Newberry County Chapter

Four page newsletter: Summer, 2009

Four page newsletter: Summer, 2009

Newberry County Chapter, Summer 2009

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Newberry County Chapter Leadership Board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is to proclaim the LOVE OF GOD through the promotion of volunteerism and fund raising projects which will improve the lives of people and in doing so, the Newberry County Community becomes a better place to live.

Chapter Activities

    The summer Chapter Gathering Meeting and Meal was held Tuesday night, July 28, 2009, 7 PM, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Family Life Center in LIttle Mountain. A total of 82 people registered.
    Vice-President Henri Bishop presided in the absence of President Jerry Havird. The invocation was given by Pastor James Shealy.
    The Food Committee prepared a delicious hamburger supper with the usual toppings with cole slaw, chips and ice cream sandwich for desert.
    The program was a powerpoint presentation given by Paul and Cindy Rego of the Dutch Fork Thrivent Chapter on their recent visit to Guatemala doing a house-building project organized by Thrivent and Habitat for Humanity. There were 81 Thrivent members from the U.S. who participated. The presentation was very informative and educational about the venture in providing special service to the homeless in that country. Gathering attendees were encouraged to consider sharing in this kind of service in making a difference in the lives of people.
    Catherine Boozer, Care Abounds in Communities Coordinator, gave a report on the nine projects completed or near completion totaling over $7000. There was close to $5000 remaining in funds to be used by the end of the year.    Members were encouraged to find individuals and/or families who need help and make the appropriate application to the Board.
    The meeting adjourned with the singing of the Doxology.

Steps to Follow to Apply for Care Abounds in Communities Funds

Check to see when the Newberry County Chapter of Thrivent meets because all requests are reviewed by and acted upon by the Leadership Board during scheduled meetings. Following are the steps for requesting funds:

a. Form a SERVICE TEAM (must include 6 different Thrivent households) to identify, plan, and conduct the activity.

b. After the Service Team decides on an activity, contact Community Service Team Director, Mrs. Catherine Boozer (803) 364-2870 or Assistant Director, Mrs. Jackie Perry for an application at least two weeks prior to a Chapter Meeting. They will then mail you a "Request for Funding" form.

c. Complete the form and mail the form to either Catherine or Jackie several days before the Chapter Meeting. Mrs. Catherine Boozer's address is: 360 Holland Boozer Road, Prosperity, SC 29127 and Mrs. Jackie Perry's address is: 1180 Hillbrook Lane, Newberry, SC 29108.

d. The Chapter Leadership Board will review the request and act on it. The request MUST go before the Board BEFORE the activity is held.

e. Ms. Catherine or Jackie will contact you via phone with the results of the Board vote. If approved, one of these ladies will send you a #1 "Report for Funding Activities" form and an #2 "Receipts Funds Raised and Expense" form.

f. Activity should be promoted as a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans activity as well as an activity supporting the community organization.

g. Following the activity you should complete form #1 and mail the completed form to our Records Director: Mrs. Melinda Long, 1813 Peak Road, Pomaria, SC 29126.

h. The #2 form should be completed and mailed along with a check for net funds raised to the Financial Director, Paul Werts. The check will be made payable to Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Paul's address is 2539 Old Jollystreet Rd, Prosperity, SC 29127. Please include legible copies of all deposits and expense receipts from the fund raiser.

i. After the activity request is processed by Thrivent Financial, Paul will send your organization a check which will include the total amount of net funds raised plus supplemental funds approved by the Chapter Leadership Board.

We are getting close to the end of the year and funds are being used - there is about $3000 remaining for the rest of the year. The Board looks forward to working with you in helping and caring for others in the Spirit of God's love for all people.

Leadership Board Meeting Dates

November 5, 2009 7:00 PM Silverstreet Lutheran, Silverstreet

Chapter Members are invited to attend meetings beginning at 7:30 PM

Proposed Chapter Gatherings for All Chapter Members

October 15, 2009 is the date for the Election of the Chapter Leadership Board for 2010. The election will be held and a meal will be served at 7:00 PM. RSVP by October 10th to Mrs. Faye Hawkins (803) 364-1417 or Mrs. Carolyn Torrence (803) 945-7620.

Please note: These are proposed dates; if there is a change, you will be notified. Please RSVP by the date listed so that the proper amount of food can be prepared.

Please Vote for Next Year's Chapter Leadership Board - Your Vote Counts!

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 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 and
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 Newberry County Chapter's Leadership Board Election which will be held October 15, 2009 at Stoney Hill. All elected leadership positions are considered "open" each year. If you know of someone who is willing to serve on the leadership board, please let President Jerry Havird know by October 10th. His phone number is (803) 924-5387 or you can email him at: jhavirdss@aol.com.

REMEMBER - YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

Your 2009 Chapter Leadership Board

President:                     Jerome F. Havird             (803) 276-8895         jhavirdss@aol.com
Vice President:             J. Henri Bishop                 (803) 276-4949         jhbccb@aol.com
Records Director:         Melinda W. Long             (803) 276-5924         longmelinda@hotmail.com
Financial Director:         Paul G. Werts                    (803) 364-9345         pwerts@commerce.state.sc.us
Congregational
Service Team Director: Michael W. Willingham     (803) 276-3852         musicmaryw2@aol.com
Communications
Director:                        Elsa Hope                         (803) 276-1988         rmehope@bellsouth.net
Community Service
Director:                        Catherine S. Boozer         (803) 364-2870
Events Director:            Mrs. Faye W. Hawkins     (803) 364-1417         gdfhawk@earthlink.net
Youth Director:             Mrs. Tommie Wicker         (803) 276-8106         wickerte@comcast.net

Advisory Positions:
Financial Associate
Advisor:                         Jim Braswell, FIC             (803) 276-2755         jim.braswell@thrivent.com
Special Advisor:            Jacqueline Perry             (803) 276-5378         jackieperry49@hotmail.com
Special Advisor:            Carolyn L. Torrence         (803) 945-7620         carolyntorrence@mailstation.com

At Your Fingertips: Update Your Church and Email Information on Thrivent.com

    Have you recently moved or changed your email address or church membership? If yes, you now have an easy and quick way to not only ensure the information Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has on file for you is accurate, but to also update it -- immediately!
    The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Website now has a secure page to review and update this information -- with just a few clicks of the mouse.
    Go to www.thrivent.com and click on My Thrivent. Enter your User ID and Password (first-time users will need to complete an easy one-time registration) to access the My Thrivent page, which provides a comprehensive financial summary of your Thrivent Financial products as well as your chapter information.
    Click "Edit My Information" and a screen will appear showing your name, address, phone number(s), email, church membership information, and more. Click on the appropriate "Update" link to change any wrong or outdated inforrmation, such as where you have church membership.
    If you do not have Internet access but need to update information, please contact your Thrivent Financial representative or Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and they will be happy to help you.