Questions About the RSO Application Process

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about applying for Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status through LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC).

1. Has the LCMS made changes to the way service organizations apply for and are granted LCMS recognized service organization status (RSO)?
2. How can I tell if my organization has been granted RSO status through LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC)?
3. My organization currently has RSO status through WR-HC. With the new process for RSO application in place now, will I have to reapply?
4. How can I know if my organization fits with the programs of WR-HC?
5. Will someone from WR-HC visit my organization as part of the RSO application process?
6. How will the LCMS procedures be coordinated with the process for affiliation with the ELCA?
7. Does WR-HC have a specific fund-raising policy that my agency should use to meet BOD Policy 5.9.1.2.3?
8. Who will make the decision to grant RSO status to my organization?
9. What level of LCMS representation on the governing board does WR-HC require? 
10. Why is it important to have LCMS representation on governing boards?
11. Where can our organization get background checks on employees and volunteers who work with minors?
12. Once my organization receives RSO status, whom do we contact with questions? 

1. Has the LCMS made changes to the way service organizations apply for and are granted LCMS recognized service organization status (RSO)?
   Yes. In 2008 a new process for applying for RSO status was instituted in the Synod. Information about how we came to this new process, the history behind the changes and what it means for service organizations with LCMS RSO status can be found here.
2. How can I tell if my organization has been granted RSO status through WR-HC?
   You can check in three places:
   
   • The current Lutheran Annual under "Social Ministry Organizations."
   • See RSO list (PDF).
   • Call us at 888-THE-LCMS (888-843-5267)
   • Email us at infocenter@lcms.org.
3. My organization currently has RSO status through WR-HC. With the new process for RSO application now in place, will I have to reapply?
   Yes. All RSOs will be asked to reapply for RSO status so that all criteria can be assessed under the new process. Some organizations were asked to reapply beginning in 2009 and others will be staggered over the next several years. WR-HC staff is working to coordinate the transition of all 125 RSOs to the new five-year cycle. Your agency will be notified well in advance when your time to reapply draws near.
4. How can I know if my organization fits with the programs of WR-HC?
   LCMS World Relief and Human Care is generally responsible for RSOs involved in work done at the "rough edge of mercy" (in the "difficult" places) and as a "channel for the love and compassion of the church for helping the homeless, the persecuted, the sick and the needy." (Bylaw 3.8.7.2).
   Currently, WR-HC works with 125 human care organizations that serve people in need. These include organizations that involve:  
   
   • Abuse, neglect prevention/treatment
   • Advocacy
   • Aging services
   • Chaplaincy services
   • Children and youth services
   • Counseling
   • Day care
   • Disability services
   • Emergency services
   • Family services
   • Foster care and adoption
   • Housing
   • Life enrichment
   • Medical services
   • Pregnancy counseling
   • Refugee resettlement
5. Will someone from WR-HC visit my organization as part of the RSO application process?
   Yes. When you apply for RSO status, a representative from WR-HC may visit your organization to meet your leadership staff and become familiar with your programs and facilities. If an on-site visit occurs, the representative will discuss RSO criteria and your agency's work in relation to those criteria.
6. How will the LCMS procedures be coordinated with the process for affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)?
   WR-HC commits to continued cooperative work with the ELCA in affiliation and recognition matters and, as possible, to conduct visits jointly, share information and keep duplicative work to a minimum. For organizations that are affiliated with the ELCA and are also recognized by the LCMS (pan-Lutheran), we will work with the ELCA to seek ways we can incorporate the LCMS policies and procedures into the joint ministry review process used in recent years.
7. Does WR-HC have a specific fund-raising policy that my agency should use to meet BOD Policy 5.9.1.2.3?
   While LCMS Board of Directors Policy 5.9.1.2.3 states that RSOs must "have established and maintain policies that limit fund-raising costs in relation to receipt," there is no specific fund-raising policy that RSOs are expected to follow. Each RSO is free to develop a policy that establishes adequate internal controls to limit fund-raising costs in relation to fund-raising receipts. You may want to review the information available at www.smartgivers.org, which offers a complete overview of accountability standards and resources for financial activity of nonprofits.
8. Who will make the decision to grant RSO status to my organization?
   It is the responsibility of the ministry to which your application is assigned to make the decision regarding status. If your application is assigned to WR-HC, it will be WR-HC’s responsibility to make the decision to either grant or decline status to the applicant. WR-HC staff will work with you throughout the application process, possibly conduct an on-site visit to your organization and will submit a written report with recommendation to WR-HC to either grant or decline your application for RSO status. They will review the report and recommendation and will make the decision regarding status.
9. What level of LCMS representation on the governing board does WR-HC require?
   LCMS Board of Directors Policy 5.9.1.1.4 requires that RSOs have "appropriate LCMS representation on their governing boards, especially in the case of inter-Lutheran or inter-faith organizations." The policy explains that the appropriate level of LCMS representation can be determined by the board of the Synod (for example, WR-HC) to which the organization relates.
   An RSO is required to have on its board of directors (or similar governing body) individuals who are members of LCMS congregations or representatives of LCMS congregations. WR-HC desires that, whenever possible, a majority or complete LCMS representation on governing boards exists. However, this level of LCMS presence is understandably not always possible or may not meet the needs of the RSO. In those cases, it is acceptable to have a minority of LCMS representation on governing boards. The following guidelines are used to determine the minimum level of LCMS representation that is acceptable as appropriate Synod representation on governing boards:
   Representation that includes 30 percent individuals who are members of or representatives of an LCMS congregation
   OR
   A proportion (percentage) that equals the number of LCMS congregations or individuals represented in other area. For example:
   
   • The proportion of LCMS congregations that are members of the social ministry organization.
   • The proportion of LCMS congregations among all Lutheran congregations in the service area of the organization.
   • The proportion of the baptized or confirmed membership of the LCMS district in which the organization serves compared to the number of the same in the ELCA Synod in the same region.
   • Other proportional representation that is appropriate. Deaconess Dorothy Krans, interim director of Social Ministry Organizations, can discuss this with your organization. Contact her at 800-248-1930, ext. 1636 or dorothy.krans@lcms.org.
10. Why is it important to have LCMS representation on governing boards?
    WR-HC desires that LCMS representation on governing boards is never lessened, and in fact, increased at every opportunity. There are several reasons why LCMS representation on boards is important:
    
    • LCMS representation provides an opportunity for LCMS members to serve the church and community through the RSO.
    • Members of the LCMS who serve on the board are likely to know the LCMS and lead agencies to appropriately reflect the LCMS to their community and connect the people they serve with Word and Sacrament ministries.
    • LCMS representation provides some assurance that the organization will be engaged in program activity that is in harmony with the Synod’s doctrine and practices.
    • Ministries are carried out in accord with LCMS principles, including in regards to cooperation in externals.
    • WR-HC is committed to the work of Lutheran organizations that are identifiably Lutheran and specifically connected to the LCMS. Board membership is one significant way organizations can show a connection to the LCMS.
    • WR-HC values the pan-Lutheran social ministry arena and desires that LCMS members are involved in order to bring an LCMS perspective to that arena.
11. Where can our organization get background checks on employees and volunteers who work with minors?
    Every organization has a responsibility to know the local and/or state regulations/laws pertaining to background checks of employees or volunteers who work with minors and to exercise due diligence in conducting such screenings.
    As an LCMS RSO, you are able to access the buying power of other LCMS organizations through the LCMS Group Purchasing Agreement, which includes a background screening company. After reviewing several background screening companies, the LCMS national office selected Protect My Ministry as a provider for background screening services. Protect My Ministry is an employment and volunteer background screening company established to assist churches, schools and other faith-based organizations in implementing and maintaining a thorough background screening process. For more information please visit Protect My Ministry at www.protectmyministry.com/lcms or contact:
    Benton Mobley
    service representative
    lcms@protectmyministry.com
    (800) 319-5581 ext. 226
12. Once my organization receives RSO status, whom do we contact with questions?
    Please feel free to contact the following individuals with any questions about RSO status through WR-HC, our projects or our plans for the future.

LCMS Church Information Center, 888-THE-LCMS (888-843-5267)

or

Deaconess Dorothy Krans
interim director, Social Ministry Organizations
800-248-1930, ext. 1636
dorothy.krans@lcms.org

Maggie Dawdy
support staff
800-248-1930, ext. 1635
maggie.dawdy@lcms.org