Sue Megrund and Tom Schwolert have been appointed to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Their three year terms will begin at the conclusion of the Network’s Extravaganza, January 30-February 3, 2014.
Sue Megrund
Sue Megrund is the co-founder of Interserve Ministries, an organization based in Minneapolis that works with congregations in children, youth and ministry staff transition, and provides trained interim staff to walk them through the process. Sue has 24 years of congregational experience and completed her M.A. from Luther Seminary as well as NALIP Interim Ministry Training. She has completed the training for and implemented Healthy Congregations and Bridge Builders processes.
Tom Schwolert is a 26 year veteran of congregational ministry in Minnesota and most recently in Texas. He recently left his position at Faith Lutheran Church in Flower Mound, Texas. Tom has his M.A. in children, youth and family ministry from Luther Seminary, and has helped to provide leadership within his synod. In addition, Tom has done speaking, consulting and training, primarily around youth leadership and peer ministry. He co-wrote a curriculum on “Full-Circle Relationships.
Board members serve three year terms, renewable once. Tom and Sue will be filling seats being vacated by Yvonne Steindal, who has served two full terms, and Rev. Mike Ward, who has served one term. Mike was recently elected to the ELCA Church Council and elected not to continue his work on the Network’s Board, though he will be working with the Network to further develop organizational partnerships. I will give more information about Mike in this role in an upcoming blog posting.
Tom Schwolert
The process for selecting board members begins in February every year as the board identifies the kind of gifts that are needed at a leadership level to help move grow the Network. A nominating committee made up of 2 board members, 2 regional facilitators and 1 at large member is appointed, and they begin their work in March, when nominations are opened up. Nominations are accepted until July 1, and are open to all. The board meets 2-3 times in online meetings from July until the middle of September, narrowing the candidates down to the number of vacancies. That slate of candidates is voted on by the board at it’s meeting in the middle of October.
We are excited for the gifts that Sue and Tom bring to the board, and look forward to their service!
Blessings!
Todd
Network is a Verb 
Two great choices!
Great choices for board members! They will serve the organization well.