Is there is a way to make a donation to a Lutheran school and get up to 100% of donation back in tax savings? Should a congregation post federal guidelines for employee wages and hiring--and why? Is an employee handbook importnt for a school or congregation? Is there a way to lower health insurance costs to the congregation/school and possibly increase benefits to the employee or called worker? How can a church cut energy costs? What should a congregation do if it receives a large financial gift? Is special insurance waiver needed when outsiders use church facilities?
These are just a few of the questions that will be answered on Saturday, March 13, from 9:00-2:30, at the IDE Fiscal Summit sponsored by Thrivent, LCEF, and Iowa District East. Eight speakers will present twelve workshops. Each workshop will be presented once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Representatives from each IDE congregation and school are requested to attend the event at Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha. Beyond the rostered Church Workers, Trustees, Elders, Treasurers, members of Boards of Finance, Congregational Chairmen, and Secretaries should consider attending.
The workshops will consist of:
- Concordia Plan Services will present workshops explaining health and retirment plan alternatives for church and school employees.
- An expert in LCMS church accounting issues will conduct workshops dealing with personal tax issues for called workers, employee and payroll issues, and internal bookkeeping controls with regards to handling contributions.
- Church Mutual will present a workshop on Risk Management.
- Thrivent will explain changes to the fraternal gifting that will affect Thrivent policy holders and the congregations that use their funds.
- Alliant Energy will share ways churches can cut energy costs and how to access financial incentives available to congregations.
- Lutheran Church Extension Fund will present on how to manage building renovations.The LCEF rep will also present a workshop on ways that LCEF can be of assistance to rostered workers.
- A workshop will focus on using SCRIP, a national program through which dollars can be earned for church work through the purchase of gifts cards.
- President Saunders will present a workshop titled, "God’s Gifts: Gratitude and Trust."
- A workshop will address charitable giving options.
- A workshop on the handling of Endowments and Memorials will be presented.
Registration for the IDE Fiscal Summit will begin in late January. Watch your church office's mail for the registration form. One $25.00 fee will enroll up to 5 representatives from each church or school, including lunch. Space is limited to 250 participants, so register early. IDE
