With giving to the organization down significantly, Women of the ELCA’s executive board adopted a 2021 budget that will change the staff configuration. The new staffing model was announced on Dec. 16. Eight of 10 on staff will move to part-time positions on Feb. 1, and two will remain full-time.
Executive Director Linda Post Bushkofsky and Gather Editor Elizabeth Hunter will keep their full-time jobs. The remaining eight positions will go part-time, with seven of those positions continuing through the end of August 2021. Gather‘s managing editor Sarah Carson will work part-time indefinitely. See staff positions here.
The board, in a special meeting Dec. 5, approved a 2021 budget of $1,636,250 or $729,750 (31 percent) less than the 2020 budget of $2,366,000.
“We are recommending a budget best suited for our finances given the pandemic and the reduction in income we’ve been receiving year after year,” said Sara Larson, chairman of the churchwide budget and finance committee.
“For many years, we have been trying to get by and making ways for there not to be staff cuts,” she added. “However, we cannot continue to operate in this manner. We have to come up with a new plan.”
New staffing model
In announcing the new staffing model, Bushkofsky said, “I see the time between January and August as allowing focused strategic thinking about how the organization will meet its mission in the future and what staffing arrangement will best serve the organization into that future. That strategic thinking will build upon the work already accomplished by the churchwide executive board during the 2017-2020 triennium.”
“What staffing will look like come September 1, 2021, is unknown, beyond the work of the executive director, editor of Gather, and managing editor of Gather,” Bushkofsky said.
Strategic thinking by the board and staff will inform future staffing decisions, she said. Over the next several months, additional information will also become available to assist in making those staffing decisions, such as 1) actual revenue received in FY2020, 2) the pandemic trajectory, and 3) revenue received in quarters one and two of FY2021.
In other actions, the board:
- Amended an investment policy adopted at its regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 24, 2020, that will allow the entire executive board to decide where to distribute gifts over $25,000.
- Approved a recently received bequest of $152,000 to be distributed “where needed most.”
- Authorized the executive director and board treasurer to open a bank account at BMOHarris for general operating purposes and an account at Edward Jones for the recent $152,00 bequest.
- Heard an informational update on the status of the triennial convention and gathering in Phoenix, Ariz. Both in-person events were postponed until August 2021.
Feature photo: Top row, l-r, Linda Post Bushkofsky, Elizabeth Hunter, Sarah Carson. Middle row, l-r, Valora K Starr, Elizabeth McBride, Terri Lackey, Eva James Yeo. Bottom row, l-r, Deana Velandra, Audrey Riley, Jen DeLeon.
Blessings to all of you as you have made these difficult decisions and look towards the “new” creation of Women of the ELCA. “All Anew,” was a wonderful for theme for the 10th Triennial in 2017. .
I ask that God provide a way for those who wish to stay on staff to do so. Make a path God, take obstacles out of the way and provide for these women and their ministries. Ease their hearts. God please guide the Executive Board of the Women of the ELCA and Executive Director Linda Post Bushkofsky as they decide what to do next.
We are blessed with a staff that has served the organization, excelling in their support of the Women of the ELCA. We must continue to seek God’s direction for our organization. I am praying for the staff in their transition and for guidance in living our purpose.
Yes happy for all regardless of position. So sorry these changes must happen but understand the financials. A Happy new year to you and God bless your work.
The work that Liz and Sarah have done to make Gather such an excellent magazine should be highly commended. Thank you for the care you have put into each issue to include all women! Holding you and all the staff in prayer during this challenging transition.
I am so grateful that the staff are willing to stay on part-time and guide us into this new transitioning operational life as bold women.