On the first day of their June 16-17 board meeting, directors learned the organization’s executive committee had hired Nelda Seal, former executive director of Louisiana WMU, for the post 11 days earlier.
On June 17, members introduced a bylaws revision to give the chief executive authority to hire, fire and supervise all personnel. Under current bylaws, she holds that authority only over personnel not directly elected by the board — meaning only over mid- and lower-level employees.
Directors are expected to vote on the amendment by mail or e-mail within 30 days.
The board also approved a recommendation to allow the interim executive “to evaluate and restructure the staff as may be deemed necessary and appropriate.”
Nina Pinkston had been named the interim executive after former exec Carolyn Porterfield unexpectedly resigned last October. Then last month, the executive committee abruptly dismissed Pinkston from the post.
After her dismissal in May, Pinkston publicly acknowledged deep division within the Texas WMU staff.
The board spent part of its meeting in executive session, where members developed a public statement. “Recently, the board of directors of WMU of Texas met in Dallas for its regular summer meeting and board training. In recent days, its foundation has been shaken,” the statement said.
“One board member stated, ‘We came confused and left united.’ As a result of training … the board clarified its roles and responsibilities. The first step taken was the hiring of an intentional interim executive director-treasurer, Nelda Seal, a former executive director of Louisiana WMU for 15 years.
“WMU of Texas has moved forward on its firm foundation of reaching, teaching [and] discipling Texas and the world.”
The board also spent an extended time in the closed-door session discussing unspecified personnel issues. Members then opened the meeting for an hour-long question-and-answer session that included dramatic public apologies to former staff leaders and what some participants characterized as “first steps toward healing.”
The first day of the two-day meeting drew about two dozen guests, including several past presidents of Texas WMU and former staff.
At the opening session, Texas WMU president Paula Jeser, who had been acting as volunteer interim executive, noted Texas WMU bylaws give the president and executive committee the authority to fill the position in the event of a vacancy.
In a call to prayer several weeks ago, eight former Texas WMU presidents raised the possibility of hiring “an experienced intentional interim” director.
Affirming that suggestion, Jeser said she sought counsel from national WMU Executive Director Wanda Lee. At Lee’s recommendation, the executive committee interviewed Seal, of Alexandria, La., Jeser reported.
The executive committee voted unanimously June 5 to hire Seal as intentional executive director-treasurer.
Seal told the board she saw the position as “a servant leadership role,” and she urged the organization to stay focused on its mission.
Asked in open session how many candidates the executive committee considered before hiring Seal, Jeser said the committee requested interviews with five candidates — most from outside Texas — but some declined to be considered.
Jeser also noted that while the bylaws do not stipulate the means for terminating an interim executive, Pinkston’s contract included a provision for termination.
The open session included public apologies for unspecified wrongs, hugs and tears.
Jeser began by recognizing Porterfield, saying: “I want to publicly say the board of directors failed in its job to hear you when you spoke to us. We did not back you.”
Turning to Pinkston, she added, “Nina, I made some big mistakes with you, and I offer my sincere apology.”
Later, board member Merle Cross of Gilmer, Texas, said the board owed Porterfield an apology for not having a called meeting to hear her concerns at the time surrounding her resignation.
Several board members affirmed Porterfield and Pinkston for their roles as mentors through the years and for the leadership they provided Texas WMU.
In a surprising move, Porterfield asked to speak at the conclusion of the question-and-answer session.
“It’s time to move forward,” Porterfield told the board. “Do the right thing for the right reason in the right way. “I love you. I gave you 15 years of my life. Make me proud. But more than that, honor the Father. Ultimately, that’s all that matters.”
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