# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S132 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 132 SYNOD REPORTS dent of the Synod, the Board of Directors of the Synod, or any agency of the Synod.” George J. Gude, Chairman R7-08 Resolution 7-22 Committee The 2004 Convention of Synod adopted Res. 7-22, which charged the chairmen of the Commission on Structure, Commis- sion on Constitutional Matters, and Committee for Convention Nominations TO CONSIDER WAYS IN WHICH THE PROCESS OF NOMINATING AND ELECTING LEADERS MIGHT BE IMPROVED, and that they report their findings, suggested proce- dural changes, and possible bylaw changes to the 2007 convention. The chairman of the Committee for Convention Nominations was to serve as the convener of the committee. The initial meeting was held in St. Louis on December 5, 2005. Subsequent meetings were held in St. Louis on August 21, 2006 and February 26, 2007. Preliminary discussions focused on the task of the committee. It was agreed that it is critical that the convention not have the per- ception that the Committee for Convention Nominations (Bylaw 3.12.3) is biased. The question was discussed as to whether there would be advantages to expanding the committee so that all dis- tricts would be represented in the nomination process at every con- vention. The consensus was that although it could be beneficial to have all districts represented for every convention, it would dou- ble the cost to the Synod, since twice as many people would attend all of the meetings. Since the present system involves half of the districts at each convention, that appears to be an acceptable pro- cedure. Within the span of two conventions, all districts are repre- sented on the committee. Following the preliminary discussions, the 7-22 Committee identified some specific areas of concern. A primary concern was to develop a way for the Committee for Convention Nominations to provide helpful information to the voting delegates about the In- dividuals who are nominated for various offices. This is especially necessary in the case of nominations from the floor. Providing information for floor nominations has been a prob- lem for a number of past conventions of the Synod. The 2004 con- vention of Synod adopted a change pertaining to floor nominations that will be utilized for the first time at the 2007 convention. The change is reflected in Bylaw 3.12.3.7.b, which, in part, states: “Floor nominations shall be brought individually before the con- vention for approval before being added to the ballot.” The 7-22 Committee requested an opinion from the CCM to clarify this bylaw and received the opinion that in order for a nomination from the floor to be placed on the ballot, a majority vote on an individual would be necessary before that name would be added to the slate of nominees. Since some of the committee’s suggested changes do not re- quire a change in the bylaws, the committee determined to convey — their thoughts to the present nominating committee for its consid- eration. One suggestion is for the Elections Committee of the con- vention. A number of these were suggestions that came from the 2004 Committee for Convention Nominations. 2007 Convention Workbook The suggestions are as follows: 1. Make sufficient time available for this committee to meet and accomplish its task with competence. With the volume of nominations, it was a struggle for the committee to review and prioritize the nominations assigned to them within the time frame allotted to each meeting. 2. Update all current ballot forms used by the CCN with provision made for specific categories, e.g., nominations for the “Teacher” position on the CTCR should read “active teacher” to distinguish from teachers who may have retired. 3. Nominate up to four persons for each position (short, but important to the process of improvement). 4. Remind qualified incumbents to submit all proper forms to be considered for renomination, INCLUDING THE FORM STATING THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. This will bring their history up to date and be compatible with other nominees. 5. Glean incomplete forms prior to the first meeting of the CCN and place those removed into a separate file folder. 6. Provide the CCN with a list of persons currently appointed to commissions and boards together with their terms of office. 7. At their second meeting, the CCN should elect three to serve during the interim between conventions (chairperson and two others). 8. THIS SUGGESTED PROCEDURE IS FOR THE ELEC- TIONS COMMITTEE AT THE CONVENTION: We would encourage the Elections Committee to identify the nominations that come from the Committee for Convention Nominations with an asterisk or other signage. This would be for both paper and electronic ballots. Since the Synod utilizes a Committee for Convention Nomina- tions and expends a considerable amount of money to obtain qual- ified individuals to serve in various capacities, the 7-22 Committee suggests to the present chairman of Elections to consider with his committee the possibility of identifying on the screen the names that the committee is proposing to fill various positions in the Synod (Suggestion 8). This can be done with an asterisk or a star or other signage before or after the name. A number of years ago, when delegates marked a ballot, such a procedure was not neces- sary. The delegate had plenty of time to review the materials indi- cating the names of those being proposed by the Committee for Convention Nominations. In our present electronic voting system, there is much less time to register a vote. A final proposal for the convention to determine is a suggested change in Bylaw 3.12.3.7, which addresses the subject of floor nominations. This change is being offered in the form of an over- ture to this convention. The change is intended to enable the chair- man of the Committee for Convention Nominations to provide the names and qualifications of floor nominations to the voting dele- gates in time to give such nominations appropriate consideration. This report is respectfully submitted by Timothy Sims, Chairman, Committee for Convention Nominations George Gude, Chairman, Commission on Structure Albert Marcis, Chairman, Commission on Constitutional Matters