As a membership organization, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is unique to the financial services world in many ways. Our members choose who will represent them on the national board of directors governing the organization as well as choose their local chapter leadership board.

The election process is a very important way for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to demonstrate two required elements of a fraternal benefit society:

1. An active, viable chapter system that involves many members
2. A representative form of government.

Without this election process, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans would not qualify as a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society and would not be able to provide the benefits to needy individuals, congregations and communities that it does today.

Please exercise your right to vote in your South Pinellas County Chapter's leadership board election.

If you're a benefit member* of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, you have a unique opportunity --you are able to select who serves on the national board of directors for a Fortune 500 organization. And this year, voting is becoming easier! The Winter 2004 issue of Thrivent magazine will include ballots for all benefit members living in a household. (Households with more than four benefit members may receive a separate mailing with additional ballots.)

Watch your mailbox in October for the Winter edition of Thrivent magazine. Take a few minutes to review the voting materials and cast your vote. Voting for our board has never been easier!

* Benefit members are generally members age 16 or older who own an insurance or annuity product from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and have applied for and been accepted for membership in accordance with the membership eligibility rules of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Congregational coordinators in some congregations have gotten a few minutes on the agenda of the annual congregational meeting or church picnic to gather ideas for worthwhile activities. Others have held a brainstorming session after church or during a coffee hour. Still others have created informal, but effective networks within the congregation to help them identify needs that could be met through this program. Regardless of how the information is gathered, the main point is to involve members in determining how to use these funds.

With that in mind, let's look at some possible ways to involve your busy FRs.

1. It seems obvious, but the very first step is to get acquainted with your FRs--introduce yourself and exchange contact information.
2. Secondly, figure out a good time to meet to share successful activity ideas and news about Thrivent Financial members in that congregation. Many congregational coordinators find ways to network with their FRs around regularly scheduled church or school activities. This meeting doesn't have to be highly structured to provide value to both parties.
3. Ask the FR if he or she would like to present the baptismal medallions and confirmation crosses.
4. Ask how you can be helpful to them in their business.
5. Invite them to your activities but don't expect them to attend every one.
6. If the FRs are new to this area, you may want to host a get-acquainted coffee hour between services on Sunday morning. Introduce them to members and prospects.

Recognizing volunteers for their efforts in Care in Congregations activities can range from a simple certificate of appreciation to a formal appreciation dinner. You can present them with a bouquet of flowers, a plate of cookies or publish their names and accomplishments in a newsletter. The ideas are endless to show volunteers how valuable they are!

If you have a recognition idea you've used that you would like to share with other congregational coordinators, we'd love to hear from you. Tell us about your ideas on the volunteer message board in Members Only—from the Members menu, click Volunteers under the "Message Boards" section.