Mennonite Women USA
Governance Structure

1. Name and Beginning Date
The name of this organization shall be Mennonite Women USA (MW USA).  The organization shall become operational on February 1, 2003.

2. Mission and Vision
The mission of Mennonite Women USA is to minister to the women of Mennonite Church USA by resourcing women’s groups and individual women as we nurture our life in Christ, study the Bible, utilize our gifts, hear each other, and engage in mission and service.
Our vision is to promote woman-to-woman links locally and globally, through mission and fellowship within our diverse church, embracing women of different backgrounds and encouraging mutual support, discussion, partnership, and worship.

3.  Scope of Activities
In order to carry out its mission, Mennonite Women USA shall produce publications (some in partnership with Canadian Women in Mission), provide resources for conference leaders of MW USA groups, link women to mission opportunities including managing the International Women’s Fund, provide a denominational forum and representation for individuals and groups of women in Mennonite Church USA, plan denominational events for women, and generate funds from the constituency to finance this programming.  Other activities that fall within the scope of the mission and vision can be developed at the discretion of the board of directors.

4.  Constituency
All women in Mennonite Church USA are welcomed as part of Mennonite Women USA.  This ministry is focused on meeting the needs of:  1) organized Mennonite Women USA groups, 2) Timbrel subscribers, and 3) individual women or groups who contribute to or participate in activities of Mennonite Women USA.

5.  Financial Structure
Mennonite Women USA is supported by donations from women of Mennonite Church USA.

6.  Registered Office
The registered office of Mennonite Women USA is at 722 Main St., Newton, KS 67114.  If the office is relocated, it shall be at one of the regional or denominational offices of the wider church.

7.  Board of Directors
Section a:  Role and Function
The program of Mennonite Women USA shall be managed by a board of directors.  The board of directors will hire an executive director to provide leadership and direction for actualizing the vision and day-to-day operations of Mennonite Women USA.  At its discretion, the board of directors may delegate its duties to any subcommittee of this board. The board of directors may also adopt any procedures for the governance of MW USA consistent with this governance structure.  The board of directors shall meet a minimum of two times annually with at least one of those meetings face-to-face.  Consensus is the preferred method of decision-making; however, any vote may pass with a majority of support of those present at a meeting of the board of directors.  For voting purposes a quorum constitutes a majority of board members.

Section b:  Board Composition
The board consists of a president, president-elect, vice president, secretary, treasurer, Editorial Advisory Council member; representatives of the following racial/ethnic groups:  African-American Mennonite Association, Iglesia Menonita Hispana, United Native Ministries, and other organized racial/ethnic groups in Mennonite Church USA; and representatives of the following four geographic areas:  East Coast, Great Lakes, Central States, and West Coast.  Board size will consist of at least seven but no more than 12 members (on president-elect year, no more than 13 members).  Additional representation will necessitate board members filling more than one role.

Section c:  Executive Committee
The executive committee consists of the president (chair), president-elect, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

Section d: Personnel Committee
The personnel committee consists of the president (chair), vice president, treasurer, and EAC representative.

Section e:  Nominating Committee
The nominating committee consists of the vice president (chair), the racial/ethnic representatives, and the geographic representatives.

Section f:  Editorial Advisory Council
The Editorial Advisory Council is a joint committee of MW USA and Canadian Women in Mission. It consists of the representative to the MW USA board, the representative to the CWM board, one U.S. member-at-large, one Canadian member-at-large, and the editor.  The MW USA executive director participates as a non-voting member.

Section g:  Board Selection Procedures
The president, president-elect, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and Editorial Advisory Council member shall be selected by the nominating committee.  The racial/ethnic representatives shall be appointed by their constituent groups.  Regional representatives shall be appointed using the following process: the nominating committee will solicit names of potential board members from each conference in that geographic area with an organized MW USA executive committee or conference contact persons, drawing from the various conferences on a rotating basis; if a board member is not found in this way, another individual may be selected by the nominating committee.

Section h:  Confirmation of Board Members
Names of board members are confirmed via consent agenda at the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board meeting prior to the beginning of their term on August 1 or at a denominational assembly.

Section i:  Term(s) of Service
Board members shall serve for a term of four years, except the president, who shall serve for a term of five years, the first year serving as president-elect.  Members may hold office for no more than two consecutive terms, except the president, who may serve only one term.  The board of directors will establish procedures so that the terms of the members of the board shall be staggered.  Incomplete terms shall be filled by consultation between the president and the nominating committee.  The members of the board of directors shall assume their duties at the time of a denominational assembly or on August 1, unless the appointing body specifies otherwise.

8.  Affiliation
Mennonite Women USA is a constituent group of Mennonite Church USA.  Procedures for affiliation include:
a.  Guidelines and program of Mennonite Women USA shall be in harmony with guidelines and program of MC USA.
b.  Board and staff shall be members of MC USA congregations.
c.  The MW USA executive director and board president (or appointed board member) shall participate as members of the Constituency Leadership Council.
d.  Connection to MC USA Executive Board (EB): docket/minutes of MW USA board meetings and requested reports shall be sent to EB offices; executive director shall attend meetings for constituent group leadership and EB meetings as requested/ annually; MW USA board members are confirmed by EB.

9.  General and Miscellaneous Provisions
a.  The fiscal year of Mennonite Women USA shall extend from February 1 through January 31.
b.  A procedures manual and job descriptions of board and staff shall guide the operations of Mennonite Women USA.
c.  MW USA board president will initiate a review of entire program at least once every four years.
d.  Any proposed action to amend or repeal this governance structure must be given to all board members at least 30 days prior to a decision being made.  Individual board members may waive the notice requirement.

Accepted by vote of the members of Mennonite Women, spring 2002.