Church treasurers met for a workshop

From February 26th till February 28th, 2015, twelve treasurers of the African UEM member churches met in Bukoba, Tanzania for a three-days workshop. It was organised by UEM aiming at a better appreciation of the UEM guidelines for financial management. The treasurers were given the possibility to exchange their everyday experiences, successes and challenges and to expand their knowledge in planning, control and evaluation.

Among others the following topics were discussed: the UEM "United-Action" Campaign (the joint fundraising action of all member churches), report on the results of the 2013 and 2014 campaigns, case study of good examples in order to follow them, the UEM code of conduct against corruption and for transparency, requirements as to the financial reports and optimal approach as to fundraising.

The practical part of the seminar involved experiences in Tanznia with the church cooperatives at the basis, the so-called SACCOS (Savings ad Credit Cooperations). On-site visits and talks with members of one of these groups made it possible to get an insight into the successes, challenges and hopes of such initiatives to fight poverty. In the end the treasurers committed themselves to establish an active network aiming at exchanging new information and experiences regularly to to stay in touch with the member churches as close as possible. It was agreed upon, that the UEM United Action Campaign shall be modified in a way that the basis of the churches is reached.