Returning to the Leadership Board for his third year of service is Joe Peach, Chapter President.  A member of Mt. Si in North Bend, Joe will be running the Board meetings and serving as the main contact for Chapter business.  Previously he served as Congregational Service Team Director.  Joe is a retired police officer with thirty-three years of service to the community.  He holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Seattle University.

Susan Baird-Joshi, a member of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland and a first-time Board member, is serving as Vice President.  Her responsibilities include authoring this newsletter, running the elections in November and Chapter Board meetings in the President's absence, and doing other odd jobs as the need arises.  Susan and her husband, Sanjaya Joshi, own and operate Userspace Corporation.

Floyd Lukecart will serve his third year on the Board as Records Director.  His responsibiities include maintaining all the paperwork required to run the chapter.  A member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Bellevue and a resident of Kirkland, Floyd previously served as President and Records Director of the Leadership Board.

Returning as Financial Director is Janet Broadus, a member of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Kenmore and a resident of Bothell.  Janet maintains all financial records for the chapter, prepares Care Abounds in Communities™ payments and tracks which organizations are benefitting from EKCC Care Abounds in Communities projects.  Janet used her skills as an employee and volunteer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ogden, Utah.  Her responsibilities as the accountant of the church, school and child care program were payroll and taxes, bookkeeping, budgeting, and human resources for 45 employees.  

New to the Board this year is Jeff Brady, a member of Wooden Cross Lutheran Church in Woodinville.  As the Congregational Service Team Director, Jeff led the training for Congregational Coordinators and will work with coordinators throughout the year to train newcomers, answer questions about procedures and encourage the recruitment of new coordinators.  Jeff is a resident of Lake Forest Park and owns a business in Kirkland, in addition to being a member of many professional organizations.

Kathy Fisher, of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Mercer Island, is a new Board member but not new to working with children.  As the Youth Director, Kathy has requested funds be set aside for activities to promote children's education in the EKCC region.  Kathy is currently the Director of Youth and Family Ministry at her church, a position that uses all the skills she's acquired over the past 25 years in Early Childhood Education.

Fraternal benefit societies such as Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are unique not-for-profit organizations that offer their members opportunities to achieve financial security, enhance their way of life and provide an incentive to help others.

As a member, you may order complimentary books, videos and CDs—valuable resources on personal finance, healthy living, caring for others, as well as help to support you in your faith. You'll also find other helpful products and services offered at significantly discounted prices. These value-added member benefits distinguish Thrivent Financial from other financial services organizations.  Members can view and order benefits from Thrivent Financial's Web site at www.thrivent.com/fraternal/benefits, or order by calling 1-800-372-8236.

Although fraternals have evolved to meet the changing needs of their members, their mission remains the same: to help their members help themselves and others through charitable and benevolent activities; and to provide opportunities for their members to achieve financial security.

The mission of EKCC, an organization based on Christian values, is to strive to focus on helping individuals and organizations in need through the care programs.  EKCC distributes funds provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through the Care Abounds in Communities program, sponsorships and monies to congregations for special events.  The EKCC recognizes the volunteer effort and benevolent activities of EKCC members by providing supplemental funds to service teams to benefit charitable organizations and individuals in need.

The EKCC coverage areas ranges from Kenmore and Woodinville in north King County to Issaquah in the south.  The western shore of Lake Washington is the eastern border of EKCC's service area, with North Bend serving as the eastern border.  In all, EKCC includes 28 congregations.

Use the EKCC's email address eastkingcochapter@yahoo.com, and include in your subject line the topic.  It's generally helpful to address the email in the body of the text to the appropriate individual.  The EKCC mailing address is 11711 Se 8th Street, Suite 201, Bellevue, WA 98005-7356.  To apply for the Care Abounds in Communities™ matching funds, download Form 1 from the EKCC's Web site at http://www.lutheransonline.com/eastkingcountychapter.

Someone in your community may be suffering from health problems and high medical expenses.  Sponsor a fund raiser and apply for supplemental funds through this program.  A family may be in financial need who could use help maintaining their home.  Care Abounds in Communities funds for a EKCC-member sponsored fund-raiser could help them. Is there a school, community park or camp that could benefit from new equipment?  Organize a service team of EKCC members to do the repairs or install new equipment to qualify as a hands-on service activity.

This online tool—located at www.thrivent.com/ABC—is available to help you translate your desire to help into an action plan for making a difference. It provides easy steps to guide you as well as ideas, checklists and tips so you can successfully form a community service team and execute an activity through your Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter.

Learn how to get the ball rolling.
1. Identify recipient of funds or service project.
2. Form your community service team.
3. Explore your capabilities; select your activity.

Plan the Activity.  Seek Funding.
1. Request chapter leadership board funding approval.
2. Plan activity logistics and details.
3. Get the word out.

Do it! And Celebrate!
1. Do it! Carry out your plans to help others.
2. Celebrate completion of activity and recognize your volunteers.
3. Tell us what you did. Then pay bills and provide funds to recipient.