salt-l: 2nd to last meeting of the year!

Hey everyone,

Tonights meeting began with a devotion from Rebekah Schmerber. She read a bit from an article called "Making the best of my spiritual buffalo." The same woman who wrote the article is a singer/songwriter. She has a music video on You Tube called "I saw what I saw" and it is a song she wrote about her experience in Rawanda. You should check it out!

Announcements:
* Rummage Sale- May 10 8-12 (set up at 7:00) Friday afternoon before the sale we will be pricing an organizing. We will
be having an info and drop off table in the Union May 5 and 6 from 11-1 and 5-7. If you would like to help out with the
Rummage sale contact Abby.Lange@valpo.edu
* Fundraiser for Deaconess Mary - She came and spoke to us at SALT one night not long ago. Her husband recently passed
away and she is struggling financially. There will be a bake sale tomorrow 11-1. They will be selling goodies and
accepting donations.
* Frisbee 5-on-5 is this Saturday 10-3 - get some friends together and sign up to participate
* SALT Party - Saturday, May 3 at Pastor Jim's house 4-6. Plan on hiking (I've heard he has a hiking path that crosses 3,
yes count them, 3 ecosystems :) If you need a ride, contact Hannah and she can hook you up with someone who has a
car.
* Better World Books - Alan is looking for help with a book drive. Students donate college books and the profit from the
books supports literacy in third world countries! If you are interested in being in charge of a box e-mail
Alan.Holderread@valpo.edu
* Do you have extra meal card money?! Donate it to the Hilltop Food Pantry! We will be collecting meal card money until
May 7th for Hilltop so spread the word!

WRC:
* Current total *drum roll* ..... $10,400!!! We are almost to our final goal!
* The Valpo Idol event will be taking place on May 6 @ 6:00. Alan Harre, Prof. Bloom, and Dean Piehl will be choosing two
of their favorite children's songs to sing for the audience. We need to raise $1000 to make this event happen! So start
talking to friends who would like to see the President sing!
* Goal for the week: Ask at least one person you know for a donation to the WRC. We need to make our last push for
donations!

Advocacy Challenge!!
* Your challenge for the summer is to go out in the communities where you live and continue doing SALTy things!
* Libby Bartlet typed up an awesome handout defining what advocacy means to us. If you missed the handout, e-mail her
and maybe she can get it to you.

Headlines to Pray for:
Bush/Congress Energy
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aPQAOLlelQds&refer=home

Zimbabwe calls for UN help
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7374014.stm

Food Crisis Task Force
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7372393.stm

Heparin Deaths (drug ingredients)
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2820047620080429

Good luck with the last weeks of school!!!

Adios,

Kristina Mancini
Valparaiso University
Student Nurses' Association
Social Action Leadership Team

Don't hurt the MESSENGER!!!

Ok we have a lot going on and doesn't it just seem right with only 3 SALT meetings left in the semester.

Emily Fitch led off the meeting with a short, prayer focused on the idea that no matter how small everything we do has and serves a purpose in the grand scheme of things.

Big Round of Applause to Kim Hover and the rest of the VIA crew for putting on an amazing debut at the Coffeehouse and thanks to Mallory Dignin for setting up everything for that.

Relay 4 Life went really well with the Social Justice Rockstars, who had 10 people there and the entire relay raised about $30,000.

The French Club will be having a cheese and wine tasting (w/o the wine ;) of course), tickets are on sale at the Union Info Desk for $5 adn $6 at the door of the Lumina Room tomorrow night.

Rundown of Earthweek (Hannah take notes)
--Ronald Janke talking about the Sand Islands, his thoughts of a state park in the region and the Native American perspective on the environment, 6:30 pm in Kallay-Christopher 112.
--Saturday - trip to Brookfield Zoo and Schedd Aquarium partnered with Union Board
--Campus Cleanup at noon on Sunday...meet at the Union turnaround
--BBQ and Buckman Page playing at 2pm on Huegli Lawn
--Monday, Panel Discussion on Climate Change at 7pm in CCLIR 205
--Tuesday
--Showing of Planet Earth in NSC 234 5-7
--Jeff Field presenting his research on Water Quality and Resource Management in China from 8:30-9:30 in the Lumina Room of Huegli

Thursday is High - 5 Day so stop by one of the tables and give people high -5's, grab a cup of lemonade and donate towards the WRC

A task force has been put together on the Crusader Mascot Issue
--contact Holly.Nelson for more information

VUCAB (VU Christian Activity Board) is putting on a Rock Concert in the Union Great Hall on next Thursday from 7-9 (FREE)

Swing by Cold Stone tomorrow from 5-9 and get some ice cream and come between 8-9 to hear Sweetwine play
--a portion of the proceeds will go towards Sweetwine fundraising

Par---Tay at Pastor Jim's House on May 3rd from 4-7...mark your calendars now!!!!

More brainstorming on Alan Harre stuff....but a general consensus of some sort of American Idol kid's song theme was thrown around with a lot of laughs and making Hannah "demand" we get back to work (love ya Hannah)

Mass Chalking will take place before Celebrate tomorrow at 9pm -- Be There

Bring in Dress-up clothes to the SALT meeting next week so we can store everything in a big box and drag it over to the Jamboree in one huge surprise box.

Jenna Kennedy in partners with Project Neighbors is helping a single-mom with 8 children (2-16yrs) put a roof on their house.
The dates they will be heading out are 4/19 and 4/20 and the following weekend 4/25 and 4/26
--leaving each morning at 8:30 AM and back early afternoon
The address is 702 Indiana, corner of Greenwich and Indiana in Gary
Please contact Elizabeth.Gingerich@valpo.edu if you are interested in helping with this.

Among other opportunities to put your carpenter skills to work is Rebuilding Together going on this Saturday.

Please try and make the last meeting of the year as it will be very laid back and just a bunch of fun and saying goodbye to those "numerous" seniors and people going abroad.

Headlines 2 Pray 4
Pope in US
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL1564528320080415

Home Foreclosures
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1435957820080415

Plane Crash in Congo
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1525838220080415

Italy: New Prime Minister
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1446415220080415

Have a great week everyone

Jeff Field
VU Class of 2008
Ambassador In Admissions
Salt Secretary
Earthtones
Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics

High to Low to High (sorry studying for Met exam)

Hey everyone,

Making this consecutive weeks of fairly short minutes, mainly because I need to study but also because we had some discussion of activities dealing with President Harre and the "Strongbow's Group" about a community project possible next year.

James led a monastic "special" devotion activity that did help me at least try to focus on the tasks at hand and allow silence and God's words to settle into deep thoughts.

Going straight to Announcements:
1) WRC Celebrate Service (tomorrow)...wear your SALT gear and come to support the powerpoint prepared by Brett Hartmann

2) HUGE EVENT this Thursday from 7-10pm at Anneliesje's Bagels (114 E Lincolnway) to celebrate the WRC coffeehouse and the unleashing of the VIA Magazine to the students, campus and community...Hope to see you all there at least for some time.

3) Relay for Life is this weekend from 6pm-6am, even if you have not signed up with a team, please come by and donate the $10 and have a great time with friends for the evening. Contact Regina.Hollingshead@valpo.edu with any questions.

4) Also this weekend will be a VIC work weekend (don't need any experience...just look at Megan Lee :) )
Friday 12-6; Saturday 9-6 (can come before Relay!!) ; Sunday 9-6
contact Megan.Lee@valpo.edu with any questions
--free bagels on Saturday morning and trying to provide lunch on Sat/Sun

5) T-3weeks until the Jakarta Jog and Jamboree...get excited and spread the word!!!
---get out those registration forms (remember first 75 get a free t-shirt)

6) Wait for online donation "clearance" from Pastor Jim before sending out more emails to friends/family

7) National High-5 Day!!! will be on Thursday, April 17th
--we will be partnering with Union Board to give-away Lemonade during chapel break and selling the keychains and don't forget to give everyone a HIGH-5 that day!!!

8) Date to circle on the calendar is May 10th for the second annual RUMMAGE SALE...location/time TBD

Finally, the discussions concerning the activity for President Harre are still up in the air with so many "exotic" opportunities..be ready for updates!!!

The discussion with the Strongbow's group about the Ministry Group in Valpo talked about the Sharefest each year that happens in which all the local churches get together to participate in a day of giving back to the community. It is a hope that this could be increased to not one day but once every week and churches/groups would partner in different regions of town. At this point there was expressed interest by SALT members in obtaining more information concerning this action plan for next year and the responsibilities for SALT staff/members. More discussion will take place as more information is obtained, but sounds like another neat way for the VU campus to interact and network with the local community. As Pastor Jim put it, "It's like community 1-on-1's"

Here are the headlines to pray for:
Halt Troop Withdrawals July 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0717902120080408

Severe Economic Slide?
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRS00005820080408

Iran's Atomic Work
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSHAF84321820080408

Protesting Against China/Olympics
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSSP23296420080408

Traders Bet on Obama for Democratic Nomination
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0835754620080408

That's all, (remember to channel your energy from H to L---just like the wind)

Jeff Field
VU Class of 2008
Ambassador In Admissions
Salt Secretary
Earthtones
Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics

Salt in da Lobby (Special April 1st edition)

Hey everyone,

Well this is going to be the longest minutes this year....

The devotion was led by Josh, taking passages from Luke 17 and Mark 10....overall message don't doubt that God can carry our load even in times of doubt.

Hannah and Regina reported back on the conference they attended highlighting a lot of interest from other schools, etc on SALT, as an organization. Also talked about the Indiana Campus Compact which supplies campus organizations with grants ($500-$1000) towards service projects and the ACE program (Advocate for Civic Engagement) being started this past year on campus.

Regina is still looking for more people to sign up for the Social Justice Rockstars Relay for Life team, contact her for more information.

On April 19th, there will be a Porter County Walk for the homeless, contact Holly Nelson for more information.

Updated WRC total ~$5,250.....and this isn't an April Fool's JOKE...amazing work with the LBAA tourney, the Liturgical Institute and over $500 from online donation. Keep up the good work people and send out those easssy emails to anyone you can think of...

We had some more brainstorming on an activity to do with President Harre and his retirement.

Finally ended with Brett Hartmann's concise, but extremely well-done Powerpoint Presentation on the project and it would be great to show this to as many people as possible. Great job Brett!!!

Swooh, that was too much...

Oh wait here are the Headlines 2 Pray 4
Waived Environmental Regulations
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0129015620080401

China and Tibet :(
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSPEK640820080401

Gas Prices Too High?
http://www.reuters.com/article/wtMostRead/idUSN0120444320080401

Jamaica Poor Abandoned
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7325128.stm

Pray for SPRING to actually arrive

Later,

Jeff Field
VU Class of 2008
Ambassador In Admissions
Salt Secretary
Earthtones
Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics

The Race to the Finish Begins....

Just warning everyone now, these minutes are going to be all over the place, because that is about the state of my week right now.

The devotion was led by Mr. Bret Hassler and one-sentence summary is that it is worthy to give and give, but also realize when it is appropriate to be a good receiver (not a football reference), specifically in term's of letting God's love flow into you and let him direct you.

Thank you to Bret Hartmann for putting together the Spring Break Reflection and again great work to all Spring Breakers and it sure looks like even though it was heavy labor, looked like everyone had fun participating.

It would be great if we could have one more person help out with the Lutheran Basketball Tourney Service on Thursday from 6:15 -7. This event raised almost $700 last year and would be great to get that much or more this year. Contact me if you can make it.

Other opportunities for getting more donations coming in, please email family/friends if you haven't already about sending donations online at www.valpo.edu/chapel/salt.

Also start talking about the Jakarta Jog and Jamboree on April 26th
--fliers/registration will be distributed throughout campus
--5k starts at 10am, with day-of registration at 9:30 a.m. ($15 pre-registration/$20 day-of)
--Jamboree (Carnival) will take place from 11-1 on Huegli Lawn
-- will include face painting, craft corner, 3-legged race, musical chairs, water balloon toss, music and more
--fair trade items from Indonesisa
GET EXCITED!!!!

Also did some brainstorming about another possible event in honor of President Harre and his legacy at VU
some ideas included: olympic theme, passing the torch, finger painting, COW milking class, twister, tricycle racing, hula hooping, triathlon*, Harre vs Austensen/Heckler

The new total is now $2987, still a lot of work to go so keep the energy UP!!!

Courtesy of Holly Nelson...Last week I mentioned the peace rally in Indianapolis this coming Saturday that Partners for Peace has been organizing. We would love to have you come along and help us commemorate the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq. As I learned last week, for far less than the cost of the war thus far, we could have flown every single person in Iraq to the US and resettled them here with a house and a car. Isn't that crazy? Let's do something about it! Join us in telling our leaders that we want a new agenda in Iraq.

If you would like to attend the protest, I will bring the tickets to SALT tonight. The bus will leave at 7 AM this Saturday and return by 5 PM. Tickets are $12. The day will include speakers, bands (including VU's own Buckman Page), and a vigil of remembrance for those killed in Iraq. We really need to fill our bus, so please consider joining us this weekend.

The Liturgical Institute starts next Monday evening and Pastor Jim has generously highlighted those presentations, focus groups, discussions that best relate to SALT's mission on the blog.

Can't stress this enough, if anyone is interested in any staff position please contact Hannah or Pastor Jim...remember Tezra gave you the sign at the meeting and if you couldn't make it to the meeting...now I am giving you that same sign to become more involved in SALT this next academic year.

The Homeless Coalition is coming to an end with this week being the last week to volunteer. Please contact Alena.Engstrom@valpo.edu if you would like to volunteer.
--Also anyone that volunteered in the past two months, there will be a dinner on April 3rd at 6:30 pm at the Valpo Nazerene Church

Also Regina is still looking for more people to participate in the Relay for Life. The website is http://events.cancer.org/rflvuin

and look for the Social Justice Rockstars team.

Finally, Kristina Mancini will be sending out an email, but also wanted to put this in the minutes
--We need people to fill 6 (1-hour) slots on Thursday from 12-6 to help sell keychains at the Lutheran Basketball Tourney. Kristina and I will be there for the admissions office, but we can not staff both areas as it can get crazy with the hundreds of kids running around.

Ok I probably forgot something, but that is all that can flow out of my head right now, night all

Jeff Field
VU Class of 2008
Ambassador In Admissions
Salt Secretary
Earthtones
Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics

A SALT Shaker’s guide to the Institute of Liturgical Studies (ILS)

This year’s ILS theme of “Liturgy and the Public Square” is directly relevant to those who are concerned about Social Justice.
VU students are welcome to attend any or all of the ILS sessions at no charge as guests of the Institute.
If you’d like to sit in, please send an email to Jan.Rubsam@valpo.edu so that she can have name tag ready for you to pick up at the registration desk in the Union. You can also pick up a name tag the day you need it at the registration desk.

It’s a full two day schedule.
Here are my suggestions (there's lots of other good stuff too):

Tuesday, April 1
10:45-11:45 a.m.
Plenary Session, Gordon Lathrop – Christopher Center, Community Room
Go in peace. Remember the Poor: the Public Implications of the Eucharistic Sending.
The ancient agreement among Christians at the Council of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:10) still echoes in the missa of today's celebration of mass. How shall we understand and practice the Sending?
Gordon W. Lathrop, Ph.D., is the Charles A Schieren Professor of Liturgy, Emeritus, at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, PA.


Karl Fay and Mark Anschutz – Christopher Center, Board of Directors Room
A Pile of Rocks and a Powerful Story: Visual Arts and Public Proclamation
Based on Joshua 4.1-7, this session explores how activating artists in Christian communities can create dialogue in the public square as well as open opportunities for personal evangelism.
Karl Fay currently serves as Vicar at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, MI.
Mark Anschutz is Art Director and Permanent Resident Artist at the Center for Liturgical Arts in Seward, NE.


Fred Niedner – Union Building, Squire Room
Preaching Justice, Doing Mercy: The Gospel in the Public Square
Can we, should we, and did we ever distinguish clearly between the vocations of preachers, prophets, and partisans?
The Rev. Frederick Niedner, Th.D., is Chair of the Department of Theology at Valparaiso University.


2:30-3:30 pm

Plenary Session, Gordon Lathrop – Christopher Center, Community Room
Go in peace. Remember the poor: the public implications of the eucharistic sending.
The ancient agreement among Christians at the Council of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:10) still echoes in the missa of today's celebration of mass. How shall we understand and practice the Sending?
Gordon W. Lathrop, Ph.D., is the Charles A Schieren Professor of Liturgy, Emeritus, at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, PA.

Karl Fay and Mark Anschutz – Christopher Center, Board of Directors Room
A Pile of Rocks and a Powerful Story: Visual Arts and Public Proclamation

Based on Joshua 4.1-7, this session explores how activating artists in Christian communities can create dialogue in the public square as well as open opportunities for personal evangelism.
Karl Fay currently serves as Vicar at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, MI.
Mark Anschutz is Art Director and Permanent Resident Artist at the Center for Liturgical Arts in Seward, NE.


Fred Niedner – Union Building, Squire Room
Preaching Justice, Doing Mercy: The Gospel in the Public Square
Can we, should we, and did we ever distinguish clearly between the vocations of preachers, prophets, and partisans?
The Rev. Frederick Niedner, Th.D., is Chair of the Department of Theology at Valparaiso University.





Wednesday, April 2
11:00 am - 12 noon

James Nieman - Union Building, Squire Room
On the Green, on the Margin: Congregations in Publi
The shifting place of congregations in American society is typically portrayed as loss of stature and impact. This workshop presses in a different direction to suggest renewed opportunities that “disestablishment” presents for congregations as theological publics amidst other public forms and forces.
James Nieman, Ph.D., is Professor of Practical Theology, Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT.

Christine Blice-Baum – Christopher Center, Room 205
When the War Comes Home: Strategies and Resources for Ministry to Military Members and Their Families
This workshop will explore what it means to minister to Service members who will serve and who have served in the deployed setting. We will look at how ministry professionals and congregations can provide liturgical and pastoral care support to Service members and their families during all phases of deployment: pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment, and reintegration.
Chaplain Christine Blice-Baum is an ELCA pastor on active duty as a chaplain in the United States Air Force.


Plenary Session, Christopher Center Community Room
William T. Cavanaugh
The Work of the People as Public Work: The Social Significance of Liturgy
This session explores the liturgy as forming a body which is social and political in its own right.
William T. Cavanaugh, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN


2:00 – 3:00

Plenary Session, Christopher Center Community Room
William T. Cavanaugh
The Work of the People as Public Work: The Social Significance of Liturgy
This session explores the liturgy as forming a body which is social and political in its own right.
William T. Cavanaugh, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN

James Nieman - Union Building, Squire Room
On the Green, on the Margin: Congregations in Public
The shifting place of congregations in American society is typically portrayed as loss of stature and impact. This workshop presses in a different direction to suggest renewed opportunities that “disestablishment” presents for congregations as theological publics amidst other public forms and forces.
James Nieman, Ph.D., is Professor of Practical Theology, Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT.

Christine Blice-Baum – Christopher Center, Room 205
When the War Comes Home: Strategies and Resources for Ministry to Military Members and Their Families
This workshop will explore what it means to minister to Service members who will serve and who have served in the deployed setting. We will look at how ministry professionals and congregations can provide liturgical and pastoral care support to Service members and their families during all phases of deployment: pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment, and reintegration.
Chaplain Christine Blice-Baum is an ELCA pastor on active duty as a chaplain in the United States Air Force.


Worship:
Monday, March 31 @ 7:30 pm
Holy Eucharist, Chapel of the Resurrection
Presiding Minister, Suzanne Burke
Preacher, John Buchanan
Organist, Scott Weidler
Institute Schola
(Pr. Buchanan is the minister at 4th Presbyterian Church on Michigan Ave (just down the street from Niketown) in Chicago, a congregation with a great record of community service.)

9:00 pm
Open Reception
Christopher Center Community Room


Tuesday, April 1
12:00-1:00 pm
Holy Eucharist – Chapel of the Resurrection
Presiding Minister and Preacher, John Michael Barich
Organist, Steven Wente
(Claire Rueffer is Pr. Barich’s assistant for this)
(Pr. Barich is the pastor at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, another strong city church with a good community service record)

Wednesday, April 2
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Holy Eucharist, Chapel of the Resurrection
Presiding Minister, Gordon Lathrop
Preacher, Mary Hinkle Shore
Organist, Mark Mummert
Kantorei, Director, Lorraine Brugh
(this promises to be a really creatively done liturgy, according to ancient models)

Welcome Back

Hey everyone,

Well after a stellar message from James (with a Southern drawl)..."We can't save the world, but we don't have to because Christ has already saved the world and its inhabitants for us, but we can serve Christ in the world awaiting his return"

Next Rebecca Lohrmann recapped on some of the spring break trips and if you have any pictures that you would like see put into a presentation, please email them to her. Also come to the pepper next week and hear stories about the different Spring Break Trips!!!

Partners 4 Peace will be leading a Peace Protest in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 29th
--a bus will leave that morning from the Union Turnaround
--tickets are on sale at the Union for $12 from 11-1 this week and Barbara Hoover's office in the Chapel
--contact Holly.Nelson@valpo.edu for any questions

The Institute for Liturgical Studies will be on campus from Monday, March 31st to April 2 and the three offerings will be going towards the WRC
--we are looking for people to take donations after the services in the Chapel and talk about the project
--contact Tezra.Jennings
--this year's topic is Liturgy in the Civic Square - with a focus on giving to the poor
--registration is free for VU students

On Thursday, April 10th Anneliesje's Bagel's (where Liv Larson Andrews and Holly Nelson work) will be hosting a WRC themed open mic night starting at 7pm...
--directions = lincolnway (downtown) right across from Dollar Store with a "blue awning"

On Saturday, April 19th will be the "something" annual Rebuilding Together!, sign ups need to be in by March 21st at the Union Info Desk

On Friday, April 4th will be the Deaconess (Pi Delta Chi) Semi-Formal
--contact Clairre.Rueffer@valpo.edu for more information

During your 1-on-1's this week, please try to talk about SALT Staff positions for next year and please send any recommendations to Hannah or Pastor Jim or just nominate yourself :)

To change the pace of less announcements...but a general weekly thing is the update of the WRC total = $2,725.92
--time to start buckling down for the rest of the semester

Please help out this Wed/Thurs with dyeing Easter eggs in the Union from 11-1 or just swing by and dye your own.

We did some brainstorming for the Jakarta Jog and Jamboree and here is a list of some ideas to hopefully spark more brainstorming this week:

5K first off will in the morning, with registration being $15, $20 for day-of registration

multiple tables set up on Huegli Lawn
-face painting, fair trade table, water balloon toss, sack race, wheel barrow race, Pie a Prof, Craft/Kid Korner, finger painting, mural of finger painting, musical chairs, Professor Skillen's Bake Good's w/ the Kids, Top Chef, Obstacle Course, Jelly Beans/Crayons count on the gimmick, Union Board collaboration (bouncey thing), live entertainment, karaoke (indonesian music)

Last but not least... Gloria Dei will be conducting the Via Crucis "Way of the Cross Procession" on Good Friday (Mar 21st)
--it will start at Heritage Lutheran Church (308 N Washington St) and end at the VU law school

Headlines 2 Pray 4

5 Years of Iraq War:
http://iraq.reuters.com/

Floods in Sri Lanka; displace thousands
http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSCOL188162._CH_.2400

Dalai Lama speaks on violence in Tibet:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSPEK26733920080318

Pay Attention to the Election!

Again Welcome Back and have a great week and Happy Easter as spring nears :)

Jeff Field
VU Class of 2008
Ambassador In Admissions
Salt Secretary
Earthtones
Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics

SALT Staff Positions 2008-2009

SALT Staff Descriptions
2008-2009

SALT is the Spirit-led social justice ministry of the Chapel of the Resurrection in which students in community seek to embody the Christian call to be the "salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13). Taking seriously this call, SALT students develop and practice a Christian theology of social action, and raise awareness and encourage a Christian response to social justice issues. Having together developed skills of community organizing and fund development, SALT alumni are equipped to lead lives of social justice and serve as change agents in their communities.

The SALT staff seeks to support the mission of SALT, lead a group of passionate VU students, and help to cultivate leaders committed to social action on and off campus. The people who have served in these positions this year are in parentheses).

Chair (Hannah Cartwright)
The Chair is the student leader of SALT who is responsible for the nuts and bolts of keeping SALT going week to week, as well as helping to shape the vision for SALT each year. The Chair is responsible for planning, preparing for, and leading weekly SALT meetings and SALT Staff meetings, coordinating and providing support for the SALT staff, and communicating with faculty, staff, other student groups, and community members of behalf of SALT. She or he is responsible for keeping the SALT staff (and group) attuned to members’ concerns and ideas, while also making sure that SALT is responsive to current projects, responsibilities, and issues of social justice. The Chair reports to and is supported by the SALT Advisor, Pastor Jim.
Early each spring, in conversation with senior staff members, Pastor Jim recommends an experienced staff member to the SALT staff for the position of Chair. This person is then appointed after affirmation by SALT and the staff. The Chair position runs from June 2008-May 2009 and receives a small stipend.

WRC Chair (Tezra Jennings)
The WRC Chair will lead SALT in the 2009 World Relief Campaign, acting as the face of the campaign. He or she will be in charge of spearheading the WRC from the initial application process, through fundraising, and the celebration of raising over $15,000! In the fall, the WRC Chair works with the SALT Chair and the rest of the staff to prepare the WRC application, coordinate the application process, and lead SALT to thoughtfully and prayerfully choose a WRC project. The WRC chair is responsible for writing the WRC Case Statement and making initial preparations before the spring semester. In the spring, the WRC Chair coordinates with committee leaders, as well as community and campus representatives, to reach SALT’s fundraising goal. Additionally, the WRC Chair provides support to the Chair in leading SALT.
Early each spring, in conversation with senior staff members, Pastor Jim recommends an experienced staff member to the SALT staff for the position of Chair. This person is then appointed after affirmation by SALT and the staff. The Chair position runs from June 2008-May 2009 and receives a small stipend.


Support Staff Positions
(The support staffers meet weekly and each receive a small stipend.)

Membership Development Coordinator (Jeff Field)
The Membership Development Coordinator is responsible for keeping SALT members “in the know,” getting the word out about SALT and keeping the staff responsible for responding to the needs of SALT members. The MDC takes minutes at the SALT meetings and keeps track of SALT membership (sign in sheets each meeting, etc). As well, the MDC is responsible for spearheading SALT’s PR; this means circulating monthly posters, getting SALT events on campus calendars, and get information out in publications like the Alive (Chapel), Campus Chronicle (Facutly/Staff), The Torch, the Anti-Apathy Calendar, etc. The MDC will help project staff and WRC committee leaders advertise their projects by sharing needed tools.
The MDC will serve June 2008-May 2009. Interested? Talk to Hannah or Pastor Jim!

Advocacy Coordinator (Libbi Bartelt/Abby Lange)
The Advocacy Coordinator is responsible for helping gear SALT’s passions and drive to be change agents into concrete action through coordinated volunteer opportunities and advocacy efforts. The AC should attempt to “read the room” for the passions and concerns of SALT members and then seek to build on them, as well as empower SALT with the tools to connect with the Valparaiso/Northwest Indiana community and make a difference on a larger scale. The AC will need to build relationships with community members and organizations like the United Way and Project Neighbors, while also seeking out opportunities for SALTers to learn to advocate on national and global levels (conferences like Ecumenical Advocacy Days, etc). The AC will work to help drive SALT’s focus in the fall (ie: focus groups), work with SALT members on advocacy projects like the Fair Trade Fair, and help organize weekly peppers.
The Advocacy Coordinator will serve June 2008-May 2009. Interested? Talk to Hannah or Pastor Jim!

The SALT Shaker Editor (Alan Holderread)
The SALT Shaker editor is responsible for the publication process of the quarterly newsletter, the Shaker. The Shaker educates SALT members and campus about SALT happenings, relevant campus events, and pressing issues from campus to abroad. The editor recruits, encourages, and cultivates members to express their passion for social justice through the written word. The editor compiles members’ literary and photographic works into the Shaker, taking special care of content, layout, and editing. The editor must work with a printing company to get the edition published. Requesting and receiving funds for the Shaker is important.
The SALT Shaker Editor will serve June 2008-May 2009. Interested? Talk to Hannah or Pastor Jim!

Chaplain (James Strasberg)
The SALT Chaplain is responsible for organizing and planning thoughtful and engaging devotions, creating a rhythm of prayer within SALT meetings (and staff meetings), and keeping the group centered in and driven by the sprit of God. The Chaplain should also be intentional about building up, loving, and supporting fellow SALT members, as well as working with the staff and larger SALT group to find tangible ways to connect the call to social justice with our faith in God (such as the SALT Commissioning Litany, singing songs at SALT, etc)!
The SALT Chaplain will serve June 2008-May 2009. Interested? Talk to Hannah or Pastor Jim!

Project Staff Positions

SALT project staff positions may change from year to year, but represent a commitment and excitement on the part of SALT members and staff to the project. These staff persons may meet weekly with the staff when needed, but whose time commitment will largely end when their project ends.
These are volunteer positions.

CROP Walk (Mallory Dignin)
This project staffer will serve as SALT’s contact person and coordinator of the CROP Walk, an annual community walk organized by Church World Service to stop hunger by raising funds and awareness for international and domestic relief and development work. This staffer will be in contact with the regional CWS Crop Walk coordinator, help in any planning needed at the university, and then early in the fall brainstorm and implement ways to get students involved and access campus resources to make the 2008 CROP Walk a success!
The CROP Walk staff person will serve from April 2008-October 2008.
Interested? Contact Hannah or Pastor Jim!

Spring Break Trips Coordinator (Rebecca Lohrmann)
The Spring Break Trips Coordinator is responsible for making connections with organizations that offer service-learning spring break opportunities. There are a number of trips that SALT participates in historically, but flexibility and creativity are welcome and encouraged in seeking out new opportunities. The coordinator is responsible for writing grant proposals to fund the trips, finding and preparing group leaders, chaperones, and drivers for the trips, and advertising the options to SALT and the wider campus. The coordinator needs to have to strong organization and communication skills, as he or she will be the SALT contact person for all spring break-related information/questions/interaction. The Spring Break Trips coordinator will participate in weekly staff meetings periodically to update the staff.
The Spring Break Trips Coordinator will serve from June 2008-March 2009.
Interested? Contact Hannah or Pastor Jim!

VIA Editor (Kim Hover)
The VIA Editor will be responsible for publishing the second edition of VIA: Valpo InterAction, a new magazine published by SALT for the first time this academic year! The editor will be responsible for securing outside funding, contacting students who have studied abroad to submit pieces, and working with VISA and the International Studies office. As well, the VIA Editor will be responsible for leading a selection team, editing pieces, designing and formatting VIA, and getting the magazine ready for publication. Once published, he or she will promote the magazine, distribute it around campus, and securing support for the following year.
The VIA Editor will serve from June 2008-March 2009. Dates may vary depending upon the publication deadline chosen by the VIA Editor and SALT Staff. Interested? Contact Hannah or Pastor Jim!

Campus Events Liaison (Libbi Bartelt)
This person will be responsible for working with committees on the Peace and Social Justice Symposium and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day program as SALT’s representative.