Attendees, board members: Tracy Carlson, Kent Tedford, Ron Howard, Richard Meyer,. Matt Kellie, Gene Mitchell
Visitors: Paul Henry, Barbara Soares

Meeting called to order and devotional by Richard Meyer.

Approved new Thrivent members.

At the Training Session it was discussed a 3 to 1 ratio for matching. Another message from the session is to discourage Hands-On Projects.

Tracy numbered the new requests as Barbara was not in attendance.
7001 approved for $150.00
7002 tabled until further information is obtained as to how the funds are used before we will take action
7003 approved for $1,000
7004 approved for $1,000
7005 approved for 2 to1 up to $1,000
7006 approved for 3 to 1 up to $1200
7007 approved 3 to 1 up to $1,600
7008 approved for $300.00
7009 approved 3 to 1 up to $1,600
7010 approved for $300

Voted that no one organization can receive more than 10% of Chapter money, this is approximately $39,000.

Chapter of Excellence-
We will try to achieve Milestone 1 & 2 toward being a chapter of excellence.

Congregational coordinators training
Ken suggested board member to help train Congregational Coordinators in their churches such as coffee hour. This is one of the requirements of the Chapter of Excellence. Matt has very good information. Kent had a training session at Faith Lutheran in East Hartford.

Motion made and approved.
1. Divide up the congregations in order to make the training more manageable,
2. Tracy & Gene will work out the training material.

Habitat Build - Thrivent Hartford Sponsor in Hartford in 2008
Requirements are:
We have to raise 10% of $185.00.
We have to coordinate manpower.

It was motioned and carried to do a mailing to the congregational coordinators about the requests process. This was posted real-time using the Thrivent office Wi-Fi connection.

A short discussion regarding our Mission statement was tabled and the meeting closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Recorded by Barbara Soares
Submitted by Richard Meyer

The meeting was called to order at 8:40 a.m. by President, Richard Meyer.

The following members were present:
Richard Meyer – President Gene Mitchell – Community Service Team Director
Kent Tedford – Vice President Susan Sondstrom – Communications Director
Ronald Howard – Treasurer Tracy Carlson – Congregational Service Team Director
Matt Kellie – Thrivent Financial Assoc. Barbara Lewis- Records Director
Susan Johnson – Rock Cats Coordinator

Richard welcomed everyone to the meeting, briefly touching on our morning agenda and what was needed to be accomplished.

APPROVED INITIATIVES
• IRS standard rate of 44.5 cents per mile for mileage reimbursement
• Administrative funds supporting purchase of Tee Shirts for the Youth.
• Operating funds for Rock Cats Baseball Event – Sue Johnson Coordinator
• New Thrivent Members At Large Approved.

ACTION ITEMS PRESENTED BUT TABLED
• Newsletter Announcing Board Changes/Upcoming Dates
• Habitat for Humanity – Spear Headed by Kent Tedford
• Member Outreach
• Chapter Records Repository/Permanent Location for Banners
• Volunteer Week – Recognition of Volunteers
• Join Hands Day – May 5th

Habitat for Humanity:

Kent Tedford introduced our guest, Jennifer Schimmel, Director of Individual and Faith Based Support.
Habitat is having a Faith Community Build at 805 Garden Street, in Hartford on April 10-15, 2007. They are looking for participants; i.e., group of five one of those days to assist in the building. They are also building homes on Waverly Street, in Hartford. Volunteers are needed 30 days after the foundation is ready; a total build time is usually 6 to 8 months. They like to start homes in May, June or July with a goal of having families in by the holiday in December.

Bill Zagorski, Development Officer, Corporate Relations for Habitat, stated the overall cost for materials and overhead “sticks & bricks” is approx. $162,000. Breakdown is: a) Thrivent Financial = $65%;
b) Local Chapter & Lutheran Community = 25%; and c) Habitat Affiliate = 10%.

When asked how we can be sure that monies contributed go to the local area, Bill Zagorski answered that the check should be designated to the local affiliate. Then it will be distributed to Hartford.

Page 2

Commitment time consists of 600 volunteer days with one person on site. Experts on site are a paid construction supervisor, professional electricians and plumbers, and those pouring the foundations. There are also four Americare Volunteers as well.

Kent Tedford reported that he has participated in one of these in the past and would like to talk to folks in Bridgeport or Springfield to discuss our roles as we represent 30 churches. Jennifer Schimmel will facilitate with Kent.

Overview of Teleconferences:

Richard Meyer informed the chapter members that there are three ways we impact Thrivent Benevolent Activities of our 30 congregations.

1. Three in each congregation submit to Thrivent in WI. to get monies for a project.
2. Matching funds to the local board in the neighborhood of $35,000 (3 to 1 ratio).
3. Care programs – Care Abounds in the community, Care in Congregation, and Care in Regions.

* * * *
Ron Howard handles the expenses for the Chapter. Board members should not incur any expenses; therefore, any monetary items should be submitted for reimbursement. Expenditures over $25.00 should be accompanied by a receipt for the treasurer’s records. Keep track of mileage and submit twice a year or every 3 to 4 months. Motion was m/s/p to approve the IRS standard rate of 44.5 cents per mile for reimbursement. Ron was also happy to report that Admin. Funds/Care Abounds Funds went up to $39, 855 for this year. He also noted that November and December are very active months.

Susan Sondstrom is new to the Board and will be handling a new position as Communications Director. She will keep our calendar updated and write the newsletter.

Matt Kellie is the Thrivent Financial Associate. He is an advisor to the Board.

Kent Tedford is Vice President and one of his responsibilities will be to plan the Annual Banquet & Recognition Dinner which is earmarked for sometime in October. He will also explore the Habitat for Humanity Project 2008-2009.

Action Items for the next meeting: Touch base with member congregations not active at this time. Recruit congregational coordinators (let them know they each just need 3 in order to get funds). We need to encourage the churches to use what is available to them. Tracy Carlson suggested a notebook be put together for Congregational Coordinators.

Matt Kellie suggested that perhaps at the Hammonassett Youth Event this summer a booth be manned to advertise the Thrivent Hartford County Chapter. Banners could be used to advertise or perhaps tee shirts with a “catchie” Thrivent Logo. Kent also suggested that we could host a Saturday lunch (TBD at a future date). Other possibilities: Habitat is a great way to get the word out; at a training session coordinators could bring back ideas to their respective churches.

Page 3

Motion was m/s/p to approve administrative funds to provide tee shirts to Youth Groups that we grant money to in support of their fundraising when going to various National Conventions. This will be discussed at a future Leadership Training Session to determine if any other chapters might also
have an interest.

Sue Johnson will continue to coordinate the Rock Cats Baseball Event. August 26, 2007 has already been scheduled for Faith & Family Day. Motion was m/s/p to approve monies from the Operating Funds.

Sue also suggested that all of the files should be boxed and stored in a centralized location. Place TBD at a future date. Motion was m/s/p to continue this effort.

Richard Meyer stated that four meeting dates need to be posted on line. He and Susan Sondstrom will work on this communication together.

A motion was m/s/p to approve the Thrivent Members At Large.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Respectfully submitted by:

Barbara P. Lewis
Records Director