Anne Presteng, our first vice president, often taught us music during WMF day, and I’ve personally loved coming home from WMF day with a new song in my heart. I’ve appreciated her input and service during our board meetings, and once I became president last year I understood her role more clearly, especially in rewriting the job descriptions for us as well as her work in organizing the Nominating Committee each year. She is sharing her heart with you in this article. Thank you Anne for giving of your time and talents, serving the Lord through the WMF national board the last six years! – Karen Pederson, National WMF President
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…it is the Lord you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
Is God calling you to serve Him as part of the WMF? Six years ago I had just retired and was asking the Lord, “What now?” That very week I received a letter from Faith Nelson on behalf of the National WMF nominating committee asking if I would consider serving as 1st Vice President for the National WMF. My initial response was, “How could I possibly be qualified to do this?” The timing of the “what now?” question I posed to the Lord made it clear to me that God’s hand was in this call.
So for the past six years I have served as first vice president to the WMF. My final term will end this year at the annual conference.
Karen Pederson (our president) asked me to share a little about the board and my role as First Vice President. This request made me think of the recent government email request to their employees asking them to list five things they had accomplished the previous week. I wondered, “what five things could I share about the role of the the 1st VP for National WMF?” Although the time spans six years (not one week), here are five things I have done in this role.
1. Support and assist the president. In my first year our then president Lavonne West was unable to attend our convention due to a family emergency. Her role became my role… I found myself speaking a bit at conference and running the business meeting (hello, Roberts Rules of Order!).
2 . Help the president in any delegated duties. Such as writing this article!
3. Encourage district presidents. This encouragement included a phone call, card or care package.
4. Visit and share at district meetings. Karen Floan and I are looking forward to sharing with the Stillwater ladies in Montana at the end of April.
5. Find and assist women to serve on the Nominating committee for National WMF officers. This year we have a wonderful Nominating Committee in Cheryl Aakre, Carla Bjorgaard and Joyce Erickson. These dear ladies are prayerfully reaching out and asking women to consider serving on our National Board.
The National WMF board consists of five additional members plus our Executive Secretary.
President (Karen Pederson) conducts our meetings, formulates agendas and leads WMF day. She also writes for publications.
Second VP (Liz McCarlson) maintains our missionary contacts and works with the resolutions committee.
Recording Secretary (Karen Floan) takes our minutes and keeps our records.
Communications Secretary (Linda Fugleberg) coordinates the national convention.
Treasurer (Margie Lee) receives contributions, pays bills, prepares budgets and financial updates.
These delightful women do far more than the brief description above. They, along with our executive secretary (Jenn Thorson), meet monthly to keep our board on track with missionary and project goals, bible study preparations, printings and planning for the National Convention.
Our convention theme verse this year is John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As we gather at the ARC, one of our greatest blessings will be hearing from ladies across the country. We serve a great God and He is working and blessing! Let’s keep encouraging each other to keep our eyes focused on Jesus as we follow him.