# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S67
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Allowable floor nominations for all positions of boards and commissions shall be opened for a period of forty
(40) minutes, unless ceased earlier by a two-thirds vote of the assembly. At the end of forty (40) minutes, a vote
to cease nominations shall be called by the convention chairman. If a two-thirds vote to cease nominations is
not received, the period for floor nominations shall be extended an additional twenty (20) minutes. This cycle
shall continue in twenty (20) minute intervals until a two-thirds vote for nominations to cease is received from
the assembly.
Voting
27. An electronic response system shall ordinarily be used to register votes. If the system is not available, or at the
discretion of the chair, the chair may take votes by voice, by show of hands, or by a rising vote. The chair may
order a count if any voice, show of hands, or rising vote seems inconclusive. When possible, vote tallies shall be
recorded in the minutes.
28. An invalid vote is defined as a vote entered on the keypad with a number not offered as a selection or entered
before voting is opened or after voting is closed. Invalid votes are not counted in the total number of votes cast.
29. The privilege of granting delegates the right to record their votes in the minutes with respect to a particular
resolution shall be granted by the assembly by a majority vote without debate. If such privilege is granted, the
votes of record shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Synod within 15 minutes after the close of
the day’s business on which such privilege was granted.
Use of Voice, Print, and Electronic Devices
30. In order to promote an orderly and non-distracting convention atmosphere, the following shall apply to the use,
and area of use, of all printers and electronic equipment, including wired and wireless communication devices,
laptops, tablets, mobile phones, smart watches, pagers, laser pointers, PDAs, PEDs, or other similar electronic
devices. In all cases where use is permitted, the sound-producing capabilities of such devices shall not be used.
Except as approved by convention staff, personal extension cords shall not be allowed in Hall AB.

Voting and Advisory
Delegates &
Representatives Areas
COP, BOD, CCM, COH,
CTCR, Press, Special
Guests Areas
Visitors, Back Seating
Area
Convention Staff, All
Areas

Type of Usage Permitted in Designated Area
Electronic Communications
including email, text, and social
media messaging, e.g., laptops,
Laptop computers, tablets WITH
tablets, pagers, laser pointers, PEDs,
communications disabled (e.g.,
smart phones, wearable technology
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular, and
including smart watches, activity
Infrared communications turned
trackers, and like devices.
off or in airplane mode.)

Voice

Printers

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

n/a

No

No

Yes

n/a

Yes

Yes

Yes

n/a

Action: Adopted (1); subsequently amended (5)
In Session 1, the Special Standing Rules were introduced as printed in TB, 1:15–17, the chair noting no substantive changes from those adopted
as amended during the 2019 convention. An attempt to amend Standing Rule 14 to add the sentences, “When a new queue is opened, if
advisory delegates or representatives are immediately (at the discretion of the chair) in the queue, the first two advisory delegates or
representatives will be moved to the top of the queue. Then the order will return to the original queue, with those who spoke being removed.”
failed. A second amendment was proposed to Standing Rule 14 to strike out the words following the comma in the second sentence and replace
them with the words, “queue lists from previous motions and original unamended resolutions will be retained until a completely new, not
substitute or amended, resolution is considered.” The chair explained that the technology would not support this. The standing rules were
adopted as originally presented by a voice vote. (See also Sessions 3, 4, 6, and 9.)
* In Session 5, President Harrison proposed an amendment of Standing Rule 22, to allow the chair to call for a vote to close debate on less
controversial resolutions without hearing any debate. The amendment was adopted [Yes: 695; No: 255].
Special Standing Rules

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 67