Members present:  Myron Bacon, Jennifer Ehle, Jerry Neath, Rick Waldschmidt, Jean Hanson and Mark Hanson,

1. Possible grant discussion with Rick Waldschmidt

a. Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) and Lutheran Brotherhood Now Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

1)   Sells all kinds of different insurance and investment; a non-profit agency: gave away $280 million in 2003.

2)   Thrivent has opportunities for funding in groups like "Helping Hands" or "Care and Community"

3)   Requires six Thrivent customers to be involved in the project...people who own life insurance, investments with AAL and Lutheran Brotherhood

4)    Steve Shultz, major fellow with Thrivent:"Bottom line, the Rutland Church and Cemetery would qualify as Regional Field Office project."  But available money may be limited to Lutheran projects in 2005.   Reasons why Steve we can be optimistic:

a) Because this restoration is not necessarily Methodist.

b) Thrivent Care and Community funding is non-denominational.

c) And it could be Rick's project alone.

5)   Habitat for Humanity has approached them also, so we have some competition.  Rick thinks they will get $20,000 for a home in Brooklyn.

6)   Rick says they might let the Rutland Church be his project.

b. What we need to do.

1)   Rick will look for six Lutherans on the Rutland list.

2)   Must sit tight until Thrivent decides how much money it will have available for projects.

2. Promotional Activities recently

Myron placed posters and brochures at Dorn, Bills, Library, Senior Center, Waterfall, Brouxnellies and Family Restaurant.

3. Program Ideas:

a.   Go to Senior Center and offer a program about the church and cemetery.

b.   Send news letter/progress report and brochure with tax bills.

4. Fund Raising Activity at Bills Food Center September 4th

a.   Some concern about how much money this project would produce.  Mark provided numbers about what various food items could cost and how much they might yield in a sale.

b.   Time of the month issue:  Labor Day may not be a good time.  We're thinking that the 18th of Sept. would be better.

c.   Might be better to set up at a soccer contest.

d.   May be licensing issues.

e.   Conclusion: we will not sell food during the Labor Day weekend.  There are better ways to raise money.

5. Historical Society for the Town of Rutland.

a.   Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission requires that we be a historical society or museum in order to be eligible for funding.   Community based cultural organizations interested in history might be eligible.

b.   Mike Bacon had long conversation with Tom McKay about forming a historical society in Rutland.   He is willing to come to our next meeting to talk about it.   He will be here on the Sept. 16.   Mike also will have invited someone from the Board to be here too.

6. Information Sharing: Oct. 2 with Oct. 3 with rain date.

a.   Jennifer will do press release and notify local historical and geneological society folks.

b.   Have event from 1:00 to 4:00 with a presentation by Gerald Neath at 1:30

c.   Myron will take memberships

d.   Poster: Mark will use his photos

e.   Tent: Mark

f.   Arlan Kay: Jean will call to see if he has anything ready.

g.   Refreshments: hot cider (Jennifer), hot chocolate (Mark and Jean) and coffee.

h.   Coffee pots: need someone to supply them

i.   Mike will arrange for tables and chairs from town hall.

j.   Mark and Jean will bring generator to plug in the coffee pots and heaters.

k.   Speakers: Invite the Runeys to be there to talk. Also Watterman family member, Joan Wethal, Joan Gefke, and Jack Murphy.

l.   Invite everyone who has made a donation.

7. Next meeting:

Sept. 16 at 3:00 at the Oregon Area Historical Society.