# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_September 15 16 2017_S3
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

69. 2016 Res. 12-14-Related Changes to Bylaw Section 2.14 Standard Operating Procedures
Manual (17-2837)
The commission reviewed and gave its approval to a draft prepared by the Secretary and already
under review by the Council of Presidents, noting and approving of minor editorial and referential
changes already made. (The manual, as reviewed by the commission and as attached to the protocol
minutes, received the approval of the Council of Presidents on Sept. 18.)
70. 2016 Res. 12-14-Related Changes to Bylaw Section 2.17 Standard Operating Procedures
Manual (17-2838)
The commission reviewed and gave its approval to a draft prepared by the Secretary and already
under review by the Council of Presidents, noting and approving of minor editorial and referential
changes already made. (The manual, as reviewed by the commission and as attached to the protocol
minutes, received the approval of the Council of Presidents on Sept. 18.)
71. Minnesota South District Articles and Bylaws (17-2831)
By an e-mail of Friday, May 12, the Secretary of the Minnesota South District forwarded his
district’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, together with changes proposed. Having reviewed
the documents, the commission proposes the following changes be made:
In the Articles of Incorporation:
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•

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Article II 2 c: “Bylaws of the Synod” should read “Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.”
Article II 4 c: The phrase “if within the structure of the LCMS they are under the direct
supervision of the President of the District” is technically incorrect (see, e.g., LCMS Bylaw
2.12.1.5). The commission proposes the following language instead: “if members of the
LCMS and rostered, according to the Bylaws of the LCMS, in the District.”
Article III 2 c: an instance of “annual meeting,” mentioned in connection with the
expiration of terms, should likely read “regular meeting.”

The commission notes that the relationship and asset disposition language required by LCMS
Bylaw 1.5.3.6 and 2016 Res. 9-02A is present.
In the Bylaws:
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4.2.15.2: The bylaw must require residency in the region throughout the course of tenure
(LCMS Bylaw 3.12.1) for those holding regional positions. It should also be noted that the
vice-presidential candidates must be on the district roster (LCMS Bylaw 4.3.1).
4.2.15.6 [e]: The reference to LCMS Bylaw 3.10.5.2 [7] should be updated to Bylaw
3.10.6.2 [7–8].
4.2.16: The district may wish to allow for electronic distribution of these materials under
LCMS Bylaw 4.2.1 [g].
4.5.5.1: The proposed addition contradicts LCMS Bylaw 3.12.1. Regional membership
must be determined by residency, not by congregational membership.
4.5.16 (as proposed): While the district is free to apply the procedure of LCMS Bylaw
1.5.8–1.5.8.1 to “full-time assistants…chaplains and others,” the removal of officers must
be effected by the exact procedure specified in LCMS Bylaws 1.5.8–1.5.8.1. The role of
the presidium (except as members of the board of directors) is unclear in the proposed
Bylaw 4.5.16, and the mention thereof should probably be removed.

CCM Minutes – September 15–16, 2017 – Page 61