Ministry / A special appreciation for unseen volunteers
One area of our volunteer ministry at 316NOW that few will see is the leadership of our Board of Directors. In early November we met together with our divisional administrators, to review our mission endeavors and strategically plan our next steps forward.
We gather four times a year, including an annual meeting which usually requires travel to the Milwaukee area. Between those meetings there are other responsibilities for board members, especially now that we are building sub-committees to handle specific areas of ministry.
Three sub-committees were recently created
Governance - This sub-committee deals with 316NOW’s structure, bylaws, and Federal & State compliance issues, which are addressed through the legal documents of our nonprofit. The Governance Committee is also responsible for board recruitment, nominating and electing new board members, as well as board and director self-assessment.
Finance - This sub-committee oversees 316NOW’s funding and spending, our staff’s preparation of the annual budget, and our performance in meeting our budgeted revenues and expenses – which rely heavily on the Mission Advancement team. A core function of the Finance Committee will be to safeguard 316NOW’s assets.
Mission Advancement - This sub-committee will primarily seek to share 316NOW’s vision, by utilizing modern communication methods, but also by the development of donor relationships. They will review, approve, and create goals for 316NOW’s fundraising initiatives. Their goal is to ensure that we have adequate resources to function effectively.
Board members were appointed
Governance – Aaron West (Chairman), Paul Zhao, Jon Siegler, Wayne Hilgendorf (Advisory)
Finance – Jamie Gabb (Chairman), Wally Sommer, Brenda Rusch (CPA advisor)
Mission Advancement – Jeff Davis (Chairman), Jim Kleist, (vacancy to fill Steve Witte’s position)
Perspective
Our chairman, Wayne Hilgendorf, retains the big picture with nearly twenty years of working with Chinese students through our Grace Bible Institute. “The ministry of 316NOW continues to be blessed richly,” he observed. “As we began to branch out, we recruited new board members and asked them to take a greater role in planning and implementing efforts on the mainland. Now, after the pandemic and with the greater restrictions from the Chinese government, we are expanding our work to include expatriate students in North America.”
Gratitude for the service of several members
By our next annual meeting in June, 2025, we intend to replace three board members who have finished their tour of duty with our WELS affiliate nonprofit agency: Dr. Steve Witte (recently called home to heaven), Dave Maitland (served as Executive Team secretary), and Dr. Dan Schmeling (Sheep to Lambs). We are, along with those who have received the good news through 316NOW, eternally grateful to these faithful brothers for volunteering their time and skills.