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6th Episcopal District - African Methodist Episcopal Church Cristian Education Leadership Congress Women’s Missionary Society Executive Board Training Summit Tuesday, June 24, 2025 3:00 AM – 4:15 PM Bishop Michael Mitchell, Presiding Prelate Mrs. Cordelia Mitchell, Episcopal Supervisor Dr. Sylvia Moore, Episcopal President Mrs. Lorilei Johnson, Episcopal YPD Director Brother Josiah Browne, Episcopal YPD President Message

2 Women’s Missionary Society African Methodist Episcopal Church Mission Statement and Purpose Mission Statement. We are called to strengthen our faith and sent to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ by service and witness in the world. Purpose. As women called to discipleship to grow in knowledge and experience of God through Jesus Christ, committed to support the mission of the church, and, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are challenged to help one another engage in ministry and action, and grow and respond in faith to God's redemptive plan for the church, the society and the world. To accomplish our purpose, the organization shall: a. Coordinate and unify the work of our mission structure, by establishing and supporting organizations and units to carry out God's mission in the church, the society and the world. b. Build an intergenerational community of caring women among all levels of the WMS and other women's organizations that can work collaboratively, ecumenically, and globally on peace, justice, and human rights issues. c. Provide training and education that develop and inspire responsible and visionary leadership that is motivated to witness or advocate for the global mission community; and advocate for peace, justice, and human rights for women, children, elderly, and families. d. Provide for flexible structures, so that groups may determine the structure and programs most appropriate and workable in their church. e. Develop and distribute written, printed, and electronic resources and periodicals and maintain an archival database and repository of information for the organization. f. Develop networks for communication within the organization and among women ecumenically and globally. g. Develop and maintain a comprehensive financial support system for the organization and administration of financial resources necessary for the fulfillment of the responsibilities and mission of the organization.

3 Training Summit Agenda Call to Order President Sylvia Moore Devotion LaCrystal Stokes-Hogan, SED WMS Worship Director Greetings Supervisor Cordelia Mitchell Overview of the Day President Sylvia Moore Roles and Responsibilities of Officers Ø President Sylvia Moore Ø Area Chairperson Sheri Bell Ø 1st Vice President Charlea Foster Ø 2nd Vice President Suzette Knighten Ø 3rd Vice President Sabrina Pryor Ø Recording Secretary Rubenia Cousin Ø Corresponding Secretary Kimberly Page Ø Treasurer/Financial Secretary* Crystal Shakir Ø Historiographer/Statistician Darlene Price Ø YPD Director/Area YPD Director Lorilei Johnson Ø PME Director Paula Council Ø Parliamentarian Jannette Foston Ø Worship Director LaCrystal Stokes-Hogan Ø Member At-Large Dana Wilson Life Membership Ø Definition of a Life Member Supervisor Cordelia Mitchell Ø Selection Process Supervisor Cordelia Mitchell Closing Prayer LaCrystal Stokes-Hogan Missionary Benediction Missionaries

4 Roles and Responsibilities of Officers President. The President shall: a. Preside at all meetings of the Executive Board* and other official meetings of the Conference; b. Be an ex-officio member of all commissions and such other committees as may be necessary to the conduct and development of the organization; c. Have supervision and direction of the work of the Conference Level; d. Chair the Commission on Administration; (See page 38) e. Have the authority to fill all vacancies occurring in all offices during the interim of the Conference Convention, subject to the approval of the Episcopal Supervisor and the Executive Board; f. Appoint members to the Conference Commissions, providing for the appointment of at least 10% of the positions to be filled by young women ages 40 and younger; g. Supervise the work of the Areas; and h. Make a report to the Episcopal Convention. Notes: See page 36 of this booklet for responsibilities of the Commission on Administration- 1.The President and the Commission on Administration must meet before the Executive Board meets. 2.The President and Treasurer guide the Commission on Administration in developing the annual budget of the conference and financial policy that is adequate and fair. 3. The President advises and recommends assessment amounts to the COA. * The duties of the EXECUTIVE Board shall be to: Ø Receive and act upon the recommendations of the President. Ø Approve or disapprove the actions of the Commission on Administration Ø Approve the assessments of the local societies and an annual budget for the Conference WMS upon recommendation from the COA. Ø Transact the necessary business and make programmatic decisions between Annual Conventions.

5 Area Chairpersons Area Chairpersons (and Area YPD Directors) shall a. Act as an interface between the Conference leadership and Local Societies. For this purpose, each Area Chairperson (and Area YPD Director) shall be assigned a geographical area, as determined by the Conference President, and shall relate to the Local Society leadership in that area. b. Area Chairpersons (and Area YPD Directors) shall have the specific responsibility of promoting the program goals and objectives of the Women's Missionary Society within their area of responsibility. c. At the first call of an Area Meeting, the Area Chairperson shall hold an election for the election of ten (10) persons to serve on the Area Coordinating Council, or shall hold elections for the election of officers consistent with the Conference elected offices. The Coordinating Council shall oversee the planning and coordination of the work for the Area and fulfill other duties as provided herein. Areas shall: a. Be organized as geographical divisions of the Conference for the purpose of giving information, assistance and providing inspiration to the Local Societies within its boundaries; b. Serve as a liaison between the Local and Conference Level; c. Stimulate the work of the Local Societies through workshops, panels, institutes, dialogues, discussion groups, visual aids, etc. under the direction of the Conference Commissions; and d. Receive budget installments and other financial reports from the local societies of the Area and forward the funds and list to the Conference Financial Secretary . d. Meet quarterly per year, or at such other times as agreed upon by its members. Notes: See page 40 of the Constitution and Bylaws 1.Area Ch. should know how the local societies are doing. Inform the Conference president about the condition of locals. 2.Make copies of materials, share with those who can’t come to a meeting 3.Raise funds to cover small churches that can’t pay the budget, let the church know that the conference covered it.

6 First Vice President. The First Vice President shall: a. Perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President; b. Serve as Coordinator of the Commission on Christian Social Action; and c. Serve as Chair of the Program Committee in Consultation with the President. Notes: 1. 1st VP a. guides the conference in the implementation of Social Action plans, projects, and goals received from the Connectional and Episcopal Level See page 39 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Commission on Christian Social Action-

7 Second Vice President. The Second Vice President shall: a. Perform the duties of the Conference President, in the absence, disability or resignation of the Conference President and First Vice President; and b. Serve as the Coordinator of the Commission on Mission Education and Interpretation. Notes: See page 39 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Commission on Mission Education and Interpretation.

8 Third Vice President. The Third Vice President shall: a. Perform the duties of the Conference President, in the absence, disability or resignation of the Conference President, First Vice President and Second Vice President; and b. Serve as the Coordinator of the Commission on Membership and Recruitment. c. Work closely with the Member-at-Large on projects to increase membership, recruit and retain young women. Notes: See page 40 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Commission on Membership and Recruitment.

9 Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall: a. Maintain accurate minutes and records of all proceedings of the official meetings of the Conference, its Conference Convention and its Executive Board; b. Keep an accurate, updated roll of the membership of the Conference, and provide such information to the Episcopal and Connectional organizations; and Notes: See page 37 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Recording Secretary If the Rec. Secretary has to be absent, she should make two calls: 1. Notify the president 2. Inform the Assistant Rec. Secretary so that she is aware that she will have to serve. Best Practice: Ø Distribute minutes prior to the meeting so that they do not have to be read during the meeting. They can be adopted with necessary corrections. Assistant Recording Secretary.

10 The Assistant Recording Secretary shall assist the Recording Secretary in the keeping of all records and, in the absence of the Secretary, shall perform her duties. Notes: See page 37 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Assistant Recording Secretary

11 Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary shall Ø Conduct the necessary correspondence and send quarterly and annual blanks (including statistics) to the Local Level. The Corresponding Secretary should have a list of email addresses, physical addresses and phone numbers so that she can distribute information by phone, email or regular mail when necessary. Creating group email distribution lists of the following would be helpful. o Conference officers o Area Chairpersons o Local Presidents o Local YPD Directors o Life members o Executive Board Notes: See page 37 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Corresponding Secretary

12 Financial Secretary The Financial Secretary, who shall be bonded in an amount as determined by the Commission on Administration, shall: a. Receive funds from Area Chairs, Area YPD Directors, Conference President, Conference YPD Director and Conference Events. Provide receipts for any funds received. b. Maintain detailed record of funds (WMS & YPD) received from Local Societies, Areas, Conference Events, etc. c. Review bank balance to ensure that all submitted funds are deposited. d. Provide detailed reports of funds collected. e. All funds are to be turned over to the Treasurer within one week. Notes: See page 37 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Financial Secretary Recommendations: 1. Secure a post office box for receiving funds ….. ( the conference will pay for it)

13 Treasurer The Treasurer, who shall be bonded in an amount as determined by the Commission on Administration, shall: a. Receive the funds from the Financial Secretary for deposit. b. Write, sign and mail checks countersigned by the President or write, sign and mail checks authorized for payment by voucher signed by the President; and c. Submit itemized statements of all finances to the Commission on Administration, the Conference Convention and to the Executive Board and signed vouchers by the President and Treasurer for all issued checks. d. Submit the budget to the Commission on Administration e. Reconcile bank statement Notes: See page 37 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Treasurer The Treasurer should be able to interpret the financial condition of the organization for the President, the Commission on Administration and the Executive Board. The Treasurer, in consultation with the President, prepares the annual budget for the approval of the Commission on Administration.

14 Roles and Responsibilities of the Financial Secretary and Treasurer Financial Secretary ü Collects and records receipt of all funds ü Maintains detailed record of moneys collected from Local Societies, Areas, Conferences, Events, etc. ü Reconciles bank balance to ensure that all submitted deposits are made ü Provides detailed reports of funds collected ü Turns all funds over to the Treasurer within one week Treasurer ü Receives funds from Financial Secretary and deposits all funds collected ü Maintains reports of funds received and deposited ü Writes, signs and distributes checks countersigned by President ü Deposits all funds within three days of receipt. ü Reconciles bank statement Tips for successful financial management and oversite v Open and frequent communication between President, Area Chairs, FS and Treasurer v Bank statements should be available to FS v President, FS and Treasurer should all have access to online banking v FS should have view only access v Only President and Treasurer should be able to write checks and withdraw funds v President should approve and determine who will have Debit Cards. Debit Card should be used for travel, reservations and registrations. v Develop a voucher system v Develop a reimbursement system v Receipts for debit card purchases should be turned in to the Treasurer v FS should provide Financial Report of the Day after any meeting where funds are collected. v Please avoid all possible conflicts of interests

15 Director of the Young People's and Children's Division. The Director of the Young People's and Children's Division shall: a. Oversee and direct the work of the Conference Young People's and Children's Division; b. Ensure accurate accounts and statistics are maintained on behalf of the Conference and timely provided to the Episcopal; c. Ensure that all monies collected or raised are submitted to the Conference Financial Secretary d. Make regular reports to the Conference organization concerning the work of the Conference, with observations and recommendations affecting the organization; and e. Appoint, after consultation with the Conference WMS President, Area YPD Directors. • Duties of the Area YPD Director. The Area Director shall: o Meet with the Local Directors to discuss means and ways of improving the overall work of the Local and Area Levels and means of facilitating programs and activities of the Local Level; and o Report to and keep the Conference Director informed of the activities, finances, recommendations and needs of the Area. • Finances. All monies collected by an Area shall be reported and provided to the Conference.* The Conference YPD Director is a member of the Conference WMS President’s cabinet, a member of the Commission on Administration and a member of the Executive Board. The Commission on Administration develops and monitors the annual budget of the conference (WMS and YPD). The WMS and YPD will have separate budgets but one bank account. The Conference YPD Director should communicate /discuss plans and overall work of the YPD with the Conference WMS President on a regular basis. The president should be aware of YPD plans, fundraisers, events etc. before the information is presented to the senior society or in a YPD session. *Local Director reports to the Area Director and Area Director reports funds to the Conference Financial Secretary Notes: See page YPD Handbook page 150 The WMS members should support the YPD in all endeavors---attend activities, events, and register for YPD meetings.

16 Promotion and Missionary Education Director The Promotion and Missionary Education Director shall: a. Promote and interpret the work of the Connectional that the Episcopal organization supports; b. Promote mission education opportunities, including but not limited to mission studies, Area and Local mission opportunities and encounters; c. Promote and distribute mission education literature, including the Yearbook and related study materials; d. Plan Mission and Training Institutes; e. Promote, utilize and select audio visual materials to aid in the interpretation of the mission work; and f. Serve as the Conference contact person for Area, if any, and Local Directors of Promotion and Missionary Education. Notes: See page 38 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Recording Secretary Best practices: Ø Work with the conference and local societies on preparing submissions for the Yearbook. Ø Take old publications to residential care facilities, beauty shops, etc.

17 Historiographer-Statistician. The Historiographer-Statistician shall: a. Have full responsibility of gathering the data pertaining to the history of the Local organizations; b. Request all facts and figures relating to the Local and Conference Levels and compile them; and c. Report such historical data to the Episcopal and Connectional organizations. d. Compile facts and figures on the Episcopal Historiographer-Statistician’s form and then forward to the Episcopal Historiographer-Statistician. e. Prepare a narrative account of what the organization’s activities and achievements were during your term of office. Notes See page 38 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Historiographer-Statistician

18 Worship Director The Worship Director shall serve the Conference by providing appropriate and creative styles and types of worship experiences/devotions, and assist in planning worship experiences for the Conference. Prepare devotions that can be used by the Area and local societies. Notes: See page 38 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Worship Director Include the YPD Worship Director in the devotion Mentor the YPD Worship Director Publish a book of devotions Send devotions to the yearbook. Plan your devotion / involve other people/ create an experience Prepare a written devotion

19 Member-At-Large. The Member-At-Large shall serve on the Commission on Membership and Recruitment, work closely with the 3rd Vice President, work with the Young Women, ages 18-40 years, and be responsible for promoting volunteer mission programs. Notes: See page 38 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Member-at-Large Plan programs to help promote the WMS to help recruit and retain members Plan mission projects

20 Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian shall give advice to the Conference President on the proceedings, during a meeting, and when requested, to another member. Notes: See page 38 of this booklet for the responsibilities of the Parliamentarian Bring Constitution and Bylaws and the latest version of Robert’s Rules of Order to meetings. Study both books.

21 Responsibilities and Members of Conference Commission on Administration The Commission on Administration shall: a. Ensure that communication regarding programs and policies from the Connectional and Episcopal Levels is appropriately and adequately distributed; b. Maintain accurate and adequate records of its program and financial activities; c. Receive reports from and monitor the progress of other conference commissions; d. Receive recommendations for programming and policies from the Connectional and Episcopal Levels and coordinate appropriate program activities; e. Develop and monitor the annual budget of the Conference; f. Ensure financial policy is adequate and fair; g. Respond to Connectional and Episcopal requests, as needed or required; h. Oversee the work of a Nominating Committee; and i. Serve as the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. The members of the Conference Commission on Administration shall be the … Conference President, as Chair, _____________________________________________ First Vice President, _______________________________________________________ Second Vice President, ____________________________________________________ Third Vice President, ______________________________________________________ Recording Secretary, ______________________________________________________ Assistant Recording Secretary, ______________________________________________ Corresponding Secretary, __________________________________________________ Treasurer,_______________________________________________________________ Director of the Young People's and Children's Division, ___________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Promotion and Missionary Education Director, __________________________________ Historiographer-Statistician, _________________________________________________ Worship Director, _________________________________________________________ Member-At-Large, ________________________________________________________ Parliamentarian, _________________________________________________________ The Local President ______________________________________________________ Area Chairpersons, where they exist.__________________________________________

22 Responsibilities and Members of Conference Commission on Christian Social Action The Commission on Christian Social Action shall: a. Review, adopt and sponsor social action programs recommended by the Connectional and Episcopal organizations; b. Study issues affecting communities in the Conference and develop appropriate strategies to address the issues; c. Plan educational activities to help families improve family life; d. Partner with community agencies and organizations involved in eradicating poverty and hunger; and e. Encourage membership and partnership with organizations as: Church Women United, National Council of Negro Women, Black Women's Agenda, etc. The members of the Conference Commission on Christian Social Action shall be the… First Vice President, as Coordinator, __________________________________ Five (5) to fifteen (15) Local Presidents appointed by the Conference President, ________________________________________________________________ Three (3) At-Large-Members representing family life issues, _______________________________________________________________ Three (3) At-Large-Members representing global health and housing issues, _______________________________________________________________ Three (3) At-Large-Members representing legislative or public affairs issues, ________________________________________________________________ Three (3) At-Large-Members representing rural and special missions issues, and ________________________________________________________________ Three (3) At-Large-Members representing affiliated & ecumenical group issues. ________________________________________________________________ The At-Large-Members shall be appointed by the Conference President.

23 Responsibilities and Members of Conference Commission on Mission Education & Interpretation The Commission on Mission Education and Interpretation shall: a. Encourage and support spiritual formation and development; b. Develop resource material and design activities for spiritual growth and enrichment; c. Conduct annual mission and training institutes; d. Discover and develop activities in the performing and creative arts; e. Promote the use of the arts for enrichment and well-being; f. Focus on improving school performance of young people; g. Raise visibility and awareness of the Women's Missionary Society; h. Create awareness of the responsibilities of Christians, corporate and individual, for peace and justice; and i. Encourage advocacy for improving quality of life, especially for women and children. The members of the Conference Commission on Mission Education and Interpretation shall include the: • Second Vice President, as Coordinator, __________________________ • the Promotion and Missionary Education Director, __________________ • the Historiographer-Statistician, ________________________________ • the Worship Director, ________________________________________ • five (5) to fifteen (15) Local Presidents, and __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ • five (5) to fifteen (15)At-Large-Members, with expertise in writing, resource development, computer technology, and education library science. __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ The Local Presidents and At-Large-Members shall be appointed by the Conference President.

24 Responsibilities and Members of Conference Commission on Membership & Recruitment The Commission on Membership and Recruitment shall: a. In collaboration with other commissions, develop programs and plan activities of special interest to younger women; b. Plan strategies designed to involve both women in church who are not members and younger women in training and enrichment activities; c. Develop a Skills Bank of its members; e. Provide advice, training and program models for Conference and Local Levels; f. Provide for membership nurture and outreach; and g. Plan and conduct the Tanner Turner Memorial Services for all deceased members who remained on the Conference roll until their demise. The members of the Conference Commission on Membership and Recruitment shall be: • The Third Vice President, as Coordinator, __________________________ • the Corresponding Secretary, __________________________________ • the Director of the Young People's and Children's Division, ___________ _________________________________________________________ • Member-At-Large,___________________________________________ • five (5) to fifteen (15) Local Presidents ___________________________ _________________________________________________________ • two (2) At-Large-Members with expertise in public relations and computer technology. ________________________________________________ The Local Presidents and At-Large-Members shall be appointed by the Conference President.

25 LIFE MEMBERSHIP To be eligible for Life Membership, the following criteria must be met: • 25 years of continuous meritorious service in the Women’s Missionary Society • Actively serving in the Local, Conference and Episcopal District levels • Have meritorious service and demonstrated leadership in at least three of the four levels • Is committed and dedicated to missions and encouraging new members • Willingly supports the efforts of the WMS with time, talent and resources ** Life Member candidates should attend Connectional meetings, i.e., Executive Board and Quadrennial. ** Life Member candidates ensure that their local church WMS obligations are met. ** Life Member candidates mentor and encourage young women to join the WMS.