You have looked at who the women in your congregation are and how they are currently involved in mission. You have dreamed some dreams and made some plans for expanded activity to allow more women to participate. You have also looked at how your plans coordinate with the values, goals and purpose of Women of the ELCA. Now you are ready to organize.

Principles of organization
Article III of the Constitution and Bylaws of Women of the ELCA outlines "Principles of Organization" (see pages 2 and 3). Read these principles together as a group. Identify any particular principles your group needs to keep in mind as you proceed with your organizational plan.

Model constitution and bylaws for units
As background for planning, take a brief look at the Model Constitution and Bylaws, Congregational/Intercongregational Unit if you are organizing in a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Note the different sections that are included. This model is intended to identify aspects of a unit's life and relationships that might be spelled out in its documents.

Questions to ask before you organize
1. What is your purpose for organizing or reorganizing? Is it to involve women who have not been involved? Is it to more effectively involve a larger number of women in mission?
2. How much organization do you need to accomplish your goals and objectives? The organizational structure should serve the women and their mission, rather than expecting the women to serve the structure.
3. Who is willing and able to provide leadership coordinate ministries? What kind of structure will work best for these individuals and for the women in your congregation?
4. What mix of programming, groups and subgroups will help women be most effective in mission?
5. How and when will you receive offerings to support this work?

Models for mission
Review the six different models for the structure of congregational,  intercongregational, and special units here. These models are intended to be examples only. Modify them or create other models to suit your organization and its purposes. The models range from a rather uncomplicated organizational structure to a more complex one.

From New and Renewed Congregational Units, "Part 5—Unit Models to Organize for Mission." Copyright © 1996 Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Permission is granted for organizations of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to reproduce this information provided that copies are for local use only and that each copy carries the copyright notice printed above.