Administration
Advisory Board
The Unity Women’s Desk is governed by an Advisory Board consisting of four women, each representing one of the four Regions of the Moravian Church. Currently serving are Sister Rachel Lwali for the Africa Region; The Rt. Reverend Blair Couch from the America Region: Sister Janet Cooper from the Europe Region; and Sister Veronica Sutherland from the Caribbean and Latin American Region. When we schedule our board meetings (via videochat), we need a complete world clock!
Advisory Board members are elected by the Unity Board and serve for four year terms; they may be re-elected for one additional four year term. Every two years, two members rotate off the Board unless re-elected. At Unity Synod in 2023, Unity Synod approved adding three additional Advisory Board members, for a total of seven. In addition to the four regional representatives, we will add a second representative from Africa (since approx. 85% of Moravian women live in Africa), one Spanish-speaking representative, and one younger representative (younger than 50!).
The Advisory Board is responsible for setting policies for the UWD, making decisions about the allocation of funds for scholarships, loans, projects, etc., and for planning the upcoming Women’s Consultation.
Coordinator
Carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities of the Board is a Coordinator. Sister Julie Tomberlin, Ph.D. currently occupies this position. She was appointed by the Unity Board in 2018.
Program Coordinators
Working with Sister Tomberlin and the Advisory Board are eleven Program Coordinators. Each Program Coordinator serves at least two provinces. In addition to promoting the work of the Unity Women’s Desk, assisting girls and women who want to apply for scholarships and grants, and supporting efforts to advocate for Human Rights for women, Program Coordinators actively work to connect women between provinces so they can share resources and experiences.
Current Program Coordinators include Sister Fatima Kiongosya for the Western and Northern Provinces and Sierra Leone. Sister Angella Babirye serves Uganda and Kenya. Sister Chantal Bakamiriza serves Rwanda, Burundi; Sister Makula Kajabila for the Southern and Southwestern provinces of Tanzania. Sister Alay Rodriguez serves the Spanish and Miskitu-speaking Provinces and Mission Areas. Sister Merita Meko serves the European provinces. Several positions are currently being filled.
The Advisory Board works with women’s organizations and provincial leaders to identify women who have the technology and language skills needed to facilitate the work of the Unity Women’s Desk. They also serve as an important connection between the Advisory Board and leaders of the provinces they serve. When a Program Coordinator position opens, the Advisory Board seeks input from relevant provinces and the Advisory Board makes the appointment.
Provincial Coordinators
Each Province of the Unity, each Mission Province, each Mission Area appoints a Provincial Coordinator to report activities, projects, and celebrations in their respective areas to the Program Coordinators. They are responsible for distributing information about opportunities provided by the Unity Women’s Desk.
Current UWD Coordinators and Provincial Leaders
Policies and Procedures Manual
The Unity Women’s Desk Policies and Procedures Manual is available at the link below.