GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
THRIVENT CHOICE FUND GUIDELINES
“A Thrivent Choice Fund, whose purpose, governance, and operational
procedures shall be defined by special resolution adopted by the congregation,
shall be established.”
Resolution to Implement the Thrivent Choice Fund
WHEREAS, Christian stewardship involves the faithful management of all
the gifts God has given to humankind-the created world, the gospel, life, time,
abilities, money, and
WHEREAS, the Scriptural principle of proportionate giving, to return to the
Lord a portion of the gifts God has first given to his beloved children, is both a
privilege and an appropriate response in all time and circumstances; and
WHEREAS, members of Thrivent may choose to direct monies created by
their Thrivent financial products and services to Grace Evangelical Lutheran
Church Thrivent Choice Fund, and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church to accept
and share God’s love by reaching out to the needs of church members,
community members, and Grace’s organizations and missions:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this congregation in its quarterly meeting
assembled on January 2012, approved and established on the records of the
Church a new and separate fund to be known as the Grace Evangelical Lutheran
Church Thrivent Choice Fund (hereafter sometimes referred to as the “Fund”) of
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 607 South Main St., P.O. Box 328, Jackson
Center, Ohio 45334. The Fund’s fiscal year shall correspond with the
congregation’s fiscal year of January through December.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the purpose of this fund is to extend the
ministry of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church apart from the general operation
of the congregation; that no portion of the income generated by the Fund shall be
used for the annual operation budget of the congregation;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Thrivent Choice Fund committee
(hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Committee”) shall be the custodian of
the fund;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following plan of Operation set forth
the administration and management of the Fund:
MODEL BYLAWS TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN OF OPERATION
1. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
1.1. “The committee shall consist of five members, all of whom shall be
voting members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. Except as herein
limited, the term of each member shall be three (3) years. Upon the
adoption of this resolution by the congregation, the Church Administrative
Council (CAC) shall approve (5) members to the Committee: two (2) for a
term of three (3) years; two (2) for a term of two (2) years; and one (1) for a
term of one (1) year. Thereafter, at the CAC meeting following each
annual meeting, the CAC shall approve the necessary number for a term of
three (3) years. No member shall serve more than two consecutive three
(3) year terms. After a lapse of one (1) year, former Committee members
may be re-appointed. The pastor and the CAC liaison shall be advisory,
nonvoting, members of the Committee. The committee shall report at the
annual congregational meeting. In the event of a vacancy on the
Committee, the CAC shall approve a member to fulfill the term of the
vacancy.
1.2. No member of the committee shall engage in any self-dealing or
transactions with the Fund in which the member of the committee has
direct or indirect financial interest and shall at all times refrain from any
conduct in which his/her personal interests would conflict with the
interests of the Fund.
1.3 The Committee shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as
deemed by it in the best interest of the Fund.
1.4 A quorum shall consist of three (3) members. When only three (3)
members are present a unanimous vote shall be required to carry any
motion or resolution.
1.5 The Committee shall elect from its membership a chairperson, vice
chairperson, recording secretary and financial secretary. The chairperson,
or member designated by the chairperson shall preside at all Committee
meetings.
1.6 The recording secretary of the Committee shall maintain complete and
accurate minutes of all meetings and supply a copy thereof to each
member of the Committee. The recording secretary shall also supply a
copy of the minutes to the church secretary.
1.7 The financial secretary of the Committee shall report to the
congregation’s treasurer in maintaining and coordinating complete and
accurate accounts for the Fund. The books shall be “audited” or reviewed
annually according to agreed upon guidelines by appropriate person who is
not a member of the Committee.
1.8 The committee shall report on a quarterly basis to the congregation.
1.9 The Committee shall promote directing monies to the Fund by
developing and making available information to educate Thrivent members
of the existence and purpose of the Fund. The committee will encourage
and thank Thrivent members for allowing earned dollars to come to our
congregation.
1.10 The Committee may request other members of the congregation to
serve as advisory members and, as needed may seek advice from the
Thrivent Financial Associate to help in decisions for the best interest of
the Fund.
1.11 Members of the Committee shall not be liable for any losses that may
be incurred except to the extent such losses shall have been caused by bad
faith or gross negligence. No member shall be personally liable as long as
he/she acts in good faith and with ordinary prudence. Each member shall
be liable only for his/her own willful misconduct or omissions, and shall not
be liable for the acts or omissions of any other member.
1.12 All assets are to be held in the name of the Grace Evangelical Lutheran
Church Thrivent Choice Fund.
2. DISTRUBUTION OF INCOME
2.1 The Committee shall determine how funds will be spent according to
accepted accounting procedures.
2.2 Monies will be received quarterly from Thrivent Financial and will be
deposited in the Thrivent Choice Fund. These monies have been
designated to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Thrivent Choice Fund by
Thrivent members from their Thrivent financial products and services.
2.3 Monies received during a calendar year would not be available for
distribution until the following year.
2.4 Income from the Fund shall be distributed annually and at such other
times as deemed necessary and/or feasible to accomplish the following
purposes:
A. A minimum of 10% and a maximum of 90% for outreach into
the community including, but not limited to, Fish Pond food pantry,
We Care Fund, Compassionate Care, and other special programs
designed for persons in our parish area who are in spiritual and/or
economic need.
B. A minimum of 10% and a maximum of 75% given for Grace
Church’s youth organizations including, but not limited to Luther
League, Sunday School, VBS and others; also other organizations of
Grace Church, including but not limited to, Choir,Women of the
Church, Brotherhood.
C. A minimum of 0% and a maximum of 50% given for the specific
needs of families or individuals in Grace Church or the surrounding
Jackson Center community who may be in economic, spiritual, or
medical need.
D. A minimum of 0% up to a maximum of 25% for outreach in
national or international needs.
2.5 Disbursement of income from the Fund need not occur annually in
the event causes and programs have not been approved by the Committee
sufficient to utilize the total income available or if in the judgment of the
Committee total annual disbursement of income is not recommended.
3. AMENDING THE RESOLUTION
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any amendments to this resolution, which
will change, alter or amend the purpose for which the Fund is established
shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Committee and approved by
the CAC.
4. DISPOSITION OF TRANSFER OF FUND
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event Grace Evangelical Lutheran
Church ceases to exist either through merger or dissolution, disposition or
transfer of the Fund shall be at the discretion of the committee and CAC.
5. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
“This resolution, recommended by the Church CAC and accepted by the
congregation at a legally called congregational meeting, is hereby
adopted.”
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
By__________________________
President
By___________________________
Secretary
Dated this ______day of __________________, 20__
