187th BOD Meeting
February 17-18, 2017
187TH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE (LWML) MONTANA DISTRICT
First Lutheran Church, Helena, Montana
February 17-18, 2017
1.Call to Order – 6:48 p.m.
President Shari Miller called the 187th meeting of the LWML Montana District Board of Directors (BOD) to order with the Invocation.
Bible Study –Junior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Kyle Whaley
The format for both Bible studies was “The Way of the Church” from The Lutheran Difference, a look at worship in the church.
2.Roll Call – Bridget Michel
Board members signed the attendance sheet and noted corrections on the BOD roster.
Elected Officers6
Counselors1
Zone Presidents3
Appointed Officers7
Guests 1
Total Voting 15
Excused Absences: Vice President of Christian Life Sonja Reeves, Vice President of Gospel Outreach and Flathead Zone President Kathleen Scott, Senior Pastoral Counselor Rolf Preus, Western Zone President Dorothy Rummel, Corresponding Secretary Janice Witt
Note: Young Woman Co-Chairmen have one vote. One of the two co-chairmen is considered a guest.
3.Adoption of Agenda– Shari Miller
One change is that the Eastern Zone Proposal (listed as 11.C.) will be discussed under the Eastern Zone President Report (8.C.).
4.Appointment of Minutes Review Committee – Shari Miller
Central Zone President Val Martin, Structure Chairman Myrt White,
Standing Committee Member: Corresponding Secretary Janice Witt
5.Minutes – Bridget Michel
(m/s/c – I) to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the 186th BOD Meeting.
(m/s/c – II) to approve the 186th BOD Meeting Minutes as presented.
6.Correspondence Requiring No Action – Janice Witt
Recording Secretary Michel read a letter forwarded to Vice President of Gospel Outreach Scott which reported on “Operation Barnabas for Comfort Dog Congregations,” one of our 2016-2018 grant recipients. Scholarship Chairman Anderson read a thank you note from seminarian Carl Wendorff, who received a scholarship from the LWML Montana District.
7.Reports of Elected Officers and Counselors
A.Recording Secretary – Bridget Michel
Full report on file. Recording Secretary Michel thanked all BOD members who served on the Minutes Review Committee. She requests that all BOD members respond to show they have received emails and attachments.
B.Treasurer – Ruth Denning
Full report on file. Attached is a handout showing the Administrative Expense Account items for the 2016 retreats in Billings and Camp Utmost.
C.Vice President of Christian Life – Sonja Reeves
Full report on file.
D.Vice President of Gospel Outreach– Kathleen Scott
Full report on file.
E.Vice President of Human Care – Deborah Knudsen
Full report on file. Vice President of Human Care Knudsen explained why the Lutheran World Relief truck routes and scheduling must remain the same as in previous years.
F.Vice President of Servant Resources – Pam Kercher
Full report on file.
G.Chairman of the Nominating Committee – Christine Wallace
Full report on file. She provided a draft of a handout for the spring rallies. It requests nominees for the positions that will be on the ballots at the 2018 LWML Montana District Convention.
H. Senior Pastoral Counselor – Rev. Rolf Preus
No report on file.
I.Junior Pastoral Counselor – Rev. Kyle Whaley
Full report on file.
J.President – Shari Miller
Full report on file.
8.Reports of Zone Presidents
A.Central Zone – Valerie Martin
Full report is on file.
B.Divide Zone – Marjorie O’Rourke
Full report on file. Zone President O’Rourke presented a proposal from the Divide Zone board requesting support for the Higher Things Conference to be held at Montana State University in Bozeman July 18-21, 2017.
(m/s/c – III) that the District cover the cost of goodie bag supplies up to $300.
C.Eastern Zone –vacant
President Miller reported that Claudia Kransky and the Miles City LWML women have decided to host a “Spring Fling” for the Eastern Zone. She stressed that no business will be held at the gathering May 6, 2017. The theme is “Walk by Faith, Not by Sight,” and Rev. Preus will do a study on Kitty, My Rib.
When they send out the invitations for the gathering, they will include a proposal that would divide the zone into North Eastern and South Eastern areas for rallies and other zone events, making shorter distances for travel to events. The pastor of the hosting congregation would assist with theevents, temporarily assuming the roleof zone pastoral counselor in the Eastern Zone.
The group would continue to follow the Eastern Zone rotation for delegate representation at LWML conventions. Structure Chairman White has checked with the LWML Structure Committee, and they believe that this is a viable solution that would encourage participation throughout the zone. The Committee said that representation on the BOD could be an appointed position as Zone President ratified by the BOD.
(m/s/c – IV) that Claudia Kransky be appointed to a two-year term as President of the Eastern Zone.
D.Flathead Zone – Kathy Scott
Full report on file.
E.Southern Zone – Shirley Zeller
Full report on file.
F.Western Zone – Dorothy Rummel
Full report on file.
9.Reports of Appointed Officers
A.Archivist-Historian – Marjorie O’Rourke
Full report on file. She received information recently from LWML Archivist-Historian that the LWML (national) has paid LWML Montana District’s annual membership fee to the Concordia Historical Institute.
B.Corresponding Secretary – Janice Witt
Full report on file. She has received reports from all active societies. She thanks all who provided their reports, so that we can have an accurate, up-to-date Society Roster.
C.Financial Secretary – Barb Kohs
Full report on file. Financial Secretary Kohs provided a spreadsheet showing contributions for the societies for the first 10 months of the biennium.
D.Montana Missive Editor – Brook Gerard
Full report on file. Missive deadlines for articles: March 30, 2017, for April 2017; June 30, 2017,for July 2017; September 30, 2017,for October 2017; December 30, 2017, for January 2018.
E.Scholarship Chairman – Edee Anderson
Full report on file. The five scholarship recipients have returned postcards showing that they have received their scholarships. New scholarship applications are due September 30, 2017.
F.Structure Chairman – Myrt White
Full report on file.
G.Web Coordinator – Stephanie Edgar
Full report on file.
H.Young Woman Co-Chairmen – Rosanne Larson and Billye Roseleip
Full reports on file. Nellie Gordish (Ronan) and Stephanie Edgar (Billings) werechosen as Montana District’s Young Woman Representatives (YWRs) to the LWML convention. However, since Nellie Gordish is unable to represent the YWRs, Emy Stueve (Helena) will be her replacement.
Co-Chairman Roseleip has been asked to be on a synodical task force: To Extol and Equip the Blessed Partnership Between the Royal Priesthood and the Office of the Public Ministry (Resolution 13-01A).
Closing Devotion – Junior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Kyle Whaley
Matthew 11:2-11
Bible Study –Junior Pastoral Counselor Rev. Kyle Whaley
Rev. Whaley continued “The Way of the Church” with a comparison of how different churches explain the work of the Holy Spirit.
10.Unfinished Business
A.LWR Drive – Deborah Knudsen
1. Date: May 13, 2017
2. Pickup Places: Missoula (First Lutheran Church) and Belgrade (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church), Billings (Mount Olive Lutheran Church), and Glendive (Our Savior Lutheran Church)
B.Website Mailing AddressesUpdate – Stephanie Edgar
To forward web mail to BOD members, Web Coordinator Edgar created a gmail account which is linked to President Miller’s account, who will then distribute the mail to the appropriate board member.
- Bylaws – Myrt White
Underlined words in the following statements are the proposed additions to the current bylaws.
- Proposed Amendment to Article IV.2.: “These officers shall be elected at the biennial convention to serve a term of four (4) years, with the exception of the Nominating Committee Chairman who shall serve a two-year term, or until their successors are elected and shall not be eligible for immediate re-election to the same office.”
Article V.2.: “One Pastoral Counselor shall be elected at each biennial convention for a four-year term and shall not be eligible for immediate re-election.”
- Proposed Amendment to Article IX. 3. b.: “The Officer and Mission Grants Teller Committee Chairman shall not be a Teller Committee member, the Nominating Committee Chairman, or the Vice President of Gospel Outreach.”
Article VI. 2. 4.: “send balloting information sheets to the Officer and Missions Grants Teller Committee Chairman.”
Article VI.5.b.: “send balloting information sheets to the Officer and Mission Grants Teller Committee Chairman.”
(m/s/c – V) that the proposed changes to the Bylaws be submitted to the LWML Structure Committee for approval.
(m/s/c – VI) to approve the updated Job Descriptions for the Montana Manual.
- LWML Jo Young Gift Annuity ($13,618.30) – Ruth Denning,Pam Kercher, Janice Witt
- Information about Endowment Fund
The Endowment Fund is $1,213.04 short of the minimum principal requirement, and that portion could be donated from the LWML Jo Young Gift Annuity. Once the Endowment is funded, the interest could be used for LWML Montana purposes.
2.Options and recommendations for use (see 186th BOD minutes)
As noted in the 186th BOD minutes, the BOD could also designate money to the Memorial Scholarship Fund, which currently stands at $12,000; current mission projects; place it in its own account; invest the money in a Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) account so the money could be used for a missions trip; or use for leadership meetings.
(m/s/c – VII) that annuity money be designated to fully fund the Endowment Fund, fund the rest of the seed money for the Host Committee for the 2017 LWML Convention, and provide $700 for communion wafers and wine for the 2017 LWML Convention. The balance of the Annuity will be invested with Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF).
The donation for communion wine and wafers will be noted in the Convention Opening Service folder as, “Communion wine and wafers given by the LWML Montana District in memory of Past District President Jo Young.”
Treasurer Ruth Denning agreed to contact Jeff Snyder, LCEF Area Representative, for advice in LCEF investments.
(m/s/c – VIII) that the Endowment Fund be rolled over into LCEF funds at the maturity of the CD.
- Missive Distribution Task Force Report – Bridget Michel, Chairman; Stephanie Edgar, Brook Gerard, Barb Kohs
Report and survey on file.
(m/s/c – IX) that the fee for the Montana Missive be increased to $3 per individual per year and that societies who do not submit money for the Missive to the financial secretary be encouraged to access the Missive online.
Financial Secretary Kohs will send a letter to societies in August to explain the changes and will forward names to Missive Editor Gerard if fees are paid. Societies will be encouraged not to place the responsibility of copying on the churches or church secretaries.
11.New Business
A.2017 LWML Convention – Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 22-25, 2017, “Jesus Christ Above All”
1.Montana Zones Delegation: Valerie Martin (Central); Marjorie O’Rourke (Divide); Carin Larsen (Eastern); Jeannette Whaley (Flathead); Donna Mohr (Southern); Shauna Anders (Western)
2.Pastoral Counselor: Rev. Kyle Whaley, Junior Counselor
3.YWRs – Rosanne Larson/Billye Roseleip
Stephanie Edgar, Emy Stueve
Treasurer Denning has sent all convention registrations for the delegates, YWRs, and Pastoral Counselor to the LWML Convention Registrar.
4.Housing – Ruth Denning
Reservations for the Montana delegation have been made at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
5.Transportation – Shari Miller
President Miller stated that airline reservations need to be made no later than April 15, 2017.
6.Banner: Divide Zone
BOD decided on the district design. Bridget Michel will oversee the construction of the banner for the convention.
7.Host Committee Responsibilities – Shari Miller
a.Call to Workers Form and Registration for Workers
Janice Witt has served as Secretary for the Host Committee and Pam Kercher has served as Coordinator of the Creative Enhancements Department for the past two years. Because they don’t get their way paid to this convention and to show BOD support for their hard work, President Miller proposes that the LWML Montana District would pay their reduced registration fee for the convention at the cost of $110 each.
(m/s/c – X) that the reduced registration fee for the LWML Convention of $110 be paid on behalf of Pam Kercher and Janice Witt, LWML Montana District members who have served on the Host Committee.
(m/s/c – XI) that the meal plan of $122 per person be paid on behalf of Pam Kercher and Janice Witt, LWML Montana Districtmembers who have served on the Host Committee.
Both of those payments will be paid from the Administrative Expense Account.
b.Favors – Marjorie O’Rourke
240 scrubbers and dishcloths have been produced from the Montana District. Any extra scrubbers and dishcloths will be available at the convention for mite donations. She filled 17 dozen hot air balloon for favors. Ladies from St. Ignatius are embroidering bandanas for the hobo bags.
Deadline: March 31, 2017
c.Servant Activities/Shipping – Sonja Reeves
Written report 11.A.7. (c) on file. Estimates are that the goals for LWML Montana District have been met. Steve Wolters from Hamilton, who is a member of First Lutheran Church in Missoula and whose business is in Twin Falls, Idaho, will transport the items to the convention, free of charge.
Deadline: April 15, 2017.
8.Pre-Convention Seminars
a. Treasurers’ Seminar, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch included – Minimal Fee. The seminar is also applicable for district financial secretaries.
b. Mission Grants Seminar, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch included – Minimal Fee.
c. Structure Seminar, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch included – Minimal Fee.
d. Archivist-Historian, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Lunch included – Minimal Fee. They will discuss procedures, photos, and how to deal with digital elements and how that will play a role in archives.
e. Webmaster Seminar, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch included – Minimal Fee. Best practices for district webmasters will be discussed.
By consensus, the luncheon fees will be paid by the LWML Montana District.
9. 75th Anniversary Parade – Diamond Dazzle Celebration
A parade on Saturday evening will include district presidents, past district presidents, current pastoral counselors, and YWRs. Each district will enter with a large sign carried by the Pastoral Counselor, and district members will represent a theme and have a noise that others from the district will also make when entering. President Miller needs to know who will be attending by April 1, 2017.
10. Convention Offerings
#1. 2017-2019 Mission Goal
#2. 75th Anniversary Thank Offering for the LWML Endowment Fund
#3. Bilingual “Worker Priest” to serve people on the US/Mexico border with Concordia Lutheran Church; Chula Vista, California; proposed by LWML Pacific Southwest District
#4. God Cares About You Mission; Albuquerque, New Mexico; proposed by LWML Rocky Mountain District
11.Other Details/Questions
Delegate Orientation: Thursday, June 22, 3–4 p.m., to include voting practice.
District Caucuses: Thursday, June 22, 4:10–6:15 p.m.
District Photos: Thursday, June 22, 4:10–6:15 p.m.
Wake Up With the Word Morning Bible Studies: 6:45–7:45 a.m.
Friday, June 23: CPH-sponsored (TBD); Spanish, led by Marilyn McClure; and LWML, led by Kay Meyer.
Saturday, June 24: CPH-sponsored (TBD); Men’s, hosted by LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces; and LWML, led by Past President Janice Wendorf.
Need golf hole sponsors: The proceeds from the golf event will go to the 2017-2019 Mission Goal. The LWML Montana District BOD was given the opportunity to donate money to sponsor a hole.
YWR Breakfast
(m/s/c – XII) to pay $15 for each LWML District Montana YWR to attend the YWR Breakfast.
B. 2018 LWML Montana District Convention
April 20-22, 2018, “Every Tongue Confess” (Philippians 2:11)
To accommodate schedule conflicts, the date has been shifted to a week earlier than previously proposed. The logo has been edited to the following format: “Every Tongue Confess.”
- Co-Chairmen: Sonja Reeves and Christine Wallace
- Host Congregation and Zone: First Lutheran Church, Missoula, Montana, and the Western Zone
3.Speaker Suggestions: Missionary speakers were discussed.Rev. Robert and Mrs. Roegner, Rev. Mark and Mrs. Schulz, Danielle Putnam, Rev. and Mrs. David Warner, Rev. and Mrs. Doug Thompson, and Stephanie Edgar were all suggested. President Miller will follow up with speakers. It would also be possible to show a visual presentation and Skype with missionaries for questions.
4.Logo – Bridget Michel
Sketches were presented and Recording Secretary Michel will design the logo according to the input of the BOD.
5. Convention Store
Vice President of Servant Resources Kercher found it successful to have samples of LWML products at the last convention. She will purchase $75 worth of products at the LWML convention and save them for display at the 2018 LWML Montana District Convention
- Retreat: September 15-17, 2017, at Camp Utmost
- Deadline articles for the next Missive: March 30, 2017
Retreat registration and information will be in this Missive.
- Report on BOD Offerings this meeting
The BOD mites collected totaled $538.02. The mites were given as a special thank offering to our 2016-2018 mission goal in thankfulness for the blessings that God has given to both the LWML Montana District and the LWML.
The LWML Montana District BOD will sponsor a golf hole for $100. The monies to fund the hole were collected with a freewill offering.
- Bling Photo-Op
President Miller gathered the bling, and Vice President of Human Care Knudsen took photos of BOD members wearing it in anticipation of the 75th Anniversary Celebration at the 2017 LWML Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A couple of the “just-for-fun” photos will beposted on the district web page at.