(A copy of this draft document has also been mailed to all participants)

WESTERN MISSION CLUSTER CONSULTATION

 Proposed Structure for a Collaborative Interdependent Network of ELCA Providers

 Purpose: 

 To effectively deliver the educational resources of the church and its institutions to the pastors and congregations of Regions 1, 2, and 3 for the purpose of training missional leaders and equipping all of God’s people for ministry in daily life.

 Coordinating Board:

A 14-20 member coordinating board (including advisory members) will be made up of one representative from the following:  Augsburg College, Augustana (Sioux Falls), California Lutheran University, Concordia College, Gustavus Adolphus, Luther Seminary, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Pacific Lutheran University, St. Olaf College and Trinity Lutheran College; one or two representatives of continuing education centers/programs; 1-2 representatives of teaching congregations; as well as one representative each of  the Covenant Cluster and the Eastern Cluster.  The Director of Fishers Net will automatically serve as a member of the board.  Institutional representatives may be appointed by the President of the respective participating schools.  Other representatives may be appointed by the ELCA Director of Theological Education.  The board will elect a Chair and Recording Secretary from among its own membership.  Term of office is two years and is renewable.  The ELCA Director for Leadership Support will serve as the staff advisor to the board and provide support staff as deemed necessary and appropriate.  The Director for Theological Education and the Director for Colleges and Universities will also serve as advisory members to the board.

Dir. Theol. Ed.
Advisory Member		 Director of Leadership Support
Staff Advisor and ELCA Liaison		 Dir. Colleges & Univ.
Advisory Member

 

Western Interdependent Network (WIN) Coordinating Board -- 14-20 Members
 

Board Meetings and Communication:

  1. The board will meet face to face once a year (e.g. in Chicago or at SACEM annual meeting).
  2. The board will hold at least two conference call meetings a year and establish a website and email list serve for ongoing communication between board members an institutions.
  3. The board will prepare an annual report and/or newsletter to be mailed out to all ELCA learning partners.
  4. The board will maintain a relationship with the ELCA Lifelong Learning Partners.

Responsibilities of the Board:

  1. To provide an annual assessment of synod, congregational, and institutional needs related to lifelong learning.
  2. To establish and support collaborative projects among partner institutions and the ELCA.
  3. To coordinate distant learning opportunities that makes theological education more accessible to Lutherans and their ecumenical partners in the West.
  4. To share ideas and resources among providers and explore cooperative educational ventures between schools.  This may include facilitating a WMC Consultation once every three years.
  5. To conduct an annual review/evaluation of the effectiveness and viability of the network.