Motion to amend the St Paul Endowment Fund Agreement Article III Section 3.4 to change the distribution percentage limit from 4% to 5%.  Article 3.4 would thus read:

"Distributions may be made from the Fund, as directed by Council, to a maximum of 5% of the recent three-year average of the year-end Net Asset Value, except as provided in Sections 3.5 and 3.6."

This change will increase the amount of annual support allowed to the General Fund budget in any year. The actual amount will be recommended by Council each year and will need to be approved by the congregation as part of the budget approval.    The change will allow more of the Endowment Fund's earnings to be used for ministry each year.  Existing provisions preserving the Historic Dollar Value of the Fund remain unchanged.  

The Local Volunteer Corps (LVC) will serve in a wide variety of roles, including general hospitality, communion servers, drivers, money counters, set up and clean up, and many others. The LVC is comprised of "local" adults that are not in need of housing, have a specific time frame they are able to commit to, will be able to drive themselves on a daily basis to Detroit and will receive a food voucher and entrance to that day's Mass Gathering as a thank you for your time.  The Local Volunteer Coordinator will match your gifts with our needs. The list of needs is incomplete at this time so we will be unable to make matches yet.  But once you have signed up, we will confirm that we have received your application.  

in Detroit as a Local Volunteer

If you are available to serve the ELCA Gathering as a local volunteer, please follow the instructions below today:

Step 1    Go to: https://www.conferencebuilders.com/elca2015/teams/start.asp

Step 2   Click on "New registration" (in red)
Step 3   Be sure to choose "Local Arrang." (Beth Smallbeck) from the drop down menu
Step 4   Fill out the registration form disregarding the arrival and departure dates

Local volunteers do not receive housing but do receive meal vouchers. Volunteer registration is still open for Community Life and Servant Companions (young adults) for individuals who can commit to the entire event (housing and meals provided). Find information at: http://www.elca.org/YouthGathering/Registration/Volunteers 

Look for 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteer Opportunity community meetings being held throughout the synod in late fall. Feel free to contact Local Volunteers Coordinator, Claudia Karpinskas, if you have questions or concerns. karpinskas@sbcglobal.net   Cell 248-227-9032

During the Gathering, the Youth will spend one day in the community for their day of service, interaction and assistance with local organizations in one of six interest areas (IAs):

* Housing Matters
* Education
* Environmental Sustainability
* Cultural Immersion / Arts
* Food / Food Justice
* Care in Communities

(July 16-18). 

Service Learning Signup Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mME3vXC35KsxZtEpHKQrbturwPCz4_-djyJbXRV5duA/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link