Secretary

Sue Bathe
Secretary

secretary@viadecristo.org

My name is Suzanne (Sue) Bathe and I attended Texas Lutheran Via de Cristo #42 in the fall of 2001 and sat at the table of St. Ruth.

My husband Larry and I worship at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Houston, where I grew up. I obtained my BS degree at The University of Texas at Austin in Health, Physical Education, and Speech Communications and my MS degree in Educational Administration at Prairie View A&M University. I also have a youth ministry certification from Wartburg/Vibrant Faith Ministries. We have been married for 27 years, we have a beautiful daughter, Angela who is married to John and they have gifted us with a wonderful granddaughter named Mary Louise.

I have chaired the organizing committee of our local Texas Gulf Coast Via de Cristo and served as the original Lay Director as well as in all positions on our weekends. Larry and I have also been working to serve as Co-Chairs for this years National Gathering, but unfortunately it is having to be put on hold due to Covid!

I have also been very active in DKG, a society of women educators.  I have served as Chapter President twice as well as chaired many positions at the state level. In 2018 I was one of thirty women selected to attend the international leadership class held in Austin at the University of Texas where I had the awesome opportunity to work with women from around the world!

I am a physical education teacher and coach of 34 years. I enjoy singing in our church choir and playing handbells.  I also have sung in our local Houston Choral Showcase Show Choir.

Role Description

The Secretary is a responsible servant of Jesus Christ who wishes to glorify God by documenting the activities of NLS and the EC. The Secretary will maintain and share essential data with local secretariats.

  • Elected by the delegates at a National Lutheran Secretariat (NLS) meeting to serve a two-year term. Renewable by election for a second two-year term
  • Serves without compensation
  • Accountable to NLS President and the Executive Committee (EC)

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

  1. Prays regularly for the leaders of the affiliated Secretariats and the members of the NLS Executive Board (EB).
  2. Participates as an active member of a Renewal Group
  3. Takes minutes for all meetings and, within 1 week, sends a draft copy to all Board members that attended the meeting – asking for corrections or omissions. Members will review the draft copy and annotate their changes within a week. Secretary will make necessary corrections and resend a modified draft to all Board members. Minutes will be approved as the first agenda item at the next monthly Board teleconference. Once approved, the minutes will be sent to the Web Master for posting to the NLS website and maintained on the NLS external hard drive.
  4. Researches and becomes the Board’s point-of-contact for all questions regarding music copy write laws.
  5. Dispatch the Annual Activities Survey by January 15 each year. Secure response from each and every secretariat, in coordination with VPO and Regional Coordinators, for the determination of annual dues and number of eligible voting delegates at the Annual Gathering. Final document will be published in the Annual Gathering binder.
  6. Assists the President and Non-Profit Compliance Coordinator with staying current of changes in statutes regarding non-profits by reviewing email materials sent from the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits.
  7. Based on the information provided by the VPO, VPA and Regional Coordinators, prepares the list of delegates and seats them as the first action of the business meeting portion of the Annual Gathering.
  8. Maintain a record copy of all documents created by the previous Secretary. All previous documents will also be given to the Archivist/Historian.
  9. In coordination with the President, set up the monthly Board
    meetings/teleconferences and record the minutes for distribution and filing.
  10. Maintains an accurate and timely manual for this position including a timeline of responsibilities.
  11. Provides an annual report of activities to the Vice President of Administration for inclusion in the Annual Gathering binder no later than June 15 of each year.

Other Duties

As assigned by the President

Knowledge, Skills, and Related Gifts

  • Computer skills including word document skills, internet and e-mail
  • Good communication skills
  • Good time management skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Good use of grammar/spelling skills

Fiscal Responsibility

Appropriate expenditures/expense reports or receipts are to be filed with the NLS Treasurer that relate to the position, travel and needs for meetings.

Extent of Public Contact: Low

The Secretary will have frequent contact with Board members but less contact with community members. May need to answer occasional questions from the floor during the business meeting portion of the Annual Gathering. Most duties are done
from home and use the Internet (e-mail) for completion

Physical Demands

Travel and time commitment for Mid-Year Meeting and the National VdC Annual Gathering. Potential long meeting hours, followed by transcribing, typing, distributing, and correcting minutes.