To Establish Procedures for Delay of Meetings of Synod

WHEREAS, The “delegate convention of the Synod is the legislative assembly…” (Bylaw 1.4.1); and

WHEREAS, The “Synod convenes every three years for its regular meeting” (Constitution Article VII A 1); and

WHEREAS, In extraordinary circumstances such conventions may be impossible or imprudent; and

WHEREAS, In such cases there is no specific provision in the Constitution of the Synod for delay; and

WHEREAS, In such cases necessity will force the officers of Synod to seek remedies which were not intended to be used in these circumstances; and

WHEREAS, This situation will invariably create confusion and conflict within Synod; and

WHEREAS, In other cases of “urgent necessity” a special meeting of the Synod may be convened (Const. Art. VIII B); and

WHEREAS, Circumstances may also cause necessary delay to the conventions of districts of the Synod which affect the whole Synod; and

WHEREAS, Averyhigh standard of agreement among the officers of Synod should be established to delay the meeting of the legislative assembly of the Synod or districts there of; therefore be it

Resolved, That Constitution Article VIII A be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Article VIII Synodical Meetings

A. Time and Legality of Meetings 1. … 2. … according the schedule set above, a delay in meeting may be enacted according to the bylaws of Synod. At the least, such a delay must be initiated by the President of Synod with unanimous approval of the vice-presidents of Synod, three-fourths approval of the Board of Directors, and three-fourths approval of the presidents of the districts of Synod. After such approvals have been obtained, the approval of the congregations of Synod shall be sought according to the bylaws.

and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) and Commission on Handbook (COH) be directed to propose bylaws for approval of the convention of Synod which take into consideration the publication of notices and the various time frames which may be necessary for the delay of the regular meeting of Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the CCM and COHbedirected to propose bylaws which provide a procedure for the delay of district conventions including consideration of the effect such delay would have on the Synod as a whole.