# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S106 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 106 SYNOD REPORTS The Building Operations unit of Facilities provides an array of services including security services, business continuity support, maintenance services, floor plan design, telephone service, data and telephone infrastructure support, voicemail, and overall building and grounds maintenance. Facility Services is responsible for all electrical, plumbing, life safety, and structural systems within the buildings. This group also interfaces with facility maintenance and other contracted service providers. In addition, staff schedules and maintains a video conference center networked to a number of LCMS sites around the country and provides audiovisual equip- ment for meetings at the International Center. Crossroads Café is operated by Facility Services and provides cafeteria, vending, and catering services to the IC properties. This unit, staffed with LCMS employees, makes available breakfast and lunch to the 450 on-site employees at 1333. In addition, beverage ser- vice, vending, and soft drink machines are maintained in each of the buildings. Finally, catering services are provided for the numerous meetings coordinated through the Travel and Meeting Planning unit. The Information Services unit consists of three sub-units: the Church Information Center, Electronic Media, and Editorial Ser- vices. Support services are provided to the church-at-large, as well as to International Center entities. The Church Information Center is the contact center that pro- vides information in response to inquiries from professional church workers, laity, and the general public. They provide direct response to approximately 50 percent of inquiries received and connect the others directly with those who can provide assistance in St. Louis, district offices, or other affiliated organizations. The staff also re- sponds to e-mail directed to them at infocenter@Icms.org and the Synod’s Web site. The LCMS FaxBack service at 1-888-LCMS- FAX (888-526-7329) is also supported. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) are integrated into the LCMS Web site on an ongoing basis. At present, more than 465 of the most commonly asked ques- tions are posted to the Web site with their answers. Electronic Media provides leadership, coordination, design ser- vices, project management, and policy administration of the LCMS Internet presence and the International Center Intranet. The unit works with directly with the Synod’s departments, enabling them to create and upload content specific to their area on their respective sections of the site without advanced technical skills. This results in a Web site with more information at reduced staff costs. Electronic Media works to maintain a common look and feel for the more than 20 ministry areas who maintain content within the framework of the LCMS.org Web site. It coordinates with the Board for Communication Services in this effort and in the elec- tronic publication of the official periodicals, Reporter and The Lutheran Witness. Additionally, Electronic Media manages the LCMS e-News system, an opt-in e-mail list that allows visitors to subscribe to e-mail newsletters from a list of more than 35 newsletters on a variety of topics. Finally, the staff of Electronic Media provides Web hosting and content management services at no cost to a number of LCMS Dis- tricts through LCMSDistricts.org. The Editorial Services staff provides creative writing, editorial proofreading, print media layout, and design services for all Inter- national Center units, districts, and congregations of the Synod, at their request. Staff work with the Human Resources Department to create a weekly employee newsletter posted on the IC intranet site. Coordination with outside vendors for print media production is also provided for various Synod units. Purchasing Services works with International Center organiza- tions to develop purchasing requirements and bid specifications for the procurement of goods and services. Additionally, Purchasing Services negotiates on behalf of the more than 8,000 corporate enti- ties. The National Contract Program, a service of the Purchasing 2007 Convention Workbook unit, is designed to give LCMS congregations and schools access to preselected vendors and pricing. This pricing is negotiated based on the potential volume from the LCMS and allows congregations and schools to take advantage of the buying power of more than 8,000 organizations. A complete list of vendors is available on the LCMS Web site. Travel and Meeting Planning provides event-planning ser- vices, including travel, housing, transportation, and conference needs for LCMS organizations. Additionally, in its negotiation of contracts and coordination and execution of events, the Travel and Meeting Planning depart- ment works strategically to combine and partner events wherever possible in order to secure the most cost-effective meetings and events possible, with the highest return on investment. These services are provided for events across the country, in- cluding the Synod convention. Since the 2004 LCMS convention, this department planned or assisted with more than a thousand ex- ternal (off-site) events, accommodating an estimated 200,000 peo- ple. In addition, Travel and Meeting coordinated more than 5,000 meetings and activities at the International Center buildings during that same period. David Fiedler, Executive Director R7-04-02 Concordia Technologies Concordia Technologies manages LCMS information technology resources, including network infrastructure and security, Internet pres- ence, data management, software development, and support for users. Go to the www.concordiatechnologies.org Web site for a list of services and support activities. Concordia Technologies provides information technology services for the following LCMS entities: Concordia Plan Services, Concordia Publishing House, district offices, LCMS corporate Synod (boards, commissions, departments, and offices), LCMS Foundation, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, and Lutheran Hour Ministries. Services include network administration, data management and application hosting, network security management, software devel- opment and maintenance, e-mail, Internet access and Web site host- ing, personal productivity and collaboration, help desk and microcomputer support, business process management, and project management. The St. Louis-based network supports 900 business users at four locations: Concordia Publishing House, Lutheran Hour Ministries, KFUO on the campus of Concordia Seminary, and the LCMS International Center. In addition, Concordia Technologies pro- vides hosting services for more than 100 Web sites, including: www.cph.org; www.Icms.org; www.kfuo.org; www.lhm.org; and www.lfnd.org. Technology innovation continues to rapidly shape how society and the church make use of an ever-growing number of information technology tools and systems. These new technologies, especially the Internet, provide the LCMS with powerful communication tools to support the Synod’s One Mission Ablaze! initiative through the delivery and exchange of information resources to support profes- sional church workers, staff, lay leaders, and the world mission field. Over the past three years, Concordia Technologies has led and supported the following initiatives: * Development of the Ablaze! Web site (www.lIcms.org/pages/de- fault.asp?NavID=5247). «Implementation of Concordia Publishing House’s new eCPH publishing system. * Ongoing enhancement of Concordia Publishing House’s ecom- merce Web site (www.cph.org). * Upgrades for the district office’s Peachtree Accounting System.