Leadership: Alternative Structures

• Leadership Skills
• Mentoring
• Other Structures

IS YOUR SOCIETY IN A RUT?

Many LWML–Canada members and societies feel in a rut! Ruts can be comfortable –you just follow the same old trail that has worn into the road. But, ruts can be boring too –nothing new or interesting is happening!

Members and societies have asked for new ideas - new ways of doing things.

First let me emphasize that there is:


	not just one way to organize an LWMLC society.
	not just one way to operate an LWMLC society.
	not just one way to involve all women in the work of LWML–Canada.
	not just one way to serve in congregations and communities and the world.

There are no rigid rules - be flexible - think creatively (outside the box).

Having said the above, there are important elements to include in an LWML–Canada program in new and interesting ways.

	mite boxes
	mission grant information
	Bible study opportunities
	devotional materials
	service projects in congregations and communities - local mission projects
	fellowship
	opportunities for women to reach their full potential for service in their congregation and community, using their God-given talents and gifts for the Lord's work.

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Why change how we do things?

Is there a good reason to get out of our "comfortable rut"? Our members have given us these reasons.

	to involve more women in Bible study, resulting in increased service and mission outreach
	to involve women of all ages
	to increase membership or participation
	to increase fellowship and caring relationships
	to involve new people in leadership

We don't have to make drastic changes. Even one or two new ideas a year can help.

Grace, Osoyoos, B.C. uses Effective Society Planning to choose 3-5 new goals each year - intentional decision making - finding new ways to serve the Lord.

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Try new meeting formats

	At Good Shepherd, Barrie, Ont. a group meets on Saturday morning once a month with babysitting provided
	St. Luke, Ottawa, Ont. and Grace, Pembroke, Ont., use variations of the Saturday Bible study: meetings with the whole family involved.

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Try weekly Bible studies or quilting bees

	Hope Circle of St. Paul's, Saskatoon, Sask., has weekly Bible studies led by members with one week per month designated as an LWML Circle meeting.
	At Peace Circle of Faith, Saskatoon, Sask. twice-a-month Bible studies are led by the pastor.
	Trinity, Duncan, B.C. calls their weekly Bible study meetings Sistership Sessions. Once or twice a month they work on quilts or banners or just go for a walk.
	Members at St. Paul's, Nanaimo, B.C. quilt every two weeks.

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Try different locations to include more women

Peace Circle of St. Paul's, Saskatoon, Sask. meets monthly in the apartment of a senior who is in a wheelchair. Seniors from her building join them while other seniors are picked up and taken to the circle meeting.

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Try circles or satellite groups

Fifteen societies responded to the request for information on how your society operates. Many of these have tried circles or some variation.

What are "CIRCLES"? Two or more smaller groups are formed within the congregation to meet the needs of the women and the congregation.

Circles could be based on:

1. Interest Groups
You might try a Christian Moms' group meeting every week to watch videos on Christian Parenting, an altar guild or some other interest.

2. Age Groups
If your group is mainly seniors consider encouraging women of another age group to form their own circle. The circles to could do some things together which would provide a nice mixing of ages.

3. Convenient Meeting Times
Try morning, afternoon and evening groups; weekdays or Saturdays. The important thing is to fit a variety of schedules.

There are many ways to organize Circles. There are no rigid rules; in fact flexibility is the whole idea. What works for Grace, Osoyoos, B.C., may not work for Grace, Pembroke, Ont. and vice versa.

	Circles can be mixed ages and interests or similar ages and interests.
	Circles meet individually but several times a year meet with other circles or the core LWMLC.
	Circles can each have their own areas of service and mission outreach or be part of a bigger project by the whole LWMLC or congregation.
	Circles can plan and host specific events or activities for the whole group or for all women. For example, the two Circles at Good Shepherd, Barrie, Ont., and their executive committee, share in planning service events, community mission projects, socials, retreats and guest speakers.

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If you have ideas to share or want further information provided by other LWML groups, contact the Vice President, Member Development.

Information on

Circles
involving more women in your LWML work
involving new people
leadership

and ideas for

service
personal and spiritual growth
fellowship
mission outreach in your community or the world
raising money for Society activities or service
encouraging more people to study God's Word.

If you have ideas to share with others or if you want more information contact
the Vice President, Member Development.

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� Copyright 2002 • Lutheran Women's Missionary League – Canada