Present: President - Pat Hirschfeld; Vice-President - Mary Satterfield; Secretary - Linda Tooman; Treasurer - Wanda Straub; Board Members - Gayle Guernsey (C), Nancy Sander (E), Marilyn Lee (SE), Jacquie Fritz (SW), guest -Peg Mink (T); Son Light Editor - Cora Kettler;

Absent: Board Members - Corrine Hurni (MV), Jeanne Matthews (NC), Joyce Nelson (T); Pastoral Advisor - Julie Beitelschees.

Opening: President Pat Hirschfeld called the meeting to order. Pat led us in devotions from the President's Meeting she attended entitled "I Have Heard God's Call" from 1 Samuel 3:1-9.

Minutes:
The minutes from the January 4, 2003, meeting was approved with one correction:
- Under Banquet Committee, Suzanne Zumfelde is from Trinity, Wauseon, not Emmanuel, Napoleon.

Treasurer Wanda Straub reported a current balance in the checking account of $6,080.02. Gifts of $500 each will be sent to Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio and Churchwide Women after the 2003 Synodical Convention. She also reported that offerings received are down. The board discussed the 2003 Convention Budget and 2003 budget for our synodical organization. Motion: Jacquie Fritz moved that we accept the 2003 Convention Budget and 2003 Synodical Women's Organization Budget. Marilyn Lee seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Correspondence:

- A note was received by Women of the ELCA Executive Director, Linda Post-Bushofsky thanking our synodical organization for offering to help with churchwide's budget deficit.

- Letters were received by Pat Hirschfeld from Peter and Adelina, guests from Tanzania who were with us at our 2001 Synodical Convention. There was discussion on small items, such as hotel soaps and shampoos, ball point pens, pencils, magnets, etc., that our sisters in Tanzania appreciate so much. We talked that maybe some of these items could be collected at Spring Assemblies or church unit gatherings, and could be sent with Karl Gingrich when he travels to Africa again. Pat will gather a list of items and email it to the board members. Jacquie Fritz will be in charge of this project.

- Wittenberg University sent a letter informing us of the recipient of the 2003-04 Northwestern Ohio Synodical Women's Organization Scholarship. It will be presented to Pamela Denise Evans, who is a member of St. John's, Fremont, and a 1st year student at Wittenberg. She is involved in Lutheran Student Movement, Weaver Chapel Association, Habitat for Humanity, Residence Hall government and involved in assisting with worship.

- Wanda Straub received a letter from Kathryn Wolford of Lutheran World Relief thanking us for the monetary gift.

- A note was received from Holy Trinity, Toledo, expressing regret that their unit is down to one circle and they have not had a president for five years. They will keep trying to encourage new members. President of the Toledo Conference, Peg Mink, will stay in contact with them. A letter of encouragement will be sent by the synodical board.

Synodical Convention:

Mary Satterfield reported on convention planning so far:

- Mary displayed the logo that will be put on our banner, program booklet, and other materials.

- Instead of a devotional booklet written by our NWO women, we will have a recipe book made up of recipes sent in from our women. Recipes need to be sent to Barb Slough, Arlington, by March 15, 2003.

- Mary discussed the idea of using a three ring binder with pockets instead of a program booklet. This way pages can be added easily during the convention, if needed. She and Cora Kettler will check into the cost of the binders.

- There was discussion of purchasing badge holders instead of name tags for identification. By using badge holders, women could use the pockets for money or room keys so they are easily accessible. Linda Tooman will check with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to see if grant money would be available to purchase these, plus pads, pencils, and folders.

- Joan Schulte (Hospitality Room) is working on a mixer. Marilyn Lee (Display Chairman) is also working on a mixer-type activity for convention guests to visit the displays.

- The board looked over the convention agenda and time line that Mary has prepared. The menu for the banquet and a map to the Holiday Inn French Quarter are printed in the current issue of the "Son Light."

- Someone will be needed to provide transportation to and from the airport for the churchwide representative and keynote speaker who will be attending the convention. Mary will check further into this matter.

- Resolutions for the convention must be sent to Resolution Committee Chairperson, Gayle Guernsey, by June 17, 2003. Memorials (resolutions made after the June 17 deadline) may be considered at the convention if submitted by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18th.

- The Nominating Committee is having trouble finding a slate for the positions of President, Vice-President, and Secretary.

- The entertainment for the Friday evening banquet will be a group of ladies called the "Red Hat Brigade." The women participating are women from our SWO. The program will be a light-hearted "talent show" type of entertainment. Diane Kashmer will organize the event, with Pamela Bland as the Banquet Emcee. The synodical organization will provide the banquet meal for those who are in the program.

- Wanda Straub, Budget Committee Chairman, expressed a concern about the audit of the treasury books. In the constitution it states that the audit be completed by a Certified Public Accountant, which can be very costly. She mentioned that hiring an accountant would be more cost efficient. It was suggested that Wanda submit a resolution to the convention for this change.

- Registration Chairperson, Cora Kettler, will be in charge of room and ride assignments. All program book materials should also be sent to Cora so she can make the necessary copies for the booklet. The program book will also include an announcement page. This page can be used for any announcements that need to be made during the convention meeting.

- Augsburg Fortress will not have a display at our summer convention. However, they may send some books that we may sell, or for guests to order. A display table will be in place for these books just in case some are sent. Marilyn Lee, Display Chairperson, will call Augsburg Fortress to clarify their intentions. Marilyn also reported that she sent out the first letter of invitation to 20 agencies on October 22, 2002. The second letter with reservation forms and registration forms went out on February 21, 2003. Reservations are due by April 15, 2003. She has heard from Lutheran Social Services.

- Delegate forms that are found in the current issue of the "Son Light" newsletter are to be sent to Pat Hirschfeld by April 15, 2003. Scholarship forms are also to be sent to Pat.

- Convention Registration forms may be found in the "Son Light" and on the web-site. Unit Presidents may make copies of the registration forms for their unit members.

President's Report:

President Pat Hirshfeld reported that a list of the active units of NWOSWO was sent to churchwide. She reported a total 132 active units in our synodical. These figures will govern our number of delegates to the next Triennial Convention to be held in San Antonio, Texas, in 2005.

Tanzania: Pat has spoken to six organizations (approximately 360) about the Dodoma Diocese. She has seven more upcoming engagements.

The designated funds for the Tanzanian women's project have been sent. The project entitled "The Empowerment of Marginalized Women in Dodoma" has been started. Pat contacted LWR and the funds have been earmarked for the Dodoma Women.

Pat attended the Conference of Presidents in February. 64 presidents were present in Chicago. Speakers included:

- Linda Bushofsky, Executive Director of the Women of the ELCA, spoke on her plans to: increase communications; keeping us up-to-date of the financial situation; looking at staffing at churchwide and downsizing; and working at strengthening our ELCA partnership.

-The churchwide treasurer asked everyone to be responsible for education; sending your offerings regularly throughout the year; more education on Thankofferings; and more attention to the Stewardship packets. The next Triennial Convention will be held in San Antonio, Texas, in 2005.

- Beth Lewis, president and CEO of Augsburg Fortress stated that book fairs are being tested at six upcoming Synodical Conventions. Books have been selected by Linda Bushofsky and others that would be useful to women during this triennium. Someone from the synodical would be in charge of promoting the book fair and to set up a display. 20 % of the sales would stay in the Synodical Organization to use as they see fit. These book fairs are just experimental to see how feasible it would be to do this. Pat asked what we could expect at our 2003 convention, the Beth Lewis was not able give a definite answer.

Each Synodical Organization is entitled to a visit from a Churchwide Staff member once during a triennium. Our synodical is due. We need to keep this in mind when we plan upcoming events.

Pat also mentioned the Free Exchange Coffee project (also includes tea and hot chocolate) from LWR. We need to put more emphasis on this project. It is important for us to help farmers in Africa to have a market for their products. These projects make a difference for small farmers in a global economy.

The president voiced her concern about board members not being present at the synodical board meetings. Members being absent does not improve communication with the conferences and units. Officers and conference representatives need to make every effort to attend these meetings.

Conference Reports:

CENTRAL - Their Spring Assembly will be held at Our Savior, Kenton, on March 29, 2003. The cost is $5.00. The speaker will be Marilyn Lee, who will speak on the theme verse from Mark 9:7 on the Transfiguration. The $300 synodical grant money will be given to Hope House in Findlay. The in-kind offering will be given to Love, Inc., of Ada. The fall retreat will be held at St. Luke's, North Baltimore, with a date to be determined.

EASTERN - The Eastern Conference Spring Assembly will be held on May 3, 2003, at St. Paul's, Clyde. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. The theme is "Hear God's Call." The speakers will be Laura Stellhorn on her trip to Tanzania, and Virginia Harper from Collins, Ohio, on "God's Quilt." The love offering will be divided between Victory Temple Food Kitchen and Village House. The cost for the day is $7.00. In-kind gifts will be given to Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Center, recipient of the Eastern Conference grant money.

MAUMEE VALLEY - No report.

NORTH CENTRAL - No report.

SOUTHEASTERN - Their Spring Assembly will be held on May 3, 2003, at Good Hope, Bucyrus. The main speaker will be Bonnie Kinschner.

Marilyn Lee reported as Mission/Community Chairperson that she sent "Women and Children in Poverty" grant forms to both the community chairperson and president of each conference in the first part of January, 2003. As of March 8, she has received completed forms from three conferences (Southeastern, North Central, and Central). These forms have to be sent to Marilyn by May 1st.

Their board members wondered why conference secretaries need to send all unit officer information to our synodical secretary. This makes an added workload on the secretary. Pat Hirschfeld and Linda Tooman stated that this contact information is needed for two reasons: (1) churchwide needs to know how many active units are in our synodical to establish the number of delegates for the Triennial Convention, and (2) this information is very helpful for our synodical nominating committee when they are looking for names to be placed on the ballot for our Synodical Convention.

SOUTHWESTERN - Their Spring Assembly is scheduled at Zion, St. Mary's, for April 5, 2003. This is their 15th Annual Spring Assembly. Pastor Herb Berry of St. Mary's will lead the opening worship. Pastor Rahel Hahn of New Creation of Lima/Elida will lead the bible study, followed by "Hallelujah Hands" Youth Puppet Group from St. Luke, Lima. In the afternoon, Pat Hirschfeld will present "More About Tanzania." In-kind gifts will go to "The House of Transition," a safe house from women and children in Van Wert.

Jacquie Fritz reported that she met with the GET REaL Task Force and S.A.L.T. The Red Hat Brigade was formed to lead the "Leading Boldly" portion of leadership training for conferences. She has contacted representatives and presidents from the Southeastern, Southwestern, and Central conferences about a combined Red Hat Ministry for the leadership training.

TOLEDO - The Toledo Conference will hold their Spring Assembly on April 26, 2003, at Glenwood, Toledo. The keynote speaker will be Pastor Bob Hamilton from Bucyrus. There will be three workshops.

Their Spiritually Retreat held on February 28 - March 1 was successful. We had 17 women present. Jeanne Matthews from Bowling Green was a presenter, along with a partner from Rockford, Illinois.

"Son Light" Report:

Cora Kettler reported that three issues of the "Son Light" were published in 2002: 675 copies -Spring/Summer issue; 615 copies - Fall issue; and 575 copies - Winter issue. 600 copies of the Spring, 2003, issue were sent with convention information printed within its pages. Cora made 50 extra copies to be distributed at Spring Assemblies.

Leadership Training:

There was much discussion on this year's conference training for leadership. Mary Satterfield talked about a recent meeting of the GET REaL Task Force and S.A.L.T. leaders in which a new idea was formed to help with the training. A group called the Red Hat Women's Ministry Team was formed. (Please refer to the attached minutes from that meeting.) We will consolidate the seven conferences into fewer groups, and have the small groups gather at a location that is more convenient for them to meet for training. The conferences will be divided as follows: Central, Southeastern, and Southwestern; North Central and Eastern; and Maumee Valley and Toledo.

Motion: Mary Satterfield made a motion that the board supports the combined ministry of S.A.L.T. and GET REaL Task Force into the new Red Hat Women's Ministry Team. The motion was seconded and passed.

Motion: Mary Satterfield also moved that the board support the "Leading Boldly" portion of the Leadership Training workshops be conducted by the Red Hat Women's Ministry Team. The motion was seconded and passed. Meeting dates for the leadership training workshops are yet to be determined.

Board members are assigned to represent the synodical board at the following Spring Assemblies:

Linda Tooman will prepare the display for our synodical women's group for the Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly to be held on May 16 & 17, 2003, in Bowling Green. She will check with Diane Kashmer about making pamphlets with information about our group. Mary Satterfield will look into something that can be handed out to members of the assembly as they visit our display. Wanda Straub, who in charge of our new synodical banner, will make sure that it will be in Bowling Green for our display.

The next board meeting will be held on May 31, 2003, at First Lutheran, Findlay. We will meet at 9:30 a.m. Please bring a sack lunch. Nancy Sander will provide the coffee.