PURPOSE STATEMENT
As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, We commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society, and the world. CHURCHWIDE WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION The churchwide women's organization establishes and supports units to carry out God's mission in the church, the society, and the world; equips participants and encourages all to grow as whole persons, value themselves and others, articulate and act upon their faith, and witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ; advocates for the oppressed and voiceless, urge change in systems and structures that exclude and alienate, and work for peace and justice as messengers of hope; relates to other women's organizations ecumenically and globally; provides for development and distribution of resources and a periodical for its participants; provides for flexible structures and decision-making processes that foster interdependence and involve people in the decisions that affect them; and provides opportunities for the financial support of Women of the ELCA and develops a system for management of the assets and processes for planning and evaluation in order to ensure fulfillment of the mission of Women of the ELCA. The leadership of the Churchwide Organization includes a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 17 Board Members who are elected at the Triennial Conventions. SYNODICAL WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION  The synodical women's organization, in partnership with the churchwide women's organization, clusters or conferences, and units, establishes plans and policies to fulfill the purpose of the organization; activates churchwide organization emphases and priorities; recruits, prepares, and supports leaders; works within the church and society for the affirmation of women and the utilization of their gifts for ministry; promotes and advocates for peace and justice in cooperation with others; fosters creative programming in units and clusters or conferences; assists units to design appropriate structures for effective functioning; fosters the grouping of units in clusters or conferences and assists in building supportive and interdependent relationships among individuals and units; establishes financial policies, builds budgets, and encourages support of the financial objectives of the synodical women's organization by individuals and units; establishes and promotes ecumenical relationships, consistent with churchwide policy; provides for synodical women's organization conventions; and provides materials and historical information for the archivist. The leadership of the Synodical Organization includes a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 10 Board Members who are elected at the Annual Conventions. CLUSTERS
Clusters (or conferences) are geographic areas composed of the congregational units on the roll of the synodical women’s organization. They work interdependently with the synodical organization and the congregational units to fulfill the purpose of Women of the ELCA through activities that:
The leadership of each Cluster includes a Coordinator, Recorder, and a Member-at-Large who are elected at the Spring Cluster Meetings. CONGREGATIONAL UNITS Participation in a congregational unit is open to all women in the congregation and other women who subscribe to the purpose of the Women of the ELCA; commit themselves to come together for study, support, and action; participate in the ministry of Women of the ELCA beyond the congregation; support financially the total program of the Women of the ELCA; and designate leadership to communicate with synodical and churchwide women's organizations. Women elected to leadership in a unit and elected as delegates to a convention of the synodical women's organization must be a voting member of a congregation of the ELCA or a voting member of one of the congregations that compose an intercongregational unit. Congregational units participate in the convention of the Synodical Women's Organization by electing a delegate and an alternate to represent the unit; cooperating in the process for nomination of officers and board members of the synodical women's organization; participate in the process for nomination of delegates to the Triennial Convention, and participate in the process of nominations. The leadership of each Congregational Unit includes a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer who are elected at general meetings of the congregational unit. |