ELCA NEWS SERVICE October 29, 2004 Women Of The ELCA Board Endorses 2005 Triennial Convention Plans 04-204-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The executive board of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) endorsed plans for the organization's 6th Triennial Convention and adopted a budget for the gathering at its meeting here Oct. 14-17. The convention -- which includes worship, community service projects, opportunities for networking through new "affinity" groups, educational forums called "miniversities," elections and business sessions -- is July 5-10, 2005, in San Antonio. The convention theme is "Act Boldly," an overall theme which the organization will embrace for its 2005-2008 triennium. The convention's keynote speaker is Barbara Ehrenreich, a best-selling author and magazine writer who lives near Key West, Fla. Ehrenreich is expected to focus on her book, "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America," which chronicles her true- life story of survival in numerous low-paying jobs to become a best-selling author. "For every aspect of what's being planned, there's a lot of excitement," said Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director, Women of the ELCA. Registration opens Feb. 1, 2005, she said, and registration materials are expected to be distributed by the end of 2004. The board adopted a $2.3 million convention budget, up slightly from the budget it adopted for the 2002 convention held in Philadelphia. A key factor in meeting this budget is 4,400 paid registrants, Bushkofsky said. The organization wants members of Women of the ELCA congregational units to attend, and it will encourage attendance from the "the women who make up 63 percent of the [ELCA]," she said. "We are committed as a staff to this budget, so that we will do our best to come in under budget," Bushkofsky told the board. The board acted on several other items related to the triennial convention: + It adopted an agenda for the convention's business sessions, July 6-9, 2005. + It adopted a recommendation from its executive committee endorsing the sale of specially designed Women of the ELCA pins, of which $7.05 from each pin sold will be designated for organizational grants specifically related to women's health. + It designated half of the offerings to be collected at the convention for the ongoing ministry of Women of the ELCA and committed half to "Women of the ELCA acting boldly to support global ministries." + It elected a nominating committee for the convention and ratified appointments to a convention memorials committee and a reference and counsel committee. The board also approved a recommendation that the 2011 Women of the ELCA Triennial Convention be held in Long Beach, Calif. The 2008 convention is set for Salt Lake City, Utah. The board agreed to executive committee recommendations to approve a staffing plan that includes an editor for its online magazine, "Cafe," and an additional half-time support staff position. Board members also spent considerable time reviewing proposals for restructuring the ELCA churchwide organization and a proposal for churchwide governance. Other boards, commissions and groups related to the ELCA are doing the same. The board reported its suggestions to the Rev. Charles S. Miller, ELCA executive for administration and executive assistant to the presiding bishop. --- Information about Women of the ELCA -- including the 2005 Triennial Convention -- is at http://www.womenoftheelca.org on the Web. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news