To Amend Bylaw 3.10.1.3 re Placement

WHEREAS, Bylaw 2.9.1 states: The Council of Presidents, acting as the Board of Assignments, shall regularly assign to qualified graduates of educational institutions of the Synod and workers available from colloquy programs as “first calls” those calls that have been duly extended to fill active member positions as identified in Bylaw 2.11.1 for ordained and commissioned ministers if positions for which candidates are qualified are available.

(a) The placement officers of the respective institutions shall be consulted before assignments are made.

(b) The president of the district in which a candidate is to be placed shall be consulted, and his concurrence shall be an essential part of the final recommendation to the Board of Assignments. and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.10.1.3 states: The Council of Presidents shall serve as the Board of Assignments of the Synod. It shall assign first calls to candidates for the offices of ordained and commissioned ministers. The Council of Presidents may in its policies delegate authority for interim placement (between its regular meetings) to a committee of its own members or the chairman of that committee. and

WHEREAS, With the advent of modern communications technology, the Council of Presidents (COP) is able to conduct meetings electronically easily and economically; and

WHEREAS, The COP, acting as the Board of Assignments of the Synod, has a crucial role in the Divine Call and placement of candidates in our Synod, and such role should be carried out with the prayer ful deliberation and discussion of the entire body; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.10.1.3 currently allows the responsibility of interim placement of candidates to rest in the hands of one man alone, or to the placement committee of the COP; and

WHEREAS, The COP is able to meet electronically between its regular meetings to conduct the important work of placements of candidates and vicars in our Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.10.1.3 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

3.10.1.3 The Council of Presidents shall serve as the Board of Assignments of the Synod. It shall assign first calls to candidates for the offices of ordained and commissioned ministers and handle or assist with placement of other professional church workers. The Council of Presidents may in its policies delegate authority for interim placement (between its regular meetings) to a committee of its own members or the chairman of that committee.