Summary of the board of directors meeting
The South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Thursday, November 8, 2007

In action, the board:

• approved the minutes of the Aug. 16, 2007, meeting of the SWD board of directors
• approved the amended constitutions/bylaws of Good Shepherd, East Troy; St. John, North Prairie; St. Martin, Chilton; and Trinity, Sheboygan (Town Wilson)
• endorsed the establishment and adoption of the Dominican Republic mission program in partnership with of LCMS World Mission, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil, Bethesda, CALMS, LCMS World Relief and Human Care and others as the District mission project as a non-budgetary item
• authorized the use of proceeds from the sale of the Waunakee property to pay down the District's LCEF line of credit in the amount of $300,000
• voted to amortize the principal of the Camp LuWiSoMo line of credit of $140,000 over a 10 year period beginning 2008, at a rate of cost of funds plus 2%
• adopted the proposed 2008-09 District budget
• rejected Camp LuWiSoMo's proposed budget and instructed the camp to develop an operational budget under the direction of Ralph Klevenow
• rejected the request of the LuWiSoMo board to request a restricted call for Kurtis Bueltmann to be placed at Camp LuWiSoMo
• appointed Rev. William Otto to the CUW board of regents to fill the seat vacated by Rev. Robert Hoehner

The board was informed of: 

• the increasing participation and use of Camp LuWiSoMo's facilities, the facilities available for use by individual groups and the variety of programs offered
• updated information on Camp LuWiSoMo's "Feeding the Flock" capital campaign. Currently pledges have been received totaling just under $700,000.

The board received reports from:

• President Wille highlighting:
  • a joint program between SWD, LCEF, LCMS Human Care/World Relief, and CUW for a major mission event sometime in 2008
  • strategic plan
  • new logo possibilities 
  • SWD e-newsletter
• Rev. McMiller highlighting:
  • Greater Milwaukee Federation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is considering changing its name to "Metro Milwaukee Lutheran Mission Society" and is applying for grants for a number of programs, including ex-offender ministry and African immigrant food pantry 
  • Grant application for Greater Milwaukee Partnership for Urban Renewal
  • Urban ministry visioning
  • Revitalization program—Bethlehem, Covenant, Emmaus, Chapel of the Cross, and Mission of Christ are involved
  • Brookfield Lutheran will be participating in a partnership in the Hispanic music ministry program
  • Discussion of potential mission start on the east side of the Milwaukee Metro area through national Fan into Flame
• Ralph Klevenow's written report of the District's financial state as well as that of Camp LuWiSoMo
• Tim Dittloff who presented the financials for LCEF highlighting:
  • Investments up $6 million
  • An increase in net assets
  • District mortgage commitments
  • A strong capital to assets ratio