The Lancaster County Chapter Board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans met on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1800 S. 84th Street, Lincoln, NE. President Jeff Peterson called the regular monthly chapter meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. and opened with prayer. Board members in attendance included: Jeff Peterson, Shane Larsen, Jan Beck, Kristy Plander, Tyler Frost, Judy Janssen, Sally Mertens, Roger Simmons and Harold Sutter. Others present included Margaret Simmons, advisory board member, Arnette Garris, Financial Representative, and two Messiah congregational coordinators, Geri Meyer and Steve Nast. Jeff thanked Messiah Lutheran congregation for hosting the Chapter meeting and each of the attendees introduced themselves. At the beginning of the meeting the president presented some ground rules to the Board to help us have a more effective meeting and use our time more efficiently.

Reports

Records Director: The minutes of the February 24th meeting were distributed to the Board members prior to the meeting. The February minutes taken by Margaret Simmons and presented by Jan Beck were approved as printed and distributed. The minutes from the February 24th meeting will be posted to the website.

New Chapter Members: The motion was made by Jan Beck and seconded by Kristy Plander to admit into membership of the Lancaster County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans from January 26, 2009 through March 23, 2009 – 75 Benefit members, 7 Associate members and 15 Youth members for a total of 97 members. The motion passed.

Financial Director: The Chapter financial report for February was distributed to Board members prior to the meeting. Financial Director, Kristy Plander, provided information concerning the remaining balance of Operating Funds and the Care Abounds in Community funds available based on previous requests approved and those that will be presented at this meeting. The report was filed for audit.

Community Service Team Director: Roger Simmons reported that he had received seven Care Abounds in Community (CAIC) requests since our February 24th monthly meeting. The ratio of funding for these projects will be 1:1 unless otherwise stated.

Project #09-30242-33: This project request for $600 is from a group of individuals from Holy Savior Lutheran Church for Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach. The event is titled ‘Supper Meals’ and will be held on April 18 and May 16, 2009. The funds will be used for food supplies for the meals. The motion made by Roger Simmons and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve funding this project request up to $600. The motion passed.

Project #09-30242-34: This project request for $2,000 is from a group of individuals doing a benefit for the Ryne (RJ) Alwin’s expenses. The event is titled ‘RJ’s Carnival’ (including silent auction) and will be held on April 5, 2009. The motion was made by Roger Simmons and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve funding this project request up to $2,000. The motion passed.

Project #09-30242-35: This project request for $600 is from a group of individuals doing a fundraiser for NOAH”S Assistance Dogs and Crisis Response Team. The event is titled ‘Dog N Jog’ and will be held on October 10, 2009. The funds will be used for training service animals and funding the canine crisis response members doing disaster services. The motion made by Roger Simmons and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve funding this project request up to $600. The motion passed.

Project #09-30242-36: This education project request for $600 is from a group of individuals from Concordia University, Seward. The event is titled ‘Reflections on Our Calling book series and faculty/staff mentoring program’ and will be held November 1, 2009. The funds will be used for to purchase books for the Reflections series and for books for new faculty and staff mentoring pairs. The motion made by Roger Simmons and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve funding this project request up to $600. The motion passed.

Project #09-30242-37: This project request for $600 is from a group of individuals from Christ Lutheran School. The event is titled ‘Christ Schools Taste of France Dinner and Auction’ and will be held on November 13, 2009. The funds will be used to purchase equipment for the school. The motion made by Roger Simmons and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve funding this project request up to $600. The motion passed.

Project #09-30242-38: This education project request for $600 is from a group of individuals from Christ Lutheran School. The event is titled ‘Christ Schools Family Film Festival’ and will be held on August 1, 2009. The funds will be used for expenses related to the school. The motion made by Roger Simmons and seconded by Harold Sutter to approve funding this project request up to $600. The motion passed.

Project #09-30242-39: This project request for $600 is from a group of individuals from Christ Lutheran School. The event is titled ‘Christ Schools Book Fair’ and will be held from December 3-6, 2009. The funds will be used for the school library. The motion made by Roger Simmons and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve funding this project request up to $600. The motion passed.

Project #09-30242-40: This project request for $600 is from a group of individuals from Trinity Lutheran School PTL. The event is titled ‘Spring Carnival’ and will be held on April 18, 2009. The funds will be used for conference registration for Trinity Lutheran staff. The motion made by Roger Simmons and seconded by Kristy Plander to approve funding this project request up to $600. The motion passed.

Vice President: Shane Larson is beginning to put together a plan for the 2010 Chapter Board elections. Board members were asked to let Shane know by mid-April their intent and willingness to stand for election to their current office or another Board position. The Records Director is serving her fourth year and is not eligible for re-election.

Events Director: Judy Janssen reported that the Second Annual Volunteer Recognition Breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 25th at Sheridan Lutheran Church. The subcommittee had met on March 23rd to finalize plans. The Board will be doing set-up on Friday evening (5:30-6:30) and also will be serving the breakfast on Saturday morning. Lincoln Police Chief Tom Cassidy will be the keynote speaker. There are 24 Lancaster County churches participating and Jeff will be mailing the invitations to attend to the volunteer being recognized, the pastor and the congregational president. Harold Sutter will be handling communications and is planning to contact Channel 8 and Channel 10, the Neighborhood Extra and the Journal-Star. Arnette Garris will show the video of the El Salvador Habitat for Humanity trip and Patty Stradley will speak about Thrivent Financial fraternalism. Shane Larsen will take pictures during the event and of the recipients.

The consensus of the Board was that the Lancaster County Chapter Fall Event will be held at Lincoln Lutheran on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Youth Director: Sally Mertens is working on Join Hands Day that will be observed Saturday, May 2, 2009. Her subcommittee is Judy Janssen, Shane Larson, Samantha Larson, Sally Mertens and Vicki Onken. The event will be held at Camp Carol Joy Holling near Ashland. Sally has been in contact with Jason Gerdes about a project, possibly something similar to what the Chapter Board did for their 2008 Chapter Retreat. A notice has been sent to co-coordinators with a RSVP by April 20th. All ages are invited to participate from kindergarten up.

Congregational Service Team Director: Vicki was not able to attend the meeting, but the Coordinator Appreciation Event scheduled for August 9th was discussed. Judy currently has 400 Salt Dog tickets in one section reserved. The Board clarified that the complimentary tickets for the congregational coordinators would be the coordinator and up to one guest. Family members and other guests could purchase additional tickets at the discounted price on a first come, first served basis.

Financial Representative, Arnette Garris, informed the Board that the date and title for a Care Abounds in Community (CAIC) project request approved at the February 24th Board meeting had changed. Project #09-30242-32 will be held at the Children’s Museum on Friday, May 1st from 6-8 p.m. and is titled ‘Parents, Kids and Money’.

Announcements: The next Lancaster County Chapter Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 28th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1551 S. 70th Street, Lincoln. The Chapter Board was also reminded that the Lancaster County Chapter Board picture would be taken at the April meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m..