The Network Board of Directors will welcome 2 new members and one reappointed member when it meets following the Extravaganza in early February.
New board members include Jade Ortiz, who serves as a TEEM Pastor at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Oxnard, California. Jade has 17 years of experience in children, youth and family ministry, and has been very active in both the Episcopal Diocese, as well as the Southwest California Synod.
Jade received her undergraduate degree in Historical Pedagogy at California Lutheran University. She received her Social Studies credential from the University of LaVerne, and is currently working in the TEEM program through Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
Also new on the Board in 2021 is Lisa Herlocker. Lisa works with young people at Bethel Lutheran Church in Roseville, California. She has over 20 years of experience leading at congregational, synodical and churchwide levels. She has been a part of the youth committee of the Sierra Pacific Synod, on the planning team for the Western States Youth Gathering, and has worked as a Network Regional Facilitator.
Lisa has a BA degree in History and Social Science, and a Master’s degree in History.
Returning for a second term on the Board of Directors is Rev. Dan Fugate. Dan currently serves as the Assistant to the Bishop in the Indiana/Kentucky Synod. Dan has been working at the congregational and synodical level for 23 years with much of his focus during that time being on faith formation with young people.
Dan has his BA degree from Capital University, his M.Div from Trinity Seminary and a D.Min degree from Ashland Theological Seminary. Dan also serves as the chairperson of the SYMBOL Network.
Jade and Lisa will be filling the positions being vacated by Rev. Regina Goodrich and Becky Cole. Both Regina and Becky have served their full two terms, and are ineligible to be reappointed.
Every year, two or three board positions open up. The board discusses the needs of the board for the future as they look to the Network’s mission and goals, and then the board appoints a nominating committee made up of 2 current board members, 2 regional facilitators and 1 at-large member.
The needs the board identified this year include:
- Continuing to develop the ethnic diversity of the Network and its board
- Someone with experience/expertise in children’s ministry
- Someone who can help with marketing and communications experience
- Someone to help us develop resources/curriculum/info about issues of race, inclusion and justice
The nominating committee then compares the needs of the board with the gifts that the nominees bring to the table, searching for the best match. This year we had over a dozen well-qualified nominations. The Network board is grateful to all who allowed for their name to be lifted up.
The terms for Jade, Lisa and Dan will begin at the conclusion of the 2021 Extravaganza.
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