wfn.org | ABCUSA: Nominees Selected for ABW Ministries Board

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 5/13/03)--American Baptist
Women's Ministries will elect officers at national Women's Day on June 27,
2003 at the Marriott Hotel in Richmond, Va.

June Hamblen, Nominating Committee chair, has announced that the following
persons have accepted nominations for three-year terms on the organization's
national executive committee and board. 

Lois Chiles of Lansing, Kans., is the nominee for national president.  A
member of First Baptist Church, Leavenworth, Kans., she served as national
secretary for the organization (1998-2001); she also filled a vacated term
as resources coordinator (2001-02).  Chiles, who shares the vision of the
national board to broaden the organization's ministries with women and
girls, was involved in the board's work to create a five-year strategic plan
for American Baptist Women's Ministries.

Gail Carlsen of Fayetteville, N.Y., is the nominee for coordinator of the
Eastern Section, in which position she will serve as a liaison among the ABW
Ministries regions in the eastern third of the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  A
former president of New York State American Baptist Women's Ministries,
Carlsen completed a teaching career and created and administered a parent
volunteer program for the elementary school system in Rome, N.Y.  She is a
member of First Baptist Church in Manlius, N.Y. 

Ruth Polgreen of Binghamton, N.Y., is the nominee for coordinator of
Personal Development Ministries.  Polgreen was selected because of her
interests and leadership in areas of spiritual growth and personal
development.  A gifted workshop facilitator, retreat leader, Bible study
leader and musician, she has served as Personal Development Ministries
coordinator for the New York State ABW Ministries.  Polgreen, a retired
early childhood educator, is a member of Conklin Avenue First Baptist Church
in Binghamton. 

Sheryl Wise of Zanesville, Ohio, and a member of Market Street Baptist
Church there, is the nominee for coordinator of Conference.  Wise's career
in education has transitioned from teaching to administration. Her
professional work currently involves planning, professional development,
administration, research and program evaluation.  She is completing a Ph.D.
in curriculum and instruction from Ohio University.  A musician and
dramatist, Wise frequently shares her talents at regional American Baptist
events, and will co-lead music at the National Women's Conference in Green
Lake, Wis., this July.

Vivian Monroy of Oxnard, Calif., has been selected as convenor of the AB
GIRLS National Leadership Team, and will thereby become an appointed officer
of American Baptist Women's Ministries for a one-year term.  A high school
student, Monroy will co-lead AB GIRLS with adult peer Alicia Luquin, AB
GIRLS coodinator.  Monroy is a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in
Oxnard, where she teaches Sunday school and shares her musical talents.

The elected officers will be installed at National Women's Conference in
Green Lake, Wis., July 26-Aug. 2, 2003, and will begin their volunteer roles
in September.

In addition to Vivian Monroy's one-year appointment as convenor, the AB
GIRLS National Leadership Team selected the following high school-age youth
to serve two-year terms: Jessica Sue Howard of Fremont, Nebr., coordinator
of the National Gathering for Girls and Young Women; Shelly Wanamaker of
Bedford, Mass., coordinator of Resources; Stephanie Gosdis of West Valley
City, Ut., coordinator of Spiritual Development; and Stephanie Kennedy of
Garland, Kans., coordinator of Women of Purpose (young women ages 18-25).
They will coordinate their planning and leadership with the women who also
serve on the AB GIRLS National Leadership Team. 

K/2003ABNS/03ABN72

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org