MINUTES BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING INTERNATIONAL LUTHERAN LAYMEN'S LEAGUE. Frontenac Hilton Le Café Friday, April 20, 2012, 8:00 a.m.

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1 BOG /2012 MINUTES BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING INTERNATIONAL LUTHERAN LAYMEN'S LEAGUE Frontenac Hilton Le Café St. Louis, MO Friday, April 20, 2012, 8:00 a.m. In attendance: Board of Governors, staff, and guests 01 Mick Onnen, President, called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. 02 Rev. Keith Grimm, Pastoral Advisor, conducted a Bible Study based on the text from Romans 6:3-11. He stressed the need to proclaim the New Life in Christ to everyone, and especially to those who have not heard this message salvation. He opened the meeting with prayer. 03 Onnen introduced Bruce Wurdeman, Executive Director, for a presentation of the LHM Staff Strategic Plans for Fiscal Year Wurdeman shared the ministry plans and highlighted the priorities and goals. He reported that there are many exciting things coming down the pike, and he urged the Board to keep tuned to news releases and future communication about these plans. 05 Wurdeman reported on the Ministry Services division and highlighted the following: The March 2012 financial results were positive and Fiscal Year 2012 should conclude within the projected balanced budget. A new line of credit has been requested from 5 th 3 rd Bank in the amount of $1,400,000. The LCEF $4,000,000 line of credit will be renewed. The long term building debt now stands at $8,640,000, and a debt retirement amount of $ was paid this month. The building is 100% leased, which includes the renewal of space for AAA, which expires December Onnen introduced Ed Tiefenbach, Treasurer, and Mark Dunlop, Financial Secretary, for their Financial Report. 07 Tiefenbach and Dunlop presented a very favorable report, indicating that the Int l LLL continues to operate in the black and will not need to use the line of credit or borrow any funds to finish the fiscal year. An extra payment was made on the building debt, leaving a bonded indebtedness of $8.64 million. The building is fully rented, which creates a favorable cash flow situation. The bequest reserve stands at $2.8 million as of the end of March. Ministry Support has started to show an increase in ministry supporter numbers. The Ministry Advancement division now has a full staff. 08 Onnen introduced Wurdeman for his presentation of the Budget.

2 BOG / Wurdeman reported the following: Wurdeman introduced his presentation with a letter to the Board explaining the process used to develop a balanced budget for the next fiscal year. He highlighted his meeting with each of the staff division directors for their budgets, after which the group finetuned the details to create a workable budget. In the proposed budget for the fiscal year, there is significant expansion in several areas. A total of 7 new staff will be added in the next fiscal year (2 full-time, 3 part-time, and 3 interns). The United States Ministries division is working toward a regional focus for much of its efforts, and this next year will involve significant research and development in this area. Significant ministry changes in International Ministries include opening a new ministry center location in Mexico City; opening a satellite ministry center in Mumbai, India; bringing the new Indonesian ministry center into full operation; and closing the ministry center in Nigeria in order to align more closely with the division s strategic priorities. The budget includes $50,000 for district rebates and $50,000 for grants to LHM Affiliated Groups. Governance will cost over $872,000 this fiscal year, or over 3.3% of the total budget. Those costs include substantial International convention expenses and the election processing costs. The budget provides aggressive communications and fund raising efforts. The budget assumes that the bequest income will be $7.5 million, versus $7 million for the last year. 10 Steve Rice, Region 14 Governor, offered the prayer to close the session. 11 Lou Marting, Vice President, called the afternoon session to order. 12 The afternoon session began with prayer by Ed Bieno, Region 6 Governor. M2011/12-34 MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE MEETING. M2011/12-35 MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE JANUARY 2012 WEBINAR MEETING WITH ACCEPTANCE OF SOME MINOR EDITS. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with no further discussion. 13 Marting introduced Rev. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. 14 Rev. Seltz greeted the Board and shared some thought provoking words about the freedom we have in Christ. Seltz based his comments on certain verses of Galatians 5 where the Apostle Paul focuses on this special freedom theme.

3 BOG / Marting introduced Onnen for his International President s Report. 16 Onnen reported that highlights of his recent activities included his efforts with the upcoming Board election, and he thanked Curt Wittbracht, Chief Financial Officer, and Angela Torblaa, Manager and Business Analyst, for their work in this regard. The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws are ready for presentation to the member election. He has also spent time finalizing the convention agenda, preparing for the Executive Director s annual evaluation, and preparing for a radio interview with KNGN Radio in McCook, Nebraska. He encouraged the Board to continue their missional activities to complete the 12x12x12 challenge, stating that the winner will be announced at the convention. He concluded with slides highlighting his trip to Kenya and Ethiopia. 17 Marting introduced Wurdeman for the Executive Director s report. 18 Wurdeman reported that the organization is much healthier now than it was five years ago, with less debt, a happier and more productive staff, wider recognition throughout the LCMS and LCC, and focused governing leadership. He thanked the Board for guiding these improvements and ensuring the health of the ministry. He reported on the following ministry highlights: United States Ministries: The division is preparing for a one-hour TV special inspired by the Men s NetWork Bible study We the People. The program will be called The Intersection of Church and State. The division continues production of outstanding Men s NetWork Bible studies, the Daily Devotions, The Lutheran Hour, and Para el Camino. He reported the following Men s NetWork statistics: Newsletter subscribers 9,912; churches participating: LCMS 3,927, LCC 370, other churches 2,152; and total registered users 14,201. In May, Men s NetWork will release its nineteenth Bible study entitled Death Then What? The 4 th Annual Men s NetWork North American Fishing Tournament will begin April 30 th. Planning activities are underway for the next series of Regional Outreach Conferences. International Ministries: The division has a strong focus on strategic partnerships around the world. He cited the examples of South Korea, Kenya, and Ethiopia. A statement of understanding has been developed for potential partnerships in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other areas of Southeast Asia. Douglas Rutt, Director of International Ministries, will be attending the 20 th Anniversary of the ministry in Latvia. The third quarter statistics through February 2012 show responses are at 101% and referrals are at 100% of this year s goals, and year-to-date connections are at 86% of goal. Equipping the Saints seminars have been highly successful. The division s strategic direction will focus on reaching unreached peoples, urban areas, and young people, which is reflected in the proposed budget. Marketing and Communications:

4 BOG /2012 Wurdeman called on Andrew Fitzgerald, Director of Marketing and Communications, for comments. Fitzgerald reported on Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday successes. Fitzgerald said that the division is working on improving digital marketing through the use of social media, search engine optimization, and mobile applications. They are also working to improve web activity analysis. The focus will be on how to use formats more strategically and cohesively. Fitzgerald reported that the LHM-led tour of Israel in November 2012 has 100 people registered so far. Fitzgerald said that there are 345 registered Ambassadors currently in the Ambassador database, and the division is working with districts to recruit more. Fitzgerald reported that LHM will have some sort of presence at most of the synodical district conventions this year. Fitzgerald reported that a new website will launch soon as part of an awareness campaign. 19 Onnen conducted a lengthy discussion regarding the policy manual s direction for staff and its development of a new logo for LHM. M2011/12-36 MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE REVISION TO THE POLICY MANUEL INSERTING A NEW NUMBER RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW LOGOS FOR THE ORGANIZATION. The motion was seconded and carried by a positive showing of hands. M2011/12-37 MOTION MADE TO APPROVE THE POLICY MANUAL WORDING ADDING NUMBER AS IT PERTAINS TO REVISING THE OFFICAL SEAL OF THE INT L LLL. The motion was seconded and carried by a positive showing of hands. 20 Onnen introduced Ed Tiefenbach, the International LLL Saskatoon Convention Chairman, to share a few convention announcements. 21 Tiefenbach reported that a tremendous convention is planned. He reminded the Board to bring their passports because they will need them to get back into the United States. He urged everyone to make this a family convention because plans will include activities for youth and children. The convention will officially open with a Communion Worship Service on Thursday afternoon. The registration fee is $90 through May 15 th and $125 thereafter. 22 Onnen announced that the next convention will be held July 2014 in Dearborn, Michigan. Plans are being made to conduct eight Regional Outreach Conferences in 2012 and 2013 and discussions have begun regarding some type of celebration on the 100 th Anniversary of the Int l LLL in He asked the Board to share any thoughts, ideas and suggestions they may wish to offer. 23 Onnen introduced Rev. Timothy Scharr, LCMS Liaison.

5 BOG / Scharr reported that it has a been an exciting year for him, getting acquainted with the work of the LLL at the Board level, while also doing his work as President of the Southern Illinois District of the LCMS. He said that there are many parallels between the LCMS and LLL going through organizational structure changes and new governance directions for the future. He said that the synergy between both groups is a big plus for the ministry of the church. The materials produced, the Men s Network Bible studies in use by LCMS congregations and other churches, and The Lutheran Hour broadcast every week are testimonies to the Gospel focus. He said that the partnership will have a great impact on Gospel outreach in the future. 25 Onnen referenced the written report from Mathew Block, LCC Liaison, who was not able to attend the meeting. M2011/12-38 MOTION WAS MADE TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. M2011/12-39 MOTION WAS MADE TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION. M2011/12-40 MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR THE CONSOLIDATED LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES THAT INCLUDES AN INCOME BUDGET OF $26,321,176, AN EXPENSE BUDGET OF $26,304, 659 AND A CAPITAL EXPRENDITURE/DEBT REPAYMENT BUDGET OF $700,713. M2011/12-41 MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR LLL CANADA THAT INCLUDES AN INCOME OF $767,125, AN EXPENSE BUDGET OF $842,100 AND A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BUDGET OF $5,850. THE DEFICIT IS TO BE FINANCED FROM BEQUESTS RECEIVED IN PRIOR YEARS. 26 The afternoon session was closed with a prayer by Paul Walther, Secretary. Respectfully submitted by Paul Walther, Secretary