CHAMPAIGN COUNTY THRIVENT CHAPTER MINUTES
Monday, October 13, 2003 6:30 p.m.
The October meeting of the Champaign Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans was called to order at 6:40PM at American Lutheran Church in Rantoul. 5 Members, 2 Financial Associates and a Congregational Coordinator were present, and 2 Congregational Coordinators from ALC helped to host the meeting.
It was M/S/C to add 12 new members to our chapter.
Minutes for the September meeting were reviewed, it was M/S/C to approve the minutes after removing the first sentence under unfinished business.
Chapter Funds – we have $5,165.82 available for Chapter usage, and $2,470 in Care Abounds in Communities project funding. It was asked whether we had any projects that had been approved but haven’t yet been entered – the Angel Tree project in Rantoul was mentioned -- $800 in funding was approved for that at a previous meeting.
A project in Ottawa was discussed – that was the DVD that we donated for the fiancé of a member of the Broadlands church. That has already been paid for out of chapter funds.
The Heart Healthy Cookbook was discussed – it was thought there wasn’t enough information on this at this time to make a decision.
It was mentioned that we had (by email) approved the Jeff benefit, which took place on October 3rd.
It was mentioned that we had (by email) approved the payment of $50 a month to cover meeting expenses to the host church – the congregational coordinators would be expected to open the church and provide refreshments for us. We appreciated the hospitality of the ALC at this meeting.
We discussed usage of the chapter funds – with 148 confirmed RSVPs for the luncheon that would be roughly $2400 for the luncheon. There is another $100 or so in other expenses for the luncheon election outstanding, so we should have around $2,600 remaining in chapter funds after the election meeting.
New Projects
Liz in Sidney was proposing a Halloween costume dance – they want donations, approximately $200, to provide treat bags, trinkets, toys, for kids in the community. This provides a place for kids to be on the 18th of October, intended to enhance cohesiveness in the small community. It was mentioned that this isn’t on Halloween, and it wasn’t clear how this was a Lutheran activity.
Lynn – a letter came in from Our Father Lutheran Church in Colorado talking about a person who needs stem cell transplant – a $50,000 or so operation. Chapters were asked to contribute $5,000 if possible.
Judy – Julie, a member of Prince of Peace in St Joseph, there is a benefit for a 4 year old boy, Tyler, with medical treatment. Nov 8th there is a Soup/chili supper planned. Matching funds are requested – it was mentioned that PoP could match funds as well.
Norm – Trinity has a live nativity each year, and a proposal this year to expand it and provide more community outreach. Around 100 members of the congregation are involved, as well as members from other congregations in the area, for this outreach to help people realize the true meaning of this busy season.
It was M/S/C to approve $370 for the Trinity project, and $1300 for Tyler Wilson. This, with the $800 that isn’t accounted for in the $2,470 listed above, would bring out total down to $0 for the year. It was mentioned that some of the approved projects may not be completed as expected, or the amount of funding may not be required (sometimes a $800 project comes in at $500 or so, for example). We need to have an idea of some last-minute projects we can have to use up any remainder of our funds at the end of the year.
Chapter Mailing – we want to have a final chapter mailing listing what we accomplished this year, and give information about our chapter. It should be a holiday season mailing – either Thanksgiving or Christmas – whenever we can do it after the election.
Erv requested full-size envelopes with the Thrivent logo on them so he could mail out more “official” looking documents (checks or letters, etc). Norm will provide him with a sampling of these – it was estimated that he uses 4-6 a month, so a supply of 30 or so would last him quite a while. Anyone else who desires these should contact Norm.
Thank you cards are available to any board member on the Chapter Leadership Administration section of the http://thrivent.com website. Click on “Order Chapter Supplies”. It was mentioned that we should make liberal use of these to help to thank our volunteers.
Election Meeting.
The RSVP count is currently at 148. It was decided at this meeting that we should add about 15 to it as a guaranteed number for the Chancellor. Ronda is going to provide a box for food donations for the meeting. We talked about the slate of officers – we have been unable to find additional people, so our current slate is the people who served this year. We want to make sure that everyone is willing to serve again, though – Norm will contact Bobbie and Pastor Halom to verify that. We talked briefly about the format – we should have a registration/voting table as people enter the room. A mic on a podium will be available for periodic talked by Judy, as well as the door prize selection. It was decided to hold door prizes at 12, 12:45 and at 1:30. Posters will hopefully arrive for projects accomplished at the various churches during the year.
The November meeting will be held at St John in Royal on Monday, November 10th at 6:30PM.
The December meeting will most likely be held at a restaurant in the area on or around December 8th, 2003.
Respectfully submitted,
Norm Fisher for
Lynette Renfrow