutheran Choir. The event was entitled ‘Concert’ and was held on Sunday, November 23rd. The project request had been approved via email due to the date of the date of the project. The motion to ratify the email vote was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Kristy Plander to ratify the email vote and fund the project request up to $400. The motion to ratify the earlier action passed.

Care Abounds in Community (CAIC) Requests for 2009: Roger Simmons, Community Service Team Director, will acknowledge receipt of the request, date and number the request. Tyler Frost, Assistant Financial Director, will notify the listed Team Contact and verify the name(s) and addresses of the recipient(s). The Communication Director will follow-up with the Team contact to make sure the media is notified on the event as well as follow-up with the results of the project to the media.

Congregational Service Team Director: Vicki Onken and Kristy Plander are planning the Congregational Coordinators meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd. Other volunteers will be needed as plans progress. Vicki will also be contacting the congregational coordinators of those congregations that have not requested all their Care Abounds in Congregation funding.

Events Director: Judy Janssen reported that the Second Annual Volunteer Recognition has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 25th at Sheridan Lutheran Church. Judy Janssen, Roger Simmons, Linda Stubbendick, Margaret Simmons, Vicki Onken and Jeff Peterson volunteered to serve on the planning committee. Judy also coordinated the details for the Financial Associates reception and this meeting.

Communication Director: Margaret Simmons requested that everyone send her articles and their contact information (name, address, phone, email) for the December newsletter. Her plan is to have this newsletter to the home office prior to December 31st.

Thrivent Builds Report: Linda Stubbendick, Thrivent Builds Specialist, reported that the Sheridan Lutheran build would be dedicated on Saturday, December 6th at 9 a.m. The current location is 3333 X Street in Lincoln. The Lancaster County Chapter has been awarded two houses to build in 2009. Calendar year 2009 is the last year of the original five-year plan between Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and it is unknown at this time as to whether or not the program will be extended. Brent Stehlik has resigned as the Thrivent Builds Treasurer because he has accepted the position of President of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Financial Director: Due to some Care Abounds in Community projects being reported at a lower amount than was requested and approved, some of the 2008 CAIC funds will not be expended. The motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Margaret Simmons that the Financial Director at her discretion distribute any remaining funding from CAIC projects and that Lincoln Lutheran Cluster Food Pantry be made a project if funds are available. The motion passed.

Vice President: Shane Larsen welcomed Tyler Frost and Roger Simmons to their positions on the 2009 Lancaster County Chapter Board.

Announcement: The next monthly chapter meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The location is Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Office, 7431 O Street, Lincoln, NE.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Roger Simmons
Secretary