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 Central Blue Ridge Chapter's leadership board election. Our elections will be held in each of the ten Lutheran Church Congregations in our Chapter. Your Chapter will hold the lelections on:
                                                     Sunday, October 10th and Sunday, October 17th.

 Watch your church bulletins for details.  It will simply require you to stop by a table before, between, or after your church service to cast your vote.

The Winter 2004 issue of Thrivent magazine, which will be mailed in late October, will contain the ballots for each benefit member in the household, along with information about each of the candidates and other important election information. (Households with more than four benefit members may receive a separate mailing with additional ballots.) Benefit members will be asked to cast their votes during the election period (Oct. 15 to Nov. 30) and mail in their ballots as instructed.

Be sure to order the new latest member benefits by going on-line or calling 1-800 THRIVEN.  There is a new Christian CD out and Three books for children that teach about values.