To Provide for Continuity of Service in Regional Positions

WHEREAS, Various boards for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod require candidates elected by the Synod convention for some or all positions to be residents of specified regions of the Synod to be eligible for election and continued service; and

WHEREAS, Currently, if a board member elected to a position from a given region relocates outside that region, the seat held by such board member becomes vacant and must be filled by appointment between conventions, which has resulted in an increasing number of vacancies for such positions that are then filled by appointment; and

WHEREAS, The Committee for Convention Nominations for the from the Synod convention should be filled by the persons elected by the Synod convention insofar as possible, for purposes of continuity of service on the related board and the benefit of the related expertise there by provided to such board, and thus that it is appropriate to allow a person elected from a region to continue to serve until the elected term expires even if such person relocates residence; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention amend appropriate bylaws to permit any person who is elected by the Synod convention to a board position requiring residence in a particular region to complete the term for which elected even if such person relocates outside the region from which elected; provided that no person may be elected or appointed to any position unless such person meets the residence requirement as of the time of election or appointment, and further provided that such change shall not apply to regional vice- presidents.