This glossary contains chapter-related terms and acronyms frequently referred to by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Activity
Chapters and/or service teams plan and carry out activities for which they may or may not request supporting funds. Two types of caring activities are hands-on service activities and fund-raising activities. To qualify for funding, activities must be preapproved, based on the program guidelines. All activities must involve at least one Thrivent Financial for Lutherans member from six different Thrivent Financial member households.

Advisor
See Leadership Board advisors.

Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL)
A not-for-profit fraternal benefit society founded in 1902 in Appleton, Wisconsin, that provided insurance and many nonfinancial benefits to its members. AAL merged with Lutheran Brotherhood on Jan. 1, 2002, to become Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Appeal/collection
An appeal/collection is an organized collection of funds to address a specifically identified need. It is very similar to the "pass the hat" concept. —DETAILS

Assistant financial director
An optional elected chapter leadership position that assists the financial director in maintaining financial records for the chapter. —DETAILS

Associate member
A person who is at least age 16, has been accepted for membership in accordance with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' membership eligibility rules and has been issued a certificate of membership. Generally, associate associate members are those members that only have mutual funds, products issued by Lutheran Brotherhood Variable Insurance Products Company, products issued by other Thrivent Financial for Lutherans subsidiaries, or who joined by paying a membership fee.

Attendance
Number of people who attend an activity. —DETAILS

Baptismal medallions
Baptismal medallions, stands and gift cards are available at no cost recognition of newly baptized Lutherans. Only congregational coordinators may order these supplies. —DETAILS

Benefit member
A person who is at least age 16, has been accepted for membership in accordance with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' membership eligibility rules and is an applicant member on a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans insurance or annuity product or received a settlement agreement from such insurance.

In the vast majority of cases, a benefit member is the insured or annuitant on an insurance or annuity contract issued by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans or premerger Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) or Lutheran Brotherhood (LB). In some cases, third-party owners of premerger AAL or Thrivent Financial contracts or beneficiaries of settlement agreements may be benefit members.

Care Abounds in Communities®
Thrivent Financial members receive financial support and other resources for volunteer projects and/or fund-raising activities that benefit individuals, families, local communities or organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, excluding congregations. Members submit activity/funding requests to their local Thrivent chapter leadership board. —DETAILS

Care in Congregations®
Thrivent Financial members receive financial support and other resources for volunteer projects and/or fund-raising activities that benefit Lutheran congregations and related Lutheran organizations, including schools. —DETAILS

Care in Regions®
Care in Regions® brings Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members, financial representatives and other volunteers together to make a significant difference for a cause that is meaningful in their region. —DETAILS

Caring activity
Any chapter activity where Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members help individuals, families, congregations and other qualified not-for-profit organizations through monetary assistance or volunteer support. Activities conducted through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' Care in Congregations®, Care Abounds in Communities® and Care in Regions® programs are examples of caring activities, also referred to as chapter care programs.

Chapter
A chapter is a chartered local unit of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans that brings Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members together for charitable, social and educational activities. All Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members belong to chapters, which enable them to aid themselves and others through voluntary action.

Chapter care programs
The three programs through which members may receive funding for fund-raising activities and hands-on service activities: Care in Congregations®, Care Abounds in Communities® and Care in Regions® —DETAILS

Chapter leadership board
The chapter leadership board consists of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members, elected by members in the chapter, who provide leadership to the chapter. The chapter leadership board is comprised of five required elected positions, five optional elected positions and a number of advisory people who are appointed by the elected leaders. It provides strategic direction, leadership planning and administration to support congregational and community service teams.

All elected leadership board members have equal voting rights—the advisors do not vote in chapter leadership board matters.

Chapter leaders are required to meet quarterly* (in person or aided by technology) and are responsible for allocating dollars to community service teams for helping individuals, families and qualified not-for-profit organizations. In addition, they manage the process for the local chapter leadership elections.

* Chapter leadership boards are encouraged to meet as often as necessary to remain a viable, active chapter—quarterly at a minimum. Most will want to meet monthly to review activity requests in a timely manner. —DETAILS

Chapter Mailing Service
Through the Chapter Mailing Service, chapters can send four mailings per year, free of charge, to chapter members. Chapters provide the content, and the corporate office places it on stationery, addresses it and mails it. —DETAILS

Chapter Summary Report
The Chapter Summary Report, which is updated monthly, compiles the information the chapter leadership board and/or the congregational coordinators enter online so the information can be used for year-end IRS reporting requirements. —DETAILS

Cohosted activities
Activities that chapters and/or chapter service teams host in collaboration with other organizations to meet a mutual goal. —DETAILS

Collection
See Appeal/collection.

Communications director
An optional elected chapter leadership position that supports communication efforts for the chapter and service teams. —DETAILS

Community service team
A community service team is a group of at least six Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members (benefit, associate and/or youth members), each from a different household, who come together to conduct a chapter fund-raising activity or hands-on service activity. Activities can benefit an individual, a family, a local community or an organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (This includes charitable, educational and religious organizations.)

Community service teams request activity and funding approval from their chapter leadership board through the Care Abounds in Communities® program. To qualify for funding, the six-member household requirement must be met. After this requirement is met, nonmembers may and are encouraged to participate in the activity. Once an activity is approved by the chapter leadership board, the service team plans, organizes and conducts the activity, then reports the results to the chapter leadership board.

Community service team contact person
A community service team contact person is a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans member who the chapter leadership board and volunteers should contact with any questions about a particular activity that benefits an individual, family or qualified not-for-profit organization through the Care Abounds in Communities^® program. —DETAILS

Community service team director
An optional elected chapter leadership position that encourages member involvement through the formation of community service teams.—DETAILS

Confirmation recognition
Confirmation crosses and gift cards are available at no cost for recognition of juvenile and adult confirmands. Only congregational coordinators may order these supplies. —DETAILS

Congregational coordinator
A congregational coordinator is a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans member who engages other members in fund-raising activities and/or hands-on service activities that benefit a congregation or its related institution(s) and initiates an activity request for funding through the Care in Congregations® program. To be eligible for funding through the Care in Congregations program, the congregational service team must have three Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members from separate member households on record as congregational coordinators with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.* —DETAILS

Congregational service team
A congregational service team includes all Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members who want to come together to help a particular congregation or its associated Lutheran institutions. Teams help by conducting fund-raising activities (including appeals/collections) and/or hands-on service activities such as painting the church or building cabinetry for the fellowship hall. —DETAILS

Congregational service team director
A required elected chapter leadership position that encourages member involvement through formation of service teams in congregational settings, and trains and supports congregational service teams.

Crosses
See Confirmation recognition.

EIN
See Employer Identification Number.

Employer Identification Number
An IRS identification number obtained for each chapter by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. This is not a sales-tax exemption number.

Events director
An optional elected chapter leadership position that works with the MLCS to plan volunteer recognition and related events.—DETAILS

Financial director
A required elected chapter leadership position that oversees and maintains the chapter's financial records.—DETAILS

FOTY
See Fraternalist of the Year.

Fraternal benefit society
A not-for-profit organization that provides insurance to its members and operates for social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic or religious purposes for the benefit of its members and the public. Fraternal benefit societies operate under the "lodge system," meaning that each member of a fraternal benefit society is a member of a local chapter of the society. Fraternal benefit societies have a representative form of government and the members of a fraternal society share a common religious, ethnic, vocational or other "common bond."—DETAILS

Fraternal Service Center
Support team that is available to answer chapter leader questions about anything related to fraternal. Call 800-236-3736, ext. 5909, or send an e-mail message to fraternal@thrivent.com.

Fraternalism
Nurturing and preserving the helping spirit through community benefits, member benefits and actions of members and employees.

Fraternalist of the Year
Recognition program that honors Thrivent Financial for Lutherans volunteers nominated for their volunteer achievements.

Fund-raising activity
An activity with the purpose to generate funds for an individual, family or qualified not-for-profit organization. Examples of fund-raising activities include a silent auction, a benefit dinner, etc.

Funded activities
Funded activities are fund-raising and hands-on service activities hosted by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter service teams that utilize funds from any one of the three chapter Care programs. —DETAILS

Hands-on service activity
A hands-on service activity involves volunteer labor to assemble, develop or improve something for an identified recipient. Through its chapter Care programs, Thrivent Financial provides financial assistance to purchase necessary materials used in an activity in which chapter service team members provide the volunteer support (labor) to help an individual, family, congregation or qualified not-for-profit organization. —DETAILS

JOIN HANDS DAY
Fraternal benefit societies like Thrivent Financial for Lutherans along with the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network sponsor the annual JOIN HANDS DAY. This special day is designed to bring youth and adults together to make a difference in their communities. —DETAILS

LCS Team
See Lutheran Community Services Team.

Leadership board advisors
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members, appointed by the chapter leadership board, to provide advice to the leadership board on specific topics. Advisory leadership board members may include Internet advisor, program advisor, financial associate advisor, past president advisor and special advisor. —DETAILS

Locally supported chapter activities
Locally supported chapter activities are fund-raising, administrative, social and hands-on service activities (e.g., chapter meetings, confirmation recognition and other social activities, etc.) hosted by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans congregational or community service teams that do not utilize funds from any of the three chapter Care programs. —DETAILS

Lutheran Brotherhood
A not-for-profit fraternal benefit society founded in 1917 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that provided insurance and many nonfinancial benefits to its members. LB merged with Aid Association for Lutherans on Jan. 1, 2002, to become Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Lutheran Community Services (LCS) Team
A team of full-and part-time paid staff and volunteers who report to the region's manager of Lutheran community services (MLCS) and interact with chapters, congregations, institutions, volunteers and Thrivent Financial associates.

Lutherans Online (www.lutheransonline.com)
The Lutherans Online Web site is an online community of Lutherans that provides a place to go and find like-minded Christian people to network with in various ways such as message boards and chat rooms. You also can find e-greeting cards.

Chapter Web sites also are located on Lutherans Online. A Web site template is available for each chapter, and easy-to-use tools are available to help chapter leaders enhance their Web site to effectively communicate with chapter members.

Mailing service
See Chapter Mailing Service.

Manager of Lutheran community services (MLCS)
A major resource for chapter members, the MLCS provides fraternal leadership and direction to develop and promote fraternal awareness, increase membership growth and member involvement, and support chapters at a regional level.

Medallions
See Baptismal medallions.

Member benefits
Complimentary educational and informational materials, such as books, videos and CDs on a wide range of topics. Also includes discounts on selected products and services. These resources are designed to help members and their families enhance the quality of their lives in the areas of financial security, wellness and care for others. They are among the value-added benefits of membership that distinguish Thrivent Financial for Lutherans from other financial services organizations.—DETAILS

Member household
A household (immediate family members who live at a single residential address) that includes one or more Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members.

Members/Chapters
A special secure members-only area on the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Web site (www.thrivent.com). Thrivent Financial members can gain access to chapter-related information and functions, chat rooms, message boards, member benefits and much more.

MLCS
See Manager of Lutheran community services.

Net funds raised
Net funds raised equals the gross funds raised at an activity minus total expenses incurred. —DETAILS

Nonfunded activity
See Locally supported chapter activities.

Nonprofit organization
See Qualified not-for-profit organization.

Not-for-profit organization
See Qualified not-for-profit organization.

President
A required elected chapter leadership position that provides leadership to the chapter leadership board and oversees planning and strategic direction. —DETAILS

Qualified not-for-profit organization
To receive funding through the Care Abounds in Communities® and Care in Regions® chapter Care programs, not-for-profit organizations must:

• Be exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (This includes charitable, educational and religious organizations.)

  OR
  
  

• Be units of state or local government (e.g., cities, towns, counties, school districts, city parks, etc.). Local communities are eligible even though they are not exempt under section 501(c)(3).

Recipient
The individual or organization that is ultimately benefiting from the activity.

Records director
A required elected chapter leadership position that maintains accurate and up-to-date records, planning calendars and meeting minutes, and completes nonfinancial reporting. —DETAILS

Regional Financial Office (RFO)
Thrivent Financial sales office that is geographically closer to our members than our corporate offices. The office is led by one or more managing partners who are responsible for developing the region and leading financial associates.

RFO
See Regional Financial Office.

Sales-tax exemption
To qualify, a chapter must apply for a sales-tax exemption number, if available, in the state. It is not appropriate to use a congregation's sales-tax exemption number for chapter transactions. In most states, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' not-for-profit tax status does not qualify for a sales-tax exemption.

Service activity
See Hands-on service activity.

Six-member-household requirement
To qualify for funding from the Care in Congregations^®, Care Abounds in Communities^® and Care in Regions^® programs, an activity must involve at least six Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members (benefit, associate and/or youth members), each from different households. After the six-member-household requirement is met, nonmembers also are encouraged to participate in the activity.

Summary report
See Chapter Summary Report.

Thrivent Financial associate
Thrivent Financial associates provide service for insurance and other fraternal needs of Thrivent Financial members. They also may assist chapters to recruit leaders and serve as a source for general chapter support and referrals.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a Fortune 500 financial services organization with nearly 3 million members, is the nation's largest fraternal benefit society. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer insurance and other financial products through professional financial associates; educational and volunteer opportunities are available through a nationwide network of chapters and grassroots service teams.

Thrivent magazine
Thrivent, the official magazine of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, is published bimonthly by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. —DETAILS

Value of services delivered
A measurement of the total contribution to society through local funds raised, value of volunteer hours, grant dollars disbursed, comparable retail value (minus any member cost) for member benefits, member magazine and chapter funds.

Vice president
A required elected chapter leadership position that provides leadership to the chapter leadership board in the absence of the president. Also leads the nomination process. —DETAILS

Volunteer hours
Volunteer hours encompass all time spent by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members and nonmembers:

• Planning, preparing for and working at all funded and locally supported chapter activities hosted by a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter service team or the chapter leadership board. This includes time spent traveling as part of volunteering.
• Planning and preparing for chapter business meetings (e.g., preparing agendas, reports, completing reporting, purchasing supplies).
• Attending chapter business meetings (e.g, eight people attending a two-hour chapter business meeting equals 16 volunteer hours). This is allowable because chapter-related work is being completed at the meeting.

Work service activity
See Hands-on service activity.

Youth director
An optional elected chapter leadership position that involves youth in service-learning activities and projects at educational sites.—DETAILS