Four page newsletter: San Mateo County Chapter summer newsletter| Four page newsletter: San Mateo County Chapter summer newsletter | | |
| San Mateo County Chapter, LATEST NEWS FOR MEMBERS |
The June 10 beach cleanup sponsored by our San Mateo County Chapter as part of the national “Join Hands Day” proved to be a lot of fun – good fellowship, worthwhile community service, and excellent food! Twenty-two Chapter members and friends representing seven Chapter churches met at Francis Beach, a state beach in Half Moon Bay, on the morning of June 10. Work was finished about noon and participants enjoyed excellent barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs with all the “fixins.” The hit of the day, however, was the baked beans that Vi Hightower of First Lutheran brought. Bette Blake also from First Lutheran in South San Francisco deserves great applause for making all the arrangements.
Many of our Chapter members know that Thrivent Financial supplements funds raised by congregations for projects that benefit the congregation. Thrivent supplements up to $1300 for most of the congregations in the Chapter and up to $1600 for the larger congregations. This year, so far, fund raisers have included free-will offerings, an International Night, game nights, barbecues, crab feeds, pancake breakfasts, a chili cook off, car washes, bake sales, a Valentine’s dinner, other dinners, rummage sales, school performances, and Easter breakfasts.
To be eligible for supplemental funds, congregations must have three congregational coordinators who are Thrivent members – either benefit or associate. Six Thrivent members from different families must plan the fund raising activity. Projects already receiving funds this year include youth activities, church education programs, repair/maintenance of church facilities, construction of new facilities, and assistance for a church school.
As this newsletter goes to press, five congregations in the Chapter have not yet applied for supplemental funds. If you are a part of a congregation in San Mateo County, ask if your congregation has the required number of congregational coordinators and is planning an activity that qualifies for supplemental funds.
| CARE ABOUNDS IN COMMUNITIES® |
Thrivent Financial also supplements funds raised to support community projects beyond the congregation. The San Mateo County Chapter Board has determined that up until September 1 it will accept proposals from congregations (but not directly from community organizations seeking funds). These early proposals are limited to $1000 supplement for each congregation. If funds remain in the Chapter account after September 1, the Board will consider additional requests beyond the $1000 limit. As this newsletter goes to press, only five congregations have requested Care Abounds supplemental funds.
Churches with schools can use both Care in Congregations and Care Abounds in Communities to support their school. The “community” need not be restricted to San Mateo County, but can be projects such as the Lutheran Navajo School in Arizona or other far-flung community service agencies.
Neither Care program allows carryover of funds to the next year and all proposals should be approved and completed by December 1 if possible. New funding requests for Care in Congregations must be entered by Dec. 20. Activity funding requests for both Care programs for 2007 may not be submitted until January 8, 2007.
| CHAPTER BOARD ELECTIONS ARE COMING |
Even the fraternal side of Thrivent Financial has term limits! If Board members serve four years in any elected Board position they must step out for two years before they can be elected again. Two Board members – President Jeff Schufreider and Congregational Service Team Director Marion McDowell – have served the four-year limit. Therefore, when the Board election comes around in October these two positions will need to have new nominees.
Chapters must have all five required Board positions filled. If our San Mateo County Chapter does not have the required number of Board positions filled we will be merged with another Chapter and thus may receive less supplemental funds than are now available to our Chapter. The required positions are President, Vice-president, Financial Director, Records Director, and Congregational Service Team Director. Here is a brief description for each of these leadership positions: Congregational Service Team Director encourages member involvement through formation of service teams in congregational settings, and trains and supports congregational service teams. Financial Director oversees and maintains the chapter’s financial records. President provides leadership to the chapter leadership board and oversees planning and strategic direction. Records Director maintains accurate and up-to-date records, planning calendars and meeting minutes, and completes nonfinancial reporting. Vice President provides leadership to the chapter leadership board in the absence of the president. Also leads the nomination process.
There are five additional (optional) positions as well: Assistant Finance Director, Communications Director, Community Service Team Director, Events Director, and Youth Director. Assistant Financial Director assists the financial director in maintaining financial records for the chapter. Communications Director supports communication efforts for the chapter and service teams. Community Service Team Director encourages member involvement through the formation of community service teams. Events Director plans volunteer recognition and related events. Youth Director involves youth in service-learning activities and projects at educational sites.
Serving on the Chapter Board can be quite fulfilling because of the help given to congregations and to the community through the Thrivent Care programs. If you know of a Thrivent member living in San Mateo County who could serve, contact Greg Bohlmann, Board Vice President. His telephone number is 650-508-8415; his emil is GBohlmann@sriconsulting.com. Elections will be held at each congregation in October.
| FREE CELEBRATION! SAVE THE DATE ! ! |
The Chapter's fourth annual Ice Cream Social and Information Day is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on September 24 and will be held at Trinity Lutheran in Burlingame – the site of our first Ice Cream Social in 2003. There will be door prizes, gifts for Congregational Coordinators and other participants along with an interesting presentation of Thrivent programs. All Chapter members are invited. Mark your calendars now!
ALL 19 LUTHERAN CHURCHES IN SAN MATEO COUNTY RECEIVE PROJECT SUPPORT
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS FROM "THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS"
IN COOPERATION WITH ITS SAN MATEO COUNTY CHAPTER.
IF YOU NEED HELP WITH SECURING CONGREGATIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS, YOU
MAY CALL THE FRATERNAL OFFICE AT 800-847-4836.
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.
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