Saturday, June 26
1. Warmest welcome and greetings from President Dennis Konkel

2. Introduction of the 1997-1999 Executive officers & 7 regional presidents/representatives.

3. Necrology: Mae Madding gave a list of ILDA members who have passed away since the last convention. Plus additional names from the audience.

4. Open prayer by the Rev. Don Leber

5. President called the meeting to order at 9:03 am.

6. Approval for adoption of the agenda:

a. Elmer Francisco as Parliamentarian
b. Winona Alter as Assistant to Secretary
c. Gerald Ahrens as Head Teller. He introduced his two assistants: Jeff Padon and William Zimmerman
d. Judy Pyles as coordinator of 15 interpreters during the weekend

Note: President asked the Rev. Rodney R. Rynearson, Secretary and Counselor for Deaf and Blind Ministry to come forward to introduce Glenn Thomas from Concordia Seminary.

7. Resolution Committee: Chair Charles Kotal introducing his committee members: Lester Ahls and Ronald Madding.

8. Nominating Committee: Chair Larry Gorton introducing his committee members: Ron Madding, Lester Ahls, Charles Kotal, and Elmer Francisco (all past presidents).
Larry introduced only 3 candidates and one from the floor. He felt we need time to recruit more members for election. (See No.17)

9. Minutes from 1997 ILDA convention: Approved

10. Treasurer's Report:
3 accounts: $9,249.11 for ILDA (membership dues, donations, God's 1000 dues); 17,854.46 (convocation, DIT, endowment, LCEF, ILDA JR, interests and savings) and $39,047.30 for Mission projects. A total of $66,150.87.

11. President's Report:
Acknowledged selfless work of his board and committee. Must not forget our past leaders for what ILDA is of today. E-mail should be an effective communication tool for all in near future. Pleased that the Peace Lutheran Church for the Deaf agreed to take over the last minute. ILDA will help with expenses when needed.

12. Pastoral Advisor's Report:
The Rev. Don Leber felt it is very important for pastoral advisor to have his regular article in DEAF LUTHERAN. Something that has not been done in the past. Encouraged ILDA members to join ILDA's God's 1,000 club so that we can support work of our officers, board and committee members. Asked us to pray for RRR and his successor as well as for all our pastors who work with the deaf.

13. Synodical Representative's Report:
RRR updated us on the status of pastors now working full time or part time with the deaf in the USA and other countries. Deaf churches now have ten vacancies for preacher and his office hopes to see 70 deaf workers involved in DIT. Told about his plan to raise funds for DIT when retiring next year.

Break 15 minutes

14. The Deaf Lutheran Reports:
Both editor David Brown and business manager, Larry Ginter told of their plan to seek grant for upgrading their publication. Now have balance of $2,650.65 and 800 subscribers.

15. The Finance Committee Report:
Karen Beiter presented the new 1999-2001 ILDA Budget. $19,300 for income and expenses.
Glenda Haefer moved to accept the budget as proposed. Carried.

16. The Law Committee Report:
Chair Richard Norton has worked closely with Sandi Green, RRR's secretary for updating the ILDA Handbook. The Board has recommended to raise dues to 20 dollars per two years. He has worked on the Endowment Fund and will form a task force.
Allen Rich moved to accept the board's recommendation to raise from 10 dollars to 20 dollars per two years. Carried.

17. Election of Officers:
Nominating Chair, Larry Gorton surprised us with additional names now interested to run for the office. The result of the election of officers for 1999-2001:

President-elect: James Swalley
Secretary: Tim Johnston
Treasurer: Karen Beiter (reelected)
Pastoral Advisor: the Rev. Mark Anderson

Lunch Break 11:50 am to 3:30 pm

18. ILDA Mission Projects:
1997-1999 ILDA Mission Projects: Pamela Kane announced that we met the goal of 50,000 after Barbara Lanman of the Mill Neck Foundation presented a check for $15,000 to be used for the completion of the training center in Hosur.
Pam reported that the board has approved of the budget for 1999-2001 which is $55,000.
Note: Jennifer Knaack came forward to talk about her experience in Macau for nine months and will return for 6 or 7 months of mission work. The school where she worked has 43 deaf students and there are also other children with disabilities At that time, ILDA presented 1,000 for her project.

19. ILDA Committee Reports:
ILDA Historian:
Mae Madding reminded members to identify pictures when sending them to her.
1997 ILDA Convention Chairperson:
Sharon Schwarz finally closed her book on the report. She wanted to thank ILDA for supporting her. She said she will miss working with the board. A job well done!
1997 JR ILDA Chairperson:
Sharon Schwarz said the group had 17 teenagers (ll to 18 years old) and 11 children -- (8 from 6 to 10 and 3 from 1 to 5 years old. )
Scholarship Committee:
Charles Kotal informed that the board has approved to give $750 dollars to four candidates: Dennis Konkel, Bill Wrede, Albert Oren and Paul Kinner.
God's 1000 Club Chairperson Report:
Mary Tingler had arranged a luncheon for members.
ILDA Video Publicity Report:
Alice L. Hagemeyer had James DeBee come to Cleveland during the board meeting to tape Linda Desrosiers as a narrator.
Host Convention Guideline Chairperson:
Ronald Madding announced about the new IlDA handbook.

20. ILDA Convention Bids:
2005
Linda Desrosiers of the Trinity Lutheran Church for the Deaf announced its bid for hosting the ILDA 18th Biennial Convention in 2005. The only church to bid.
Gerald Ahrens moved to accept the Trinity Lutheran Church for the Deaf to be the 20005 host. Carried.

21. Resolution Committee:
1999 Resolutions. All carried.

Resolution 99-01 Convention Costs
Whereas our conventions are getting more and more expensive each year, and
Whereas the 1983 Convention resolved to encourage future conventions to seek more reasonably priced facilities for our conventions as per a plea by Archie Marshall and,
Whereas the high costs prevent many deaf Lutherans away from attending, be it
Resolved that we seek less expensive meeting places in the future.

Resolution 99-02 ILDA President Dennis Konkel
Whereas: Dennis Konkel has been President for two years, and
Whereas, our Lord answered his prayer that he might aspire to the office the Holy ministry as he continues his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and
Whereas, Dennis will begin his vicarage in August in Indianapolis, Indiana, be it
Resolved, we give Dennis Konkel a standing ovation to show our gratitude
of thanks and a sincere wonderful service he has given to us, and be it further
Resolved that we pray to our Lord Jesus Christ to give him many more
blessings to his future ministry to the deaf.

Resolution 99-03 ILDA Secretary Alice L. Hagemeyer
Whereas: Alice L. Hagemeyer has been secretary for four years, therefore be it
Resolved, that we extend to Alice a standing vote of appreciation for her
dedication and unselfish devotion to her duties as secretary.

Resolution 99-04 ILDA Pastor Advisor Rev. Don Leber
Whereas, Rev. Don Leber has been Pastor Advisor for four years, Therefore be ot
Resolved, that we extend to Rev. Leber a standing ovation to show our
appreciation of thanks and a sincere wonderful service he has given to us and be it further
Resolved, that our Lord Jesus Christ give him many more blessings.

Resolution 99-05 1999 Convention Committee
Whereas, the 1999 Convention, held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Cleveland,
was very successful , and
Whereas, the Rev. Gary Lawson and his congregation of Christ Lutheran
Church of the Deaf have worked hard for 4 years to make this convention
truly successful, and
Whereas, the Convention Chairperson, Pam Kane and here committee worked
so well as a team and
Whereas. The Holiday Inn Hotel Management and staff who worked with the
committee to ensure that all the convention's needs were met, therefore be it resolved that the delegates and visitors give a standing ovation of thanks to Pastor Lawson, Pam Kane, and the convention committee for their hard work, and be it further
Resolved, that our ILDA Secretary write a letter of thanks to Christ Lutheran Church of the Deaf and the Holiday Inn Hotel Management and staff.

Resolution 99-06 Rev. Dr. Rodney R. Rynearson
Whereas Rev. Rynearson has served 40 continuous years in deaf ministry and
Whereas Rev. Rynearson has also served eight years as Chairman of the
Ephphatha conference and
Whereas He has also served 13 years as counselor for Deaf Mission of the
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and
Whereas He proposed the name "ILDA" to our organization and,
Whereas Rev. Rynearson has served as synodical representative of deaf ministry for the ILDA Executive Council and the Board of Directors and,
Whereas He will officially retire on May 31, 2000 so be it
Resolved that we give Rev. Rynearson a standing ovation to show our
gratitude and appreciation for his sincere and wonderful service that he
has given to us, and be it further
Resolved that we wish Rev. Rynearson an enjoyable retirement and may our
Lord Jesus Christ give him many more blessings.

Resolution 99-07 Deaf Institute of Theology
Whereas our dream has finally been realized that we have lay leadership
training to all members of the LCMS churches to become better leaders in
ministry, and
Whereas Rev. Rynearson and the Board of Mission have worked hard to
create this program, and
Whereas the Deaf Institute of Theology began in March 1999,
Therefore be it
Resolved that our ILDA Secretary write a letter of thanks to Rev.
Rynearson and the Board of Missions.

Resolution 99-8 Convention Interpreter
Whereas, the Interpreter, script writer and other committee people have
provided excellent service during our convention proceedings, and
Whereas, it is our desire to provide even more efficient service during
our convention, Be it
Resolved, that we encourage all reports, script writing and those for
necrology to be sent in at least two weeks before the opening of the
convention.

22. Unfinished business:
None

23. New business:

a. Mary Tingler moved that ILDA have a new banner. Carried.
b. Martha Malone moved that ILDA allow women become president of ILDA. Referred to the board.
c. Lester Ahls moved that ILDA raises dues to $20 annually. Failed.
d. RRR moved that ILDA be a partner of Deaf Institute of Theology. Carried.
e. Alice L. Hagemeyer moved that ILDA form a partnership with a public library site in the Chicago area, the birth site of the formation of ILDA and the first church services for the deaf. Carried.

24. 2001 ILDA Convention Host Announcements:
Winona Alter promises everyone will enjoy the convention. See you all in 2001!!!

25. Closing prayer by the Rev. Don Leber

26. Adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Submitted by Alice L. Hagemeyer, Secretary