Fort Bend-Wharton County Chapter

Four page newsletter: Wharton.Fort Bend Chapter Coordinator Newsletter

Four page newsletter: Wharton.Fort Bend Chapter Coordinator Newsletter

This newsletter was mailed to congregational advocates in this chapter. For more information, contact your chapter leadership board.

Fort Bend-Wharton County Chapter, 2007 Election Update for Congregational Coordinators

2007 Chapter Leader Election Activities

A slate of chapter leaders for 2007 was approved at our last chapter meeting. We will have a significant turnover of chapter leaders next year due to term limits. Continuity will be provided for since several current leaders will assume appointed positions as mentors and assistants to the new leaders. We are calling on congregational coordinators to help with this years election to be held Sunday November 12th. Your churches will be provided with ballots, candidate biographies and reporting forms. We need your help with the following election activities:
- Publicize the election via bulletin and newsletter announcements. Put up election notice signs.
- set up election sites, monitor activity and answer member questions.
- Tally and report results

Candidate Sample Ballot

Election Ballot for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
                        Fort Bend -Wharton County Chapter
                            2007 Chapter Leaders

November 12, 2006

Required Elected Positions
President
Bob Jahn

Vice President
Don Fought

Records Director
Betty Coates

Financial Director
Donna Janik

Congregational Service Team Director
Sean Gutierrez

Optional Elected Positions

Communications Director
Mary Ann Lehrmann

Assistant Financial Director

Community Service Team Director

Youth Director

Events Director
Chuck Whitacre

Candidate Biographies

President- Bob Jahn – held various positions with Lutheran Brotherhood Branch(es), including vice president and secretary . For the three years served as a congregational coordinator for Joy Lutheran. I currently lead as Christian Youth Director at Joy. In 2006 I served as Youth Director in the chapter in 2006.

Vice President – Don Fought- is a member at New Hope Lutheran - Missouri City.Don and his wife Sharon have been involved with Ft.Bend Human Needs Ministry since it's beginning and work diligently to meet the ever growing needs of the community. Don and Sharon have three adult sons and he enjoys bowling and time with the family. Don has been a congregational coordinator for New Hope for three years

Records Director – Betty Coates – Member St Paul’s Wharton active in choirs at St Paul’s and Methodist church, she and husband Jerald(deceased) are parents of two adult children. Betty has served as Records Director for the chapter in 2006

Financial Director – Donna Janik -is a member of Christ Lutheran in El Campo where she is a member of the choir, the bell choir and the altar guild. Donna served as assistant Financial Director for the Chapter in 2006. She & her husband, Larry, are the parents of three children and they have two grandsons.

Congregational Service Team Director – Sean Gutierrez – Sean is an active member at Trinity Lutheran – Rosenberg. Sean has served us through his fulltime profession as a fireman and EMS. He is married.

Communications Director – Mary Ann Lehrmann- is member at Trinity Lutheran – Rosenberg ,married to Ray with four adult children and four grandchildren. She has served as congregational coordinator for three years, serves on the Board of Trustees and Friends Club at Trinity, she is a volunteer with Lions Club, American Legion and the Rosenberg Railroad Museum.

Events Director – Chuck Whitacre -Born and raised a Lutheran. I have been a member of LCMS, ALC and ELC churches. My wife and I are currently members of Fishers of Men Lutheran Church in Sugar Land, TX. My wife, Tommie and I live in Richmond, TX. I am employed by Schlumberger in Sugar Land, TX as an Equipment Engineer.

Additional Appointed Volunteer Positions

Several chapter members have volunteered to remain in the chapter leadership group to aid the transition for new leaders, provide mentoring and give assistance.

Ben Powell - Past President Advisor

Suzanne Kocurek - Thrivent Financial Chapter Representative

Greg Dimmick and Sheri Granske - Wharton and Fort Bend County Thrivent Builds/ Habitat for Humanity liasion

Jerry Lohr - Assistant Congregational Coordinator and Monthly Meeting Coordinator

Becky Ohm - Youth Program Advisor

Congregation Fellowship Grants

Each congregation was given a grant of $100 to put on a social event to increase awareness of the many fraternal benefits available through Thrivent Financial. Many congregations have held their events but some are in the planning process. If you need help with an event call a chapter leader for assistance. At the end of this year we will be asking you if the grants are effective and if they are worth funding again.

Annual Fort Bend-Wharton Chapter Dinner

December 3rd is the date set for our annual volunteer appreciation dinner. This year we will enjoy a catered lunch at the First Colony Conference Center in Sugar Land. It will be a noon meal with more details to come. Please put this on your calendar today.

For members, by members:

This newsletter was written and edited by volunteer leaders of your local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter to keep you informed of chapter news. If you have any questions and/or comments about the content of this newsletter or would like to learn more about chapter activities being planned in your area, please contact one of your chapter leaders. To access your chapter leader contact information, go to www.thrivent.com; Members/Chapters; Information About My Chapter; View Leadership/Activities/Website; Chapter Leadership Board.