Present: Jim Kozminski, Dick Zautner, Jon Kilmer, Nancy Biersack, Dennis Williams, and Jody Jackson. Thrivent Reps: Jim Healy. Absent: Debbie Kass

Opening Prayer was a devotion based on Luke 24:21 led by Jim Healy.

Minutes of January 4, 2011: Motion by Dennis, second by Dick that the minutes be approved. MSC

Treasurer’s Report: Jon Kilmer reported that the Program Fund balance is zero until we receive Thrivent’s commitment of $33,135.00. The current Operating Fund balance is $7,023.55. An audit is scheduled for February 19. Jon Schmidt, previous treasurer, will be part of the audit team, which includes Thrivent members who are not board members.

New Business: Requests are numbered consecutively for the year.
#5-2011 – St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Oconomowoc: The 6th grade students are holding their semiannual fish dinner on March 4. They hope to raise $3,000 plus free will offerings to help 5th graders attending Camp LuWiSoMo where they will do service projects, participate in Bible studies, and learn about servant leadership. They are requesting $1,500. Motion by Dennis, second by Jon, that we match 1 to 2 up to $1,250. MSC

#6-2011 – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Wales: This is an annual auction to be held on March 13. They hope to raise $2,000 and are requesting $500 for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission to help feed the hungry in Milwaukee. Motion by Jody and second by Dick that we match 1 to 1 up to $500. MSC. We will communicate our check-writing procedures to Bethlehem Lutheran so that checks are correctly written.

#7-2011 – St. Matthew’s School, Oconomowoc: A winter carnival with games and silent auction will be held on February 12. They hope to raise $3,000 for non-budgeted school items and are asking for $2,000. Because the request does not identify the non-budgeted school items to be funded, it was noted that St. Matthew’s should provide more specific information in the future. It was also noted that our funding limit is $1,600. Motion by Jon and second by Jody that we match 1 to 3 up to $1,000 pending the receipt of specific information on use of the funds. MSC

#8-2011 – Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service, Milwaukee: This request came via the website. They hope to raise $2,000-$2,200 through staffing a concession stand at the Bradley Center for three events this year, and are requesting $1,000. The funds will help individuals with limited means to receive mental health counseling, provide support care of the frail and elderly in their Care Center and Living Center, and help develop and promote educational services in Waukesha County, the Milwaukee area, and throughout the United States. Motion by Dick and second by Dennis to deny funds for the Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service request because it does not meet the criteria for the West Waukesha County Thrivent Chapter. MSC

New Members: Dick printed the report but did not have it available. He was asked to bring the list to the next meeting. Motion by Dick and second by Jon to accept the new members. MSC. (NOTE: An email from Jody on February 9 reported 31 Benefit members, 8 Associate members, and 11 youth members for a total of 50 new members since December 7, 2010.)

Reports:
President: Jim Kozminski
• Jim received a Salvation Army solicitation mailing that was addressed to Jon Schmidt as treasurer; it will not be considered.
• Two thank you letters for contributions to Operation Christmas Child were received. One letter was from Samaritan’s Purse; the second letter was signed by Franklin Graham. Dennis reported that there was a 35% increase in shoe boxes and a 40% increase in participants.
• Jim received a request from the LakeWalk for Cancer for in-kind donations such as breakfast bars or bottled water. A decision on this can be made at a later date. Nancy attended the kick-off meeting and obtained event information for us. Jody volunteered to serve as leader of a Thrivent team. It was also suggested that a mailing be sent to our members encouraging their participation on our team or a congregation team and to also raise pledges.
Records Director: Nancy Biersack
• Nancy requested guidance on who should receive board meeting minutes. It was noted that in addition to board members and Thrivent reps, Congregational Advocates should receive minutes. She will obtain their contact information.
Communications Director: Jody Jackson
• Jody requested photos of past fundraising events so she can include the pictures on the chapter website.
• She also requested that board members email a photo or print one for her to scan so they can also be posted on the chapter website along with board member bios.

Unfinished Business:
• Jim Healy distributed a calendar of events, including promotions sponsored by the regional office. He indicated that a Christian scholarship banquet will be held in April or May and that all board members are invited to attend to demonstrate our support of the program.
• He also suggested that younger Thrivent members be encouraged to get involved by participating in our activities. Jody will obtain a list of member email addresses to communicate more effectively with all members.

Next Chapter Meeting: Tuesday, March 8, 2011, Waukesha State Bank at 6 p.m.

Volunteer Hours for January: Board – 42.5 hours; financial reps – 64; this meeting – 12. Total for January is 118.5.

Adjournment: Motion by Dick, second by Dennis to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. MSC

Opening Prayer was a devotion based on I Peter 4:12-19 led by Jim Healy.

Minutes of December 7, 2010: Motion by Dennis, second by Dick that the minutes be approved. MSC

Treasurer’s Report: No financial report given in Jon’s absence. However, Jim reported that the checking account has been updated with Jim and Jon as authorized signers. Only one signature is required on checks. Jon has a disk with previous financial files. A portion of our funds will be received in January and the remaining amount coming shortly thereafter.

Introductions: Each new board member introduced themselves to the group.

New Business:
Requests #1 and #2 for 2011 were discussed and approved by the new board members at the December 2010 meeting. Requests are numbered consecutively for the year.

#4-2011 – Saint John’s North Prairie Pre-School, North Prairie: This project was discussed prior to #3. Saint John’s Pre-School is planning a spaghetti dinner to fund renovation of classrooms including carpeting, painting, and stripping and resurfacing floors. They hope to raise $3,000 and are asking for $1,600. Discussion followed regarding funding match limitations and confusion the funding request form generates. Motion by Jody, second by Dennis, that we match 1 to 2 up to $1,500 pending receipt of program funds. MSC

#3-2011- Bethesda Golden Gala: Jim received this request in December, therefore, it is numbered #3. This is Bethesda’s 4th Annual Golden Gala to be held in Milwaukee on March 5. The event helps support Bethesda group homes and includes a silent auction, dinner and dancing with an anticipated attendance of over 150. They are requesting $1,600. They have also asked for funding from other chapters in Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Milwaukee Counties. It was noted that this request has not been funded in the past, and it is our preference is for recipients and volunteers/participants to be located within our own chapter area. Motion by Dick, second by Dennis, to deny funds for the Bethesda 4th Annual Golden Gala. MSC. Jody volunteered to send a notification letter to Bethesda as well as any future funding denials.

New Members: It was noted that new Thrivent members or members moving into the area need to be accepted by the chapter. The past vice president obtained this information and presented it at monthly meetings. Dick will contact Bill Lamm to learn the process to obtain new member information. Bill also sent a welcome letter to new members.

Reports:
President: Jim Kozminski
• Jim reviewed upcoming dates for receipt of funding from Thrivent as well chapter audit and summary reports due by February 28.
• He asked for suggestions regarding the monthly meeting date and times. It was the consensus of the group to continue holding meetings at Waukesha State Bank on the first Tuesday of each month but starting at 6 p.m. Food and beverages will continue to be provided.
• Jim noted that the LakeWalk for Cancer will host kick-off meetings in early February. Nancy will attend and get a team packet for us.
Communications Director: Jody Jackson
• Jody will keep the chapter website up-to-date.
• She suggested that collecting chapter member email addresses would be helpful in communicating with our members. It was noted that congregation advocates are the only ones at this time who receive email communications from the chapter.
• Jody will also look into having a Facebook presence for the West Waukesha County Chapter.
• She will bring her camera to the next meeting to take new board member pictures for the website. Each new board member should also write a short bio sketch to accompany their website photo.

Next Chapter Meeting: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, Waukesha State Bank at 6 p.m.

Volunteer Hours for December: Board – 21 hours; financial reps – 17; this meeting – 16. Total for December is 54.

Adjournment: Motion by Dick, second by Dennis to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. MSC