Summary of the board of directors meeting
The South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod 
Thursday, November 10, 2005

• The board endorsed guidelines for sabbaticals as presented by continuing education committee.
• The board extended a Divine Call to Rev. Daniel McMiller to serve as SWD mission executive.
• President Ronald Meyer gave a report on the Ablaze! Convocation, and thanked the many participants and presenters for their efforts.
• The 2006 budget update was presented. A $230,000 shortfall in congregational pledges is expected. The proposed budget shows an approximate decrease of $692,000 in total support and revenue from the 2005 budget. Projected total expenses are $4,655,962, creating an anticipated deficit of $886,289. With prior years’ temporary restricted income that is available, lowering the anticipated budget shortfall to $388,589.
• The board established a committee to prepare a request to the 2006 SWD Convention to put in place a capital campaign to address mission and ministry opportunities and ongoing financial challenges.
• The board extended a Divine Call to Rev. Mark Degner as SWD direct gifts counselor.
• Congregational remittances year-to-date are down $95,376 from 2004. The District receives about 25% of the pledges in December and early January. The board members as liaison to their congregations were encouraged to speak with their treasurers regarding their congregation’s pledge. Synodical remittances had been sent through September, 2005.
• Camp LuWiSoMo financial report indicates that net income has dropped $20,635. The camp is expecting a $580,000 less in revenues through January 2006.
  There is a need to raise the number of investors, as well as the level of investments from individuals and congregations who are investors in LCEF.

The board approved the following:

• adjusting, for the sake of Concordia Plan Services health coverage, full-time status from 20 hours per week to 30 hours per week.
• the sale of the old Waunakee mission start site for not less than $250,000.
  the 2006 housing allowance for District rostered workers.

Motions carried…

• The board approved constitutional amendments for St. Peter/Hilbert, and constitutional and bylaw changes for Grace/Elkhart Lake.
• The board authorized the SWD committee on constitutional matters (CCM) to make the necessary incidental numerical and department designation changes to bring the District constitution and bylaws in line with the 2004 Synodical Handbook. The board also authorized the CCM to forward a copy of their report to the synodical commission on constitutional matters for their review of the substantive issues.
• The board extended its thanks to Rev. R. Thomas Colgrove for his work in this regard.
• Kenneth Going, liaison for Camp LuWiSoMo, urged board members to pledge in support of the fund drive campaign.
• Rev. David Gehne, associate pastor at Trinity/Racine, has agreed to serve as the chair of the student aid and recruitment committee, and Sue Metzger, member of Zion/Menomonee Falls, to serve on the SWD outreach task force.