ELCA Youth Ministry Network
Director’s Report October 17, 2013
ELCA Youth Ministry Network
11821 98th Pl. N., Maple Grove, Minnesota 55369 T 612.597.6565
todd@elcaymnet.org
www.elcaymnet.org
ELCA Youth Ministry Network
Thank you for your leadership! “We always give thanks to God for all of you, and mention you in our prayers constantly.” - 1 Thessalonians 1:2 I continue to be grateful to the Board, and all the Network leadership for their ongoing work and support on behalf of the Network. Thank you to all of you for all that you do. The summer is generally a quiet season in the life of the Network, as most who lead in children, youth and family ministry are busy with summer ministries and travel.
1. Box Scores Date
Current Network
Final Extrav
App
Total in
Membership
Registration
Likes
Followers
Downloads
Database
April, 2013
664 (paid)
540
1820
1247
1065
5503
October, 2013
589 (paid)
215 (to date)
2286
1539
1065*
8460
* = New app downloads suspended since May, 2013. See article below for details.
2. Financial Report Attached, please find a copy of the end of the fiscal year (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013) financial report. I feel good about where we are at financially. There are a couple of notes attached in the areas where the actual was significantly different than the budgeted amounts. However, it finally feels like we’ve moved into a position of stability, and to where we have some funds in the bank in case there is a problem or a crisis. That is something that has been one of my goals for a long, long time. This is due to the great stewardship of our leadership team. Scott and Catherine in particular have done a tremendous job stewarding their resources. 7-8 years ago, I would have described our financial position as “dire.” Right now I’d use the phrase “healthy and hopeful.”
3. The Practice Discipleship Initiative We are in the midst of the second year of the Practice Discipleship Initiative. Catherine Anderson, who is directing the initiative, reports that: “The goal of the Practice Discipleship Initiative is to provide training and resources that equip leaders with a framework for ministry that integrates faith practices into the life and ministries of the congregation. This year we have focused on the theme, “Faith Formation in a Missional Age,” taking a deeper look at how we pass on faith Director’s Report - October 17, 2013
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ELCA Youth Ministry Network
in this changing culture. To date, over 1500 leaders have participated in online webinar sessions, and over 3000 leaders have participated in local training events. We expect the number of participants at local trainings to triple this fall, when the majority of local events take place. Training sessions have been held in congregations, at camps, across synods, during Synod Assemblies, for synod theological conferences, in confirmation classes, at synod middle school and high school gatherings, and in countless other ways. Participants have been diverse: adults and youth, lay and rostered, volunteers and staff, synod leadership, outdoor ministry summer staff, grandparents, parents, adults who normally have nothing to do with youth or youth ministry. The most common comment from PD Coaches in their training report is, “It sparked great conversation, great questions, and we could have continued the conversation for several more hours.” We are now preparing Year 3 of the Practice Discipleship Initiative. The theme will focus on “Frame,” exploring the biblical claims that frame our lives and work and the particular ways these frame our faith formation work with young people. 37 leaders have already confirmed they will serve as a Practice Discipleship Coach, the majority of which have served since the beginning. The training for PD2014 Coaches will take place prior to the Extravaganza in St. Louis. Webinars will begin in February and be held monthly.” Catherine is doing a tremendous job guiding the initiative, and the “head coaches,” Tammy Jones West and Lisa Kramme have been fantastic gifts to the project.
4. The Network App The Network App launched with a bang at the 2013 Extravaganza, and performed flawlessly through May. Then...we ran into a significant speed bump. The CEO of the company that we contracted with to do the app development was fired for embezzling funds from the company (though not directly from clients, which is good news.) The owners of the company immediately shut down their apps because they were concerned for the privacy of client and user data, as well as access to the client’s billing information. Because the CEO was also a minority owner, he was able to tie the whole process up in court. The legal process ran all the way through the summer. The process was legally resolved, a new CEO was hired, an almost totally new staff has been hired and they are right now rebuilding the infrastructure. To a great extent, the new staff has to reverse engineer the apps to get them running again. Hopefully this process will be done very soon and we can be up and running again. Hopefully.
5. Partnerships It has been a fun year for our partnerships. This concept of an intentional relationship with organizations really seems to be getting some traction. Yes, there is an increased revenue stream for the Network, but beyond that, the level of satisfaction with our relationships with other organizations seems to be growing.
Director’s Report - October 17, 2013
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ELCA Youth Ministry Network
Our current Network partners include: Silver Partners
Gold Partners
Augsburg Fortress Publishers
ELCA Youth Gathering
Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota*
iGivings
LutheranColleges.org
Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conferences*
Lutheridge+Lutherock
Luther Seminary
Mike Ward Stewardship
Mission Investment Fund
Trinity Lutheran College**
Thrivent Financial
Wartburg Theological Seminary Youth Encounter Youth Leadership * = New partner this year;
** = Was a partner, lapsed and returned.
I am aware of at least several other organizations that are interested in connecting with the Network through partnerships. We are very grateful for all of our partners’ support.
6. Thrivent Sustainability Grant As we have discussed, the Network received a sustainability grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The goal of these grants is to help move an organization into a place of greater stability. Thrivent actually approached us about applying for the grant. The total amount of the grant is $47,000. Approximately 60% is given in the first year to implement the plan that was outlined in our proposal to Thrivent. Our plan includes contracting with someone with the specific skills and gifts required to help drive the fundraising and partnership development process. The second portion of the grant will be given as a “matching grant,” with amounts subsidizing new and upgraded partnerships. As we discussed, and you affirmed in our online vote last month, we will be contracting with Mike Ward, through Gonland-Sayther and Associates, Mike’s firm. Mike’s work in the first year will be to create the structure and materials needed for this new partnership initiative, as well as work to firm up and develop our annual fund. I recognize that we need to be very transparent whenever making staffing moves of this nature. It is unusual. However, I am completely confident that Mike has the unique blend of skills necessary to really make this initiative grow our Network. Mike will “finish out” his term as a Board member. His role with the Network as a contractor will not begin until the Extravaganza.
7. Extravaganza 2014 Our meeting this week is in the site of the Extravaganza in St. Louis. We’re very excited about being here for the event. I think the hotel property is going to work great. Our meeting will come on the heels of the E-Team Team Leaders
Director’s Report - October 17, 2013
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ELCA Youth Ministry Network
gathering from Tuesday through Thursday morning. So I expect that I will have more to report after those conversations have taken place. Nevertheless, I am very excited about he energy of this event. Some of the highlights include:
• A new way of welcoming and giving orientation to those who are new to the Extravaganza (and probably the Network too!) • Registrations and housing bookings are coming in well so far. • We are looking at formatting our general sessions in more of a TED talk format. With perhaps up to 3 talks at each session, each for no more than 10-15 minutes. So as you walk through the hotel over these two days, imagine the people. Please imagine the voices, the laughter and the fun of re-connecting with friends and meeting new colleagues who share in this ministry. It’s going to be a great event!
8. Things That Matter About a year ago, I stumbled across this little, bi-monthly podcast called “Things That Matter.” The podcast is cosponsored by the Nebraska Synod and Nebraska Campus Ministries. It focuses on ELCA ministries (with a heavy tilt towards youth and young adults) in Nebraska. It is hosted/facilitated by Rev. Adam White, Mitch McCartney and Lisa Kramme. This podcast is really well done, and has a great energy and vibe. There is great insight and humor. The podcast features interviews with people within the synod and discussions of ministry issues. It always concludes with “God Sightings.” I’ve been very impressed by it. I asked them if they might every be interested in taking the podcast “national.” After thought and prayer, they decided they were. So the Network is going to sign on as a co-sponsor. Lisa, Mitch and Adam bring their experience with the podcast, and their great chemistry. The Network brings access to a wider audience and access to more guests. They will be recording podcasts live in the exhibit hall at this year’s Extravaganza, to access our speakers, workshop leaders and resource providers. I think this is a really exciting opportunity to create another channel of communication with our folks.
Director’s Report - October 17, 2013
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ELCA Youth Ministry Network
9. Current Account Balances Account Balances
As of October 12, 2013
Mission Investment Fund:
$120,350.40
Checking Account (Wells Fargo:
$2,211.95
Total Liquid Assets:
$122,562.35
10. Closing The Holy Spirit continues to bring new opportunities, and to grow the Network. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of its leadership matrix. Things just “happen.” Often things that we weren’t planning on. God’s Spirit just is that way. Thank you again for helping to create room for the Spirit to work! Blessings!
Rev. Todd Buegler Executive Director; ELCA Youth Ministry Network
Director’s Report - October 17, 2013
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ELCA Youth Mninistry Network Budget Year End 2012-13 Fiscal year: July 1 2012 - June 30 2013
Income: Item: Membership Dues Orginizational/Institutional Gifts Individual Donations Extravaganza Income Network Partnership Income Connect Journal Income Practice Discipleship Initiative Misc Income SYMBOL Grant
Total
2012-13 Budget $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
45,000.00 40,000.00 8,000.00 160,000.00 12,000.00 2,000.00 150,000.00 2,000.00 15,000.00
$
434,000.00
2012-13 Actual Comments $ 50,832.68 $ 55,000.00 $ 6,991.63 $ 119,006.87 Extravaganza%income%should%also%include% $ 14,200.00 $40,000%from%Org/inst%giOs%above%that%was% $ 80.50 designated%for%the%E.%%Including%those%funds,% total%E%income%is%$159,006.87.% $ 155,000.00 $ 1,996.55 $ 15,000.00
$
418,108.23
Expenses: Item: Staff Salaries Board & Facilitators Meetings Other Meeting Expenses Business/Operational Expenses Regional Networking Member Recognition Extravaganza Connect Journal Vision 2.0 Team Development Council Go to Mtg/Webinar exp Shipping costs Misc expenses 3rdTuesday Conversations Practice Discipleship Initiative SYMBOL Grant
2012-13 Budget $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
40,000.00 20,000.00 1,000.00 10,000.00 4,500.00 2,500.00 160,000.00 12,000.00 2,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 2,500.00 600.00 150,000.00 15,000.00 -
Total
$
Profit (Loss):
$
2012-13 Actual $ 40,666.59 $ 26,223.19 $ 432.46 $ 28,141.94 $ 664.81 $ 1,451.59 $ 141,588.37 $ 9,398.16 $ 342.70 $ $ $
1,303.05 1,310.12 1,496.90
$ $
71,584.07 9,237.64
427,100.00
$
333,841.59
6,900.00
$
84,266.64
Business/Opera1onal%expenses%include% unan1cipated%web%fees,%app%development% fees%and%some%technology%replacement%
Some%of%the%funds%from%the%PD%ini1a1ve% will%be%spent%in%the%2013<2014%ďŹ scal%year.%% They%currently%reside%in%our%MIF%account.%
Network(Membership(By(Regions Accurate(as(of(October(3,(2013 Region'1 41 Region'2 101 Region'3 199 Region'4 59 Region'5 136 Region'6 47 Region'7 37 Region'8 53 Region'9 50
Total:
723
Regional'Membership'Breakdown' Region(1( 6%(
Region(7( 5%(
Region(9( 7%( Region(8( 7%(
Region(2( 14%(
Region(6( 6%(
Region(3( 28%(
Region(5( 19%( Region(4( 8%(