For Women of the ELCA to survive and thrive into the future, it must look “radically different,” said the organization’s Executive Director Linda Post Bushkofsky.
“The structural model that we are using goes back to the 1860s and 70s. It doesn’t fit today’s time,” she said in her report to the executive board that met in Chicago, Oct. 17-19. “If there is going to be a women’s organization of the church into the future, it needs to look radically different than it does now.”
At its October meeting, the executive board heard a report from the exploratory committee and adopted an agenda for the Eleventh Triennial Convention (2020). It also heard a Gathering 2020 progress report and installed a new member, Dawn Wicklund of Superior, Wis., who replaced a resigning member.
Exploratory committee
An 11-member exploratory committee examining potential organizational and constitutional changes convened in early 2019 “to investigate Women of the ELCA’s current business model” and mission and purpose. Formation of the committee was adopted at the board’s April 2018 meeting to address dwindling participants and fewer gifts to the organization.
The exploratory committee offered several possible constitutional changes that will go before the triennial convention. Those include streamlining the organization’s governance process by reducing to three the number of voting members attending conventions beginning in 2023. A recommendation to reduce the size of the executive board from 21 to 14 will be decided on in a Dec. 6 executive board conference call.
Other recommendations from the exploratory committee include:
- combining the 2023 triennial convention with the 2023 Conference of Presidents’ meeting;
- an addition of a young adult advisor to the executive board;
- the possibility of using video messages rather than executive board members to address SWO conventions beginning in 2021;
- surveying targeted groups, such as clergy, young adults, and younger women; and
- extending the work of the exploratory committee for another year.
Several of these measures will be discussed in the Dec. 6 executive board conference call and forwarded to the Eleventh Triennial Convention (2020) in Phoenix, July 14-16.
Giving trends
In reporting on current giving trends, Executive Board Treasurer Anna Sarver said that “giving continues to lag behind 2018.”
Through August 2019, Thankofferings at $95,761 are $8,140 below what they were this time last year. Likewise, Regular Offerings at $122,662 are $41,312 below this time last year. SWO convention and Conference/Cluster offerings show a similar pattern, she said.
“So, in these four key categories of offerings, giving in 2019 is lagging behind 2018,” she said. “This could be just a timing issue, or it could signal the continuing decline in giving to the churchwide organization, which has been our trend for the last 20 years.”
Looking at the overall picture, she said, expenses through the end of August are just over $1 million, and revenue is about $627,000. The difference is approximately $450,000. In this same period in fiscal 2018, expenses were approximately $1.36 million, and revenue was just over $1 million. The difference then was $310,792, she said.
Budget and finance committee
Laura Krueger, acting chair of the budget and finance committee, expressed “deep concerns” about the financial trends of the organization. Chair Sara Larson was unable to attend the meeting.
“The committee has a serious, and I mean desperate concern, that [the organization] has not yet set aside any money for the triennial convention,” Krueger said. “And it doesn’t look like we are going to have any this year.” The convention price tag is usually about $750,000. That includes travel, room and board, and convention facilities for 311 voting members, she said.
The board adopted a committee recommendation to move a total of $461,791.56 from the New Ministries Fund to cover money owed to the ELCA for 2018 expenses not covered by revenue.
Krueger said the move would reduce the New Ministries Fund by more than half. “And we might have to use the rest of it to cover expenses in the fiscal year 2019. So, there won’t be a lot going forward to do new ministries.”
The budget and finance committee was granted an extension for the preparation of budgets for FY2020 and FY2021. The committee will meet November 15 to receive additional research and strategic analysis by staff and then the committee will present draft budgets to the full board during its December 6 conference call.
Development Committee
In the Development Committee report, board members learned that:
- All 21 executive board members have made at least one gift of record in the current 2017-2020 triennium for a total of $22,753;
- Of 21 executive board members, 18 give automatically to Faithful Friends. Learn more about Faithful Friends and how to give automatically to the organization.
In other action, the board:
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Presented Wyvetta Bullock, assistant to the ELCA presiding bishop and executive for administration, with a photo collage and resolution of thanks. The resolution offers Bullock, who retires Jan. 31, 2020, appreciation for her “untiring service to Women of the ELCA.”
- Approved the Eleventh Triennial Convention (2020) memorials committee and reference and counsel committee members and elected a nominating committee.
- Approved a recommendation to forward to the Eleventh Triennial Convention an endorsement of Thursdays in Black as approved by the Churchwide Assembly in 2019.
- Approved a recommendation to forward to the Eleventh Triennial Convention an affirmation of the apology at the Churchwide Assembly in 2019 of the ELCA to people of African descent for historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism.
- Approved a recommendation that Women of the ELCA participants be encouraged to study the Explanation of the ELCA to People of African descent.
- Approved a plan to continue to reach out to presidents of synodical women’s organizations to strengthen relationships.
- Approved a recommendation to add a conversation about gender to the April 2020 executive board plenary agenda.
- Approved changes to the Florida-Bahama SWO constitution.
- Received racial justice training and participated in a stewardship education workshop;
- Heard reports from the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Lutheran Men in Mission, and staff.
Terri Lackey is director for communication for Women of the ELCA. Photos by Elizabeth McBride and Terri Lackey. Feature photo, clockwise from top left, Dinah Dutta, left, and Karen Voris; Lydia Davila, from left, Angela Bell, and Lois Bylund; Linda Post Bushkofsky; and Dawn Wicklund, left, Kandy Pflaster, and Lynette Todd.
Good to hear discussion first changes happening now. Some are suggestions from years ago. Women of the ELCA mission and purpose is relevant today, but how do we get this to the woman in the pew or occasional attendee? Many choices for women today and knowing my daughters schedules it is overwhelming. Yes, we support the ministry, but not always available for participation. Online meditation is a great start to the day.
Constitutions have Bylaws. If things in the constitution need to be amended to better meet the present situation, do it. I don’t see the board and administration thinking very radically to make needed changes. Past time to think outside the box. The structure of the organization at present is not working. More flexibility and autonomy is needed at congregations, conferences, all the way up the chain. To many rules and guidelines to follow. Not enough freedom to be creative.
I agree with Lucia’s comments. Money should go to support mission and ministry.That is what Jesus asks us to do Let’s think radically.
Thank you for your work for WELCA. God’s blessing. Mary Eichen
I agree with Lucia Schroeder that we should be using the money to fund such things at Current of Curran or assisting migrant women’s issues. That would be radically different! I also read from Laura Krueger that we are moving $461,791 from New Ministries Fund to cover money OWED to the ELCA for 2018 expenses not covered by revenue. Do you mean to tell me that we are borrowing from ELCA to pay our bills??? That should STOP! If we can not financially exist on our own, we should cease. What is the ELCA NOT able to fund or serve because they are giving us money? You have not planned ahead.
I feel that changes MUST be made. Right now it appears as if the decisions made are “top-down” to the organization. Synods now pay for 1 delegate to go to convention. Also you want 60% of offerings at synod level to go to you. You are always asking for money! Now you are taking money from the New Ministries fund to fund the convention. We have forgotten our purpose. The purpose of the organization is NOT to just have our convention. How about having the convention and triennial at a college/university in a city? Have convention at university/college and then have Gathering there too, or in the large city. At the triennial delegates could stay in dorms and have food provided(paid by us) college instead of the terrible food provided at conventions or in those food cards.You could have done it in Minneapolis. Cut expenses!!!! I also agree that we could video or Skype the convention from synods. Think out of the box! The problem is that you have planned for Phoenix without having the money to pay for it. That is not responsible. And now you are trying to shift the responsibility to us! And of course you have already decided on Spokane. You have to decide if our first purpose is the convention OR for the WELCA to exist? You said that if we are to THRIVE into the future WELCA must LOOK radically different. Yes, and it must ACT radically different!
I agree, we shouldn’t be taking money from New Ministries to pay for other expenses. When an organization starts looking inward and using it’s funds for internal purposes, it is the start of shrinking inward. Instead, we need to look outward and New Ministries is one way. It needs to be funded.
I’d also like to suggest that you put more than one young adult on the board. No one wants to be the ‘token’ member. In order to have true movement into the future we must hear more from the voices of young women who will carry things into the future.
Terri, thank you for a fortified and factual article. I am glad it is creating a discussion. I decided to run for the Executive Board after many years of being the youngest woman in the room at WELCA events. I saw the wonderful and amazing things this organization does and advocates for and I felt a bond to the sisterhood of believers who put Christ at the center of their life and made it their mission to raise up others.
I had all kinds of ideas of how to save money and create new programs and welcome a younger crowd. But the realization of the way the system has been built makes change difficult. This system is anything but top-heavy. The way the constitution is created allows all units to have say and voice in any decisions made at the top. This is why we have conventions, so everyone can be heard and every region is represented. This system worked for many years, but the cost of funding this system is killing us now. Not because we are spending more, but because we are not taking in even half of what we did ten years ago. All expenses have been cut, staff numbers have decreased, and we are at bare bone for operating expenses.
You know in your own churches you can be doing amazing work for the glory of God, but if none of the funds coming in go to pay for the operating expenses the Word has a had time being printed. But “fear not” says the Lord! Where or more are gathered, the Spirit is present.
The mission of the Women of the ELCA is still revelant, in fact it is probably more relevant than it ever has been.
With conflict, comes change! This organization was built on the backs of women selling eggs and baked goods. What it will look like in ten years is up to everyone. Our mission is to grow, support, and affirm one another. Let’s keep doing that!
Maybe it’s time to allow individual to join ELCA, instead of only church groups. Since my lokal congregation has become uber conservative, I do not fel welcome there. I would gladly join WELCA independently.
I think it could be designed so that individuals could join through their synodical organization. It is too bad that so many congregations do not have active WELCA units. Sometimes it is because the rural congregations are so small, but I’m sure there are other reasons as well.
My Church has no women’s ministry. I don’t attend as my once open congregation has become very conservative and closed, not open and welcoming. Attending the convention is a gloriors time for me to be a part of the church. Just like going to the Youth convetions with my kids. I’d like to be more nvolved. I’d like my adult daughters to be more involved. No WELCA at their churches either.
I belong to a fairly large congregation. We have women’s Bible studies and various ongoing women’s projects but no official connection to WELCA. As with other grey-haired congregations we struggle to find ways to bridge with the younger generations. I am glad to see WELCA is working on addressing the concerns we all have. Women have been such an important part of church life. You are in my prayers. I would, however, suggest that you include more than one younger woman in your discernment. Two or three would provide more insight and be less intimidated.
Thanks, Lucia, for your comments. You’ve offered some thoughtful reflections, and some of your ideas were considered by the exploratory committee and now are before the board. To implement some changes requires constitutional changes, and there will be some proposed constitutional changes going before the triennial convention in July 2020.
Here are just a few words of claification. The triennial convention is required by the constitution, and the churchwide women’s organization is required by the constitution to cover the cost of the constitution. This is the business meeting that happens every three years.For the convention in 2020 we’ll have about 315 women participating as voting members.
Separate from the convention is the gathering. It is a self-funding event, meaning the cost of registration along with vendor/exhibit fees and sponsorships, among others, cover the expenses incurred in order to make the event happen. Registration is now open for 2020 Gathering and we’re hoping to have at least 2,500 women participate.
I’m so pleased you enjoy Gather magazine and Daily Grace, our app that delivers daily devotions. Both are wonderful companions on our faith journey.
Linda Post Bushkofsky
Executive director, Women of the ELCA
Thanks for publishing this information. It would seem time to eliminate the Triennial Conventions and provide video options of special speakers, including International “guests” for use by synods to upgrade their synodical conventions. The Triennials are too expensive and only wealthy can attend unless supported by their local congregations. Board meetings should be held via Confence Calls or Skype type meetings. There are so many options for “internet” and other media. A once a year meeting to help the board get acquainted would be good. A national board member is a member of our Congregation, but I have never heard her present to our local women, nor seen her visiting at a Homeless Shelter, nor ask what we would like to have WELCA as a group do/support. Maybe she has, but I haven’t seen it. She did get some extra support for one of the African Mission projects.
I greatly appreciate our Gather Magazine as a Bible Study and much more. I read it cover to cover. I also appreciate the daily onlire short devotionals and links to LWR. We need to see our offerings go to sharing our faith and helping those in need, the missions that we can’t do on our own. Rather than thousands of dollars for a Convention what could that money do for assisting migrant women and their children on the border? Reaching out to refugees in various African nations? to the Kurdish Homeless? to Homeless women in our own communities? Jesus teaching was to reach out to those less fortunate with love and compassion and food and clothing!
God bless you in your work as representatives of the women in the ELCA.
Lucia Schroeder
I agree with many of the comments which recognize the non-function of old paradigms and practices. However, for the women in my congregation, the Triennial is an important experience of inspiration, connection and vacation. As soon as one Triennial ends, we are psyched up for the next one. Online portals are great, but most of our women do not have ready access to the internet (except for buying data on their phones or going to the library). We fund-raise once a month for 3 years in order to subsidize the cost of travel and hotel. The women save and save to be able to pay their own registration fees. So in our case, the assumption that only wealthy women can afford the experience, is incorrect. We are a community in which the majority struggle to pay rent and to put food on the table.
Thank you to all of the women who serve tirelessly to keep Women’s Ministries alive at the national, synodical and local levels.