UMW Chief Executive Officer Harriett Jane Olson

United Methodist Women will be reducing the size of its national staff for a leaner, more flexible, operation through a voluntary severance offering announced July 17.

“The work toward building out our new operational structure is coinciding with market volatility and declines in other sources of income,” said Harriett Jane Olson, United Methodist Women’s chief executive officer.

Over the past 18 months, United Methodist Women has been implementing its strategic plan to engage in mission with women, children and youth amid changes in how women organize for mission on the local, district and conference levels. The strategic plan is designed to make the organization more flexible, and able to efficiently respond to emerging needs. Reductions in operating expenses and staff will permit the organization to direct funds to implement its new strategic plan and effectively continue its mission outreach.

“United Methodist Women is blessed with a talented and resourceful staff,” Ms. Olson said. “While these changes are difficult, we are confident that our gifted colleagues who choose to accept the offer will make great contributions wherever they choose to serve in the future. The severance package being offered has been designed to support them in this process.”

Ms. Olson said United Methodist Women is committed to equipping the women for mission that impacts the lives of women, children, and youth in the United States and around the world.

“This action poises United Methodist Women to meet new realities and move forward with our important work,” she said. “The reality is that we are going to have to do God’s work differently because God is still calling us to mission. In recent years, many of our sister agencies across the church have taken similar measures.”

Shannon Priddy, United Methodist Women board president, agreed, calling the changes “proactive, timely, and the responsible thing to do at this time.”