# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_August 3 2004_S5 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) l. In consultation with the Secretary of the Synod and with the concurrence of the Council of Presidents, the Commission on Constitutional Matters shall develop and amend as necessary a Standard Operating Procedures Manual which will serve as a comprehensive procedures manual for the bylaw provisions set forth in Bylaws 2.26, 2.27, 2.28, and 2.29 (Bylaws 2.26 l, 2.27 l, 2.28 l, and 2.29 l). k. In consultation with the Secretary of the Synod and with the concurrence of the Council of Presidents, the Commission on Constitutional Matters shall develop and amend as necessary a Standard Operating Procedures Manual which will serve as a comprehensive procedures manual for Chapter VIII, Synodical Dispute Resolution (Bylaw 8.21 k). The Commission discussed a timetable for the development of the manuals and agreed to the following steps: 1. CCM orientation, framing the task and setting the sights on the target. 2. Initial consultation with the Secretary of the Synod. 3. Initial consultation with the Council of Presidents (September, 2004): a. Orientation and framing the task (Where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going). b. Reviewing the existing “Rules of Procedure” and “Handbook for Reconcilers” associated with the dispute resolution process. c. Familiarization with and use of new Bylaws 2.26−2.29 (expulsion from membership) and Chapter VIII (dispute resolution) for relevant input. d. General discussion and suggestions. e. Invitation for initial input from individual Council members by October 1, 2004 (thoughts, reflections, suggestions, questions such as “How is this done?” etc.) 4. Discussion by CCM during October 6−8, 2004 meeting: a. Review of existing “Rules of Procedure” and “Handbook for Reconcilers” as a resource for developing the manuals. b. Consultation with other resource persons for input into the content of the manuals. 5. Preparation of drafts of operating procedures manuals for Bylaws 2.26 to 2.29 and Chapter VIII by November 1, 2004. 6. Second consultation with the Council of Presidents to share the drafts with the COP for further input/refinement and, if possible, concurrence and finalization (November, 2004). 7. Continued refinement and consultation as necessary to produce final documents by January 1, 2005. 8. Final consultation with Council of Presidents for final concurrence if necessary (February, 2005). 198