Understanding the chapter leader role

Responsibilities of the Leadership Board n Provides strategic direction, leadership planning and administration to support congregational and community service teams. n Responsible for approving Care Abounds in Communities™ chapter activity/funding requests. n Allocate dollars to community service teams for helping individuals, families and qualified not-for- profit organizations. n Help service teams promote and publicize their activities.

n Manage the process for the local chapter leadership elections. n Provide notice to members of upcoming meetings. n Invite elected officials to attend chapter activities. n Recognize volunteers. n Admit or transfer members to membership. Responsibilities of the Leadership Board

Develop positive board relationships n Bring personal concerns to the attention of the chapter board. n Demonstrate a willingness to listen to others. n Keep an open mind. n Share concerns with others in an open, courteous fashion. n Publicly support your colleagues. n Publicly support decisions of the chapter leadership board. n Stick to a code of ethics that guides acceptable board behavior. n Base recommended action on the chapter leadership board’s agreed-upon mission.

Chapter meeting requirements--purpose n Chapter meetings are held to: u conduct chapter business. u approve activities requesting funding. u keep members informed about and involved in chapter activities. n To qualify for a meeting: u a simple majority (a quorum) of the elected leaders must attend and participate (e.g., if a chapter has six elected leaders, at least four of the leaders must participate).

n Chapters are legally required to meet at least once every three months (in person or aided by technology). u Chapter leadership board should meet as often as necessary to remain a viable, active chapter—quarterly at a minimum. Chapter meeting--legal requirements

Agree on a set of ground rules n A well functioning team has set behavioral ground rules. n Builds foundation of the team. n Make this an agenda item at one of the first chapter meetings.

Funding decisions The entire chapter leadership board is involved in all funding decisions.

Chapter operating funds n Operating funds are available to provide support to chapters to cover: u Chapter administration expenses, such as postage, supplies and chapter leadership board conference calls (in lieu of meeting in person). u Chapter-wide member events, such as supporting the annual election. u Seed money for service teams, such as providing funds for up-front expenses of a fund-raiser. Funds can be loaned or granted. u Volunteer recognition, such as events and/or gifts.

Chapter operating funds (continued) n To receive the first installment of funds, the chapter must have the five required elected leaders in place. n To receive the second installment of funds, the chapter must have the five required elected leaders in place and must also have filed the prior year’s financial report. n Remaining operating funds at year-end carry over to the next year. We recommend carrying over no more than 10% of the annual allocation from year to year.

Congregational coordinator responsibilities Responsibilities are to provide leadership and encourage participation in activities that take place at the congregation. n Involves at least six member households in volunteer efforts that qualify for the Care in Congregations® program funding. n Requests funding online for the volunteer efforts in the congregation. n Reports activity information online and submits receipts to chapter leadership board. n Assures that funding is used as intended at the congregation. n Orders and coordinates distribution of congregational resources.

Funding limitations for activities: Care Abounds in Communities™ ActivityRecipient Funding Maximums Fund-raiser Hands-on service Individual/Family Qualified not-for-profit $5,000 $1,600

Care in Regions™ Through this program: n Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides funding for members of multiple chapters to come together, through community service teams, and work with their regional manager of Lutheran community services (MLCS) to address a significant regional need. n The manager of Lutheran community services (MLCS) approves all activities.

Locally Supported Activities n See page 3 of August 2004 Chapter Beat (handout)

n Will be covered in Service Team & Communication Directors’ Break-out Session u Chapter Mailing Service u Chapter Web sites available on Lutherans Online Promoting and publicizing chapter activities

n Financial Representatives can help identify and recruit leaders for chapter leadership roles, congregational and community service teams. n Assist the leadership board in identifying needs that can be met through service teams. n Make check presentations to individuals, groups or institutions. Partnering with Financial Representatives

n Chapter System – Coming to our Region in mid to late n Regional Website n Flowcharts on the Care Programs are available on the Regional Website under “chapter resources.” n Fraternal Service Center © Call , option 1 - 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Central Time Monday and Tuesday - 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Central Time Wednesday through Friday © Available Resources

Available Resources (cont’d) n Lutheran Community Services Team F Phil Edlund – Washington (toll free) F Naomi Baker – Oregon, Alaska, SW Washington (toll free)

Other Fraternal Opportunities Church and Community Programs n Baptismal Medallions n Confirmation Recognition n Simply Giving® n GivingPlus™ Program Grant Programs n Disaster Response n Habitat for Humanity n Healthy Communities* Healthy Youth More information about these programs can be found at or by contacting the MLCS or LCS Team.