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.
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     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