# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_November 20 21 2014_S3
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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2.4.4.3 Any board member listening or watching shall acknowledge their presence to the meeting. These
names along with the attending board members shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
2.4.5 Quorum
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2.4.5.1 A majority of voting members of the Board shall constitute a quorum at any properly called or
scheduled meeting.
2.4.6 Actions Using Electronic Ballot
In situations where board members are not able to meet as described in 2.4.3 or 2.4.4, above, the Board may
take action by use of electronic ballot (i.e., e-mail, internet-based voting, etc.) in accordance with the
Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act, provided all voting members of the board cast a vote and the result of
the voting is unanimous.

Article III 2, paragraph (b) VII: The executive council mentioned in the first sentence is
essentially an executive committee with responsibilities limited by Synod Bylaw 1.5.3.2 (a),
which limitations should be reflected in the text of this new paragraph.
Article III 2, paragraph (b) IX: The word “Praesidium,” as defined and used by the Synod
(Bylaw 1.2.1 [p]) only includes the president and vice-presidents and cannot be used for the
group described in this new bylaw.
Article III 2, paragraph (d): This sentence will better read, “One member of the Synod’s
Committee for Convention Nominations when required,” since the district elects this member of
the committee every other convention.
Article III 3, paragraph (g): Reference to Synod Bylaws 1.5.1.1 and 1.5.1.2 would be helpful to
call attention to the Synod’s more specific requirements.
Article IV 1: The list in the final sentence of this paragraph requires the addition of regional
members of the district board of directors, so as to read: “This committee shall propose at least
two (2) candidates for each office to be filled at the next district convention except the offices of
president, vice-presidents, circuit visitor, and regional members of the Board of Directors.”
Article IV: An additional section appears to be needed under this article to provide the
nomination and election process for president, regional vice-presidents and board of directors
members (Synod Bylaws 4.7.1; 3.12.2.7), and circuit visitors (Synod Bylaw 5.2.2).
Article V 1, paragraph (b): The first sentence of this paragraph will better and more accurately
read: “The vote at all district conventions shall be restricted to the duly elected and certified
voting pastors and lay delegates of the congregation.” Pastoral and lay delegates alike must be
certified by their congregations.
Article V 1, paragraph (c): The list provided in this paragraph of those who may submit overtures
to conventions is not complete (see Synod Bylaw 3.1.6.2).
Article V 3: The first sentence of this paragraph should specify that the congregation is to be
represented by “a pastor and one lay member of each congregation (Synod Bylaw 5.3.2),….”

77. Mid-South District Accountable Manager Governance Document (14-2736)
The commission began its review of the policies document of the Mid-South District, submitted August
19, 2014. Given the document’s unique nature and approach, the commission asked its secretary to
communicate with district officers regarding a number of general concerns with the document, including
its statements regarding the Synod’s relationship to districts, also offering to provide a policies document
from another district to use as a model.
78. Congregational Representation during Dispute Resolution Panel Hearings (14-2738)
In an October 6, 2014 letter to the chairman of the commission, a member of the Synod asked a question
regarding the right of any member of a congregation involved in a disputed excommunication to be
present to witness the proceedings of the Dispute Resolution Panel hearing the matter. After agreeing that
the chairman should request that the Commission on Handbook examine existing bylaws relevant to this
request, the commission responded as follows.
CCM Minutes – November 20–21, 2014 – Page 54