2016 Annual Report
Annual Meeting 2016
March 4th, 2017
10:00am
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
140 South Green Bay Road
Neenah, WI 54956
Crossways Lutheran Camping Ministries, Inc.
912 N. Oneida St., Appleton, WI 54911
Phone: 920-882-0023 Fax: 920-882-9474
www.crosswayscamps.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mission, Vision, and Values 2
Board of Directors and Year Round Staff 2
Crossways Fact Sheet 3
Strategic Planning Executive Summary 5
Agenda 6
2015 Annual Meeting Minutes (2-13-16) 7
Board of Directors President Report 9
Executive Directors Report 10
Imago Dei Village Report 12
Pine Lake Camp Report 13
Waypost Camp Report 14
Alumni Committee Report 15
Program Committee Report 16
Marketing Committee Report 17
Finance Committee Report 19
Endowment Committee Report 25
Development Committee Report 26
Property Committee Report 28
Board Nominees and Biographies 29
Summer Youth Campers History 31
Summer Family Campers History 32
Giving Report 33
Financial Support from Individual Donors 34
Financial Support from Congregations 36
Financial Support from Church Groups, Businesses and Foundations 39
Needs Lists 40
Board of Directors 2016
President – Donna Ginzl, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Plover – 2018
Vice President - Pastor Tim Malek, Bay View Lutheran, Sturgeon Bay – 2018
Treasurer – Louann Kalinowski, Prince of Peace, Appleton – 2018
Secretary – Brett Christensen, First English, Oshkosh – 2018
Laurie Wilkinson, St. Mark’s Lutheran, Neenah – 2017
Wendy Black, Grace, Tomahawk – 2018
Rev. Bruce Hanstedt, St. Paul Lutheran, Manitowoc – 2018
Todd Argall, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Madison – 2019
Gary Chriske, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Plover – 2019
Rev. Mike Dismer, Our Savior, Pulaski – 2019
Mary Gorges, First United Lutheran, Sheboygan – 2019
Ryan Panzer, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Madison - 2019
Beth Gissibl, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa – 2019*
Chris Madgwick, Redeemer Lutheran, Plymouth – 2018*
Pastor Jerry Wirtley, St. John’s, Little Suamico – 2018*
Patrick Kieper, First English Lutheran, Wausau – 2018*
*Resigned from the Board in 2016
Year Round Staff 2016
Appleton Administrative Office
Jake Czarnik-Neimeyer – Executive Director
Mary Miller – Business Manager (will retire in 2017)
Liz Locke – Registration and Communications Manager
Gloria Allhiser – Program and Outreach Director
On Site
Jessica Throlson, Camp Director – Imago Dei Village
Kelly Preboski, Camp Director – Pine Lake Camp
Adam Brandt, Camp Director – Waypost Camp
Becca Mortensen, Multi-Program Coordinator – Pine Lake Camp
Rich Novotny, Property Manager – Pine Lake Camp
CROSSWAYS FACT SHEET
Download the original attachment
· Crossways Camping Ministries partners with ELCA Lutheran congregations throughout the state of Wisconsin and beyond for the purpose of ministering with people of all ages. There are approximately 180 congregations who participate in programs at our three camps and/or offer financial support.
· In 2016, Crossways offered programs to over 1,500 youth at our three summer camps, 18 Day Camp programs in congregations, and over 300 youth and adults at Family and Grandparent Kid Camps. More than 2,000 people used the Crossways facilities throughout the year.
· Crossways and congregations are in partnership to live out our MISSION: “To bring people together in Christ so lives are changed and communities enhanced”.
How Crossways partners with Congregations:· Crossways owns and operates 3 camps and retreat facilities in Wisconsin: Imago Dei Village (7 miles east of Clintonville), Pine Lake Camp (10 miles southeast of Waupaca), and Waypost Camp (10 miles from Wittenberg and 25 miles southeast of Wausau.)
· Crossways provides programming for children, young people, families and adults of all ages to learn more about themselves, our God, our world, and our response to His love through lives of faithfulness.
· Crossways offers programs in the summer and programmed retreats in the fall, winter, and spring for youth, adults, and families as well as retreats for specialty groups such as youth workers, pastors, men, women, crafters, and more!
· Crossways teaches everyone about stewardship of life, creation, service to others, and being God’s hands in the world.
· Crossways hosts groups from congregations throughout the year, such as women’s, family, confirmation, quilting, crafting, men’s retreats and many more.
· Crossways provides a place for pastors for study, prayer, and reflection. Our program staff is ready to assist local congregational leadership in developing their own programs both on site and in their congregations. / How Congregations partner with Crossways:
· Congregations provide leadership for the camp through a Board of Directors and several committees, all of whom are elected from congregations who are a part of the Crossways association.
· Congregations partner with Crossways by encouraging young people and families to utilize the summer programs, and “second season” retreats/programs.
· Congregations provide volunteers for work days, special projects, office assistance, and distributing information.
· Congregations partner with Crossways by using the facilities for retreats and meetings.
· Congregations support this ministry when including Crossways as part of their ministry budget and regularly sending financial support.
· In 2016--101 congregations donated $200,394. In 2015--124 congregations donated $206,049 to the Annual Fund. We are very grateful for the support of our member congregations.
· Additional support is received from organizations within ELCA congregations as well (e.g. women’s and men’s groups)
· Crossways Camping Ministries is part of a nationwide association of outdoor ministries (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries) in the ELCA. Outdoor ministries provide a foundational impact on leading young men and women to hear the call of God to full time service as pastors, youth, and congregational leaders.
· Outdoor ministry is one of the best investments parents and congregations can make in their children and young people. Studies have shown that children who have Bible camp as part of their faith development are up to three times more likely to stay active in the life of the church throughout their lives than those who don’t. Children in families who go to family camp together or do Christ-based service projects as families are very likely to stay active as church leaders for the rest of their lives. While sports camps are good, Crossways and the camps of the church concentrate not on competition and being #1 but we confidently share the grace and acceptance of Jesus for each person no matter who they are or how the world sees them.
· Approximately 30% of each person’s real cost of using the camps and its programs is covered by the consistent support of congregations, organizations like WELCA, individuals who financially support Crossways, foundation grants and special fund raising events. Without this support, the normal weekly cost would be approximately $700. This means, that for each child who comes to camp and pays the full basic fee, another $265 per camper must be received from congregations, organizations, individual contributions and special appeals. This amount is over and above what a congregation may give the child to offset their individual costs.
· Crossways has welcomed international staff from South Africa each of the last 16 summers. These 36 young men and women have had a tremendous impact on the entire camp community and partnering congregations, as they have shared their stories and the story of their country, South Africa, and of their church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa. In 2015 we welcomed three South African staff through the ELCA International Camp Counselor Program.
· Campers learn about stewardship and sharing with others less fortunate than we. Each camper is offered the opportunity to donate a portion of their canteen account to serve the needs of others through a specific charitable program sponsored by Crossways each year.
· At Waypost Camp, the stewardship of creation focus included campers baking bread, a gardening project which produced many items for the salad bar by the middle of the summer, composting, garbology/recycling, collecting rain water in barrels from the runoff from many of the buildings at Waypost. All the camps taught about decreasing food waste and gardening projects.
· In 2012 Crossways and the ECSW Synod Global Mission Task Force jointly planned and sponsored the third Global Village Camp. It is an intergenerational, multi-cultural, international program. Approximately 120 people from every continent except Antarctica and Australia were present.
STRATEGIC PLANNING EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Executive Summary outlines the process that the Crossways Board of Directors and Staff used to develop a strategic plan, “Vision 2020,” for Crossways Camping Ministries.
· November 2015
The Board developed six strategic focus areas to consider over the next three years. Financial Development, Board Governance, Program, Facilities, Human Resources and External Relations were identified as focus areas.
· March 2016
Board members, staff, Crossways Committee members, and key stakeholders were surveyed and asked to prioritize the top three focuses that Crossways should address over the next 3 years. Financial Development, External Relations and Program emerged as the top three areas of priority.
· April 2016
Board members and staff developed initiatives and action plans to carry out Vision 2020.
· Next Steps
The executive director, executive committee and the board will assign the initiatives to standing committees or create new task forces to achieve the initiatives through completion of the action plans that were developed. They will also select leaders and potential committee members to carry out the action plans.
The strategic focuses and the initiatives that support the action plans are found below. The leadership that is chosen for these initiatives is a key to the successful completion of this plan.
CROSSWAYS VISION FOR 2020
Strategic Focuses Initiatives
Financial Development / · Expand target audiences (12/2018)· Hire a full time development director (1/2017)
· Increase utilization of camps (TBD)
External Relations / · Establish and maintain connecting/engaging relationships (9/2017)
Program / · Increase variety and quality for all ages (12/2017)
· Individual site specializations (5/2018)
· Focus on second season (TBD)
The two initiatives listed above as “TBD” are to be developed in the future after the initiatives with potential completion dates are completed.
ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
1. Welcome – Donna Ginzl, President of the Board
2. Devotions – Crossways Staff
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes from 2015 Annual Meeting
5. President’s Report – Donna Ginzl
6. Executive Director’s Report – Jake Czarnik-Neimeyer
7. Volunteer, Donor and Congregation Awards
8. Treasurer’s Report – Louann Kalinowski
9. Committee Reports
10. Site Reports
11. Report from Tim Knutson, Lutheran Planned Giving of WI
12. Old Business
13. New Business
a. Nominations and Elections
b. 2017 Budget
c. Election Results & Announcements
14. Meal Prayer
15. Lunch and Conversation
2015 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES (2-13-16)
1. 10:10am Welcome – Donna Ginzl, President of the Board
2. Devotions – Crossways Staff
a. Ways that Crossways has been imitators of Christ, ways that Crossways has brought people together in Christ.
3. Keynote Presentation – Bishop Gerald Mansholt, East Central Synod of WI
a. We are blessed by the gifts of God in this ministry
b. CCM is a workshop in Christian living as campers sing songs, ask silly questions, and practice imitating Christ.
4. Approval of Agenda –
a. Moved: Ozz Hagen – Trinity, SP, Ellie Schmidtke – Second, Carries
5. Approval of Minutes from 2014 Annual Meeting
a. Moved: Laurie Carlson, Peace Amherst, Second - John Enk - Carries
6. President’s Report – Donna Ginzl
a. See report p. 9
b. Notes
i. Over the past 2 years, Crossways has become a sustainable ministry through the generosity, devotion, and hard work of all who are supporters of this ministry.
ii. Staff has been under a lot of transition over the past 2 years, but have been full of energy and hope to help move Crossways forward into the future.
iii. The future of CCM is bright. We are in a very different place than we were two years ago. This doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done- continued support is deeply appreciated.
7. Treasurer’s Report – Luann Kalinowski
a. See report handout
b. Notes
i. Contribution increase of 22.8% year over year (not including one time gift of $471,000 in 2014)
ii. Program Revenue decrease & lower than anticipated expenses ($24,415)
1. Within reason of cash balance being able to absorb deficit
iii. Cash Balance of $24,570 year end 2015
iv. Cash flow is one of our greatest challenges
1. Line of Credit is higher than last year
v. Long Term Debt is current at $32,648
1. Paid off this year!!!!
c. Thanks to the Finance Committee that has helped Luann in her rookie year as Treasurer
8. Executive Director’s Report – Jake Czarnik-Neimeyer
a. See report p 11-12
b. 2015 Goals
i. Improve Communication
1. Email Newsletter (bi-monthly)
2. Thank You Notes
3. New Brochure for 2016 Summer Camps
ii. Simplify Registration
1. New Forms for Family Camp Registration
2. Rater Forms
iii. Engage Staff Alumni
1. Formation of an Alumni Association
2. Social Media Engagement
3. Alumni Family Retreat in August, 2016
iv. 2015 New Ministry – Lakeshore Program from Manitowoc
1. 60 youth sent to Waypost Camp
c. 2016 New Pathways for Crossways
i. Marketing & Communications
1. There is still more work to do in these areas.
ii. Stewardship
1. Stewardship of Time Talent, Treasures
2. Stewardship of the Earth – expanding the model of Waypost at Pine Lake and Imago Dei Village
iii. Quality Ministry
1. Better before Bigger (again)
2. Continue to pay attention to the details, to people, and the needs of congregations
9. Committee Reports – see p16-25
a. Application for Conservation Easement was put on hold because of Native American burial site on the land. But it is leading to new conversations and opportunity.
10. Site Reports
a. See reports p 13-15
11. Volunteer, Donor, and Congregation Awards
a. Volunteer of the Year – Len Place, 1st English, Oshkosh
i. 54 years of service to Crossways in a myriad of ways
ii. renaming of cabin at Pine Lake “Len’s Place”