The Lancaster County Chapter Board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans met on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at Peace Lutheran Church, 9831 North 145th Street, Waverly, NE. President Jeff Peterson called the regular monthly chapter meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. and opened with prayer. Jeff thanked the members of Peace Lutheran Church for hosting the meeting and attendees introduced themselves. Board members in attendance included: Jeff Peterson, Jan Beck, Kristy Plander, Billie Frost, Judy Janssen, Sally Mertens, Vicki Onken, Keith Plummer and Margaret Simmons. Advisory Board members present included: Dennis Engelbart, Roger Simmons and Linda Stubbendick. Guests present included Financial Associate-Andy Snyder and the Peace Lutheran congregational coordinators-Doris Moss, Rita Nelson and Anita Retzlaff.

Reports

Records Director: The minutes of the April 22, 2008 meeting had been distributed to the Board members prior to the meeting. The minutes were approved as printed and distributed. The April 22nd minutes 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 April 21, 2008 through May 25, 2008 – 30 Benefit members, 5 Associate members and 3 Youth members for a total of 38 members. The motion passed.

Financial Director: The Chapter financial report from the April meeting through May 26th was distributed to Board members prior to the meeting. Kristy Plander explained the report and also noted that Project #08-30242-34 had been withdrawn and the funds requested for the project returned to our allocation.

Communication Director: Margaret Simmons sent a postcard reminder to all members about Join Hands Day. She used the new general postcard that has more space for information instead of just the announcement of the event. The first newsletter highlighting Orphan Grain Train-Lincoln Warehouse has been mailed and I plan to try and feature Camp Luther and Camp Carol Joy Holling in the next newsletter. She attended a portion of the ‘Kids Against Hunger’ Join Hands Day event on May 3rd and noted that participants seemed to have a good time in accomplishing their goal.

Congregational Service Team Director: Vicki Onken reported that there were 12 Care in Congregations activities completed since the April 22nd meeting. These activities included the following congregations: United ($250); Redeemer ($800); Bethlehem ($176); Messiah ($1000); Trinity ($200); Peace Lutheran ($500); St. Andrews ($1600); St. Paul ($400); Grace ($300-2 projects) and Friedens ($500).

Events Director; Judy Janssen reported that the Fall Event Committee would be meeting prior to the June meeting. She will try and get a time scheduled and provide some information from the 2007 event. Ideas suggested for a summer activity were to check on tickets to the Lincoln Saltdogs and another Board member suggested that other activities also be considered.

Youth Director: Sally Mertens reported on the two Join Hands Day events held at 2324 Kimarra Place, Lincoln on May 3rd and May 18th. On May 3rd 20 people signed in and 17 individuals worked on the project ‘Kids Against Hunger’. Randy provided Sally with a report of the activities May 18th. There were 3,888 food packages filled on May 3rd and 4,104 food packages filled on May 18th. The two events were a success.

President: Jeff expressed thanks to Margaret for getting out the May newsletter and also to Sally for a successful and enjoyable Join Hands Day events. Plans are already being developed for the Chapter Fall Event.

2009 Election Process: All members of the Board will be involved in the Chapter elections this year. At this time vacancies on the Chapter Board will be Assistant Financial Director and Communications Director. Potential candidates for the Chapter Board may be past or present Congregational Coordinators and past Board members or other interested Thrivent members. Present Board members are to let the President know whether or not they would consider serving another term on the Lancaster County Chapter Board. Board members were asked to bring names of potential candidates to the June Board meeting.

Community Service Team Director: Keith Plummer presented one Care Abounds in Community project to be ratified as it had been approved previously by an email vote.

Project #08-30242-39: This project request for $2500 was for Tanya Strilkivsky to be used for medical expenses This event was held on May 1, 2008 and was titled ‘Potluck Dinner for the Strilkivsky Family’. For the email vote the motion was made by Keith Plummer and seconded by Margaret Simmons to approve the project. The project request was voted on and approved via email due to the date of the project. The motion at the meeting to ratify the email vote was made by Kristy Plander and seconded by Billie Frost to ratify the approved project request for up to $2500. The motion to ratify the earlier action passed.

Thrivent Builds Specialist: Linda Stubbendick reported that the basements were full of water due to the recent rains. The dedication for the house at 1520 ‘D’ Street is set for June 7th at 9 a.m. Jeff Peterson will try to attend representing the Lancaster County Chapter. Other Board member and chapter members are also welcome to attend. Over sixty people attended the wall-raising for the house at 1833 NW 47th Street . The house to be built in the Sheridan Lutheran Church parking lot will be started in August to be moved to 3333 X Street when finished. The Waffleman will do a fundraiser at Sheridan during the build.

Director of Member Engagement Region 378: Dennis Engelbart reported that Thrivent magazine (Summer issue) will have a short article about Johnny’s 8th birthday. Julie Ferri will be moving to Sioux Falls this summer but will continue to work for Thrivent in Habitat Builds.

Financial Associates: Andy Snyder will in attendance to represent the Financial Associates. He will be doing a couple of Estate Planning seminars possibly at Bunkers this summer. Arnette Garris is going to host the seminar ‘Who Gets Grandmas Yellow Plate’.

Announcement: The next monthly chapter meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The location is St. John’s Lutheran Church, 11400 West Panama Road, Crete, NE.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Jan Beck
Chapter Records Director