An ad hoc study committee named in June by Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia to examine concerns raised by some Virginia Baptists about WMUV's personnel policies and organizational structure reported last week that “there have been no breaches of policy and that the organizational structure is sound,” according to a WMUV statement.
The five-member committee, which reported its findings to WMUV's board of trustees on Dec. 2, also offered “recommendations to help strengthen current policies and structure,” the statement said. WMUV president Becky McKinney released the statement Jan. 5.
In a separate release the same day, the organization announced the retirement of Earlene Jessee, executive director/treasurer of WMUV since 1992. Jessee's last day in her position was Dec. 31.
“WMUV is grateful for the visionary leadership that Earlene provided to this organization as executive director and for the women, men and children who have become involved in missions as a result of her efforts …,” the statement said.
“The board of trustees will be exploring ways to honor Earlene Jessee for her many contributions to Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia.”
The study committee, which was chaired by Margaret Wayland of Danville, a former Baptist General Association of Virginia president and WMUV leader, was named by WMUV's trustees to review “stated concerns from a group of women at a local church regarding personnel issues and organizational structure,” according to a statement released at the time.
Though the statement did not specify the concerns, it apparently was a reference to letters received from members of the WMU at Clifford Baptist Church in Clifford, not far from WMUV's CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center. The conference center's managers, Robbie and Kelly King, were dismissed in the fall of 2005. The Kings had close ties to Clifford Baptist Church, as did the two previous manager couples—Carl and Bonnie Davis and Dan and Linda Skipper, all of whom resigned their positions.
The staff turnover at CrossRoads also captured the attention of pastors in the surrounding Piedmont Baptist Association, who asked in a January 2006 letter to the association's WMU director that she investigate the situation. The letter was signed by the pastors of 19 of the association's 22 affiliated congregations.
In addition to Wayland, who attends West Main Baptist Church in Danville, other members of the committee are Ann Brown of Gretna, a member of First Baptist Church there and vice president and secretary of WMUV's board of trustees; Roberta Damon, a retired staff minister of First Baptist Church in Richmond; Sterling Moore, an attorney and member of Second Baptist Church in Richmond; and Merle Prince, a member of Starling Avenue Baptist Church in Martinsville who has been active in WMU at the state, associational and church levels.
In their Jan. 5 statement, WMUV's trustees said, “After several months of prayerful and thoughtful consideration of all expressed concerns and a thorough examination of documents, the ad hoc committee found that there have been no breaches of policy and that the organizational structure is sound. The committee did make recommendations to help strengthen current policies and structure.
Asked whether the ad hoc committee made any recommendations regarding Jessee, McKinney replied that the matter is a confidential personnel matter and for that reason she was not at liberty to discuss it.
“The board of trustees accepted the report and is committed to responsibly and prayerfully studying the recommendations and how they can be implemented in the best interests of WMUV.” The statement does not describe the recommendations.
Study committee statement
The WMUV advisory board and board of trustees met on December 2, 2006, to hear the report of an ad hoc committee appointed to address concerns regarding personnel and organizational structure.
After several months of prayerful and thoughtful consideration of all expressed concerns and a thorough examination of documents, the ad hoc committee found that there have been no breaches of policy and that the organizational structure is sound. The committee did make recommendations to help strengthen current policies and structure.
The board of trustees accepted the report and is committed to responsibly and prayerfully studying the recommendations and how they can be implemented in the best interests of WMUV.
Retirement statement
Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia announced the retirement of Earlene Jessee as executive director/treasurer.
Earlene came to work for WMUV in January 1989 as WMU consultant and has served as executive director/treasurer since September 1992.
During Earlene's tenure, WMUV developed several on-going ministry projects in which an individual or church can become involved. These projects include Mary and Elizabeth, Dorcas, Lydia, Parish Nursing, Ruth and Naomi, Hope Builders/Christian Women's Job Corps, Aging with Significance, Great Commission Teachers, Jochebed and Hannah and Parish Social Work. These ministries respond to needs such as teen pregnancy, poverty and homelessness, literacy, prison ministry, mentoring, life-skills training and marketplace evangelism. WMUV also introduced a new organizational model called World Missions Unlimited, which encourages gift-based ministry connections and involvement. In 2004 Earlene led WMUV in issuing the Declaration on the Dignity of Women.
WMUV is grateful for the visionary leadership that Earlene provided to this organization as executive director and for the women, men and children who have become involved in missions as a result of her efforts.
WMUV will continue to build on the heritage that has been ours since 1874, a dedication to missions and ministry. We look forward to seeing how God will lead in the coming days as we focus on our mission of reaching the world for Christ and helping all people connect their gifts and passions in ministry.
The board of trustees will be exploring ways to honor Earlene Jessee for her many contributions to Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia.