Where Are We Going?

Kris Finley, National Board President

Last October in Phoenix, Arizona, the National board of ELEA met for our annual board meeting and leadership retreat. It was at this meeting that we were guided in a review of the current conditions of ELEA, the contributing factors surrounding those conditions and the desired future outcomes, as well as strategies for getting there. All very lofty intentions, right? Well, it would seem so if nothing else was done and we as a board never revisited these goals.

It is our best intention not to lose sight of these goals as other organizations sometimes do. We are sharing them with our constituents so you can better understand the direction ELEA is going and to help support the organization where you happen to be in ministry.

The three areas of focus are: Networks, Funding and Board.

Networks:

Desired Future Outcomes

1. Want ALL ELCA schools to be active in ownership and part of network activities
2. Expand leadership base at the network level
3. Better and more effective use of technology for communication and training
4. Need to organize locally to say what is needed from National – ownership of network is local
5. Consistency in how networks are funded

6. Every network is active with at least one event per year where ALL are invited (could be principal/director/pastor board events (connection through other events, agencies, synods)

Strategies

1. Making sure every network has a plan for funding
2. Want ALL schools and centers active and owning networks
3. Expand leadership base
4. Effective use of technology
5. Network is active – holding at least one event per year, has relationships with synods and other Lutheran agencies or other agency hook-up;

Funding:

Desired Future Outcomes

1. Additional staff and additional income for programming at the National office
2. More than one national board meeting per year
3. Marketing plan for ELEA and for individual schools
4. More streams of income
5. Funding from Thrivent allowing exciting programs
6. Building reserve and special funds

Strategies

1. Develop policies on endorsements and advertising;
2. Develop policies on mailing lists;
3. Develop at least three new streams of income
4. Develop marketing plan:
   Of Lutheran Schools 
   Of ELEA
5. Building Reserves & Special Funds:
   Recommend to cover designated funds and balance the budget first
   Then percentage of come to go to Reserve
6. Distribute Financial Quarterly Reports to Board

Board:

Desired Future Outcomes

1. Increase level of services to individual schools – i.e., national convention, resources, paid staff
2. Review structure and board operation including mission and vision, board training and composition
3. Increase visibility and connections – teachers, churches, synods, colleges, seminaries
4. Closer work between ELCA Schools and Early Childhood Ministries and ELEA

Strategies

1. Annual meeting and training of the National Board – all active networks may send representatives
2. Executive Committee be the actual working board – meets an additional face to face time – at least two times per year
3. Clearer definition of board responsibilities
4. Board reviews the association’s mission statement annually
5. Committees can invite experts from outside of the board
6. Understand unique networks that function differently—Lutheran Schools Association of New York (LSA) and Lutheran Schools of Southern California & Hawaii (LSSCH)

Now that you have a broader understanding of where we are going in the next few years, we would welcome your thoughts, ideas and input on how you might help us implement these strategies. The strength of our association continues to lie in the partnerships we form with one another as we work toward our goal of serving children through our Lutheran schools and centers.

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