wfn.org | Directors express concern about Mission Volunteers program

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Oct. 29, 2001  News media contact: Linda Bloom7(212) 870-38037New York
10-21-71B{497}

NOTE: For related coverage of the Board of Global Ministries' meeting, see
UMNS stories #493, #494 and #498. 

STAMFORD, Conn. (UMNS) - When the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries announced its proposed budget cuts, some directors complained
that the popular "Mission Volunteers" program had taken a disproportionate
hit.

Several staff people were being eliminated, and the 2001 budget of $1.36
million for Mission Volunteers was being reduced by more than half for 2002,
with funding to come through the United Methodist Committee on Relief
(UMCOR) rather than general agency funds.

In their report to the full board during the Oct. 22-25 annual meeting,
Mission Volunteer directors expressed their concern "that it is impossible
to maintain the quality of programs with so few dollars" and added that the
proposed funding cut "will send a message to the mission volunteers that
their service and commitment are not valued."

Started in 1996, the board's Mission Volunteers program coordinates the
participation of United Methodist volunteers in programs and projects around
the world. Specific programs include Primetimers, for adults over 50; Global
Justice Volunteers, for 18- to 25-year-olds; individual volunteers, for
case-by-case assignments; NOMADS, a program using recreational vehicles; the
United Methodist Fellowship of Health Care Volunteers; and placement for
disaster relief volunteers.

"We're talking about thousands of personnel who go to the ends of the earth
at their own expense," said the Rev. William Hinson, a director from the
Texas Annual Conference, during a discussion about whether and how some
funding should be restored.

Supporters of Mission Volunteers wanted at least 56 percent of its 2001
budget restored for 2002. They initially suggested an additional $209,000
not included in the budget proposal be taken from the board's mission
personnel area, which was to receive a 17 percent increase in funds for
2002.

"This very minimal increase ... can help maintain some integrity in Mission
Volunteers," said the Rev. Charles Boayue Jr., a director from the Detroit
Conference.

But mission personnel directors protested that shifting funds would make it
difficult for that area, already in debt, to do its work. Directors finally
voted that Mission Volunteers should have the restoration of 56 percent of
the 2001 budget, but instructed the board's chief executive, the Rev.
Randolph Nugent, to decide how to allocate the additional money from within
the entire budget. 

The proposed reductions in Mission Volunteers as well as other program areas
of the Board of Global Ministries came as the agency attempted to balance
both the 2001 and 2002 budgets. Shortfalls in expected income from
investments and funding from the church at large, as well as higher costs
for a larger complement of missionaries, had created a deficit situation.

In the case of Mission Volunteers, the World Service money that would have
been allocated from the board's overall funds, along with the balance of the
Innovative Mission Volunteers Fund created by directors in 1998, would be
applied not to its budget, but to the agency's deficit. The total of the
contribution to the deficit would be $2.29 million.

The 2002 budget eventually adopted by board directors includes funding for
Mission Volunteers from UMCOR and the Women's Division, along with the
additional money to be redirected by Nugent.

The Rev. Paul Dirdak, UMCOR's chief executive, stressed that no 2001 Mission
Volunteer programs have been eliminated and said that all projects with
large numbers of participants will continue at 2001 rates, with a few
reductions in cost for some smaller programs. Some work sharing will be done
with UMCOR "where the tasks are already highly compatible."

More specifically, support will continue at 2001 levels for the five
jurisdictional coordinators for Volunteers in Mission, the health care
fellowship and NOMADS. Eight of the nine sites for volunteer coordination
outside the United States will continue, along with the program for
volunteer insurance.

Global Justice Volunteers, Primetimers, individual volunteers, and training
and leadership development for conferences and partner churches will
continue with some adjustments.  

Dirdak noted that the reduction in the Mission Volunteers 2002 budget is
similar to that of two other program areas within the board.
    
# # #

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org