EAGLE EYRIE — Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia expressed appreciation to its former executive director and adopted a bylaw change during its annual meeting last weekend.
The following resolution was adopted unanimously:
Earlene Jessee retired from Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) after coming to work in January 1989 as WMU Consultant and serving as Executive Director/ Treasurer from September 1992 until December 2006.
Members of WMUV pack Dogwood Hall at Eagle Eyrie for their annual meeting.
Whereas, during Earlene's tenure, WMUV developed several on-going ministry projects including 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; and
Whereas, Earlene led WMUV in introducing a new organizational model called World Missions Unlimited, which encourages gift-based ministry connections and involvement; and
Whereas, In 2004 Earlene led WMUV in issuing the Declaration on the Dignity of Women;
Therefore, Be it Resolved, that we, the members of Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia in our annual meeting at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center on November 3, 2007, express our heartfelt appreciation to Earlene Jessee for her visionary leadership and for the women, men, and children, who have become involved in missions as a result of her efforts.
Be It Further Resolved that we express our gratitude to God for the lives that have been touched as Earlene led Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia to seek to reach “The World for Christ, Hallelujah!”
WMUV members also unanimously approved the adoption of several by-law changes affecting differing aspects of the organization. Amendments adopted affect the following. (Former wording is in italic-faced type. New wording appears in bold-faced type).
Officers begin their terms on January 1 each year rather than with the adjournment of the Annual Meeting as in the past.
Advisory Board membership wording was changed from “The Advisory Board of WMUV shall consist of: the members of the Board of Trustees; associational WMU directors elected by their associations an associational WMU director elected by her association ….”
WMUV ministry representatives to the Advisory Board are now limited to 3 consecutive one-year terms rather than 2 terms as in the past.
Membership on the Board of Trustees: “The Board of Trustees of the Corporation shall be composed of the officers of the Corporation, two (2) four (4) Members at Large; three (3) associational WMU directors; five (5) Advisory Board representatives; two (2) representatives of WMUV ministries/leadership teams and one (1) representative each of Councils and Commissions and one (1) representative each of the CrossRoads Camp & Conference Center Commission and the Leadership Development Council as deemed appropriate according to the policy of the Board of Trustees of the Corporation.
Number of Trustee meetings was changed from two (2) per year to three (3) per year.
Trustee quorum was changed in the by-laws and the articles of incorporation from 1/3 of the membership to 2/3 of the membership.
Executive Director continues to hold an ex officio position on all Councils, Commissions and committees with the exception of the nominating committee appointed to nominate officers. In the future, the position will be non-voting, however.
Trustee membership as listed in the articles of incorporation was changed to be consistent with changes made in the by-laws (above).