WMU takes measures in U.S. economic downturn

BIRMINGHAM — In a time when layoffs and financial concerns dominate daily headlines, Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) has announced proactive measures to retain all staff members while continuing with the mission God gave the organization 120 years ago — encouraging personal involvement among preschoolers, children, youth and adults in the Great Commission. WMU Executive Director Wanda S. Lee told employees, “Let me reinforce our commitment to you of doing everything possible to preserve all jobs at WMU and maintain affordable healthcare coverage for every person.”

In addition to reducing budgets and streamlining expenses, Lee announced a hiring freeze on all vacant positions until Sept. 30, a reduction on employer contributions to each employee’s retirement plan until Sept. 30, a freeze on all merit pay increases and no incentive bonuses in 2009 and the implementation of four weeks of unpaid furlough for each staff member between January and August 2009.

“These were very difficult decisions to make and difficult ones for our staff to hear,” Lee said, “but all indications are that the economic picture for our nation will worsen in 2009 before it improves. These measures were necessary for us to rise above a worst case scenario during what is projected to be the most challenging economic times for our nation since the Great Depression. While we certainly hope this is not the case, we believe the actions we have taken will position WMU to continue to fulfill the mission God has given us and allow us to care for each person that is a part of the WMU family here in Birmingham.”

To help facilitate growth, national WMU has also implemented several new initiatives to engage a growing number of people in missions. These include redesigned magazines for children and Hispanic women, new bilingual resources for Korean Baptist churches, online forums that foster community and encourage the sharing of ideas, free downloadable starter packets to begin any age-level WMU organization, online communities for young adult women on Facebook and much more, including new training opportunities and events that will be launched in 2009.