For various reasons, an elected chapter leader position (after being filled via the annual chapter leader election) can become vacant at any point in the year (person moves, dies, cannot fulfill duty, etc.).

When a vacancy occurs and has been reported, the chapter leadership board should appoint a chapter member who is eligible to serve in the position for the remainder of the term (until Dec. 31 of that year). According to Section VII (1) (g) of the Chapter Constitution, the remaining elected leadership board can appoint someone to fill the term, and members appointed to fill such vacancies are deemed to be elected leadership board members with the full (same) voting rights of elected leadership board members.

If any of the five required elected positions is not filled within three months of being vacant, Section VII (1) (g) of the Chapter Constitution includes a business continuity clause allowing the senior fraternal officer of Thrivent Financial or his/her delegate to appoint someone to the position. The three-month delay is used as a reasonable time frame for the chapter leadership board to fill the open position, but gives Thrivent Financial the option to appoint chapter leaders if necessary. Appointees to fill the five required elected positions have the same chapter leadership voting rights as those elected.

Note: It is expected that the five required elected chapter leadership positions be filled throughout the year.

After the chapter appoints someone to fill a vacancy, the chapter must enter the information online in Chapter Leadership Administration. Click Enter Elected and Appointed Leaders and enter the appropriate information, including the person's Thrivent ID number (customer ID).

Note: If one of the optional elected chapter leadership positions is not filled at the time of the chapter leader election (i.e., was not voted in by the chapter membership), the chapter leadership board can appoint someone to carry out that role for the remainder of the term (until Dec. 31 of that year). The appointed person has full voting rights on chapter matters, the term counts as one term toward the term-limit guidelines, and it is expected that the position be elected just like other "required elected leaders" in subsequent chapter leader elections.

Additional topics:
Five required elected leadership positions expected to be filled
No annual chapter leadership elections held
Recruiting tips
Reporting annual chapter leader election results
Thrivent ID
Vacancies - reporting an elected chapter leadership vacancy
Voting rights - appointments to vacant elected chapter leadership positions