President Pam Kane called to order the executive council meeting at 9:05 A.M.

1. Roll call: Vice-president Gregory Desrosiers, Treasurer John Krause, Secretary Jennifer Bonura, Pastoral Advisor Mark Seeger, Host Chairperson Jeff Padon.

2. Necrology: Diane Francisco listed names of the deceased ILDA members. It was requested that Pastor Mark Seeger pray for the deceased ones' families for comfort.

3. Opening Devotion: Pastor Mark Seeger guided an opening prayer and introduced a devotion in the name of Holy Spirit.

4. President's Report:
President Pam Kane commented how speedily time flies to serve her presidential term for four straight years but her throat cancer went though the eight weeks of radiation treatment and two weeks of chemotherapy. However, she was gradually recovered while she cannot eat regular food. She cautioned that it takes time to improve. She listed items on her report follows as:

a. She received an official letter from Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ohio for bidding host in 2013. However, she talked with the host representatives to see whether or not they would be willing to host in 2011 since no host-bid church is available for 2011. So, 2013 for hosting is still open. Additionally, she called Pastor John Reinke to talk with the LCMS officials to find out if we could use the convention at Crown Plaza Hotel in St. Louis in the future. She forewarned that ILDA board take over this convention without fund raising drives despite of high cost of meeting rooms. Fortunately, in the past, the host cities came forward to offer to host. The next host should be encouraged to be held in the central region or the far west region of the United States.

b. She was confronted with the problem of the past ILDA Treasurer Jim Spichen who turned over the treasury book to the present Treasurer John Krause over a long time of holding. It was found out that there is a shortage of funds, but it was agreed to let John Krause comment his report later.

c. She raised a big concern about the fundraiser called Scratch N' Help with the board. The purpose of the fundraiser is to spend the costs of holding the board meetings in the future. Unfortunately, we only raised a few hundred dollars as not everyone was helpful. It was explained that we would have done with full support, so we might have a profit of twelve thousand dollars. There was a stigma that every regional president who got seventeen books apiece would have divided these books to each church by more than three books. She asked, "What happened?" However, the Board of Directors had to pay for these airfare and registration expenses on their own to the ILDA convention. There was another concern about God's 1000 Club Membership due to lack of participation and of contribution. It was agreed that the board needs to discuss how God's 1000 Club Membership is improved to raise funds to help defray the board member's expenses.

d. Concerning a couple of Bylaws that need to change, unfortunately, these changes were not printed in the Deaf Lutheran in ninety days before the convention is resumed. So, we cannot do anything related to the Bylaws for this year convention. The Bylaws needed a revision on the past president who is unable to attend to the convention as a nominating chairperson, so who would be a replacement, either past secretary or treasurer? Another Bylaws revision was on the membership due on the card reading September biannually, so September needs to be revised to June because the convention date is stood when it has to be paid before the convention.

e. No new business report was submitted to the Deaf Lutheran newsletter before ninety days before the convention starts.

f. Erika Sipchen, Mission Project Chairperson resigned effective on June 8, 2007 due to her personal reason.

g. Finally, President Kane asked the board to pray frequently for the newly elected officers and Mission Project goals, the host committee of Baltimore convention. Members arrived here safely as well as workshop presenters. Most importantly, we prayed for the soldiers serving overseas in Iraq. The 2007 host convention went smoothly at the beginning.

5. President-elect's Report:

a. Gregory Desrosiers' report was similar to President Kane's report. However, he did not receive any emails because of his incorrect email address. His correct email address is gdesrosiers1@shaw.ca.

b. Larry Gorton, nominating chairman from Spokane, Washington sent his report to Gregory Desrosiers. These nominated names as of printed are Pam Kane, Diane Francisco, and John Manson for President-elect position. Jennifer Bonura and John Krause are nominated as secretary and treasurer respectively for the second term. Pastor Matthew Nix is interested in running as pastoral advisor. Larry Gorton would like to see more names for open positions during the convention.

c. Deaf Institute of Theology (DIT) is successful in the United States of America, but it has been not successful in Canada due to the scholarship difficulties from the American institutions to Canada.

d. The John Beverly Award, President Pam Kane mentioned earlier, has been passed around to the preceded presidents and it should have been placed in the museum in St. Louis Seminary.

6. Secretary's Report:
Jennifer Bonura mentioned that it was with an honor to be a secretary.

7. Treasurer's Report:

a. Received treasurer's report last June 8 audited by two members of his home church named Ron Aspnes (church treasurer) and Janet Gehlach. They will be here for the convention, so please feel free to ask them for details or concerns. John Krause photocopied 200 pages of report that would be sufficient for the ILDA's meeting. The auditors located some discrepancies in Mission Project funds and suggested that we, ILDA Board take action on that.

b. John Krause admitted that it was difficult to reach Jim and Erika Sipchen several times about the Mission Project funds. They did not reply at all. The board will take action to resolve matters with the Sipchens.

c. Regarding Scratch N' Help Fund, it was unfortunate to note that there is no successful profit from the fundraising project. However, we got only a sum of $263.57. It is recommended to discontinue that project due to lot of work with creating small profit.

d. Since there is a large amount of ILDA Mission Project fund being left out in the bank, John Krause wondered whether or not it implements a new six-month certificate, which we may get an extra profit of interest. If so, it should be placed into God's 1000 Club. It was agreed that the suggestion was invested, so we ended up by earning $1,297.82. It was a big assistance to God's 1000 Club.

e. Unexpectedly, Erika Sipchen's sudden resignation as Mission Project chairperson was announced. John advised that funds be divided among three different places, but it was decided to have the funds on hold until the problem is solved first. Charles Kotal, Pastor Matthew Nix and Pastor John Reinke asked for the funds from the Mission Project for the missionary work purpose but the priority was to solve the issues in the Mission Project.

f. Lester Ahls' and Elmer Francisco's receipts were not located by Jim Sipchen but Elmer let it go but Lester's is still pending.

8. Pastoral Advisor's Report:

a. Rev. Mark Seeger presented his report regarding Ministry Youth Servant trip and National Deaf Teen Ministry symposium. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet a number of deaf teen ministries from around the country and learn skills and techniques for developing teen deaf ministries in area where you do not think it is possible. Mark Seeger received DVD including deaf actor with the use of American Sign Language, minus voice and captions. There were DVD songs from Deaf Teen Ministry symposium, One of these DVDs called "You are holy" "Need you, ME ME ME" The website is Deafmusic@dtquest.org and www.dtquest.org.

b. Rev. Seeger showed Jennifer Ceyanes' clips called Lessons Development Projects with simple American Sign Language, so these projects let the children sign by themselves with the bible stories from the Old and New Testaments. Even with the fund from the Stinger Trust in the amount of $12,000 will go to Jennifer's project with an additional aid of $10,000 from the Mill Neck Foundation. It was an excellent deal as well as Jennifer was a fantastic teacher with the children.

9. Deaf Lutheran Editor's Report:
David Brown explained that subscription mailing is still declining from 580 to 506 in two years. The main reason could be a reduction of deaf subscribers due to the death of long time senior citizens and more readers might be engaged to free accessibility to the Internet to read the past newsletters. Those newsletters are delayed from nine to twelve months in order to keep our fees floating. It was added that the editor and printer need fees to defray postage and printing expenses. Each newsletter cost remains at ten dollars yearly as the rate has not increased since the beginning year of 2003 (four and an half years) Inevitably, postage costs continue to raise as there are two postage rate increases since that. As of December 1, 2006, account balance has reached a dangerous low balance of $868.54. but on May, 2007 at the end balance, it increased to $3,244.64.

10. Deaf Lutheran Business Manger Report:
Larry Ginter admitted that he continued to enjoy working with David Brown in a capacity of Deaf Lutheran business. He will submit his letter of resignation to Secretary Jennifer Bonura after ILDA 2009 Convention. It will be twelve years that he has been with the Deaf Lutheran staff with his one-year absence.

11. 2005 ILDA Convention Host Report:
Linda Desrosiers chaired the 18th Convention that was hosted by the Trinity Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Vancouver, B.C. on August 4-7, 2005 at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Hotel in Burnaby, British Columbia. It made history because it was the first ILDA convention held outside of the United States with the theme of the convention, "Let Us Praise the Lord from the Mountaintops" from Isaiah 42:11-12. There were highlights for the 2005 ILDA Convention as follows: seven workshops, a new tour option for a community service with "hand-on" helping activities along with a tour at a local food bank after a spiritual workshop, Christian and Native entertainment and shorter business meetings. There were five youngsters who participated in Jr.ILDA program including making memory boxes, swimming, touring in Vancouver, and participation at the Surrey Food Bank. There was a wonderful team of hard-working committee members with fun-filled attitude with their faithful commitment and strong teamwork in Christian Fashion and preparing the convention successfully. The following outcome of this convention is: 188 people registered; 151 for Tuesday Breakfast; 147 for Thursday Breakfast; 166 for Friday Breakfast and Break; 159 for Friday Reception and Saturday Breakfast and two breaks; 28 for God's 1000 Club Luncheon; 194 for Saturday Night Banquet and 166 for Sunday Breakfast. It broke evenly with a total block of 240 rooms. There were many positive factors that contributed to our successful convention: excellent weather, excellent hospitality in Vancouver Metro town Hotel, excellent food, great entertainment, excellent Lutheran history and Deaf mission-oriented workshop presentations, excellent mission opportunities shared and presented to us from Ghana and India and excellent communication among the 2005 conventioneers. Before the convention, we made a few tough decisions due to financial issues such as dropping real-time captioning, reducing the honorariums and cancellation of a youth program scheduled for the full week for Jr.ILDA aged 13-21. Also, there was another cost defraying traveling expenses for Rev. David Christudoss from India as the keynote speaker. With much relief, the 90% or more of the total revenue room block met our hotel agreement contract in order to pay $4,000 instead of $13,850 for meeting room rental. It was found that $5,577.61 in Canadian fund after all of the expenses were paid, split into three donations to 2007 ILDA Baltimore $2,250.00 USD ($2,623.95 CAD), to ILDA Missions $1,250.00 USD ($1,457.75 CAD), and to Deaf Ministry Endowment Fund in Canada (1,457.91 CAD). And the host applied for a self-government refund of GST (Goods Service Tax) only in Canada, paid $3,765.46 but got only a refund of $1,882.73. So, that refund went into US dollar at $1,616.07 to ILDA Treasury.

12. 2009 ILDA Host Convention Report:
Jo Anna Rushton is the chairperson of that 2009 host convention in Rochester, New York. The theme will be "Set Your Minds on Things Above" from Colossians 3:2 on July 23-26, 2009. The hotel will be located at RIT INN and each room costs $99 per night. Brochure will be sent out onto the table for distribution. Tour arrangements have been unfinished but the committee has been working in search of selective local tours.

13. Deaf Mission Report:
Pastor John Reinke emphasized that prayer is always important to start first. He stressed that as for Deaf Pah, there were 162 students at the various levels of study and other two students at Deaf Institute of Theology (DIT); 6 more people applied in February and some from Canada. The new establishment called Deaf L.I.T.E.S. that is a training center for a combination of deaf and hearing volunteers in Deaf Mission. As Alan Rork was mentioned earlier, he will be the first student in the DIT program after his background was revealed since he was interested in DIT with Pastor Dennis Konkel in a capacity of a lay reader. There was an inspiring story about Alan who went to his friend's place with his wife, Diana for Christmas party. Somehow, God tapped Alan's shoulder before he signed out about the Nicene Creed in front of his twenty friends. However, some women tore their eyes, so they signed the song together. As a result, they asked him how he learned about God. He offered to establish the Bible Study at their local church. Next day he told Pastor Munz and Pastor Konkel (formerly vicar) about his friends who want to start the bible study. That's how he admitted into DIT. Praise the Lord!

14. Scholarship Committee Chairperson:
Deacon Charlie Kotal explained those two years ago in Vancouver, B.C. during the board of director meeting he requested that the members and the law committee to review the ILDA handbook under the Article XXII: Scholarship. There are some changes that need to be made since a few years ago we had DIT where deaf Lutheran members can be trained to become pastors, deacons, deaconesses and DCE. They could be qualified to receive the scholarship. According to DIT policy, manual dated back to August 2003 for Pastoral Ministry level, each DIT course costs $1000 at Concordia Seminary. It recommends that the district develop a partnership between the student and his congregation to cover the costs of education; tuition, books, travel, lodging and board. There are a total of fifteen courses for those studying to become pastor or vicar. There was no action taken place at the board meeting that was held last year. And Pastor Reinke is the Director of DIT; he did not think there are any costs for the vicarage program that should be paid by DIT at no extra costs. It is only the local congregation time to support the worker. So, there should be no reason to ask for funds. They are just for the regular class costs. There are just four names following: Vicar Alan Rork from Anderson, Indiana, Vicar Larry Larson from St. Louis, Missouri, Deaconess Pat Monroe from Council Bluffs, Iowa and Debbie Larson who studies to be a deaconess.

15. Central Region President's Report:
Janice Mancill gave her report following: The 2006 CR-ILDA Conference was held in Crystal Lake, Illinois by Holy Cross Lutheran Church of the Deaf. Pastor Jerry Munz announced that he will retire on July 31, 2007 and plans to move to Florida. Both Pastors Palmer and Reinke are still going to Ghana and India annually like they did in the past. Also, Pastor Reinke was appointed to be a director of DIT in St. Louis Concordia Seminary.

16. Great Lake Region President's Report:
Jo Anna Rushton replaced Brian Grabler as a representative since Brian regretted for not being able to attend. The next host, Columbus, Ohio started to have servant trips for teenagers on July 16-20 to several houses to do some fix-ups; children will go to King's Island and will go to Deaf Nursing Home to help anything. Columbus will host ILDA in 2011 unless nobody wants to host. Holy Cross Deaf Lutheran Church approved to host 2011. There is still an annual Men's retreat in Pioneer Camp, Rochester, New York.

17. Eastern Region President's Report:
Wayne Borngesser gave his report: He shared about the events at St. Matthew Lutheran Church for the Deaf, New Jersey. The church celebrated the 5th year with the hearing church at the invitation of special guest Rev. Bill Wrede.

18. Midwest Region President's Report:
Ron Nester presented his report. It was explained that 2006 Midwest ILDA Region conference was held by the Word of God Church for the Deaf, Cedar Rapids, Iowa at Camp lo-Dis-E-Ca in Solon, Iowa on July 28-30. Its theme was "Bountiful Harvest" (Matthew 13:23). As Rev. Matthew Nix from South Dakota, Rev. Dennis Konkel, Rev. Mark Anderson and Rev. Tim Eckert in Iowa, and Rev. Darrel Gehlach in Minnesota are present, there are no other pastors in Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri and Kansas. The next conference will be held in Iowa on October 19-21, 2007 with special speaker, Pastor John Reinke from Madison, Wisconsin.

19. Dixie Region President's Report:
Martha Malone presented her report. Unfortunately, there was no regional conference because of lack of contacts among all churches. There is no pastor in Memphis, Tennessee and Pastor Robert Case still works as a part time pastor at John of Beverly Chapel in Dallas, Texas. There are only two active churches in the area. Rev. Mark Seeger leads Jesus Lutheran Church for the Deaf in Austin, Texas with 200 children in educational programs from ages 3 to 20. Every child who came was given a t-shirt reading "These are My Church Clothes" on the front and "Come as you are to Jesus Deaf Church" on the back. It was great to see so many children at Texas School for the Deaf wearing those shirts. God blessed with over 80 children at their last Vacation Bible Summer (VBS) but there were 30 more than they expected! Holy Three in One Lutheran Church for the Deaf in Houston, Texas (Rev. Larry Leider) is still a blessing in many ways. Even though the Texas District has discontinued supporting Deaf Ministry in Texas, we still continue to praise and worship our Lord in regular worship services with the sacrament of Holy Communion twice a month. Pastor Larry Leider had to go back to work full time in his family's business but the members have stepped in and taken up more of the responsibilities for the work of the church.

20. Pacific Region President's Report:
Lee Ann Kotal presented her report following: She commented that Pilgrim Lutheran Church of the Deaf goes on steady despites of its ups and downs. Deacon Charles Kotal has reached his fifth year serving as deacon last May 15 and would continue his work for a few more years if his health permits and God's will. There were other ASL interpreted church services in Burbank, Carpenteria and San Diego. In Fremont, CA Rev. Roy Dahmann still continues his preaching at Memorial Lutheran Church for the Deaf as well as another church in Sacramento. His wife Becky has worked as Church worker and recently had a heart surgery. She is now improving and doing well. Pacific Region of ILDA conference was held in Carpenteria last October. There is still the Rev. Don Leber Deaf Youth camp, which will be held on August 12-17, 2007. It had about 80 campers last year.

21. Mission Project Proposal:
As ILDA needs to organize mission money better, there was a series of discussion to prioritize projects and pay each project fully as the donations come in or all donations are kept until the end of the second year mission project period and then divide it evenly by percentage, so each project gets a fair percentage. If more donations come in, it is necessary to meet all mission goals and finally the extra donations will be accounted into the next two-year period. Now we agree to prioritize the list as follows:

1. Christian/Bible Lessons for Deaf Children - $7,000.00
2. DIT (training materials) - $6,000.00
3. Africa Leadership training - $6,000.00
4. Rev. Leber's Deaf Camp - $3,000.00
5. Youth Service Project - $7,000.00
6. Starfish Deaf Learning Center - $5,000.00
7. India Leadership Training - $6,000.00
Total Mission Project Goal - $40,000.00

22. Resolution Committee: 2007 resolutions were carried.

Resolution 07-01 ­ 2009 ILDA Convention
Where the International Lutheran Deaf Association convention will be held during the biennial year
And
Whereas the next 20th biennial convention will be hosted by the Alpha Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Rochester, New York
And
Where as the Alpha Lutheran Church of the Deaf would like to recognize Don and Ruth Peterson for artwork and advertising printed on the back cover of the program.
Be it resolved that the ILDA and the Alpha Lutheran Church of the Deaf to show our appreciation with much thanks for their dedicated service for ILDA.
It was moved to adoption by Alpha Lutheran Church of the Deaf and Deacon John Rushton.

Resolution 07-02 ­ President Pamela Kane
Whereas President Pamela Kane has served two terms for the ILDA presidency
And
Whereas President Pamela Kane is so dedicated to our Lord Jesus Christ for her dedicated service and appreciation
Be it resolved that the ILDA give President Pamela Kane a standing ovation.
Clapping, clapping, clapping, hand waves.

Resolution 07-03 ­ 2007 ILDA Convention Committee
Whereas the 2007 Convention, held in Baltimore, Maryland
And
Whereas it was hosted by Christ Lutheran Church of the Deaf
Be it resolved that the ILDA recognize with sincere appreciation of dedicated service to the convention committee for their hard work and planning this convention
And be it resolved that the ILDA give them a standing ovation to show our thanks.

22. Unfinished Business: None

23. New Business:

a. Martha Malone moved that The Deaf Lutheran raise dues from $10.00 to $15.00 annually effective December. Ron Nester seconded. It was carried.

b. Pastor Charles Kotal moved that the scholarship for Pat Monroe, Alan Rork, Debbie Larson and Mark Larson to get $2,000 each. David Brown seconded. It was carried.

c. John Krause moved that free ILDA logo pins and God's 1000 Club be distributed to the members. Wayne Borngesser seconded. It was carried.

Wayne Borngesser moved to close new business. Gregory Desrosiers seconded. It was carried.

24. Closing Prayer: Pastor Mark Seeger led the prayer to close the board meeting.

Respectfully submitted by,
Jennifer Bonura
ILDA Secretary