Executive board meeting summaries
The churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA met March 18–19, 2011 in Lisle, Illinois (suburban Chicago), to address matters forwarded to them by the annual conference of synodical presidents held in February, the upcoming triennial convention and gathering, and the size of the board, among other things.
Actions on recommendations from the conference of synodical presidents
The synodical presidents of Region 8 recommended that synodical women’s organization board training be reintroduced. It has not been offered for about 10 years due to budget and staff limitations. Recognizing that these limitations continue to prohibit reintroducing that training in the way it had been conducted, the board recommended that the synodical leaders handbook be expanded, supplemental resources be developed as necessary, and the 2012 Conference of Synodical Presidents focus on leadership development.
Constitutional changes were recommended by Regions 4 and 6. The presidents of Region 4 suggested that language in the synodical women’s organization constitution at Article IV be changed from “committee” to “team” to encourage more participation. The Region 6 presidents recommended that the model constitution for units be modified to better meet the needs of all 6 of the suggested organizational models. The board did not approve either change and in its response noted that the sections in question are not required sections; the synodical organization or unit can modify these sections as needed to suit their circumstances.
The presidents of Region 7 recommended that there be a section on the Web site of the churchwide organization for sharing skits, because synodical organizations are always looking for new and creative programming and entertainment for their conventions and other gatherings. The board’s response was that this would not be an appropriate function of the churchwide organization, especially considering the numerous copyright issues that might arise. Instead, the board suggests that presidents contact one another via group e-mail or post inquiries to the Women of the ELCA Facebook page.
Reduction in size of executive board to be proposed
At this summer’s convention, the delegates will be asked to consider a proposed constitutional change put forth by the executive board that the size of the board be reduced from 21 members to 13 (four officers and nine board members). The rationale for the change encompasses issues of board recruitment, board efficiency and financial stewardship.
This change would require a two-thirds vote by the delegates to pass and would require a second reading at the 2014 convention. The first triennium for which the reduced board size could be implemented is 2014–2017; the 2011–2014 board will not be affected.
Renaming of Lutheran Woman Today magazine endorsed
To maintain a strong readership base and reach new audiences, including ecumenical partners who do not have women’s magazines, Lutheran Woman Today magazine will be renamed this fall. The new name will be announced at the triennial gathering in July.
The focus of the magazine’s content will not change. The board and staff believe that this rebranding will allow the magazine to share its message with a much wider audience and help maintain its strong position as a leader in the field of faith-based women’s magazines.
Updates on the triennial gathering and convention
The board heard an update on registration and programming for the triennial gathering. As of March 15, 80% of the goal of having 2,000 registered participants was reached. With 1600 women registered, 400 more are needed to reach the goal of 2,000 participants, which is based on historical participation trends and is necessary to meet the budget for the event. Promotion continues through many means, including advertisements in ELCA and Women of the ELCA publications, announcements in social media, direct mail to congregations in Region 1 and to ecumenical partners, and an e-mail blast to the 3,000+ ordained women in the ELCA.
The triennial convention nominating committee has completed its work and has prepared a slate of nominees for secretary, treasurer and churchwide board. The memorials committee has met via conference call and prepared its report, the president and parliamentarian have met with staff for script review, and the delegate roster is close to being closed. The board also made a change to the proposed rules of procedure that would result in a change in how recommendations from the memorials committee and the reference and counsel committee will be considered by the delegate body when a memorial or resolution comes before them for action.
Preliminary plans for observing the 25th anniversary approved
Next year, 2012, marks the 25th anniversary of Women of the ELCA. A nine-member anniversary steering committee will be appointed later this spring, made up of one woman from each of the nine regions. This committee will serve as an advisory group to assist in the planning and coordination of our anniversary celebration, which may include anniversary stories in our various media (Lutheran Woman Today, Interchange, etc.), a printed anniversary resource with litany and prayers, a retrospective on the history of the organization on our Web site, ideas for celebrating the anniversary in “25 somethings,” and more. Look for more information as plans come together.
In ongoing matters, the board heard reports from the executive director and staff, engaged in stewardship education and anti-racism education, and received a report from Church Women United.
The board’s next meeting is Monday, July 11, immediately preceding the Eighth Triennial Convention in Spokane, Washington.
The churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA met October 15–16, 2010, in Lisle, Illinois (suburban Chicago) and addressed the 2011 budget and the organization’s upcoming triennial convention and gathering, among other things.
Operating budgets approved, proposed
The board approved the 2011 budget of $2,443,555, which anticipates $603,975 in regular offerings and $1,106,950 in Thankofferings. As expected, spending for 2011 will occur in programming, communication efforts, governance, administration and operations. The board also considered a proposed budget for 2012 of $2,333,555 and will forward that budget to the Eighth Triennial Convention for its consideration.
Convention business committees set and agenda adopted
Also in preparing for the convention, the board elected the nominating committee, to be chaired by Sally Frank, churchwide treasurer during the 1999-2002 triennium. She currently serves as president of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synodical Women’s Organization. Nominations for positions on the churchwide executive board, including secretary and treasurer, are due by November 30. The board also approved appointments to two other business committees, the memorials committee and the reference and counsel committee.
The board also adopted the agenda for the convention. The Rev. Jessica Christ, bishop of the Montana Synod, ELCA, will preach and preside at the convention’s opening worship, 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Plenary business sessions begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue through Thursday morning, July 14, 2011. The Rev. Wilma Kucharek, bishop of the Slovak Zion Synod, ELCA, will lead a Bible study during the convention.
Special unit approved
The board approved a special unit, Poynette Pioneering Women, a unit in a senior retirement home in Poynette, Wis. The special unit will report to the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin Synodical Women’s Organization.
Other budget matters
The programs and communication committee of the board passed on recommendations for India endowment grants to the executive director. Funds for grants to ministries in India come from specific restricted-purpose endowments of predecessor women’s organizations and are awarded annually. A total of $15,300 will be distributed to four different women’s ministries in India.
At the recommendation of the board’s budget and finance committee, the board adopted an investment policy that provides for investment of funds with the ELCA Foundation, continuing the current practice. The policy further provides that individual unrestricted bequests and gifts of less than $25,000 be considered current income. With individual unrestricted bequests and gifts of $25,000 or more, 50% of the bequest or gift shall go into the reserve fund of Women of the ELCA until that fund reaches $1 million; 10% shall be a Thankoffering tithe; and the remaining 40% shall be given in equal amounts to Katie’s Fund (endowment), Women of the ELCA scholarship funds, the women and children in poverty grant fund, and a ministry or program as decided by the churchwide board at the time of the bequest or gift.
Loss of congregational units
Eva James Yeo, director for membership, reported the loss of 117 congregational units in congregations that have held the requisite two votes to leave the ELCA. Yeo explained that letters are sent to those congregational units, their pastors and their synod bishops, thanking the women for their involvement in and support of Women of the ELCA and suggesting ways in which the women can remain connected to Women of the ELCA.
Other business
In ongoing matters, the board continued its commitment to stewardship education by participating in an extended session on gift planning and estate planning with David Novak, director for gift planning, ELCA Foundation. As it does at each board meeting, the board continued its commitment to lead Women of the ELCA in its desire to become an anti-racist organization by engaging in a two-hour anti-racism education session, led by Inez Torres Davis, director for justice, Women of the ELCA.
The board’s next meeting is March 18–19, 2011, in Lisle, Illinois.
The churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA met April 23-24, 2010, in Lisle, Illinois (suburban Chicago).
Triennial Gathering agenda approved, offering recipients designated
The Triennial Gathering will begin Thursday evening, July 14, 2011, with an informal reception with the Rev. Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA. Friday and Saturday will include worship opportunities, keynote speakers and workshops. The third Run, Walk and Roll to benefit Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls, our health initiative, will occur Saturday morning. In-kind gifts for local ministries will be collected, and service opportunities will be featured in the exhibit hall. Closing worship will take place on Saturday evening, and numerous optional tours will be available on Sunday (as well as Thursday during the day, prior to the opening reception).
Opening worship on Friday morning of the Gathering will be a Thankoffering service, with the Rev. Dr. Wyvetta Bullock preaching. Saturday evening’s closing worship offering will be divided three ways: 50% to Women of the ELCA ongoing ministries, 25% to the ELCA’s malaria initiative and 25% to Women Peace and Security Network Africa. The final designation is the organization affiliated with and founded by Leymah Gbowee, our keynote speaker on Saturday morning.
Learn more about the Triennial Gathering.
The Eighth Triennial Convention, to be held July 12-14, 2011, will precede the gathering. The board adopted proposed Rules of Procedure for the convention. The Rev. Jessica Christ, bishop of the Montana Synod, ELCA, will preach at the opening convention worship.
Convention offerings will be divided with 50% going to Women of the ELCA ongoing ministries, 25% to the Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia and 25% to Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. Several memorials adopted by the Seventh Triennial Convention (2008) were related to environmental issues, including water consumption and mountaintop removal mining. ELCMA's work focuses on environmental education, advocacy and care for God’s creation, and ELCA Outdoor Ministries is also focused on environmental education and creation stewardship.
Support of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative affirmed
The board directed that Women of the ELCA endorse the Lutheran Malaria Initiative and that the executive director establish a campaign that may include promotion of the initiative at the Triennial Gathering, a challenge related to buying mosquito nets, awareness sessions and information in churchwide publications.
Constitutional suggestion addressed
The board rejected a memorial from the Oregon Synodical Women’s Organization convention that would increase term limits for board members from two consecutive terms to three. The constitution committee of the board stated that “instead of changing the constitution, we suggest that SWO boards (1) search more diligently and creatively to find nominees to fill the board positions; (2) look at the total number of board members and duties and responsibilities thereof and perhaps adjust those numbers or duties; (3) work on leadership development in order to raise up board members who may become officers.”
Stewardship education
During its stewardship education time, the board heard from the director of Project Return, a 2009 Women of the ELCA grant recipient from Peoria, Illinois, that partners with women in prison and continues to work with them for one year after release. “People of God are called to stand in the gap created in our society between those people who are in prison and those people who are not,” Karen Wong, executive director of Project Return, told the board members. “We are called to step up to the plate, to move toward people that other people move away from.”
Project Return reaches out specifically to incarcerated women with children because the program wants to help break the cycle that could otherwise lead those children into prison as well. Project Return helps with housing, jobs (or an alternative to help one get a job, like schooling) and healthy relationships. Wong told the board members that “without Women of the ELCA, Project Return would not exist.” Project Return received a $2,500 grant in 2009 from Women of the ELCA. As Wong finished her presentation, she asked the board members and staff to pray for women in prison, those who are leaving prison, those who work in prisons and volunteers who work with those in prison.
Other business
A memorial from the Upper Susquehanna SWO on United Nations Resolution 1325 was referred by the board to the Eighth Triennial Convention. The SWO’s resolution calls for support of the U.N. resolution, which addresses the disproportionate impact of war on women and requires parties in a conflict to respect women’s rights and support their participation in peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction.
The board passed a policy that churchwide executive board members shall not participate in their own synodical conventions in any way that would affect the outcome of resolutions, memorials, elections or other business. Also, members of the board shall participate in their units in any way that supports the unit’s membership in Women of the ELCA, other than being a delegate to a synodical convention. The board also passed a policy on filling executive board member vacancies.
As part of the board’s stewardship development policy, each board member is asked to contribute to the churchwide expression of Women of the ELCA at a level she considers significant. The board achieved a 100% participation rate in 2009, as reported by the board’s development committee.
The board referred three of four recommendations from the 2010 Conference of Synodical Presidents to the executive director for further consideration; the final recommendation went to the board’s constitution committee.
The board also participated in a two-hour anti-racism education time, as it has committed to doing at every board meeting.
The next meeting of the churchwide executive board is October 15-16, 2010.
The churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA met October 16-17, 2009, and addressed the 2010 budget and the organization’s upcoming triennial convention and gathering, among other things. Spokane, Wash., is the site of the 2011 triennial convention and gathering. The board toured the city as well as the convention center.
Triennial theme
The board set the theme for the 2011 Triennial Gathering, to be held July 14-17, 2011, as “Renew, Respond, Rejoice!”
2010 operating budget adopted, churchwide staff reduced
The board adopted an annual operating budget for 2010 that anticipates total revenue and support of $2,475,300, with the two largest contributions coming from regular offerings ($671,084) and Thankofferings ($1,188,065). The anticipated revenue and support is about $376,000 less than expected in the current year.
Due to the decrease in anticipated revenue and support, and at the direction of the executive board, the executive director announced a reduction in and restructuring of the churchwide staff. The reduction and restructuring eliminates seven positions as of January 31, 2010. The staff will then number 13.
"It was with deep regret that a reduction in staff was necessary in order to ensure that we can continue our ministry to women across the church,” said churchwide president Beth Wrenn. “Please join the executive board in holding these seven women in prayer as they discern the future. We express tremendous gratitude for their work and dedication to Women of the ELCA."
Other budget matters
The board passed a $788,706 budget for the 8th Triennial Convention (July 12-14, 2011) and a $874,452 budget for the 2011 Triennial Gathering.
In 2009 the churchwide organization received two estate gifts, totaling approximately $800,000. The executive board received this news with great appreciation for the generosity of the donors and determined that the money would be used in several ways to support growth in the organization and for the church as a whole.
Two scholarship funds will each receive approximately $50,000, including the Chilstrom fund that supports women in seminary. Approximately $100,000 will go into the Katharina von Bora Endowment fund, a Women of the ELCA fund that supports ministries of global sharing, leadership development, and living theology. The board looked to the future of the organization by devoting approximately $100,000 to a fund for planned giving and approximately $400,000 to a reserve fund. Smaller amounts were designated for marketing research for Lutheran Woman Today magazine (approximately $20,000) and a gift to the annual operating budget through a Thankoffering (approximately $80,000).
The board received a positive report on the first annual campaign for the Katharina von Bora Luther Fund, an endowment fund of the organization popularly known as Katie’s Fund. As of early October, over 600 gifts to the fund were received for a total of more than $36,000. Donors were given a new option in 2009 that allows them to make a gift to current needs or to the endowment. So far the gifts have been fairly evenly distributed between the two options. Also through this first annual appeal, the number of individual donors to the churchwide women’s organization has grown by more than 50%.
Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls seed grants
Looking to the future, the executive board approved the creation of seed grants as part of the Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls health initiative of the organization. The grants will provide seed money to congregational units of Women of the ELCA for health initiative programs that intentionally involve women across generations and are easily replicable by other units. The grants will be funded with $50,000 raised as part of the health initiative. Additional details about this new grants program will be provided in late winter 2010.
"Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls is such an important focus for Women of the ELCA,” commented president Wrenn. “My hope is that women will come up with creative ways to use the seed grants to encourage women and girls to make their health a priority."
Executive director offered third 4-year term
The board extended an offer of a third four-year term to the organization’s executive director, Linda Post Bushkofsky. She is the fourth installed executive director of the organization and already has served longer in that post than any previous executive director.
Stewardship education
During its stewardship education time, the board learned about a women’s drop-in center in Spokane that received a $2,800 grant from Women of the ELCA this year. Women’s Hearth, a program of Transitions, provides homeless and low-income women with a safe space to gather in community. An average of 100-150 women visit Women’s Hearth every day. The center offers therapy-oriented life skills classes, many of which use art as a healing tool, as well as a job training program.
Ginny O’Bryen Edwards, who addressed the board, had found solace at Women’s Hearth several years ago. Ginny, a recovering addict out on parole, had learned of the center from two streetwalkers. “I am part of a large family, but I never felt I belonged anywhere until I walked into Women’s Hearth,” Edwards told the board members. She ended up participating in nearly every class offered at the center and found her voice in writing poetry. Today she is an apartment complex manager, has been in recovery for 9 years, and has served on a regional committee on homelessness. “Everything I get to do is leading the way for women to come behind me,” said a grateful Edwards. Speaking to groups like the board, she concluded, “feeds my soul.”
Other business
Betsy Baguhn, of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, was installed as an executive board member. She had been appointed by the executive committee September 1, 2009, to fill the unexpired term of Marge Dykstra, of Akron, Iowa, who had resigned in late August. The board heard reports from its standing committees and advisors along with a report of the synodical convention coordinator, a board member who organizes the presence of board members at synodical conventions. The board participated in a two-hour anti-racism education time, as it has committed to doing at every board meeting.
The board’s next meeting is April 22-25, 2010.
View the video of President Wrenn's address here.
The churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA held its spring meeting April 24–25 in Chicago. Among the many items discussed were items related to the 2011 Triennial Convention and Gathering, including a revision to the rank order process that will be used for electing delegates to the Triennial Convention; a downward revision to the 2009 budget of the churchwide organization; and a stewardship development policy for the board. The board also considered recommendations forwarded to them by the Conference of Synodical Presidents, which took place in February.
Triennial Convention and Gathering
In 2008, the Triennial Convention passed a memorial on the selection of sites for the convention and gathering that asked the executive board to reconsider having the events move across the country based on time zone. The memorial proposed having every other triennial at a site centrally located within the United States.
After reviewing an analysis of all the factors that go into selecting a site—including sufficient meeting space, number of double rooms within 2 blocks of the convention center, safety, tour opportunities, cost, and accessibility—the board voted to continue our practice of moving the convention and gathering through the U.S. time zones. In the discussion, it was noted that the centrally located cities with facilities appropriate for our event are not necessarily the most cost effective, and that airfares are impossible to predict three, six, or more years in advance of an event. Also, while we know that fellowship is a primary reason women attend, the popularity or location of the city can have a significant impact on the decision to attend as well, as evidenced by the high interest in local tours at the last two triennial gatherings.
The board also requested that triennial gathering promoters (TGPs) visit Spokane, Washington, site of the 2011 Triennial Convention and Gathering, sometime this fall. The executive director and staff are working on an itinerary for the TGPs that will help them promote and be able to answer questions about the convention center, hotels, local area and attractions, and will offer training to assist them in being successful promoters.
Registration for the 2011 Triennial Gathering will open on September 15, 2010. An early registration discount will be available through December 3, 2010.
The executive committee heard a report from the executive director regarding a referral from the 2008 Triennial Convention asking that a woman of color gathering be re-instated. The executive committee reported out to the board that it has requested further research and analysis, to be reported back at the October 2009 executive board meeting.
In response to a request from the synodical convention of the Southeastern Synodical Women’s Organization, President Wrenn appointed a committee last fall to review the rank order process for electing triennial convention delegates. The board voted on and approved revisions to the rank order process, an election process that takes into account various criteria (e.g., age, education, experience, involvement, geographical location) as well as the constitutional requirements regarding the election of first-time delegates and women of color or whose first language is other than English. The revised process has been shared in detail with synodical presidents.
Churchwide budget
he budget and finance committee engaged in a thorough review of the 2009 churchwide operating budget, taking into account trends in offering support over the past several years and reasonable estimates of anticipated income for 2009 and beyond. The committee recommended, and the board adopted, a revised 2009 budget that eliminates a currently vacant staff position and reduces expenditures by 20%. In planning for the 2010 budget, the board instructed the executive director and the executive committee of the board to begin strategic planning for an operational reconfiguration that will likely result in the elimination of several staff positions for fiscal year 2010.
Board stewardship policy The board adopted a stewardship policy for board members that encourages each woman to commit to and engage in a number of stewardship goals. In presenting the policy, it was made clear that it is not intended to exclude valuable women from executive board participation but to ask each board member, as a national representative of the organization, to contribute what she considers to be personally significant. While acknowledging that board members continue to support the organization through their congregational units and synodical organizations, and that all give freely of their spiritual gifts and personal time, the policy encourages board members to, among other things: give an annual offering to the churchwide organization to the level of her ability; pay registration fees for triennial gatherings and other events sponsored by the churchwide organization; identify, cultivate, and thank donors; and participate in stewardship development training and education.
Conference of Presidents recommendationsIn response to a recommendation from the Conference of Presidents regarding training for synodical board officers, the board acted to recommend that the job descriptions that are part of the Synodical Leaders Guide, as well as other helpful information on each position, be added to the “For Synodical Leaders” section on
www.womenoftheelca.org. They further recommended that synodical leaders refer to Article 7, Section 5 of the synodical constitution for specific responsibilities of each office and to consult with the churchwide staff for additional assistance.
In response to a recommendation from the Conference of Presidents that would change the alternate delegate selection procedure—allowing any alternate delegate to fulfill the voting duties of any delegate that cannot attend the triennial convention—the board voted not to adopt the proposed change. Enacting this change would affect the total number of delegates, may impact the number of at-large delegates that would need to be appointed, and would disrupt the delegate balance as set forth in the constitution.
Two other Conference of Presidents recommendations, related to disseminating triennial gathering information as soon as possible and to conveying the importance of the churchwide expression of Women of the ELCA, were referred to the executive director.
Other business
As part of its regular business, the board received reports from the ELCA Conference of Bishops, the Presiding Bishop, the ELCA Church Council, and Lutheran Men in Mission. The board, as is its practice, devoted two hours to anti-racism education.
Finally, the board spent significant time reviewing materials and training for going out to synodical conventions as the president’s representative. At every synodical convention, a board representative is present to bring a report from the churchwide president.
Also at this meeting, Sydney Brinkman, of Allison, Iowa (Region 5) was installed as a new churchwide executive board member. She replaces Marlene Bergum, of De Pere, Wisconsin (Region 5), who resigned from the churchwide executive board prior to the spring board meeting.
The 2008–2011 churchwide executive board of Women of the ELCA, elected at the Seventh Triennial Convention, July 2008.
Pictured from left to right, back row: Sharon Heck (Whittier, Calif., 2B); Vickie Murph (Columbus, Ohio, 6F); Glynis Reid-Megargel (Old Bridge, N.J., 7A); Charleen Walker-Horton (York, Pa., 8F); Marjorie Dykstra (Akron, Iowa, 5E; resigned prior to the fall 2009 meeting and replaced by Elizabeth [Betsy] Baguhn, Mount Horeb, Wis., 5K; not pictured); Kristine Brugamyer (Dickinson, N.D, 3A); vEnessa Acham (Lebanon, N.H., 7B).
Middle row: Diane Brauer (Lincoln, Neb., 4A); Marlene Bergum (De Pere, Wis., 5J; resigned prior to the spring 2009 meeting and replaced by Syd Brinkman, Allison, Iowa, 5F; not pictured); Cam Martin (Minocqua, Wis., 5G); Jennifer Michael (Tampa, Fla., 9E); Phyllis Rude (Anchorage, Alaska, 1A); The Rev. Rosalind Brathwaite (Astoria, N.Y., 7C); Sandra Lange (Choteau, Mont., 1F), Jo Ann Fuchs (West Columbia, Texas, 4F).
Front row: Marie Tesch (Waseca, Minn., 3I); Anjanette Hodges, treasurer (Christiansburg, Va., 9A); Betty Brandt, secretary (Grand Rapids, Minn., 3E); Beth Wrenn, president (Kill Devil Hills, N.C., 9B); Charlene Spillmann, vice president (Kyle, Texas, 4E); Diane Frederick (Oak Park Heights, Minn., 3H).