# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_February 2 3 2018_S17
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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Florida-Georgia (2015): Articles lack relationship language but have satisfactory asset disposition
language. In addition, they do not appear to have been filed with the state in 2015.
Indiana (1963): Articles as filed lack both relationship and asset disposition language.
Michigan (1969): Articles as filed contain satisfactory relationship and asset disposition language.
New England (1973): Articles as filed lack relationship language but contain satisfactory asset
disposition language.
New Jersey (1972): Articles as filed lack both relationship and asset disposition language.
Northwest (1994): Articles as filed lack relationship language but contain satisfactory asset
disposition language.
Ohio (1969): Articles as filed lack both relationship and asset disposition language.
Pacific Southwest (1989): Articles as filed lack both relationship and asset disposition language.
Rocky Mountain (1983): Articles as filed lack both relationship and asset disposition language.
Southeastern (1948): Articles as filed lack both relationship and asset disposition language.
SELC (1987, incomplete): Unable to review—documents not available to the commission.
Southern (2017): Articles as filed lack relationship language but contain satisfactory asset
disposition language.
Texas (1967): Articles as filed lack both relationship and asset disposition language.

Districts having the above-noted deficiencies are asked to take expedient action to bring their articles into
line with Bylaw 1.5.3.6 (noting the revised template for district Articles of Incorporation to be found in this
meeting’s minutes, as well as Op. 17-2811, May 5–6, 2017) in time for compliance to be reported by the
Commission on Constitutional Matters to the 2019 convention of the Synod. If they are unable to do so,
they must explain their inability to the LCMS Board of Directors and request an exception under Bylaw
1.5.3.6.
130. Northern Illinois District Bylaw Proposals (Resubmitted) (17-2825A)
The commission reviewed further revisions proposed… and identified one item needing attention:
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In Ov. 2-05, consistency with LCMS Bylaw 3.2.4.2 [b] would suggest stating the restriction in
terms of election, not service (see Bylaw 3.2.4.2 [b]), and stating: “vacancy service for a period of
more than one-half of a term” as opposed to “…for a period of one-half term or more.” If the
suggested language is accepted, it will not be necessary to use the confusing language “expired
term.”

The bylaw proposal, with the suggested change, is approved for presentation to the convention. The district
is thanked for its cooperation with the review process, and reminded to submit to the Secretary of the Synod
a clean copy of its bylaws as adopted by its convention.
131. Iowa West District Bylaw Resubmission (17-2846A)
The chairman of the Iowa West District Handbook Revision Committee forwarded further revisions to its
bylaw proposal, offered in response to the previous CCM review (Op. 17-2846). The commission finds the
proposal as amended to satisfy all its earlier concerns. The district is thanked for its cooperation with the
review process and asked to submit a clean copy of its bylaws as adopted after its convention.
132. Texas District Bylaw Proposal (18-2876)
By a January 22, 2018, e-mail, the President of the Texas District forwarded his district’s bylaw proposal
for review. It was noted that the articles lack both the asset disposition and relationship language required
by LCMS Bylaw 1.5.3.6. The district is advised to either propose a revision or explain (the commission
suggests, by a written legal opinion) its inability to amend the articles to the LCMS Board of Directors, so
than an exemption from one or both requirements may be granted.

CCM Minutes – February 2, 2018 – Page 105