LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 150

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150 ; : : RESOLUTIONS

Inherent in the motion for. reconsideration is the possibility that
the panel Boi te

a. has obviously misunderstood a party or evidence,

b. has made.a decision beyond the issues presented and agreed
upon, or ; oe

c. has made a miscalculation or mistake of identification.

The request shall state in writing the specific reason(s) recon-
sideration is being requested and shall be sent to the panel and
the other party. If the request:is granted, the issues being consid-
ered shall be defined and each party may submit appropriate sup-
plementary information. The decision as to whether to grant re-
- consideration is made by the panel and cannot be appealed.

Any request for reconsideration by the President or the parties
involved shall be honored when it includes specific reasons for re-
consideration and the panel shall respond in writing to those spe-
cific reasons for reconsideration identified in the request.)

To Dismiss the Task Force
on Dispute Resolution
_ RESOLUTION 7-04
Report R7-08 (CW, pp. 127-28)

WHEREAS, The Task Force on Dispute Resolution has
completed its work; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Task Force be dismissed with thanks
for its service; and be it further

Resolved, That future questions in regard to Dispute
Resolution be directed to the office of the synodical Presi-
dent.

Action: No action. ;

(No action was taken on Res. 7-04 since by adoption of Res. 7-
03B the Task Force on Dispute Resolution was continued until
April 1, 1996, for purposes of completing the preparation of
Guidelines for Implementation of Bylaws on Dispute Resolution.)

To Amend Bylaw 14.03
RESOLUTION 7-05
Overture 7-70 (CW, pp. 245-46)

Background:

An increasing number of organizations have been ap-
plying for the status of Recognized Service Organization
(RSO). The present Bylaws do not cover all circumstances
and, in addition, include items which would be better cov-
ered in policy statements. TheBoard of Directors Policy
Statement on Recognized Service Organizations is ap-
pended to the resolution but is not a part of it.

_ Resolved, That Bylaw 14.03 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/ PROPOSED WORDING

14.03 Recognized Service Organizations

a. Recognized Service Organization status may be
granted to a service organization (other than an auxil-
iary) that extends the mission and ministry of the Synod
but is not part of the Synod as defined by its Constitu-
tion and Bylaws. The granting of recognition by the
Synod signifies that a service organization, while inde-
pendent of the Synod, fosters the mission and ministry
of the church, engages in program activity that is in har-
‘mony with the programs of the boards of the Synod, and
respects and does not act contrary to the doctrine and
practice of the Synod.

b. Under the governance and policies of its own
board, a Recognized Service Organization operates with
freedom and self-determination as a ministry organiza-
tion independent of the Synod or Districts or congrega-
tions of the Synod in the establishment and evaluation

of its own objectives, activities, and programs, in orga-
nization and administration, and in financial matters.
' e. Requests for Recognized Service Organization sta-
tus shall be made to the board of the Synod to which the
organization desires to relate. Within the area of its re-
sponsibility, each board of the Synod may determine
those organizations to which Recognized Service Orga-
nization status will be granted. -

d. The Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, Inc., shall adopt common policies for
granting Recognized Service Organization status. Each
operating board of the Synod may also adopt policies
and criteria to assure that its unique needs are met and
shall report these to the Board of Directors. _

e. Each board of the Synod shall adopt policies re-
quiring each Recognized Service Organization to give its
assurance in its governing documents that recognition
as a service organization is not an endorsement by the
Synod or a guarantee of financial responsibility for the
debts and obligations of the organization or for services
provided or offered. :

Policy Statement—Board of Directors
Subject: Recognized Service Organization Status
Recognition of a service organization signifies that the ;
ministry of the RSO is integral to the ministry of the
church. Through recognition, the Synod affirms that an

-RSO meets criteria established by the operating boards of

the Synod that are in compliance with the policies for com-
mon criteria adopted by the Board of Directors.

As a service to its Districts, congregations, and people,
the Synod’s recognition of a service organization witnesses
to the public accountability of the RSO and commends the
RSO as an independent, responsible corporate ministry
that is not a part of the Synod’s constitutional structure. At
the same time, recognition seeks to protect the Synod by
disavowal of any part in the governance or policies or pro-
grams of a service organization. The granting of RSO status
by an operating board of the Synod does not imply accredi-
tation or certification of an RSO or its programs. The LCMS
makes no representations or guarantees about the fiscal
solvency or financial responsibility of any recognized orga-
nization or for any services expressly or implicitly offered
by it.

In order that Synod’s recognition of service organiza-
tions can be of maximum benefit to the church, the Board of
Directors, in conformity with Bylaw 14.03, adopts these
common policies. -

A. Boards shall assure that service organizations con-
sidered for Recognized Service Organization status shall do
the following:

1. Foster the mission and ministry of the church and en-
gage in program activity that is in harmony with the pro-
gram of the board.

2. Identify with the mission and ministry of the Synod
but not be a part of the Synod’s constitutional structure.

3. Respect and not act contrary to the doctrine and prac-
tice of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as
set forth in the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions
and the applicable resolutions of the Synod.

4. Provide assurance of Internal Revenue Code Section
501 (c) (3) tax exemption.

5. Have a reasonable ratio of fund-raising costs to re-
lated receipts.