Dear Lucy Leader,

It is so hard to find women that are willing to be in a leadership role at any level. We have quite a few women that come to group and zone events, but most of them shy away when the topic of leadership comes up. How can we encourage more women to consider a leadership role?

Sincerely,

Encouraging Ellen

Dear Encouraging Ellen,

It’s great to hear that you have lots of women coming to your events. The idea of leadership can be scary, but with the right support it isn’t scary. The LWML has a page on its website full of resources (Leader Development and Training Tools). A few highlights on that page are Leadership 101, Look of a Leader, and Leadership in Pairs.

Leadership 101 is full of basic information about leadership — what it is, different types of leadership, and influences on leadership — as well as connecting leadership traits to the Bible.

Look of a Leader focuses on the traits of a leader. It explores fifteen traits. Helping women who are coming to your events see that they have some of these traits would be a good way to introduce leadership to them.

Leadership in Pairs is a resource that encourages leaders to find people to work with and find support in, and not to do everything alone. This is a great resource to help women feel they are not alone in leadership.

God’s blessings as you endeavor to get more women involved in leadership!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader,

I am hoping, with the help of God, to read through the Bible in one year. Can you point me to any resources that can guide me in this goal?

Thank you,

Dedicated Daisy

Dear Dedicated Daisy,

First of all, congratulations on setting a goal for the next year that helps you become more familiar with the Word! One of the things a good leader has is a solid spiritual life, and being in the Word is a great way to accomplish this. The very first thing I would recommend is to go to the Lord in prayer to aid you in this endeavor. There is a resource on the LWML website to guide you in this goal ─ lwml.org/posts/free-resources/read-through-the-bible-in-one-year. This resource helps you by breaking your reading into three sections each day, allowing you to go through the Bible in one year. Hopefully, breaking the reading into three small sections per day will help to keep you motivated to continue as the year progresses.

May God guide you in your future endeavors!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader,

I am trying to work on establishing healthy routines in multiple areas of my life. I really would love to find something to motivate me to nurture my daily time with the Lord at home but also motivate me to help others as well. Do you have any ideas for me?

Sincerely,

Healthy Heather

Dear Healthy Heather,

Congratulations on the goals and tasks you are setting for yourself! As always, when setting out on a new endeavor, I recommend going to the Lord in prayer to guide you on your journey. A resource that would fit your description is the mission service calendar on LWML.org. This resource takes you month by month and gives you action steps for nurturing your faith at home, serving your community, and encouraging others. Another resource if you are trying to improve giving to mission projects that share the Gospel and serve others is the mite challenge calendar. This gives you a set goal of mite offerings to give daily throughout the month.

May God bless you in your endeavors!

Lucy Leader 

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader …

Getting Involved

Dear Lucy Leader,

Ever since I attended the LWML convention in Lexington two years ago and then my district convention last year, I’ve felt a strong pull and desire to serve in the LWML. I’m not sure I’m ready for an elected position, but how can I get involved at the district or national level?

Sincerely,

Enthusiastic Emily

Dear Enthusiastic Emily,

First and foremost, go to God in prayer about this desire to serve. Ask God to guide you in your actions as you consider serv

ing in new areas. Each district structure is a little different, so it is important to know how your district functions and which positions are appointed (as opposed to elected). This could mean working on a committee or being the meeting manager to help assist the president with meeting planning details. Contact your district president to inquire about getting involved at the district level.

At the beginning of each new biennium, committees are formed at the national level. If you have an interest in serving at the national level, you should fill out the Personnel Resource Profile Form. There are a variety of questions for you as you consider where your gifts and talents may lie. If you need to know more about what each committee or department does, look at the LWML Committee Purpose Statements. When the Board of Directors meets in August following a national convention, committees are formed.

I pray that God would lead you to where he desires you to serve within the LWML!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader …

Convention Delegate?!?!

Dear Lucy Leader, 

I’ve been selected by my zone to be a delegate for our zone to the LWML convention in Milwaukee. I’m very excited, but I’m also really nervous. The ladies in my zone have shared a little about what is expected, but I’m still unsure about how to prepare and what is expected of me at the convention. Does the LWML have any resources for me?

Sincerely,

Anxious Annie

Dear Anxious Annie,

That’s exciting for you! Being a delegate at a convention is an exciting thing. If you’ve never been to a national convention, you’ll have so much fun. If you have before, you know what you’re in for. Being a delegate is an important job, as one reason for our conventions is to do the business of the LWML, which includes voting on mission grants, officers, and bylaw changes.

The LWML has produced this resource — You Are the Convention Delegate — for delegates to both national and district conventions. Take the time to look over this to calm your nerves about your role as a delegate at the upcoming convention. 

God’s blessings to you as you pray over your decisions and as you travel to Milwaukee.

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader …

Ideas for Ingatherings

Dear Lucy Leader,

I am in charge of service projects and ingatherings (donations for mission organizations) for my local group. I am looking for some additional ideas of things to collect to help others. Does the LWML have any resources to help me?

Thank you!

Serving Sally

Dear Serving Sally,

Thank you so much for everything you do to help others. It can be exciting to look at new options for serving that are of interest to your group. A resource to help you is lwml.org/posts/free-resources/lwml-toolkit-kits. This page on LWML.org has a list of different “toolkit” ideas for ingatherings. There are quite a few options on the list, so hopefully one of them inspires your group! Consider getting some feedback from your group. Which are their favorites? That could give you plenty of choices for the future.

May the Lord bless you and your group in your endeavors!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear Lucy Leader …

Working Together with Different Gifts

Dear Lucy Leader,

I have a lady that is a great LWML motivator but when it gets down to action time, she backs away. She says I assume too much. This has happened a few times, and I am really feeling down about this.

Thanks for your help, 

Frustrated Fran

Dear Frustrated Fran,

What a joy it is to have someone that has a joy and passion for LWML and can motivate your group! First, take this situation to God in prayer, as I’m sure you already have. This devotion, Flowering LWML Leaders, may be a good way to reflect on your role in leadership and how to develop that in this other woman.

Second, schedule a time to talk with this woman before you are at the point of disappointment or frustration, so you are both in a good, open mindset. Remember that every leader has different gifts. Consider the following questions: Are there ways you can work with this woman? Is she open to working with someone to make her ideas a reality? Is she open to other people taking her ideas and running with them to come to fruition? How can you help this woman use her leadership gifts in a way that is fruitful for all involved?

When you actually meet with her, start with a positive statement, then lead into what you are noticing and how it makes you feel. Consider starting your conversation like this, “I really love that you have so much passion for LWML. You have some great ideas for our group. I’ve noticed that when it comes time to make things happen, things often don’t take shape. This makes me feel disappointed. I would like to help make your ideas a reality. Would you be open to working with me to get them accomplished?”

God’s blessings to you as you work through this situation.

Lucy Leader 

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory