# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1995_S130
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PROGRAM AND FINANCE 131

etc. As the board considered the Conflict of Interest Bylaw,
it concluded that Bylaw 3.69, “General Regulations” re-
garding members, should be expanded to address the mat-
ter of orderly dissent to decisions made by a board.

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.71, “Prohibition of Conflict of In-
terest,” be replaced with the following:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

3.71 Reehibitien Disclosure of Conflict of
Interest

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Every board, commission, officer, and staff member
of the Synod and every agency or entity of the Synod
shall avoid conflicts of interest as described in this
Bylaw. .

Each governing board shall maintain and monitor
a conflict-of- interest policy which shall be applicable to
the boards, commissions, officers, and executive staff op-
erating under the respective entity. Each policy shall in-
clude the following provisions:

a. Each board or commission member shall disclose
to the chairman of the entity and each staff person shall
disclose to the executive officer of the entity any poten-
tial conflicts of interest. Each chairman or executive of-
ficer shall disclose personal potential conflicts of interest
to the governing board. All such disclosures shall be re-
ported to the respective board or commission or its des-
ignated representative(s), who shall determine whether
an inappropriate interest exists. Such disclosures shall
include board membership on, a substantial interest in,
or employment of the individual or a relative by any or-

‘ ganization doing business with the Synod or any of its
entities or agencies.

b. Board members or staff persons who receive hono-
raria or payments for any sales or services rendered to
the Synod or its entities or agencies shall disclose such
information.

c. Activities shall not be entered into which may be
detrimental to the interests of the Synod and its entities
or agencies.

d. Information acquired in the course of carrying out
synodical duties shall not knowingly be used in any way
which would be detrimental to the welfare of the Synod
and its entities or agencies. ,

e. No board or commission member, and/or staff or
executive officer of the Synod or its entities and agencies
shail vote on any transaction in which the individual
shall receive a direct or indirect financial gain.

f. Gifts, entertainment, or favors in excess of $100 per
person per year from any individual or outside concern
which does or is seeking to do business with the Synod
or its entities or agencies shall not be accepted.

g. Any inappropriate activity shall cease or the posi-
tion will be vacated.

h. Each individual, prior to accepting an elected or
appointed office or staff position, shall sign a statement
that he has received, understands, and agrees to abide
by this Bylaw and the conflict-of-interest policy of the re-
spective corporation. Each shall also sign annually a
“Statement of Compliance” with the Bylaw and policy.

i. Responsibilities shall be conducted in a manner re-
flecting the highest degree of integrity and honesty con-
sistent with the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions,

the synodical Handbook, board policies, and civil laws;
and be it further -

Resolved, That the following addition be made to
Bylaw 3.69, “General Regulations”:

m. Members of boards and commissions and officers
and executive staff of the Synod and its entities and
agencies shall be sensitive'in their activities to taking or
giving offense, causing confusion in the Synod, or creat-
ing potential liability. Dissent to decisions made by the
entity shall ordinarily be expressed within the structure
of the respective entity;

and be it finally

Resolved, That since this Bylaw covers all synodical en-
tities, Bylaw 4.131 be deleted.

Action: Adopted (5).

(The committee substituted the words vote on for participate
in in Bylaw 3.71, e. An amendment to.delete also and annually
and to add the words upon accepting a position in Bylaw 3.71, h,
was declined.)

To Clarify Position of Vice-
President-—Finance/Treasurer

RESOLUTION 4-06

Reports R1-8-04-05, R7-03-04 (CW, pp. 10-16,
97-102); Overtures 4-12-14 (CW, p. 196)

WHEREAS, The President’s Task Force on Finances has
recommended changes to the office of the Vice President—
Finance/Treasurer; and ;

WHEREAS, The Vice-President—Finance/Treasurer has
expressed the need to clarify the responsibilities of his of-
fice; and

WHEREAS, The President of the Synod has appointed a
Blue Ribbon Committee on Structure to consider among
other things organizational structure; and

WHEREAS, It would be premature to make significant
changes to the position of the Vice-President—Finance/
Treasurer at this time; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Blue Ribbon Committee on Structure
study and consider the need for changes in the responsibil-
ities to the office of the Vice-President—~Finance/Treasurer;
and be it further

Resolved, That any recommendations of the Blue Ribbon
Committee on Structure regarding significant changes to
the office of the Vice-President—Finance/Treasurer be sub-
mitted to the 1998 convention of the Synod for action.

Action: Adopted (12).
(An amendment to substitute the Council of Presidents for the

. Blue Ribbon Committee was declined.)

To Address Direct Fundraising Appeals
RESOLUTION 4-074 .
Overtures 4-16-18 (CW, pp. 197-98)

WHEREAS, The matter of direct fundraising has been con-
sidered by previous conventions (1986 Res. 4-05; 1989 Res.
4-01; 1992 Res. 4-12A); and

WHEREAS, Fundraising appeals which are too frequent
and use inappropriate solicitation methods can rob God’s
people of the joy of Christian giving (2 Cor. 9:7) and result
in a weariness in well-doing (Gal. 6:6-10); therefore be it