Report of the Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee for the 2011 Synod Assembly met by conference call and e-mail in the months prior to the synod assembly to nominate persons to be considered for election at this assembly to various positions as mandated by the synod constitution and by-laws. All nominations for the conference synod council positions were received from the respective conferences. The nominating committee secured candidates for the synod council lay-male at- large position and the synod council youth-male position. Some recommendations for these positions were made by conferences. The committee thanks conferences, conference Deans, and others who provided names of persons to consider for service in our synod. We are grateful to God for all who considered the opportunity to serve as nominees, and especially those who accepted the opportunity to be nominated. Special thanks to Janelle Bidne, Synod Coordinator of Communications for receiving the biographical nomination forms in preparation for the pre-assembly report; and to Pastor Paul Ostrem, synod staff advisor. Thanks, finally, to the following members of the committee: Synod Secretary, Cheryl Hollich. AIM Pastor Dick Dahle Shelley Witt-Gentile Pastor Dan Mixdorf Respectfully submitted, Pam Larabee-Zierath, AIM, Committee Chairperson
Synod Council - Conference 1 Lay Male (three-year term) Gerald Holtan Gilbert Lutheran Church, Gilbert Quality Team Sauer-Danfoss, Ames, IA (2004 to Present) Various Roles including Manager of Imported Products - Sauer-Danfoss, Ames, IA (1972 to 2004) Church, Long Range Planning Committee, past Council President Story County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, President Business Horizons at Gilbert Community, Team Leader First Call Theological Support Team Gilbert Community Schools, Long Range Planning Committee Enthusiastic member in vocal groups, bell choir, and book club. Passionate that church member s opinions are to be addressed in the Congregation and then carried forward to the Synod and Churchwide Body. Believe in the process that brings Social Statements to the ELCA. Able to lead or follow when appropriate. Synod Council - Conference 6 Lay Male (three-year term) Robert Beckman John Williams Robert Beckman St. Mark Lutheran Church, Davenport Retired but worked shorter hours till December 2010 Pharmacist/Dept. Head of Hy-Vee #1/#2, Davenport, IA (1986-2000) Pharmacist/Co-owner of Rockingham Drug Store, Davenport, IA (1968-1986) Pharmacist/Manager for Walgreen Drug Co. for Council Bluffs/Waterloo/ Davenport, IA (1961-1967) U.S. Army Medic, Recalled to U.S. Army Active Duty, 1960-1961 and served 1956-1959 Pharmacist/Manager for Walgreen Drug Co. (1959-1960) Taught Sunday School (3rd Grade and Older) and Confirmation, 1968-2008 Served 2 different terms on Church Council (once as President), 1970-2004 Served Christian Ed., Worship, Music, Constitution, Committees 1968-2010 Befriender through Hospital Chaplains office, 1995-1998 Parish visitation and communion volunteer, 1999-2011 1 Term on Illowa Lutheran Coalition Board, 1990 (aprox.) Co-chaperone high school work camp at Wind River Indian Reservation, 1999 Advisor/Teacher of Boy Scout God and Country Award, 2001-2002 Age, experience, and willingness to serve
John Williams Zion Lutheran Church, Davenport Assistant Professor, Plumbing Technology, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids (2005-current) Field Service Manager Moline Water Treatment Plant (2002-2005) Cross Connection Control Officer City of Iowa City (2001-2002) Professor Plumbing Apprenticeship Training Program Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Ottawa Canada (1987-2001) Zion Lutheran Church, Davenport (2007-current): member, church choir, contemporary ensemble, assist property committee, serve on 150th anniversary planning committee All Saints Lutheran Church, Davenport (2001-2007): active member, church choir, assist property committee Handel Oratorio Society Augustana College (2001-2005) Resurrection Lutheran Church, ELCIC (1986-2001): active member, 3 terms as congregational council member, church building committee I am an experienced teacher with excellent communication and organizational skills and an active church member who has served on congregational committees and councils throughout my adult life. I have a good knowledge of and appreciation for local congregational and synodical issues and concerns. Synod Council - Conference 7 Lay Female (three-year term) Lois Lembke Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Iowa City Human Resources Administrator and Research Administrator at Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Southeastern Iowa Synod Synod Council Finance Committee 2008 2011 Southeastern Iowa Synod Council Member 2008 2011 Planning Committee for 2008 Southeastern Iowa Synod Assembly Voting Member 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Observer 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly; Gloria Dei Lutheran: Stephen Minister, Church Council president, treasurer, mutual ministry chair, education committee, property management treasurer, fellowship committee, senior choir, altar guild Community: PTA vice-president; University Club, president and treasurer Craft Guild of Iowa City, president, treasurer, and other offices Qualifications Service on the Southeastern Iowa Synod Council and as a voting member of the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly has given me an understanding of the current issues facing our church. My skills include being a careful, caring listener, having an analytical mind and many years of administrative experience.
Synod Council - Conference 10 Clergy Pr. Dave Nerdig Faith Lutheran Church, Clive Faith Lutheran Church, Clive (2002 to Present) Bethesda Lutheran Church, Ames, IA (2002-1990) Zion Lutheran Church, Readlyn, IA (1990-1985) Zion Lutheran Church, West Union, IA (1985-1981) Service Beyond the Congregation Southeastern Iowa Synod Council, Reference and Council, Discipline Committee, Dean of Conference 10 Voting Member ELCA Church Wide Assembly President, Ames Ministerial Association President, Analysis of Social Services Evaluation, Ames West Des Moines Community School District Community Education Advisory Council Chaplain, Cub Master, Scout Master, Boy Scouts of America I have been in the Southeastern Iowa synod for over twenty years, serving Christ in a variety of positions and locations. I have been told that I am compassionate, collaborative, reflective and articulate. I have enjoyed serving on the synod council and would welcome the opportunity to continue to do so. Synod Council - Lay Male At Large (three-year term) Richard Beechum Godfrey Mwamsoyo Richard Beechum Peace Lutheran, Adel Retired West Des Moines Community School District/ Transportation Supervisor Ysleta School District/ El Paso, Texas/ Facilities/Teacher Church Council/Peace Lutheran Planning and Zoning/Dallas County, Iowa Church Council/Christ Lutheran Des Moines, Iowa Junior High Sunday School Teacher/Christ Lutheran DSM, IA Assist Pastor during services/christ Lutheran/Pastor Doug Holmgren I have worked with many different groups during my jobs with schools districts, members school boards and city councils, district superintendents/staff/principals, parents, and students. As a member of the Dallas County Planning and Zoning group I help make decisions concerning the development of roads, housing, schools etc.
Godfrey Mwamsoyo Faith Lutheran Church, Clive Currently Database Administrator for Dice Holdings Inc., Urbandale, IA Previously worked as Senior Application Developer for Cambridge Investments Research, Fairfield, IA Synod Council member for the last three years. Served as Church Council member for three years at First Lutheran Church in Fairfield, IA. Served as member of a committee involved with forming partnership between First Lutheran Church in Fairfield and Mamba parish of Pare Diocese. I m a native Swahili speaker. I may help to facilitate communication with our Synod partners in Pare Diocese, Tanzania when needed. Synod Council - Male Youth (two-year term) Anthony Howland Blaine Vandenberg Anthony Howland Zion Lutheran Church, Davenport Student at Davenport Central High School Family Youth Committee, Acolyte, Anniversary Committee, Usher, Soup Kitchen worker, Food pantry helper, Lector I have a strong willingness to serve as well as a strong and enthusiastic faith, five years of education in a Lutheran school. I am also willing to express my opinions. Blaine Vandenberg Gilbert Lutheran Church, Gilbert Student at Gilbert High School Held summer job at AgReliant I have served through Boy Scouts by installing siding on the Gilbert fire shed, re placing old lights at Gilbert Lutheran Church, and painting the youth room at Gilbert Lutheran Church. Last summer, went on church mission trip to South Dakota and I am going on another mission trip this summer to Kentucky. I have been known to speak my mind and question things. I enjoy hearing the opinion of others and letting others know what I think.