LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 6–7, 2008, Page 4

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C. Board for Black Ministry Services Board Policy Manual (06-2473)
The commission reviewed the Board Policy Manual of the Board for Black Ministry Services in light of
the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, noting the following concerns. Other editorial and
content suggestions and encouragements will be included in a letter to the board conveying this section of
these minutes.


Under 2.1.1, the responsibilities of the board are first and foremost stated in the Bylaws of the
Synod, specifically Bylaws 3.8.4ff.



Under 2.1.3.3, mention should be made of the Bylaw 3.9.2.2.4 requirement that all governing
instruments (policy manuals) are to be examined in advance by the Commission on Constitutional
Matters.



Under 2.3.9, reference should not be to the “Board of Directors” since the Board for Black
Ministry Services is a program board.



Under 2.4.14, reconsideration should be given to types of board sessions and reporting in light of
the Synod’s interest in transparency of board meetings (2007 Res. 7-05B) and the provisions of
Bylaw 1.5.3.5 regarding making available the minutes of meetings.



Under 2.4.16.3.1, the records that the secretary should have custody of are the records of the
“board,” not “corporation.”



Under 2.4.16.6, the membership of the executive committee of the board does not appear to be
defined in the manual.



Under 2.4.16.9ff., conflict of interest policy should agree with and reference should be made to
the Synod’s conflict of interest requirements under Bylaw subsection 1.5.2, where it is the board
that determines whether an inappropriate interest exists (paragraph (a) (4).

D. Board for Human Care Ministries Board Policy Manual (06-2474)
The commission reviewed the Board Policy Manual of the Board for Human Care Ministries in light of
the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, noting the following concerns. Other editorial and
content suggestions and encouragements will be included in a letter to the board conveying this opinion.


Mention should be made under section 2.3.4 of the Bylaw 3.9.2.2.4 requirement that policies
(governing instruments) are to be examined by the Commission on Constitutional Matters.



Mention should be made under policy 2.3.6.12 to Synod Bylaw 1.5.2 and its requirement that
board members sign a conflict of interest statement annually.



Policy 2.4.4.1.10 should be made to agree with Synod Bylaw 1.5.5.1 (a) (1) and its requirement
for consultation with and mutual concurrence with the President of the Synod when selecting a
chief executive or executive director. See also paragraph 3.1.1.

E. Handbook for Doctrinal Reviewers (08-2517)
Materials submitted by the Commission on Doctrinal Review were reviewed briefly. To facilitate a
review by the Commission on Constitutional Matters, a letter will be written by the Secretary asking the
Commission on Doctrinal Review to organize and bring the materials up to date, also suggesting that the
President’s Office be involved given its ultimate responsibility for doctrinal review.

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