United Methodist Women Handbook: 2017-2020
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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN HANDBOOK 2017–2020 © 2017 United Methodist Women All biblical quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotes from The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church—2016 copyright © 2016 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission. United Methodist Women Purpose United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. United Methodist Women Living Our Vision United Methodist Women is turning faith, hope and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world. We provide opportunities and resources to grow spiritually, become more deeply rooted in Christ and put faith into action. We are organized for growth, with flexible structures leading to effective witness and action. We equip women and girls around the world to be leaders in communities, agencies, workplaces, governments and churches. We work for justice through compassionate service and advocacy to change unfair policies and systems. We provide educational experiences that lead to personal change in order to transform the world. Table of Contents Table Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction to Your Handbook 1 What’s New ................................................................. 2 Quick Guide ................................................................ 3 Section 2: Know Your Mission Organization 5 Biblical Background ..................................................... 6 The Purpose of United Methodist Women ................... 6 The Vision of United Methodist Women ....................... 7 Living the Vision ....................................................... 7 History ........................................................................ 7 Scope of the Organization’s Work ............................... 8 Advocacy and Service ............................................. 9 Educating for Mission ............................................... 12 Spiritual Growth ....................................................... 14 Equipping for Leadership ........................................... 14 Membership Outreach ............................................. 15 Funding the Mission ................................................. 15 Pledge ................................................................ 16 Budget .............................................................. 16 Five Channels of Giving ....................................... 17 Supplementary Giving ......................................... 18 Major and Planned Giving ..................................... 19 Legacy Fund ....................................................... 19 Structure of the Organization ....................................... 20 Place in the Church ..................................................... 21 Connection Worldwide ................................................ 21 Church Women United ............................................ 21 Church World Service .............................................. 22 The Commission on the Status of Women ................. 22 Ecumenical Women .................................................. 22 JustPeace Center for Mediation and Conflict ransformationT ..................................... 22 National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches .............................. 22 National Justice for Our Neighbors ............................. 23 United Methodist Committee on Relief ....................... 23 United Methodist Global AIDS Fund ............................ 23 World Day of Prayer .................................................. 23 World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women ........................................... 23 Section 3: Roles and Responsibilities in the Organization 25 Biblical Background .................................................... 26 Overview ..................................................................... 26 Leading With the Purpose in Mind ................................ 27 Local United Methodist Women Organization .............. 27 Organizational Options and Opportunities .................... 27 Table of Contents Table Elected Leadership Responsibilities ............................ 28 Tasks of Mission: Living the Vision .............................. 29 District United Methodist Women Organization ............ 31 Membership ........................................................... 31 Leadership Team ..................................................... 31 Work/Mission Opportunities ....................................... 31 Conference United Methodist Women Organization ..... 33 Membership ........................................................... 33 Leadership Team ..................................................... 33 Work/Mission Opportunities ....................................... 33 Jurisdiction United Methodist Women Organization ..... 35 United Methodist Women National Organization .......... 36 Work ....................................................................... 36 Opportunities to Connect .......................................... 39 Educational Opportunities .......................................... 39 Leadership for Mission .............................................. 39 Section 4: Take on the Tasks 41 Biblical Background ..................................................... 42 Assessing Your Context ............................................... 42 Recall: Our Purpose ..................................................... 42 Prepare: Tasks for Mission ........................................... 43 Valuing Our Mission .................................................. 43 Organizing for Mission ............................................... 44 Planning for Mission .................................................. 44 Building Community .................................................. 44 Table of Contents Table Act: Living the Vision .................................................... 45 Living Our Vision: Growing Spiritually ........................... 45 Living Our Vision: Organizing for Growth ...................... 45 Living Our Vision: Developing Leaders ......................... 46 Living Our Vision: Serving and Advocating ................... 46 Living Our Vision: Educating for Change ...................... 47 Putting the Assessment to Work .................................. 47 Creating a Leadership Team: Choices ........................ 47 Tips ............................................................................. 50 Meeting Tips ............................................................ 50 Team Building ........................................................... 56 Ten Leadership Skills ................................................ 57 Presentations ........................................................... 59 Program Planning .................................................... 63 Publicity and Promotion ............................................. 66 Etiquette in the Digital Age ......................................... 68 Section 5: Funding the Mission: Finance Policies and Directions 71 A Policy Statement on Giving of United Methodist Women National Office .................. 72 Biblical Background for Giving ................................... 72 The Program Is Mission ............................................ 73 Giving by United Methodist Women .......................... 73 Membership and Giving ............................................ 73 Authority to Secure Funds ........................................ 73 Channels of Giving ................................................... 74 Keeping the Channels Straight .................................. 77 United Methodist Women National Office Programs ....... 78 Local Finances ............................................................ 79 Today’s Financial Landscape ..................................... 79 Local Treasurer ........................................................ 80 The Local Budget .................................................... 82 Local Funds ............................................................. 84 The District and Its Finances ..................................... 86 District Treasurer ....................................................... 86 District Committee on Finance ................................... 89 The Conference and Its Finances .............................. 91 Conference Treasurer ............................................. 92 Conference Committee on Finance ......................... 94 The Jurisdiction and Its Finances .............................. 97 Jurisdiction Treasurer .............................................. 97 Jurisdiction Committee on Finance ......................... 99 Section 6: Constitution and Bylaws 101 Constitution of the United Methodist Women in the Local Church ................................................... 102 Bylaws of United Methodist Women in the Local Church ................................................... 104 Constitution of the United Methodist Women in the District ............................................................. 115