Report chapter leader election results before year-end — important reminders and tips
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CHAPTER LEADERS
Action: Please report your chapter’s election results, the election activity and any other activities held in conjunction with the election soon after your election is completed. Here are important reminders and tips:
Enter all 2009 elected leaders, including those who are re-elected. (Time Saver: Use the "Extend Term" option to enter those chapter leaders who are re-elected to same position they held in 2008.)
The five required elected chapter leaders (president, vice president, records director, congregational service team director and financial director) need to be entered on the system by year-end for the chapter to receive the January deposit of its 2009 chapter operating funds. (Note: You'll also want to enter the 2009 chapter leaders on the system by year-end because the 2008 chapter leaders will be removed from the system as of Dec. 31, 2008, and will no longer have access to the online page to enter the 2009 leaders after that date.)
Because of the term-limit requirements, you cannot enter the name of someone who has served in elected chapter leadership positions for the past four years.
Remember to report your election event as a locally supported activity. In the Chapter Leadership Administration Menu, click on the Go button next to "Report Locally Supported Activity Results." Select the Election category, click Continue, and fill in the appropriate information.
If you held another activity with the election event, report that activity separately.
Remind 2009 leaders to enter 2009 chapter advisory members. One of the first responsibilities of the 2009 elected leaders is to appoint or re-appoint members to chapter advisory positions and enter them on the system. This also applies to the Thrivent Builds chapter specialist position(s) in your chapter, if applicable.
Time Saver: Because information for all 2008 appointed chapter advisors (e.g., Internet Advisors) and Thrivent Builds chapter specialists also will be removed from Thrivent Financial records as of Dec. 31, 2008, the elected 2009 leadership board members may re-appoint members to chapter advisory positions before Jan. 1. This allows you to use the Extend Term feature to automatically transfer the chapter advisors' and Thrivent Builds chapter specialists' information to 2009 instead of having to re-enter all of the information in 2009.
Report all 2008 operating funds expenses online by year-end
—·FOR
CHAPTER LEADERS
Information needed for chapter audit, IRS reporting and determining future operating funds deposits
Action: It’s important for your chapter to report all 2008 chapter operating funds expenses on the Manage Operating Funds online screens (located in the Chapter Leadership Administration Menu) by year-end.
The expenses need to be reported on these screens so they are captured on your chapter’s 2008 Chapter Summary Report, which is used to conduct the annual chapter audit and for our annual IRS reporting. In addition, the expenses need to be reported in the year they were expensed to make sure we have the most accurate reporting for the IRS.
Reporting these expenses accurately by year-end also confirms what portion of your chapter’s operating funds has been spent in 2008, and what portion is being carried over to 2009. That carryover balance may be used as a factor in considering the amount of operating funds to provide to your chapter in 2009.
Reporting early provides sufficient time to get questions answered before year-end and prevent last-minute work on your part during the Christmas season.
Thrivent Financial is on solid financial ground; view a video message to members on Thrivent.com
—·FOR
CHAPTER LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONAL COORDINATORS
Recent news reports might lead you to think all financial services organizations are in trouble. Fortunately, that is not the case. We believe Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is well positioned to weather the market volatility and to help members with their short-term needs and long-term financial strategies.
As a volunteer leader with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, you may be asked about Thrivent Financial’s position, and you can be confident that your organization remains strong. To learn more, watch the video message at www.thrivent.com/marketresponse in which Chairman, President and CEO Bruce Nicholson and Chief Investment Officer Russ Swansen provide their perspectives on the current financial climate and Thrivent Financial’s soundness.
You can refer members to this video message and information about the strong ratings we continue to receive from independent ratings agencies. In addition, you can help spread this news with:
A newsletter message that you can copy and paste into your chapter newsletter or submit to your congregation’s newsletter. Word copy | HTML copy
Keeping our commitments
As a membership organization, Thrivent Financial’s top priority is keeping our commitments to you, our members. We value your relationship with Thrivent Financial and will continue to make prudent investment decisions that we believe are in the best interests of our membership.
Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives for securities offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415-1665, 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Member FINRA and SIPC. They are also licensed insurance agents of Thrivent Financial.
Redesigned Thrivent.com scheduled to launch by mid-December
—·FOR
CHAPTER LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONAL COORDINATORS
Administration Menu and chapter content not changing; page navigation will change
Thrivent.com will soon have a new look with new functions and capabilities that will provide an improved online experience.
The redesign is based on feedback received from members. The new look, features and navigation resulting from this feedback have also been tested with members and others to help make sure the redesign will meet members’ online needs, including:
A site that is easy to read and scan, saving you time looking for information.
New functions that provide greater personalization and convenience, such as better access to your personal account information and what’s available to you as a member. [Read more]
Increased “self-service” capabilities such as the ability to do transactions when it’s convenient for you. [Read more]
As chapter leaders and congregational coordinators, we are telling you before we tell other members. We will begin notifying them later this month.
How will the redesign affect you as a volunteer leader?
The redesign will have little impact on the content and tools you’re used to using as a chapter leader, congregational coordinator or Thrivent Builds volunteer leader. However, the locations and paths to get to the information and tools will change.
What’s not changing for volunteer leaders?
What is changing for volunteer leaders?
The Administration Menu section you use to complete tasks will have no changes. The redesign should have no impact on your ability to complete year-end tasks.
Information and tools related to your role will continue to be on the site (e.g., CHIP, Visibility Toolkit, Forms, program information, quick-reference guides).
The “For Chapters Leaders,” “For Congregational Coordinators” and “For Thrivent Builds Leaders” pages will remain but have a different look. You still will be able to access the information you need for your role from these pages.
You will have two ways to get to your Administration Menu – a direct link from your MyThrivent page and a link from your “For Chapter Leaders,” “For Congregational Coordinators” or “For Thrivent Builds Leaders” page.
The current Members/Chapters area and Fraternal Programs area are being combined into a new area called Thrivent Community. All chapter-related information, as well as “church and community” information will be included in this area.
The path to get to the pages you use will change. Therefore, any “Favorites” pages you currently have set up will not work with the redesign. You will need to reset your Favorites after the redesign is launched.
Because path names are changing, any links you have to Thrivent.com from your chapter website will no longer work. Those links will need to be changed after the redesign is launched.
The December Chapter News articles will be posted soon after the redesigned pages are live.
Tips will be shared to help you navigate the new pages and quickly find the information you need. Watch for more information in the November Chapter News.
Questions?
Please contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.
Thrivent.com redesign scheduled to be launched. (Details).
Dec. 18
The last day that new activity/funding requests can be made for 2008 Care Abounds in Communities® and Care in Congregations® activities. No exceptions can be made.
Note: The “Change Funding Request Amount” function will remain active during the blackout period (see below). In previous years, that function was disabled during the blackout period.
Reminder: Because Care Abounds in Communities® and Care in Congregations® are annual programs, the 2008 programs funds do not carry over to 2009. Requests to use 2008 funds must be made for activities that occur in 2008. Funding requests for activities being held in 2009 must be made in 2009.
Dec. 19 to Jan. 7
Activity requests cannot be entered. A blackout period on the system will not allow anyone to request funds for activities during this time.
Dec. 31
Report all 2008 activities by this date (chapter Care program activities and locally supported activities, including your election event). This helps ensure accurate 2008 results (i.e., 2008 activities reported after Dec. 31 will be included in 2009 results).
Chapters need to report all 2008 chapter operating funds expenses online by this date. (Details)
Chapters need to enter 2009 elected leaders by this date. (Details)
Chapters need to submit new Chapter Depository Authorization & Security Questions Request (bank signature card) by this date if there are any changes to who should have access to the chapter checking account. (See details in CHIP.)
Thrivent Builds chapter specialists and/or congregational champions should report all 2008 Thrivent Builds activities by this date.
Early to mid-January 2009
The specific date for the following is yet to be determined. Watch Chapter News for details:
Chapter leaders and congregational coordinators may begin to enter 2009 Care Abounds in Communities® and Care in Congregations® activity/funding requests online when the 2009 funds for these programs are available.
Early January
The first of two 2009 chapter operating funds deposits into your chapter checking account will be made. Remember, all five required elected chapter leaders for 2009 must be entered on the system or the chapter forfeits the deposit. See CHIP for details about operating funds deposits.
Mid-January
The 2008 Chapter Summary Report year-end statement will be available for chapters. This year-end statement is necessary for the chapter audit, and must be completed and signed by Feb. 28. See CHIP for details about the Chapter Summary Report and the chapter audit.
Feb. 28
Submit the completed and signed 2008 Chapter Summary Report year-end statement.
Outgoing 2008 financial directors and assistant financial directors no longer have access to Chapter Leadership Administration Menu. See next month's Chapter News for details.
Questions?
Please contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.
Promote—and vote in—national board of directors election
—·FOR
CHAPTER LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONAL COORDINATORS
Ballots being mailed to benefit members; completed ballots need to be postmarked by Nov. 29
This year, three members will be elected to the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Board of Directors for four-year terms:
Official ballots will be mailed to benefit members beginning in early October. The ballot package for benefit members contains candidate biographies and a tear-off reply ballot.
For votes to be counted, ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 29
Action:You can help ensure successful participation
A good voting response helps illustrate how we operate as an active fraternal benefit society. As a volunteer leader, here's how you can help ensure successful participation:
Encourage the benefit members in your chapter to vote. Let benefit members know that their right to vote is a unique privilege of being part of a fraternal benefit society. As benefit members, they get to help decide who serves on the governing board of their organization. A great place to remind benefit members about this opportunity is at your local chapter leader election this fall.
If you are a benefit member, please vote yourself! Watch for your ballot in the mail.
Several communications to members this fall also will help encourage benefit member participation in the election:
Article and ad in the fall issue of Thrivent magazine
Promotion on thrivent.com
Messages on member statements
Corporate on-hold telephone message
Thanks for your help in promoting this special privilege for our benefit members! If you have questions about the national election, please contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.
Limit orders of confirmation crosses and baptismal medallions to amount needed only
—·FOR
CONGREGATIONAL COORDINATORS
The factory that produces the confirmation crosses and baptismal medallions shut down for an extended period of time. Although it has recently reopened, we will not receive a new shipment until December or January at the earliest.
Action requested: Because our remaining stock may not cover all orders, please limit the ordering of confirmation crosses and baptismal medallions to the amount needed only.
Thrivent Financial educational workshop that chapters can support wins national award
—·FOR
CHAPTER LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONAL COORDINATORS
More Than Money Matters, a Thrivent Financial-developed educational workshop that helps people learn to manage their money in a way that is consistent with their values, recently won the 2008 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Award from the Institute for Financial Literacy.
Appeal to more members; increase presence in congregations:
The benefits of educational workshops to chapters
Supporting an educational workshop provides an opportunity to appeal to a different group of members than those who volunteer. It’s also another way to have a presence in congregations and meet the needs of members in a way that directly connects with Thrivent Financial’s area of expertise.
Chapter leadership boards may want to consider offering a workshop in conjunction with their annual election meeting where a large group of members come together.
This is the first faith-based curriculum to win the EIFLE award, which recognizes the hard work of organizations that are seeking to improve the financial literacy of Americans. Judges noted that More Than Money Matters handles faith “beautifully” and called it “solid, easy-to-follow financial education resulting in real financial literacy.”
More Than Money Matters is an interactive, values-based workshop led by Thrivent Financial representatives. This basic money management workshop consists of six sessions that help people identify what is most important in their lives and then set appropriate financial goals.
Consider supporting FR-led educational workshops
Thrivent chapters can support specific workshops, led by Thrivent Financial representatives (FRs), that educate participants about financial topics in the context of their values. See CHIP for a list of eligible workshops and details on how chapters can support them.
If you want to find out more about the award-winning “More Than Money Matters” workshop or other eligible workshops and how your chapter can support them, contact your regional Manager of Lutheran Community Services (MLCS) or a member of the LCS Team. Your MLCS or LCSS can connect you with a Thrivent Financial representative who can partner with you to offer one of these values-based educational workshops to members.
‘Chapter Response’ programs for Hurricane Ike relief initiated
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CHAPTER LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONAL COORDINATORS
The following e-mail message about our Hurricane Ike chapter response programs was sent to all chapter leaders and congregational coordinators on Sept. 23:
Dear chapter leaders and congregational coordinators,
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its members are always there to help in times of need. We are experiencing one of those times again this year as Hurricane Ike has impacted many Thrivent Financial members and their neighbors.
Thrivent Financial is calling out to its chapters and initiating another National Chapter Response effort where your chapter members can be directly involved in helping those affected by the hurricane.
Important: All funds for this National Chapter Response must be received at Thrivent Financial no later than Dec. 15 to be accepted.
Action Requested: We encourage you to notify members and congregations about this effort and how they can help. See below for a description of the response, the steps to follow, and easy-to-use bulletin inserts and other tips to help you get the word out to members and congregations.
Regional Response effort also initiated
In addition to the National Chapter Response effort detailed in this article, Thrivent Financial is making available an additional $250,000 of Care in Regions® funds to the regions directly impacted by the flooding.
These funds will be used to support disaster response service activities and fund-raisers being conducting by chapter service teams in the affected regions.
National Chapter Response Through this response effort, your chapter members can form service teams to raise funds that will go to help those in need. For every $2 received by chapters nationally, Thrivent Financial will provide an additional $1, up to a total of $250,000.
All funds received will be distributed among these two disaster relief organizations to meet needs specifically related to the Hurricane Ike Response:
Lutheran Disaster Response, a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) to meet needs related to major domestic disasters.
WELS Committee on Relief, a ministry of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) to provide domestic and international disaster aid.
Thrivent Financial will accept contributions for this effort through Dec. 15, 2008.
How it works
The activity
An eligible activity may be a collection/appeal or a fund-raising event.
As with any Thrivent chapter activity, members from six or more different member households need to be involved. (For example, the members from your chapter leadership board may be a service team.)
No pre-approval is required for a National Chapter Response activity.
TIP: Ask service teams to keep track of volunteer hours, expenses (save all receipts) and attendance in addition to funds raised. This is needed to complete the reporting form (see Step 1 below).
All checks from donors need to be made payable to your Thrivent chapter.
The form and instructions are posted on these three pages on www.thrivent.com:
- The Forms page (www.thrivent.com > Members/Chapters > Volunteer Resources > Forms)
- The For Chapter Leaders page in the Members/Chapters section.
- The For Congregational Coordinators page in the Members/Chapters section.
Important: You do NOT need to report the results online. This will be done by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans when they receive the forms.
The service team provides the chapter with all funds raised, the completed reporting form and receipts.
A chapter leader deposits all funds received into the chapter's checking account.
From your chapter checking account, write out one check for the total amount of your net funds received to: Appleton Operations Chapter of Thrivent Financial. On the memo line, write "Hurricane Ike Response."
Send the completed activity results form, any expense receipts, and your check to:
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Attention: Hurricane Ike National Chapter Response
4321 N. Ballard Rd
Appleton, Wisconsin 54919-0001
Important: All funds for this National Chapter Response must be received at Thrivent Financial no later than Dec. 15 to be accepted.
You may complete and submit a form and the funds raised after each activity, or you can compile results and funds raised from multiple activities, then send the form and all funds at one time.
TIP: For a general appeal/collection, we recommend you hold the funds in your checking account before sending the form, receipts and the check to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Bulletin insert templates available to announce activities We have developed the following bulletin insert templates to help you get the word out to your chapter members. We encourage chapter leaders and congregational coordinators to work closely with each other so consistent communications are provided to members.
Simply fill in your information and print. Remember to get approval from congregations before creating these inserts.
The bulletin inserts are available on the Forms, For Chapter Leaders and For Congregational Coordinators pages on www.thrivent.com.
More tips for getting the word out to members You can use your chapter Web site and chapter mailings to notify your members about the National Chapter Response. Encourage them to form a service team to raise funds for those affected by the hurricane.
You may use wording from this e-mail and from the bulletin insert templates to provide information about the response effort.
Important: Please be aware that chapter postcards cannot be used to solicit donations.
Members being directed to your chapter A "Hurricane Ike Response" page is live on www.thrivent.com. This page (www.thrivent.com/hurricaneike) briefly describes the National Chapter Response effort and how members can help. Visitors then will directed to their local Thrivent chapter and encouraged to contact one of the chapter leaders for more information.
Questions? If you have questions about this response effort, please contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736 or fraternal@thrivent.com.
