It’s been a long while since I’ve posted. several months ago I decided that I needed to spend time focused on the core task of my job: helping run the Mission by the numbers. Since then, we’ve learned that more folks are going to the web to find information about us. So, I’m back to finish what I started and help tell our story.
Village Missions scored a “B-” (16 out of 20) in our evaluation by BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance. The results of that evaluation are posted on the Alliance’s site here. Does that mean that Village Missions is a “B-” ministry? No way!!! Actually, I’d like to discuss the standards that were not met, and here is the second standard that we did not meet:
Standard 4 : Compensated Board Members – Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board’s chair or treasurer. VM does not meet this Standard because two (2) members out of the 10 member board of directors (20%) are paid staff.
The Board of Village Missions values participation and feedback from all constituencies affected by their policy making activities. One member of the board represents the “rank and file” missionary employee. A second board member represents the District Representatives, a middle-level manager position that directly supervises the rank and file missionary. These two board members provide invaluable feedback to board members who make decisions that affect the everyday lives of the missionaries they serve. They are excused from discussions and votes that relate to compensation and other matters in which that they may have a conflict of interest.
I was reminded of the importance of this participation recently when the chair of the budget committee forwarded some suggestions to the administration for our comment. He was seeking our input because, as he said “[the committee does] not understand the impact the implementation of the ideas will have on the mission and especially on the missionary families.”
What’s really wonderful is that our budget chair and his committee have the humility to recognize their limitations and are quick to seek input from those who will be affected by their decisions. Think of all the difficulties in our world that could have been avoided in recent days if those in positions of leadership exercised the same kind of humility.
The Board of Village Missions did recently take some action that satisfies Wise Giving Alliance standard #4. They recently appointed two new independent board members.
We appreciate the efforts of the Wise Giving Alliance. Their efforts are good for all charities.
