SOWER Ministry Newsletter
October 2014
Michindoh Conference Center

     

October.  Burnt umber leaves and vibrant mums.  Apple cider and hot chocolate.  Crisp mornings and sweatshirt evenings.  Fall is in full swing, and the SOWER Ministry is gearing up for its busiest season.  Are you starting to plan for your drive south, or are you stocking up on the firewood?  We on the Board of Trustee just finished up our annual meeting at the SOWER office in Lindale.  Some of us flew in, some drove their car and some came in their RV - but all of us came with a heart for SOWERS.  We had several days of productive meetings, elected new officers (see the photo below), and discussed many of the issues you had brought to us.  One of the most exciting outcomes of the meeting was the formation of a Long Range Planning and Development committee, to be comprised of both Trustees and non-Trustees.  The purpose of this committee will be to figure out the best way to maintain the long-range health, vitality, and usefulness of the SOWER Ministry.  They'll be looking at different marketing strategies, communication improvements, and making sure that the Sower Ministry stays true to its mission - to Serve and Encourage Christian Ministries to Fulfill the Commandments of Jesus Christ.  I think there are exciting days ahead for our ministry! The minutes from the meeting, along with committee reports, will be in the Dec/Jan Sowergram. 

Whether you're checking the battery strength in the RV or calculating how much wood you'll need for the long winter ahead, may these beautiful Fall days be filled with grace and blessing. And don't forget to check the PLS for the latest openings for our great Fall projects!

 

Thankful for His Mercy,

Stephanie Conrad, #2509    

for the Board of Trustees  
SOWER Ministry 
Your 2014-2015 Trustees
Standing - Jerry McGhee (President), Stephanie Conrad, Jim Swanner (Treasurer), Ken Oliver, Dave Neitzel (Secretary)
Seated - John Jones, Jenny Rasmussen (Vice President) Bill Cairns, Cliff Stone
 
A Life Changing Decision
Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch (FL-479) is open for SOWERS from October through June and has 4 RV spots.  While a couple of months are full, there are still lots of opportunities to serve. Check it out on the latest PLS!
A SOWER Gathering at the Arizona Opry in Apache Junction, AZ 
January 24, 2015 
Any and all SOWERS who are in the area are invited to join us for this wonderful Musical Variety Dinner Theater.

Reservations must be in by Nov 10 with checks due by December 31, 2014.

This is a wonderful show that you won't want to miss. Please come and join us for a Jolly Good Time!!  Email (preferable)  or call Karen Edge (480-252-1610) with your reservation by Nov 10. 

Doors open at 11:15 AM 

Dinner at 12:30 PM  

Show at 1:30 PM    

Come early so we have time to visit!

2015 Southeast Area Reunion

Same Place - New Dates!

The Southeast Area reunion/rally has moved to the week before the February Project but is still being held at the Florida Baptist Encampment.  The theme this year is Sharing JesusWe are looking forward to and are excited about meeting, fellowshipping and sharing with our brother and sisters in Christ. Whether you're brand new to SOWERS or now Alumni, this is the place to be the first week in February! We still need help in certain areas (Auctioneer, Piano/Keyboard, Devotions and Clean-up) so feel free to contact Ed Blanks or Jane Benson for questions, suggestions and offers of help!
 

Monday, February 2 thru Wednesday, February 4 

(departure Thursday AM)

Florida Baptist Encampment (FL-143) 

 Groveland, Florida  

 

Cost: $45 per RV/ 3 Days 

Rooms - $40.00/ 3 Days 


 
 If you come in early or stay over the cost is an additional $10 per night. A day fee for those not staying over night is $7 per couple. Some meals will be included, but not all meals so plan on feeding yourselves as well.  

 

Contact Neil and Jane Benson to make your  reservations

        704-604-7917        

Recently seen on the SOWER Facebook Group Page

FacebookHave you stopped by lately? Make sure you've "checked" the box to receive notifications, and PLEASE post pictures and stories from YOUR projects!

 

 

And if you're a member of Facebook, but haven't joined the SOWER Group, click on the icon to join the family!


 Hope House (ID-239)  is open for SOWERS October through December this year and then March through October 2015.  They have 10 SOWER RV spots and offer many opportunities to serve! Thanks to the Woolliscrofts (1957)  for sharing this on Facebook! 
We partner with two great projects in Idaho -Hope House (ID-239) and Mission Aviation Fellowship (ID-472) Check them out - they are another great project "bundle"!
While you're on Facebook, don't forget to check out your favorite projects.  Many of our project locations have a Facebook page and it's a great way to stay up to date on the places you love to serve!
Dear Sam and Sally
Servants on Wheels Ever Ready

Dear Sam and Sally,

I'm always a little confused when, at the start of a project, we have to re-sign our Registration/Skillsheets .  Doesn't the office have that on file? And then we have to fill out several different emergency forms.  Why so many forms?  And why are they always changing?

Working, but confused!

 

Dear Working,

That first meeting at the start of a project is always chock full of information, isn't it.  And we know that filling out forms seems to takes up a fair bit of the meeting.  The purpose of signing your Skill Sheet at each project is to validate the "Consent for Medical Treatment" clause since having it "on file at the office" was determined to be inadequate.  The signed Skill Sheet is returned to the GL who will make them available to everyone. With the changing times, the trustees decided that it made the most sense to have a separate Consent for Medical Treatment Form that each individual could carry on their person.  All of the emergency forms supplied by the office are there ONLY for your protection and benefit. The Board has worked hard to make these practical and succinct.  Essentially there are three forms, each to be handled differently.

  • Emergency Information - Keep in your vehicle: If you are involved in an accident AWAY from the project, this will alert emergency personnel where you are staying, who to contact, etc. It does NOT authorize any type of treatment.
  • Emergency Information - Visible from outside of the RV: This is easy-to-find contact information that is useful if an accident happens on the project site.  While this form is supplied at each project, it can often be reused since this information changes infrequently.
  • Consent for Medical Treatment: This short form should be filled out by each individual and kept on their person.  In case of an emergency (particularly if the spouse cannot be reached), this will authorize emergency treatment. It also details medications, medical conditions, and physician and insurance information.

 It is very possible that you already carry this information and the purpose of these forms is not to duplicate that.  The intent of these forms is that necessary information and consent is available in the case of an emergency.  So do you still need to sign those skill sheets?  Signed skill sheets can still be used as a back-up consent form so it's a good idea to sign them and then have them stored in an area that is available to everyone.  It may seem like a nuisance, but we'd rather everyone be safe than sorry.
 

 

Serving with you,

Sam & Sally

  

Do you have a question about SOWER policy or etiquette? Sam and Sally would love to hear from you! Contact them at -samandsally@sowerministry.org.   

Contributors ALWAYS Needed! 
Do YOU have a testimony to share about a recent SOWER project? Maybe a word of encouragement to other SOWERS? We'd love to hear about it!  
Do you have a photograph that might work as a "header" for this monthly newsletter?   (It will be cropped to 600x125 pixels) Or maybe a favorite group shot that could be included? 
 
Submit stories, ideas and photos to Stephanie Conrad (stephanie@rvthereyet.org).  
In This Issue
2014-15 Trustees
Life Changing Decision
Arizona Gathering
2015 Southeast Area Reunion
Facebook
Dear Sam & Sally SOWER
Help Wanted
Reunion Recap
Late Sign Up Policy
Escapade SOWER Table
Google Earth
Quick Links
FALL REUNIONS
A great time was had by all!
Michindoh Tractor Ride

2014 Midwest Michigan SOWER Reunion! 

Plans are already in the works for 2015! Contact Barbara LeBreton to be added to the email list to get all the latest info!

2014 Minnesota North Area Rally

Minnesota 2014 Rally

Here are just a few of the fun activities at the MN 2014 Rally- Auction, sling shot practice, scavenger hunt, trolley ride and pontoon ride and great food! Make plans to join us next year!

 

SAVE THE DATE
Plans are in the works for the 2015 Texas Round-up (aka Texas Reunion), March 29 - April 1 at Trinity Pines (TX- 254). Stay tuned for more details or contact Gary Conrad (215-343-9678) to join the team!  
To Help our Projects 

Even though our projects are notified 45 days in advance of the project month with either the good news that SOWERS are coming or the sad news that no one has signed up, we have expected them to hold the designated SOWER spots until the start date of the project in case anyone (or anyone else) signs up.   For many of our projects this is not a problem, but for others it can cause lost revenue when they have to turn away guests to hold spots for SOWERS who might never sign up.  Some could possibly have to turn away other volunteers because they have to hold those spots.   

 

In order for our hosts to better manage their RV spots and project resources, sign ups after 45 days before the start of the project will be subject to host approval. This new policy is effective immediately.

Contacting the Board
Do you have a question or concern you'd like to share with the Board of Trustees? 
Send an email to the office, marked "For the Trustees" and we will all receive a copy. If you prefer, you are also welcome to contact individual members using the contact information in the Roster.
Help Needed
Are you a member of Escapees? Do you love SOWERS and would love to share the ministry with others? Because SOWERs is a BOF (birds of a feather) within Escapees, we can have an info table at their Escapades in what they call the ROW with other organizations who are simply putting out information. Dale and Cheryl Curtis  (#3253) have signed up to have a SOWER table on the ROW at the Escapees Nat'l rally called Escapade in Tucson, AZ March 8-13, 2015.  

 

But they need YOUR help! Dale and Cheryl have done the legwork, but now need to get the word out to other SOWERs who will be coming to the Escapade to fill in a time slot. The ROW is not open all day, everyday so if you can help there will still be plenty of time to enjoy the Escapade. Contact the Curtis' for more information!

 
Clicking on the Fall Leaf  will take you to the Members Only Page and the October/November Sowergram and the latest updates to our Project Listings. 
 Check it out!
If you're 
having trouble connecting or signing on, contact the office - they'll be happy to help!
Just the Facts
for October  2014
Number of Active SOWERS*
545
 
Number of ALUMNI SOWERS*
155

 

Number of SOWER projects requesting SOWER Assistance 
112

 

Number of SOWER projects receiving SOWER Assistance 
37
 
Number of SOWERS* requested (Including SOAs)  
560

Number of SOWERS* working  (Including SOAs)
77
 
*Number of SOWERS always refers to a SOWER "Unit" - whether a couple or a single, not individual SOWERS.

SOWER Blog Roll

See what other SOWERS are doing around the country! 

Roger's SOWER Blog

Roger & Nola Sorenson

Soltesweb.net

Ed & Patty Soltes

Bob and Billie on the Road 

Bob & Billie Wakeman

RV There Yet 

 Gary & Stephanie Conrad

Paul Alton.com

Paul and Juanita Alton

Benedictus

Terry & Alice Burnett

RV Craze
 
Wayne and Gail Fieler

 

 Do YOU have a Blog you'd like to share? Send me the link, and we'll add it to the "Blog Roll". 

Photo Info/Credits -

Header Group Shot - Sunshine Bible Academy (SD-495) September 2014 L-R Jim & Feryl Laney (2550), Ulah & Cheri Smith (2634), Rod & Kim Juelf (3417)

Header Photo Location - Michindoh Conference Center (MI-139)

Google Earth SOWER Style!
Google Earth
Don't forget to check out the Project Locator (Google Earth) on the Members Only page.  It's a great help in scoping out project locations, especially if you're trying to "bundle" projects to cut down on travel time (and fuel costs!). Maybe there's one near you that you could work this summer!
Quick Links
 
To send in a prayer request or praise item-

 

To contact the office -
903-882-8070  

To submit something to the newsletter

 

PSST....
The deadline has passed, but it's not too late to send in your Annual Registration/Skill sheet.  Aren't sure if you sent yours in? Check with the office - they'll be happy to let you know!

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.
 I have set the LORD always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

 

Psalm 16:7,8