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Join hands, improve the community while having fun, and watch the power of volunteerism grow! We encourage you to participate in the eighth annual JOIN HANDS DAY on Saturday, May 5, 2007. This national day of volunteering is sponsored by America's fraternal benefit societies, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, to generate awareness about the impact of grassroots volunteerism. It encourages youth and adults to come together to identify, plan and conduct activities to improve their communities. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and our members strongly support the purpose of this special day and the impact it has on communities nationwide. Last year, youth and adult members conducted nearly 3,000 activities across the country. The ideas were limited only by the imagination. How can you participate in 2007? It's easy. Find a need, form a service team of individuals from six separate Thrivent Financial households, and contact one of our chapter leaders to see how we can help you. We have many resources to help make your activity great, such as: - A checklist that includes everything you need to know to conduct a successful activity and receive funding from the chapter. - Promotional items to help you recruit volunteers and publicize your activity for optimum attendance. - Funding to purchase T-shirts, refreshments, supplies and more.
Wondering who is on the Central Upper Peninsula Chapter Board this year? Here's the scoop! President (Elected) Judith Ann Quirk, 416 W Michigan St, Marquette, MI 49855-3335 (906) 228-6729 < juqu@charter.net>
Through Care Abounds in Communities®, anyone in our chapter can organize a community service team and help others. It doesn't take a lot of time or a long-term commitment! Contact a member of our chapter leadership board as noted in this newsletter for assistance in getting started. THE ABC 1-2-3 TOOL AT WWW.THRIVENT.COM/ABC can be a great help with step by step directions. If you see a need in your neighborhood or congregation and you are moved to help, supplemental funding may be possible. Ask the Central Upper Peninsula Chapter Board. Chapters of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are organized geographically and bring together members to help others and help their community. Through the Care Abounds in Communities® program, Thrivent Financial provides funding to members like you who form community service teams to conduct fund-raising activities and/or hands-on service activities to help individuals, families and qualified not-for-profit organizations.
Are you aware that as a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, financial gifts you make to a Lutheran organization might be able to be supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans? Gift funds to Lutheran Schools, Universities, Bible Camps, Camp Ministries, Home and Social Services my be eligible for Giving Plus matching funds. Through Thrivent Financial's GivingPlus® program, each member can donate financial gifts to two different Lutheran organizations enrolled in the program each year, and Thrivent Financial will contribute $1 for every $2, up to $300 per year for each organization. For example, if you donate gifts of $600 or more to two eligible Lutheran organizations each, Thrivent Financial will contribute an additional $600 ($300 for each organization). In addition, Thrivent Financial will contribute an additional $25 for members who volunteer 25 hours or more at the organization receiving their gift. All you need to do is complete a GivingPlus Member Gift form (available online or from the Lutheran organization) and submit it with your donation to the Lutheran organization. It's a very simple process.
Thrivent Builds Giving offers members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans® the opportunity to increase the impact of their donations to Habitat for Humanity® International or to a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Thrivent Financial contributes $1 for every $2 members donate to Habitat for Humanity, up to a maximum supplement of $300 per member annually. PLUS, when members volunteer 25 or more hours to Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial contributes another $25 per year to their donation. To learn more about Thrivent Builds Giving, to donate online or to get a copy of the Thrivent Builds Giving donation form, visit www.thriventbuilds.com.
As you can see, there are some vacancies on the current Chapter Board. We would be happy to add members. If your plate is too full this year, consider running for the next chapter board. Did you know that as a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, you are a part of one of nearly 1,400 groups, or chapters, of Thrivent Financial members? The chapter system provides opportunities for members to "make a difference" by helping others through fund-raising or service activities. It also is an integral part of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' mission and vision because it helps maximize the good that we do for others. As chapter members, we help fulfill the "caring for others" portion of Thrivent Financial's mission: "Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based membership organization called to improve the quality of life of its members, their families, and their communities by providing solutions that focus on financial security, wellness, and caring for others." In addition, we have the opportunity to play an important role in Thrivent Financial's vision: "Our vision is to be the organization that Lutherans, Lutheran congregations and Lutheran institutions seek first when pursuing their financial goals. More than creating financial solutions, we add the unique capability of enabling Lutherans to demonstrate their care and concern for others." Through use of our chapter Care programs, we are able to "demonstrate care and concern for others." By serving on the chapter board you can help meet these goals.
Through the Care in Regions® chapter Care program, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides funding for members of multiple chapters to come together, through community service teams, and work with their regional Manager of Lutheran Community Services (MLCS) to address a significant regional need. The community service teams conduct fund-raising activities and/or hands-on service 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 with significant needs. (This includes charitable, educational and religious organizations.) The Manager of Lutheran Community Services (MLCS) approves all activities.
This newsletter is written for you by volunteer leaders of your local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter, and any views expressed are those of the writer. For questions, comments or to learn more about chapter activities in your area, please contact one of your chapter leaders, who are listed on our Web site at: www.thrivent.com/members. Just click on Information About My Chapter.
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