May 17, 2006 (Baltimore, MD) - Record Numbers Enjoy LSA Annual Conference

More than 400 Lutheran social ministry leaders and others gathered in Seattle, WA, April 26-28 for the 2006 LSA Annual Conference. Building on the theme Because Everyone Has Something to Give participants heard informative and inspiring keynote addresses from Mark Farr, from the Points of Light Foundation; Kathryn Wolford, CEO of Lutheran World Relief; and Brian Hofland from The Atlantic Philanthropies. Participants also were able to choose from among more than 40 breakout sessions held during five time slots, enabling them to customize their learning. It is especially noteworthy that participants came from 36 states, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and included more board members from social ministry organizations than ever before.

As always, those who attended the conference found significant value in opportunities for formal and informal networking with colleagues. A Welcome Reception, Breakfast Roundtable Discussions on more than a dozen themes, and the LSA Hospitality Area provided opportunities for informal connection during the conference. Many participants commented that they established great contacts with peers during the conference that will bring benefit to them throughout the year.

This year's LSA Awards for Excellence were presented to Josephine, a retirement community in Stanwood, WA; Lutheran Community Services, Wilmington, DE; and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries, Cleveland, OH. Each organization was recognized for a stellar program that engaged the gifts of residents/clients, staff members, family members and volunteers.

The conference included the LSA Annual Meeting, during which the following were elected to positions on the LSA Board of Directors: Kent Burgess, CEO of St. John's Lutheran Ministries, Billings, MT (second term); Luanne Fisher, CEO of Liberty Lutheran Services, Philadelphia, PA (second term); and Barbara Droher Kline, CEO of LSS of Northern California (first term). New officers of the LSA Board of Directors are: Chair - Suzanne Gibson Wise, CEO of Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas, Raleigh, NC; Chair Elect - Patricia Savage, CEO of Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries, Hollidaysburg, PA; Secretary - Paul Middeke, CEO of Concordia Plan Services, St. Louis, MO; and Treasurer - Chris Andersen, CEO of Lutheran Community Foundation, Minneapolis, MN.

Conference attendees enjoyed opportunities for fun and fellowship as well. The Thursday evening banquet featured entertainment by the funny FISH business management team spawned from Seattle's Pike Place Market, and nearly 200 people enjoyed a post-conference dinner cruise of the Puget Sound on Friday evening.

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend next year's conference in Baltimore, April 18-20, 2007 when LSA celebrates its tenth anniversary!