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Donald F. Burton
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Don Burton is the Director of Communication for the Gamaliel Foundation.
He was a founding pastor of Racine Interfaith Coalition and the first
convener of the RIC ministry caucus. As a founder of Wisconsin's
Regional organization, WISDOM, he represented Wisconsin on the Board of
the Gamaliel National Clergy Caucus. Don led the Wisconsin Regional
Clergy Caucus Table for four years. He remains secretary of the GNCC
Board. As a member of the Wisdom Executive Committee he chaired the
finance committee and was a member of the by-law committee. Upon his
retirement after 35 years of public ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, he was the recipient of the first Distinguished
Service Award to be granted by the Racine Interfaith Coalition.
When Don first attended Gamaliel Training, he realized he has been
organizing all of his life. In rural North Dakota he organized clergy to
secure release time religious education for school age children. In
Bismarck, North Dakota, he was an organizer of “Citizens Concerned for
Quality Education.” that defeated a referendum to remove innovative
education from public schools. In Kenmare, North Dakota, he organized
Kenmare Meals and Wheels, a comprehensive program for senior citizens.
Also in Kenmare actions he led ended a history of 19 impaired physicians
in the local clinic. With the physician situation stable, it was
possible to utilize some of the hospital beds to provide skilled nursing
care, while at the same time providing urgent care and general hospital
services. In Racine, Wisconsin, he was the founder of the Racine Job
Network enlisting over 150 professionals to provide help without charge
to over 1000 career changers and job seekers.
He recently ended a term as Chairman of the Board of Lincoln Lutheran of
Racine. During this term the board was reorganized, adopted its first
strategic plan, and established new policies that are bringing this 32
million dollar a year not-for-profit to financial health.
He has been writing and editing newsletters and taking pictures since
junior high school. Don has been interested in computers since he
“maxed-out” his credit cards to buy his first personal computer over 20
years ago. His current interest is in web site and database programming.
His BA is from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. His MDiv is
from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
He and his wife lead courses, seminars, and retreats in marriage, family
and parenting. They are the parents of four children and grandparents of
ten grandchildren.
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