|
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a fraternal benefit society existing
solely for the benefit of its members and their beneficiaries; and for the
assistance to Lutheran congregations and institutions, and other endeavors
as the board of directors may determine. The Society has a representative
form of government in which each fraternal member’s vote has equal
weight.
Thrivent Financial is a privately held organization, not a publicly traded
stock company.
The Society’s Purpose
As stated in the Articles
of Incorporation (PDF, 146K), the purpose of Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans is to associate Lutherans and their families and persons
serving or associated with Lutherans or Lutheran organizations, and their
families, who support the mission of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
and thereby enable them through membership in this fraternal benefit society
to aid themselves and others with programs of:
- Insurance and other benefits permissible under the laws governing
Fraternals.
- Fraternal and benevolent activities in local branches.
- Assistance to Lutheran congregations and their institutions.
- Assistance to such other lawful, social, intellectual, educational,
charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic or religious
endeavors as the board
of directors may determine.
The Society’s Supreme Governing Body
As stated in the Articles
of Incorporation (PDF, 146K), the supreme governing body shall
be a board of directors made
up of benefit members of this fraternal benefit society. The board shall
consist of no fewer than 10 but no more than
12 elective directors, such appointive directors as the board may appoint
and not more than two principal officers of the society designated by
the board from time to time, all in a manner prescribed in the bylaws.
The elective directors shall be elected by the benefit members in a manner
prescribed in the bylaws, and shall constitute not less than two-thirds
of the members of the board in number.
The Society’s Governing Policies
The Board of Directors of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has approved
policies that contain “best practice” behaviors. These policies
are designed to help strengthen the organization's governance. Such policies
include:
- A Corporate Accountability Policy that contains "best practice" concepts
for certain activities of the Audit committee of the board of directors
as well as financial and other managers within the organization.
-
A Conflict of Interest Policy to identify and manage conflicts or potential
conflicts on the part of its directors, officers, employees and agents that
might impair their independence of judgment or influence their decisions
or actions with respect to the Society’s business.
- Governance Guidelines and Principles (Word, 57K) to provide guidelines on significant
Society governance issues.
|