CHAMPAIGN COUNTY THRIVENT CHAPTER MINUTES
Tuesday, October 12th, April 12, 2003 8:30 a.m.
The October 12th, 2004 meeting of the Champaign Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans was called to order at Panera. A mis-communication with the CongCoords at Friendship caused us to not be able to hold the meeting there. Present: (with hours put in this past month) Judy 5, Dick 2, Erwin 2, Paul W 2, Richey V 2, Michelle Kerr 2, Norm Fisher 4, Financial Associate Darrell Brant 4.
It was M/S/C to add twenty-one new members to our chapter.
Minutes for the previous meeting: Minutes for September of 2004 were not available as of yet.
Financial Report was distributed. $6730.42 in the bank for chapter (operating). $200 was paid to Chancellor to reserve the room for the Luncheon. $5353 in unspent Project funds as of this date. Wanted information to complete the Pasta Party for Justin. Norm will deal with getting this project finalized. M/S/C to approve financial report.
Congregational Service Team Director: Because of other tasks Norm hasn’t been following up on the Congregational Funds as much as he should; at this point in the year we really need to get them moving to make sure the monies get spent this year. We designated a board member to call each church that has funds remaining: American Rantoul ($1200) Erv; Friendship Savoy $1022 Norm; Good Shepherd $1179 Judy; Grace Rankin $666 Norm; Immanuel Thomasboro $1000 Norm; St Andrew $250 Norm; St John Royal $537 Judy; St Matts Urbana $515 Darrell; St Paul Sadorus $1300 Norm; Zion Phil $744 Norm.
Habitat for Humanity: Habitat has about 1500 hours to add to the chapter volunteer hours that have been tracked so far; of course, more are added each week. We are awaiting money pledged from St Matt’s. Progress is going well; various board members have reviewed the picture on-line and are watching the house go up.
Projects:
Heavenly tree (Barb Lankford) She collects money from various sources and buys clothing. Not just American Lutheran; it’s Northern Illinois County. Gets a lot of volunteer hours to complete this project. M/S/C to approve the project up to $1,600. This is a repeat of last year’s successful event. Every family is interviewed; the families are qualified through Community Service.
Habitat for Humanity: M/S/C to raise project #15. Habitat, from $1,000 to $1,600
LSSI Christmas Party – Several Lutheran churches are involved to put on a Christmas Party for foster kids in the area. M/S/C to approve work project funded at $600
American Lutheran Church is hosting a program on Oct 31st; donations will go to help the Hurricane Victims. M/S/C to approve a 50% match up to $1,000 ($2,000 will be matched with $1,000).
We need to find other projects; one idea was to contact the preschools in the area and find out if anyone is interested in a work project to expend the remainder of our funds for this year. There was a concern that a Chapter-level project to help a school that is attached to the schools is not really where our funds should be spent. Care in Congregations funding is to be used for the church and attached schools. It was mentioned that this type of project is OK at the end of the year when there are funds left over and we need to find places to spend them, but a school project near the start of the year probably shouldn’t be supported in the future. If we do this, we need to ensure that all church-associated pre/schools in Champaign County are aware of this capability and are given the opportunity to submit funding requests.
The health fair had a good turnout. About 150 people attended. They learned that next time it happens they need to provide more time for people to walk around to view the vendor tables.
Luncheon Election: To be held 11:30-1:30; need to finalize the slate of officers. Various ideas were discussed; several people will actively ask for more members. We would like to have some kind of entertainment; a group from Lutheran Church of Mahomet was suggested, but after discussion it was determined that they would be busy. Door prizes set at about $600; Judy and Norm will handle purchasing them. We need posters to talk about what we have done this year – how we have spent the money. Norm recommended printing them out then taking them to Kinko’s to blow them up to 18x24 or 24x30 size so people can see them from further back.
After discussion of digital cameras, it was M/S/C to adjourn.
Next meetings: Dec 12th 5:45 PM, dinner at Kennedy’s in Urbana. January at Prince of Peace.
Respectfully submitted,
Norm Fisher