1. Called to order:
a. Attending: Rose Miller, Bette Lou Yenne, Norm Huffman, Mark Harris, Rebecca Eames, Toni Kuciemba, Judi Cyrus, Rev. John Westhafer and Tracy Janik
b. Absent:
c. Rose requested each board member introduce themselves stating area and congregation they represent and why they got involved in board participation. A scripture reading followed.

2. Minutes: Corrected January minutes under new business that Judi Cyrus was unanimously appointed Internet Advisor.
a. Bette Lou moved to accept minutes and Mark 2nd, passed unanimously

3. Financial report
a. January Checks : $102.56 for dinners, $10.00 stamp reimbursement, and $100.00 for Faith health kits
b. Current funds available: Operating =$1,114.00 - Project = $2,346.00
c. Audit Scheduled for Monday February 6, 2012 to be completed by Bette Lou, Kathy Kahler and two others (names not available at this time).
d. Mark moved to accept the financial report and Rebecca 2nd, passed unanimously

4. Funding Requests Status
a. Approved Requests
1) Shepherd of the Hills Hunger Task Force Spaghetti Feed to purchase Health and Hygiene products not covered through government food assistance programs. To be distributed Through Local Food Banks. Mark moved to match $1.00 for every $2.00 raised to a maximum of $250.00 for $500.00 raised and Judi 2nd , passed unanimously.
2) Back Packs for Kids Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and silent auction to purchase weekend food for Klickitat kids in need and back packs so they can carry it home discreetly. Bette Lou moved to match $1.00 for every $2.00 raised to a maximum of $800.00 for $1600.00 raised and Judi 2nd passed unanimously.
b. Tabled Requests
1) Request from Shepherd of the Hills Quilters for $250 to help offset the cost of quilting supplies used to make quilts to be distributed world wide through Lutheran World Relief.
2) Request from Shepherd of the Hills Annual Cookie Fair Committee for matching funds, up to $1200, to be distributed among various Skamania county and Cascade Locks Community aid associations and groups. Tabled until 3rd or 4th quarters,
3) Request from Christ the King Quilters for $108.00 to assist in the purchase of materials to build a storage cabinet

5. Old Business
a. News Letter: Judi reported we do not need to purchase our own domain, we already have a URL set up – Lutheransonline.com/columbiagorgechapter
b. Choice Dollars: reminder to make congregational announcements and church news letter articles promoting the program.

6. New Business
a. Chapter Planning: Bette Lou and John have made arrangements with Julie Aalberg to attend our next meeting to help with planning , goal setting and project evaluations.
1) A lively discussion followed on establishing project funding priorities, and if we follow guidelines established by Thrivent. Mark provided a flow chart on past project fund distribution and Rebecca a Thrivent project criteria review form. Mark and Judi suggested project funds be divided into categories – 70% food; 15% shelter and clothes; 10% health and 5% quality of life. It was decide further discussion is needed.
2) Rose gave us each a chapter planning template, a guide for planning your chapter journey, which needs to be completed by the end of February. It emphasizes getting Thrivent members involved in programs and projects. She then noted that out of 11 Lutheran Churches in our chapter only 4 are represented on the board, she suggested that we need to work on getting board representation from each congregation.
3) We decided that each member would take the template home and email Rose with our suggestions for chapter development by the end of next week.

7. Volunteer Hours Including meeting and travel time: Rose 12, John 5, Bette Lou 18, Tracy 8, Norm 8, Mark 6, Rebecca 9, Toni 6, Judi 10 Total 82

8. Next Meeting: 5pm Thursday March 1, 2012 at Faith Lutheran Church, 2810 W. 10th st., The Dalles, OR

Called to order 5:15pm
a. Attending: Rose Miller, Bette Lou Yenne, Norm Huffman, Mark Harris, Rebecca Eames, Toni Kuciemba, Judi Cyrus, and Tracy Janik

b. Absent: Rev. John Westhafer

Minutes: Mark moved to accept minutes as read, Bette Lou 2nd, passed unanimously

Financial report
a. Recap 2011:

1) Project Funds distributed $7,565 (2011 funds received $7,315 plus some excess funds raised) plus another $1,000 from Chad Peterson makes a total of $8,565.

2) Operating funds used $2,523.16 (2011 funds received $2,500 plus $35.00 2010 carry over)

b. Funds Available for 2012 (no funds as of yet)

1) Projected project funds $1,500 received quarterly for a total of $6,000

2) Projected operating funds $1,100 distributed biannually for a total of $2,200 (plus $12 carry over)

c. Budget & distribution planning: Bette Lou distributed three summarizations of funds distributed in 2011 to help us develop distribution and operating criteria to aid in budget planning and setting goals.

1) Bette Lou is working on a possible workshop on chapter planning lead by Julie from Thrivent.

2) Rebecca suggested we need a data base of past actions to develop project acceptance criteria plus start utilizing the activity review forms to make our determinations on project funding.

d. Treasurer information and needs

1) Rose Miller is designated as the second authorized check signer.

2) Bette Lou needs to be reimbursed for $20 worth of stamps purchased as soon as we get operating funds. Rebecca moved to reimburse Bette Lou as funds become available Toni 2nd and it passed.

e. Mark moved to accept the financial report, Rebecca 2nd, passed unanimously

Old Business
a. News Letter: Judi suggested that we should look into Buying our own Domain Name – advantages ease in access and tracking capabilities. She will research this. Rose suggested that all the information from past years be deleted.

New Business
a. Choice Dollars: only 63 members out 219 eligible Gorge members are designating their dollars. Group discussion followed on the need to do a better job promoting the program. Ideas - Church announcements, newsletter articles, information mailing and order informational cards to be available with posters. Bette Lou handed out a copy of an information article she did for her congregation which, besides informing what her church received in chapter dollars, defines choice dollars and how to assign them.

b. Audit: An independent audit needs to be completed by the end of February, probably to be done by two people with audit experience out of Goldendale.

c. Request for Funding

1) Request from Shepherd of the Hills Quilters for $250 to help defer the cost of quilting supplies used to make quilts to be distributed worldwide through Lutheran World Relief. Tabled at this time.

2) Request from Shepherd of the Hills Annual Cookie Fair Committee for matching funds, up to $1200, to be distributed among various Skamania county and Cascade Locks Community aid associations and groups. Tabled until 3rd or 4th quarters,

3) Request from Shepherd of the Hills Hunger Task Force for matching funds up to $500 raised through a community spaghetti feed. Proceeds will be used to purchase items not covered by food stamp assistance. After using the funding review form, it was decided that the program would be approved but we will wait until funding is available to determine the amount, hopefully at our next meeting.

4) Re appointed Judi Cyrus as Internet Advisor.

Volunteer Hours Including meeting and travel time: Rose 8, Bette Lou 13, Tracy 7, Norm 6, Mark 5, Rebecca 5, Toni 6, Judi 6 Total 56

Next Meeting 5:30 pm Thursday February 2, 2012 at Shari’s in The Dalles OR

A short meeting was held before our Christmas Dinner at 6:00 at the American Legion Building. Those in attendance were Rebecca Eames, Mark Harris, Kay Havig, Norm Huffman, Tracy Janik, Kathy Kahler, Rose Miller, Dave Storby, Betty Lou Yenne and Judi Cyrus.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer's report we have $664.10 in administrative funds. After the last 2 projects are turned in there will be about $157.00 left. It was voted on at our last meeting to send these funds to the Back Pack for Kids in Goldendale. Kathy is getting things ready for the audit. She will let us know when all is in order.

A thank you note was received from the Salvation Army in The Dalles for the check that was sent to them for their food baskets.

New board members were accepted and will take over the first of January.

New members were accepted into membership of this chapter.

Judi gave a short report on the web site.

Volunteer hours were: Rebecca 4, Mark 3, Norm 4, Tracy 3, Kathy 14, Rose 8, Dave 6, Betty Lou 11, Kay 3, Judi 4.

Next year's meeting will be held on the first Thursday of each month. The next one will be January 5th at Shari's in The Dalles. The time also has been changed to 5:00.

The meeting was adjourned with everyone having a wonderful dinner and lots of good conversation.

Kay Havig, recorder

The regular meeting was called to order by President Rose Miller at Shari's in The Dalles at 6:00. Those in attendance were Rebecca Eames, Mark Harris, Kay Havig, Norm Huffman, Tracy Janik, Rose Miller, Dave Storby.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Financial report was that there was $1227.01 in Operating Funds, and $157 in Program Funds. It was voted on that we give the balance left in the Operating Funds to the Back Pack Program.

A motion was made and seconded and passed to accept the new members. Tony Kuciemba was accepted as an advocate.

Elections: Everyone should have their tallies to Dave Storby by 11/21/11.

Recent Happenings: Green light program said that they raised $585.

The Christmas Party will be on 12/4/11 at 6:00 at the American Legion in Hood River. Please email Dave with the count so that they know how much food to get. We will have a meeting before the party begins.

Projects and Out Reach for 2012 will be talked about at the next meeting. Please come with your ideas.

Volunteer hours for last month were 35 hours.

Our next meeting will be at the American Legion in Hood River. The meeting will start at 6:00 and then dinner afterwards.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:00.

The meeting was called to order by President Rose at Shari's in The Dalles. Those in attendance were Norm Huffman, Tracy Janik, Rose Miller, Dave Storby, Betty Lou Yenne, Kay Havig. Guest was Toni Kuciemba. Minutes of the August 11th meeting minutes were read and approved.

Treasurer's report: Betty Lou with $1639.10 in operating funds and $1457.00 in program funds. Betty Lou read a request for funds from Green Light Project. They are requesting $500 and this will be a Hands On activity. Motion made and carried to support them for the $500.

Under old business the programs for ID Theft were talked about. There was a good turn out and all those that attended said that they really learned a lot.

Food Banks: After the Chapter donated $2800 a total of $5637.47 was divided up between the food banks.

Disaster Relief efforts: $500 was sent.

Elections: It was moved and passed that $25 be sent to each church to help with buying goodies for the election Sunday. If you know of anyone that would like to serve on the Thrivent board please let us know. Two people will have to leave as they have served their 4 years. We would also like to get people from each church on the board.

Marty's Party: Will be held at Spooky's Pizza in The Dalles at 5:30. Pizza, Salad, and soft drinks will be provided. There will be a drawing for two $100 scholarships for a relative or family member that is in college or will be going to college this next year. This is a family affair and all are urged to join us.

Volunteer hours: Norm 4, Tracy 14, Rose 7. Dave 2, Betty Lou 10.

The next meeting will be held on November 10th at 6:00 at Shari's.

Meeting was closed at 7:15.

Kay Havig

The regular meeting of the Gorge Chapter was called to order by Rose Miller at 6:00 PM at Shari's in The Dalles. Those in attendance were Rebecca Eames, Mark Harris, Kay Havig, Norm Huffman, Tracy Janik, Kathy Kahler, Rose Miller, Dave Storby and Betty Lou Yenne. Guests were Linda Griswald and Douglas Martin.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and the correction that was made was that the Identify Theft seminar for The Dalles will be held on September 15th at Zion Lutheran Church. Motion was made and second to accept the minutes as corrected.

Treasurer: Kathy reported that we have $2136.53 in the checking account with $1982.18 of that being operating expenses and $1447.00 as Care Abounds in Community. Motion made and seconded to accept this report.

Betty Lou gave a report on the Food Bank matching funds. We are to encourage the congregations to mail their checks to Kathy Kahler by September 11th. If you have any questions please get in touch with either Betty Lou or any board member.

Just a reminder of the upcoming Identity theft seminars. The first one will be on September 7th at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1140 Tucker Road, Hood River. The second one will be September 15 at Zion Lutheran Church, 101 West 10th St, The Dalles, Oregon. Both of these will start at 7:00 PM and should be finished around 8:00 PM. Be sure to bring your questions.

The Chapter website is up and running and really looks wonderful. If you have anything that you would like to put on the site please send your request to Rebecca Eames at marrebcon@yahoo.com.

Kay brought the information about the wine tour that we were talking about having. It was brought up that this was to replace the picnic that we usually have. But if we had the wine tour that would exclude the youth. So all were in favor of meeting at Spooky's again and we will also have a drawing for two $100 scholarships for any student that is going to college. A family member may put the name of the student in the hat and then 2 names will be drawn.

Rose announced that we will have elections in November. We would like to have a member from each church on the board. The meetings are once a month, where we meet for dinner. If you are a Thrivent member and would like to do this then please let us know or if you know of someone who would like to be on the board encourage them also.

Volunteer hours this month were 64.

Due to lots of members that will not be around for the September meeting we will not have one. If there is any voting that needs to be done Rose will get in touch with everyone by email. The October 13th meeting will be at Shari's in The Dalles.

The meeting was closed at 7:35