# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_November 11 13 2011_S13
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Office of National Mission, that process was not followed and the appointment was not proper. In
consultation with the President, however, he has acknowledged this oversight and has assured the
commission that he will act promptly to correct that error.
71. Review of Southeastern District Bylaws (11-2601)
With a July 27, 2011 email, the Southeastern District Bylaws Committee submitted the district Bylaws
and its proposed amendments for review by the commission. Upon careful review, the commission
provided the following recommendations to the committee for additional changes prior to consideration
by the district convention.
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Preamble, second-last bulleted paragraph: Reference to the requirements of membership in the
Constitution of the Synod should also include mention of the “Bylaws and resolutions” of the
Synod.
Preamble, final paragraph: Reference to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod as having
been “hereby adopted” would better read “hereby reaffirmed,” since districts do not adopt the
Synod’s official documents as they already are the district’s documents since the district is the
Synod itself.
Article III, paragraph 3: Here and each time “Directors” is used to refer to the functions of the
board of directors, “board of directors” should be used in every case, since directors (members of
the board of directors) do not function apart from the board.
Article V, paragraph 2 a: Given the requirement of the Synod’s Bylaws that nominations of
officers may be made from the clergy roster of the entire Synod, the first statement will better
read: “Each voting congregation of the District shall be entitled to nominate from the
congregations of the Synod or district as appropriate two (2) candidates….”
Article VII, paragraph 3: This paragraph would better read “Circuits shall meet at least twice
triennially” and then also include in the list of purposes for meeting (in addition to those listed)
the selection of circuit counselors and the consideration of proposed actions to district and
national conventions.
Article X: Mention should be included in this paragraph of the need to have amendments
reviewed and approved by the Commission on Constitutional Matters prior to their consideration
by the convention.

72. Review of Southern Illinois District Article of Incorporation and Bylaws (11-2604)
With an October 26, 2011 email, the secretary of the Southern Illinois District submitted a final draft of
the district’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for review and approval, having incorporated all earlier
suggestions offered by the commission. Upon review, the commission approved the documents with the
following minor additional recommendations.
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Article VII: The commission recommends adding the words “Constitution and” to the title to
describe better the content of the article.
Bylaw 2.75, paragraph c: This sentence would more accurately read, “The commission shall
obtain from the secretary of the district the slate of candidates for circuit counselor selected by the
circuit forums in accordance with the Bylaws of the Synod.”
Bylaw 2.75, paragraph d: Circuit counselors should be added to this list of offices excluded from
nomination by the Commission on Nominations and Elections.

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