The Local Conference Committee |
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Area 18 Counselors The GEMS Counselors from Area 18 look forward to hosting the 2010 GEMS Girls’ Clubs Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference! They are excited to warmly welcome you, from whatever part of North America you are from, and extending a bit of Midwest hospitality to you! Area 18 Counselors are from various communities and cities in the states of Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and North Dakota. These Midwest plain states consist of several larger metropolitan areas as well as small, rural, farming communities. The women are a warm and friendly group accustomed to helping and serving one another. They consider it an honor and delight to host the conference and welcome GEMS Counselors to experience a bit of the Midwest! Although the Local Conference Committee members are planning many of the details, they represent the 26 clubs and GEMS counselors in Area 18. |
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Cheryl Boer Cheryl lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota with her husband Brad and two children. Cheryl loves summer activities, baseball, walks with the dog, biking, travel, and family. She also works part-time in men’s retail and enjoys volunteering at church, school, and her community. However, her passion has always been GEMS! In the past 22 years she has served in GEMS as Club Coordinator, an Advanced Level counselor, and an Area Coordinator and Leadership Trainer with the ACTS program. To this day GEMS is still leading her into new experiences such as serving as the Publicity & Sign Coordinator for the 2010 Local Conference Committee. She has attended many conferences, with Seattle being the most memorable, and has always found them to be fun-filled, spiritually uplifting, and essential for her to communicate the following year’s theme. Cheryl wants to invite everyone to come to Minnesota in the summer of 2010! Plan a family vacation around conference. Come to Bethel University, see Minneapolis/St. Paul and let your family explore Minnesota! |
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Cheryl Boonstra, “Booney” Cheryl is serving as the Decoration and Facility Coordinator. She enjoys gardening, reading, baking, but mostly spending time with her family. She lives in Edina, Minnesota with her husband Burt. They have two grown married children and two granddaughters. A proud and eager Grandma, Cheryl notes “that it will be a joy when the time comes when they will be able to participate in GEMS!” Cheryl and Burt have been members of Calvary Christian Reformed Church for thirty-eight years. She has served in a variety of youth ministry programs within her church, which includes being a GEMS Advanced and Discovery Level counselor. Cheryl has a growing passion for the future generations of girls and desires that they may truly love Jesus and want to live for Him. Cheryl is excited about the 2010 Theme, Feed the Fire, and can’t wait for you to experience the theme which is sure to reignite and feed your passion for the Lord and those the Lord brings into your life! |
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Alvina Noordmans Alvina is the Chairperson and Program Coordinator for the Local Conference Committee. She lives in Kandiyohi, Minnesota with her husband Duane. They attend Willmar Christian Reformed Church, have three married children, and four grandchildren. Alvina has been involved in GEMS in her church for twenty-five years teaching crafts and serving as Club Coordinator. Although she loves reading, going out on the pontoon, and quilting, her greatest joy is being a part of the GEMS ministry! She says that a dream of hers is to see GEMS, as well as Cadets, brought into communities or areas that would not ordinarily come into any kind of a church setting. Alvina says, “Bring the Word to them!” She eagerly invites you to attend a conference if you have never been to one before. She would love for you to experience the joy of worshipping and learning together with other GEMS Counselors. She promises that this experience will make your GEMS year much more meaningful! |
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Lisa Vande Kamp Lisa lives in Sioux Falls, SD with her husband Grant and their three children. As a family they enjoy camping, boating, and going to the kid’s sporting events. In her free time Lisa enjoys golfing and scrapbooking. Lisa also enjoys volunteering at her church and local Christian school. She has served in various capacities within GEMS, a Discovery Level Counselor, Club Coordinator, and Area Trainer for Area 18 (Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota). Lisa enjoyed working with the counselors from her local area and especially appreciates how GEMS has helped her think ‘outside of the box.’ Lisa comments that “It is amazing how God has used this organization to reach millions of girls across the nation and world to learn more about Him!’ Serving as the Donations, Welcome Bag, Secretary and Treasurer Lisa does a lot of behind the scenes work. But there is no doubt that you will see her at conference ready to welcome you with warm Midwest hospitality! |
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Allison Vander Haar Allison is serving as the Hostess & Bookstore Coordinator. She lives in Harrisburg, South Dakota with her husband Chad and their three great kids. In addition to her family responsibilities, Allison works part-time for Wells Fargo Bank in Student Loan Sales. She enjoys boating and camping as well as volunteering at her children’s school and local GEMS club. She has volunteered in GEMS for four years as a counselor and as an Area Coordinator for the ACTS program in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska (Area 18). Allison shares that “GEMS has been such a blessing in my life and I have grown closer in my walk with the Lord through my GEMS experiences!” As the Hostess and Bookstore Coordinator, Allison will have a warm smile ensuring that you have an enjoyable experience and have plenty of bookstore materials that will encourage you and enhance your teaching! |
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Jen Vlietstra Jen is from Edgerton, Minnesota and has been married to her husband Curt for fifteen years. They have three children. Jen loves to hang out with her family especially when they are outside experiencing God’s creation, bird watching, gardening, or riding bike. In her spare time she volunteers using her spiritual gifts of encouragement and hospitality for God’s glory in the ministries at her church. Jen will be serving as the Transportation & Tour Coordinator for the 2010 Local Conference Committee. Jen’s gift of hospitality will shine as she eagerly welcomes you to Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota. You won’t want to miss the wonderful tour options that she and the Local Conference Committee have planned. Jen hopes your transportation needs will go smoothly and that you will bring home fond memories of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota! |