NCWMU clarifies relationship to BSC
By Tony W. Cartledge
BR Editor
BLACK MOUNTAIN - Meeting at Ridgecrest April 21-23 for their annual "Missions Extravaganza," Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina (NCWMU) delegates approved bylaw changes that effectively loosen the organization's ties to the Baptist State Convention (BSC), removing the word "auxiliary."
But that doesn't change a thing about NCWMU's desire to work in cooperation with the BSC, said executive director Ruby Fulbright. The changes are designed to update the organization's documents to reflect NCWMU's mission more accurately, and to clarify its historic relationship with the BSC, she said.
"Some wording in the previous bylaws was not as clear as it needed to be," said Fulbright. "We feel the new wording gives a clearer understanding of what 'auxiliary' means to us."
Both the old and new versions of the bylaws affirm that NCWMU is "an autonomous, nonprofit corporation." The earlier version said the organization "shares a common religious purpose with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and shall operate as an auxiliary to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and shall cooperate with the program of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina as it relates to the promotion of Christian missions and ministries locally and globally."
The new version replaces that language with a new paragraph indicating that NCWMU "has historically shared a common religious purpose with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and other Baptist entities. The organization honors this common heritage as laborers together in Christian work, and, accordingly, Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina shall continue to operate as a cooperative partner with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in the promotion of Christ-centered and Bible-based missions and ministry locally and globally. Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina may also cooperate, as it deems advisable, with other entities that share a common purpose in promoting Christ-centered and Bible-based missions and ministry locally and globally."
The change simply spells out what NCWMU is already doing, Fulbright said. In addition to the BSC, the group works cooperatively with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist World Alliance. The new bylaw language clarifies NCWMU's prerogative to work cooperatively with other Christian groups if it senses God's leadership, Fulbright said.
"For 2006, WMU is looking back and looking forward for what God would have us do," Fulbright said. "Our theme is that we're on a journey, seeking God's leadership and guidance." The action "brings our bylaws to a place where we don't have to go back and change if we determine God's leadership in another direction," she said.
Other bylaw changes remove language that required NCWMU to work in consultation with the human resources department of the BSC when hiring staff, and state that employees are governed by the NCWMU policy manual rather than the BSC personnel policies. Those policies track very closely, Fulbright said.
NCWMU's executive director and all program staff are chosen by the organization's Executive Board, while support staff members are hired by the executive director.
As with N.C. Baptist Men, the governing board of NCWMU is elected by its own members, not by the BSC. The Executive Board of NCWMU has 30 members: five officers, two members from each of 10 regions, and five at-large members.
Currently, the BSC provides office space for NCWMU in the Baptist Building in Cary. The BSC also provides fleet cars for program staff, and pays health and retirement benefits for NCWMU employees. Staff salaries and program money for the organization come from the annual North Carolina Missions Offering.
Fulbright said NCWMU's commitment to working cooperatively with the BSC has not changed, and she hopes the bylaw changes will not precipitate any change in the current arrangement.
BSC executive director-treasurer Milton Hollifield responded with caution. "I appreciate the work and ministry of our Women's Missionary Union and I value the historical relationship we share," he said, noting that "The decision to recommend some changes in their by-laws was already planned before I became executive director, and without any input from me." Hollifield was elected to his position during a special BSC session held April 11 (related story, page 1).
"In a conversation with me just hours before the changes were recommended to the body of messengers, North Carolina WMU leadership expressed their support for BSCNC and a desire to continue working with us. Their spokesperson indicated she does not regard these changes as significant modifications to our relationship," Hollifield said.
Having just learned of the action, he and other BSC officials "are currently studying all implications of the by-law changes," Hollifield said, and will respond further when appropriate.
"It is my hope that a mutually acceptable agreement can be achieved that will protect the interests of both parties and enable us to advance in a shared mission of Kingdom
building," he said.
A final change to the NCWMU bylaws adds a provision giving the organization's Executive Board the right to veto actions generated from the floor if two-thirds of the Executive Board agrees that the action needs further study or is not in NCWMU's best interests. Delegates could override the veto if voting with a margin of more than two-thirds.
All changes were approved on standing votes by an overwhelming majority of delegates, Fulbright said.
