Chapters may update the information themselves or have it automatically posted

It's important that chapter members can easily find who their chapter leaders are and how to contact them. In many cases, members will use the Chapter Locator area on www.thrivent.com to access their chapter's Web site to get the contact information. In addition, Thrivent magazine and other member mailings direct members to the Chapter Locator area to access their chapter Web site.

Therefore, chapter Web sites need to have up-to-date information about the chapter leadership board. If contact information is missing or outdated, members may give up trying to contact the chapter, which could be a missed opportunity for the chapter, for the member, and more importantly for the volunteer activity that could benefit from Care Abounds in Communities® funding.

To help your chapter from missing these potential opportunities and to provide better service to our members, a process is in place to ensure each chapter Web site has up-to-date chapter leader information. The information will be updated in one of three ways:

1. We are in the process of automatically posting chapter leader information (name, phone number and e-mail address on record) to chapter Web sites that have no information or outdated information in the "Meet Our Chapter Leaders" section of the site.
   
   
   • If the current chapter Web site has up-to-date chapter leader information, this automatic posting will not be made to the site.
   • Using a content feed, these postings will occur over a period of time until all the chapter Web sites have up-to-date information.
   • All chapter leaders, the Thrivent Builds chapter specialist, and all advisors will be included in the posting.
   • The contact information listed is pulled from the records we have on our online system. If information is incorrect, we ask chapter leaders to correct the information online or contact the Fraternal Service Center.
   • After the posting (content feed) is added to your chapter Web site, it is updated nightly to agree with the records on our online system. Therefore, if a change in leadership or a change in a leader's contact information was made to our online system, this will be reflected on the chapter Web site by the next business day.
     
     
2. Because the process for Thrivent Financial to complete these automatic postings may take several months, the chapter Web site administrator may add the content feed to the "Meet Our Chapter Leaders" section beforehand, which is easy to do. (click here for instructions)
   
   
3. The chapter may choose to override the automatic posting and update the "Meet Our Chapter Leaders" section itself. We realize there are situations where chapter leaders may be uncomfortable including all of their contact information online, such as e-mail address. In these cases:
   
   
   • The entire automatic posting (content feed), which includes all chapter leader information, has to be deleted by the chapter Web site administrator (it is not possible to delete only a portion of the posting such as one chapter leader's e-mail address).
     
     
   • The chapter Web site administrator must manually post the up-to-date chapter leader contact information the chapter wants (e.g., phone numbers but no e-mails) on the site.

It is not acceptable to have an empty or out-of-date "Meet Our Chapter Leaders" section on your chapter Web site.

Help with chapter Web sites is available

• See the Web sites for chapters page on CHIP, your online chapter reference guide, for detailed information and instructions about working with your chapter Web site, including how to set up chapter Web site administrators.
  
  
• The Lutherans Online Help Desk staff has received excellent reviews from chapter leaders who have called them for help in working with the chapter Web sites. Please use the Help Desk as a resource if you experience difficulties working on the site.

1-866-201-1522 (toll free)
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time
Or send an e-mail to LOHELP@thrivent.com

Questions?
If you have questions or comments about the automatic posting, please contact the Fraternal Service Center at fraternal@thrivent.com or 800-236-3736.

Information is used for chapter audit, IRS reporting and determining future operating funds deposits

Action Required:  All 2007 chapter operating funds expenses must be reported on the Manage Operating Funds online screens by year-end. To access these screens, go to www.thrivent.com > Members/Chapters > For Chapter Leaders > Chapter Leadership Administration > Manage Chapter Operating Funds.

• The expenses must be reported on these screens so they are captured on your chapter's 2007 Chapter Summary Report, which is used to conduct the annual chapter audit and for our annual IRS reporting. They need to be reported in the year they were expensed to ensure the most accurate reporting for the IRS.
  
  
• In addition, reporting the expenses accurately by year-end confirms what portion of your chapter’s operating funds have been spent in 2007, and what portion is being carried over to 2008. That carryover balance may be used as a factor in considering the amount of operating funds to provide to your chapter in 2008.

Chapters are encouraged to report the funds as soon as possible, so there is sufficient time to get questions answered before year-end and prevent last-minute work on your part during the Christmas season.

Helpful tools available
Two tools are available to help you report the expenses on the Manage Chapter Operating Funds screens:

• Manage Chapter Operating Funds tutorial which includes interactive simulations that allow you to practice entering various operating funds expenses
• Managing and Reporting Chapter Operating Funds quick-reference guide (PDF, 302K)

Both tools are on the Tutorials/Quick References page, which you can link to from the For Chapter Leaders section online.

Questions?
If you have questions, please contact the Fraternal Service Center at fraternal@thrivent.com or 800-236-3736.

All five 'required' 2008 chapter leader positions must be entered to receive operating funds in January

Action Required:  Now that your chapter election is completed, please enter your 2008 chapter leaders on the system before year-end. Remember:

• All five required 2008 chapter leaders (president, vice president, financial director, records director and congregational service team director) must be recorded on the system by Dec. 31 to receive the January deposit of 2008 chapter operating funds (this is the first of two deposits in 2008).
  
  
• If one or more of the five positions are not entered, the chapter forfeits the operating funds and no money will be deposited. The chapter must wait until the July deposit for the next opportunity to receive operating funds.

Questions?
If you have questions about the operating funds deposit, please see the Deposit requirements/schedule page in CHIP, your online chapter reference guide, or contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.

Submit bank signature card and Security Questions Request form by December 31

Action Required:  As your chapter prepares for 2008, it's important to submit a new Chapter Depository Authorization (bank signature card) and Security Questions Request form (PDF, 293K) if any of the following situations occurred:

• A new financial director was elected (or appointed)
• A new assistant financial director was elected (or appointed)
• There are changes to who should have access to the chapter checking account for 2008

If there are no changes, a new form does not need to be submitted. If there are changes, please submit the completed form by Dec. 31 to Ann Salm (see below) so that the appropriate leaders have access to the checking account in 2008.

Chapter leaders who sign the signature card need to complete the Security Questions Request form
To help protect your chapter's confidential information, each chapter leader who signs the bank signature card is asked to provide two security questions and corresponding answers on the Security Questions Request form:

• The questions will be used to identify a chapter leader prior to releasing any account information
• All authorized signers on the card can provide their security question information on the same form
• Each signer must have his/her own unique set of security questions and answers
• While each authorized signer establishes his/her own security questions, all signers share the same online banking sign-on (customer number and password)

Chapter leaders who sign the signature card without providing the security information will need to provide that information the first time they call the bank — and this can be inconvenient because it takes extra time.

The Chapter Depository Authorization (bank signature card) and Security Questions Release document (PDF, 293K) is available on the Forms page located at thrivent.com > Members/Chapters > Volunteer Resources.

ACTION Requested:  Review CHIP for complete details about signature card process
Before signing and submitting the signature card and security questions request form, please refer to the Chapter checking account—using the account/signature card area on CHIP, your online chapter reference guide, for complete details and clarity about the signature card/security questions request including:

• The form should be submitted to Ann Salm, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, 4321 N. Ballard Rd., Appleton, WI 54919. Do not submit it directly to the bank.
  
  
• If any of the signers on the signature card change, all authorized signers must sign the new signature card and provide their security questions and answers, even if they previously signed the card and provided security questions and answers.
  
  
• At least two chapter leaders (definitely the financial director and assistant financial director) should sign the signature card and have authority to access the chapter checking account and sign checks.
  
  
• Signature cards and security questions can be signed by elected chapter leadership positions only.
  
  
• Make sure leaders understand that those signing should also have the online banking sign-on information and at least a couple checks that they can use in the event the primary signer is unavailable.
  
  
• The secondary signer on the account should be actively involved in monitoring the account and understanding how to access online banking, etc.
  
  
• While the Thrivent Builds chapter specialist signs a separate signature card and establishes his/her own security questions for the chapter's Thrivent Builds checking account, he/she must also have the same online banking sign-on information as the chapter leaders. The Thrivent Builds account will be under the same EIN as the regular chapter account, so all leaders with access to either the regular chapter checking account or Thrivent Builds chapter checking account must share the same sign-on information.
  
  
• No elected chapter leader can have authorization for both the chapter checking account and the Thrivent Builds chapter checking account.

Questions?
If you have questions about the Chapter Depository Authorization (bank signature card) and Security Questions Request, please refer to CHIP or contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.

Complete two important tasks in 2008 to wrap up 2007 chapter business

Action Required:  After year-end, two important tasks must be completed in 2008 to wrap up 2007 chapter business:

1. An Audit Committee needs to review 2007 chapter activities, funds and financial records.
   
   
2. After the audit, the Audit Committee chairperson is required to sign off on the year-end Chapter Summary Report and submit it to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans by Feb. 28.

To help make the year-end review and audit easier, chapter leaders are reminded and encouraged to:

1. Review the monthly Chapter Summary Reports and activity reporting to ensure everything has been entered, and
   
   
2. Discuss whom to ask to be on the Audit Committee. The chapter president, with help from the leadership board, is responsible for assuring the Audit Committee is in place and that the audit occurs (it's recommended that someone other than the financial director or assistant financial director oversees the audit process).
   
   If the chapter cannot find volunteers to serve on the committee, it may use operating funds to have the audit completed by an independent professional auditor.

More information about these two tasks will be communicated in Chapter News in early January. For complete details about the Audit Committee and audit process and the Chapter Summary Report, please see CHIP, your online chapter reference guide.

Please respond to survey by December 16

We thank you and are very appreciative of the dedicated service you provided as Thrivent chapter leaders and congregational coordinators in 2007. As we approach year-end, we ask for a few more moments of your time to gather your thoughts on how we did communicating with you in 2007. Your input helps us identify strengths and weaknesses so we can improve our service to chapter leaders and congregational coordinators (e.g., your input was helpful in the development of the new e-newsletter we introduced in June).

Action Requested:  Below are links to a Chapter Leader Communications Survey and a Congregational Coordination Communication Survey. Please complete the appropriate survey and submit by Sunday, Dec. 16. All answers will be confidential and anonymous. When you reach the end of the survey, just click on the Submit Survey button.

• Chapter leaders take this survey:   http://survey.thrivent.com/surveys/Chapter_Leader_2007.htm
  (when indicating your role, choose the role you had in 2007)
  
  
• Congregational coordinators take this survey:    http://survey.thrivent.com/surveys/Congregational_Coordinator_2007.htm

If you cannot open the link above, please copy and paste the link name into the address bar on your Internet browser and click Enter. A link to the survey also is on your For Chapter Leaders or For Congregational Coordinators page online. (Please note this is not the Annual Volunteer Leader survey referred to in the November Chapter News.)

Your time and input is valued and appreciated. Our goal is to provide the information chapter leaders and congregational coordinators need to feel successful and motivated in their roles, and enjoy their volunteer experience with us.

Thanks for a great year of helping others and making a difference!

A great tool for new volunteer leaders; a good refresher for others

To help introduce new chapter leaders to their volunteer role with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a teleconference playback and related presentation now are available:

• The orientation:
  • Provides a high-level overview of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the chapter system and the chapter Care programs.
  • Is recommended for new chapter leaders and congregational coordinators.
  • Serves as a great refresher for current chapter leaders and congregational coordinators.
    
    
• The recording is less than 30 minutes. To access, dial 888-843-8996 and enter passcode 19543498#. It will be available until July 1, 2008.
  
  
• A related presentation that you can print and use for taking notes during the recording is available on the Tutorials/Quick References page in the For Chapter Leaders and For Congregational Coordinators sections of thrivent.com.

[Link to Presentation -- PDF, 158K]

Questions encouraged
Because the orientation was recorded, you will not have the opportunity to ask questions. However, we encourage you to write down questions you have and ask one of your regional Lutheran Community Services Specialists or contact our Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.

2008 'Care program funds available' letter will be sent in January

Actions Required:  Another successful year of helping others is soon coming to a close. In preparation for year-end:

• Please verify that all Care program funding requests are entered by Dec. 20, 2007.
• Report the results of completed activities by year-end.

Early review and completion of Care program activities guarantees that recipients receive the funding intended for them and allows you time to enjoy the Christmas season.

In January:

• 2008 congregational coordinators will receive a letter notifying them about the amount of 2008 Care in Congregations® program funds available to Thrivent Financial members in their congregation. The letter also will include a list of helpful tools and resources they can order or print online.
  
  
• 2008 chapter leaders will receive a letter notifying them about the amount of 2008 Care Abounds in Communities® program funds available to their chapter. The letter also will include a list of helpful tools and resources they can order or print online.

Questions?
If you have questions, please contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.

Use of 'thrivent' in e-mail address is a compliance and trademark violation

To help members more easily communicate with their chapter, chapter leaders may establish a special e-mail address to be used specifically for chapter business.

However, please be aware that "thrivent" as part of the e-mail address does not adhere to compliance and trademark policies. (For example, Thriventchapter@anyprovider.com or JMDoeThrivent@anyprovider.com are examples of what is not acceptable.)

This policy is documented on the E-mail addresses for chapters page on CHIP, your online chapter reference guide. It also applies to congregational coordinators and other Thrivent Financial volunteers.

If you or your chapter have an established e-mail address that includes "thrivent," please work with your Internet provider to change the address.

If you have questions, please contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.

'2008 Calendar of Key Dates' available online; CHIP also has 2008 dates

CHIP, your online chapter resource guide, now has the important chapter-related dates for all of 2008. To access, go to CHIP and click on Important Dates from the left navigation bar.

In addition, a color and black-and-white version of the 2008 Calendar of Key Dates now are available to print from both the For Chapter Leaders page and For Congregational Coordinators page.

Color version (PDF, 192K)  |  Black-and-white version (PDF, 196K)

If you'd rather order the color version than print it, it is scheduled to be available from your Order Chapter Supplies page or Order Congregation Supplies page later this month or in early January.

Access it from the same place as always

Effective Friday, Nov. 30, the Order Chapter Supplies (chapter leaders) and Order Congregation Supplies (congregational coordinators) pages on your Administration pages are scheduled to have a similar feel and function of many popular online order sites such as Amazon.com — which use a “shopping cart” system that allows users to preview, select and order items from a single Web site.

Action Requested:  Review instruction guide
Before submitting your first order, please link to, print and review the How to Order Supplies two-page step-by-step instruction guide (PDF, 192K). This guide is available on the Tutorials/Quick References page in the For Chapter Leaders and For Congregational Coordinators sections on the Members/Chapters area of thrivent.com. A link to this guide also is available on the Materials for chapters and congregations page in CHIP, your online chapter reference guide.

See last month's article for more details about the features and benefits of this new system.

Questions?
If you have questions about using the new supply order system, please contact the Fraternal Service Center at fraternal@thrivent.com or 800-236-3736.

Increase reflects continued impact of program and positive response from members

Thrivent Financial is increasing our $105 million commitment to Thrivent Builds to the full $125 million originally allocated. The increased support comes at the midpoint of our four-year alliance with Habitat for Humanity.

“At the beginning of the alliance we committed $105 million, but actually budgeted an additional $20 million that we could add later if the alliance proved successful,” says Brad Hewitt, who leads Fraternal Operations. “Given our results to date, we’re ready to make that additional commitment.”

The increase reflects the continued impact of the program and the positive response from members.

• More than 60,000 members have participated in Thrivent Builds.
• By the end of this year, more than 650 homes will have been built with families in the U.S.
• 1,258 members have been on 138 Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips.

Hundreds more homes slated for 2008
Plans are to build another 322 homes with partner families in the U.S. through the Thrivent Builds Homes program. More than 200 Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips also are planned and will include new elements that help create a true Thrivent Financial member experience. Visit thriventbuilds.com to learn more.

Think of ways to promote increase in financial commitment
Although Habitat is careful to not compare its contributors, we know that our $125 million commitment makes Thrivent Financial its largest home-building ally. Think of ways to let other members know about the exciting things happening with Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity in the upcoming year. Bulletin inserts and posters are available for you at www.thriventbuilds.com/resources.

Answer one Thrivent Builds Worldwide question and we'll donate $1 to Habitat; pass on to friends

The 2008 Thrivent Builds Worldwide program is gearing up for another exciting year. With a goal of more than 200 trips, there will be many exciting opportunities for our members to experience the joy of helping families achieve the goal of home ownership in the U.S. and around the world. And you can get involved … right now!

Action Requested:  Take the poll, then pass on to friends!
Take the following quick, one-question poll (click on the link below) about the new focus areas for 2008 Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips. For taking time to provide your input, Thrivent Builds will donate $1 to your choice of one of four area host Habitat affiliates. That’s right, one click of your mouse equals a $1 donation to Habitat!

Even better, after you've taken the poll, forward the link to friends so they can join in supporting Habitat for Humanity.* Feel free to forward the link to other Thrivent Financial members, especially those who may be interested in joining a Thrivent Builds Worldwide team. The poll will run until Dec. 31 or until the $10,000 maximum has been reached.

Take the poll now and we’ll make a $1 donation to Habitat!

*Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity will donate up to a maximum of $10,000 to Habitat for Humanity through this promotion that runs through Dec. 31, 2007.