The Status of Women and Girls and Boys

The Status of Women and Girls (and Boys) in the Church and World Gil Hanke, General Secretary/CEO General Commission on United Methodist Men

Who we are • We are the agency that provides resources and leadership training in men’s ministries and scouting ministries across the connection. • We are the largest non-governmental sponsoring entity of Scouting BSA in the world, which includes boys and girls. • We also have excellent and growing relationships with Girl Scouts of the USA, and working relationships with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Campfire USA. • In full discloser, my son is an Eagle Scout and works for BSA, and my granddaughter is a Tiger Cub, and I serve as the charter organization representative for Antioch (Tenn. ) UMC.

Changes to the 2020 Book of Resolutions • We are requesting that Resolution 2818 be amended to read: • Whereas the United Methodist churches have not always supported welcomed the appointment of clergywomen and provided them with support following their appointment and… • And in the last sentence: • Be it further resolved that clergy women be invited to share in the participate in the studies and activities of local chapters United Methodist Men organizations.

Book of Resolutions 3427 • We want to add a resource to this resolution on violence against women and children. • 2. Engage men and boys as allies in the promotion of gender equality through the use of Amending through Faith, a resource developed by the YWCA of Middle Tennessee and the General Commission on United Methodist Men (www. gcumm. org/gender-based-violence ) • This resource was created through a grant from the World Service Contingency Fund, and was written by staff of the GCUMM and the YWCA. It is overtly Christian, and is being used within our denomination and several others. It is designed for good Christian men, who will change the culture, that permits and promotes violence against women and girls.

Amending through Faith • This 8 -week study is supported by Scripture and challenging videos. • The course has been used in both face-to-face and screen-to-screen Zoom settings. In either case, the course is transformational and creates longterm changes. • The course has been used by a college men’s basketball team and a co-ed group of college students. • The kit contains workbooks for participants, a jump drive with training session for the leader, a leader’s guide/workbook, and all the videos. • Key staff for Amending through Faith is the Rev. Dr. Rick Vance, director of the Center for Men’s Ministry at GCUMM

Helpful information • Our staff in scouting is involved in the creation of a Child Safety Platform. • This platform serves a number of youth-serving entities • The platform is supported by National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. • The Center for Disease Control and the FBI helped create the guidelines. • The database platform allows easy entry and search capabilities. • The key staff person for child safety is Steven Scheid, director of the Center for Scouting Ministry at GCUMM.