LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 3–4, 2009, Page 3

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The commission asked that the district give serious consideration to these recommendations and to
report back its response and any convention actions.
(C) Missouri District Bylaws (09-2550)
With a February 12, 2009 e-mailed letter, the president of the Missouri District submitted his
district’s proposed bylaw changes along with the results of a review of those changes by his district’s
constitution committee. Upon review of the proposed changes, the commission found itself in
agreement with the district constitution committee and its comments. However, upon review of the
district’s current Bylaws as provided with the documentation for the proposed bylaw changes, the
commission instructed its secretary to provide a copy of its “Frequently Noted Aberrations” document
for the district’s use for further review of its Bylaws. It also made the following recommendations:


Under Article I, section E, paragraph 1: The realignment of circuits requires district convention
action unless such responsibility has been delegated by bylaw or convention action to the district
board of directors. Circuits may not do their own realigning.



Under Article VII, section A, the reference to “chapter VIII” of the Synod’s Bylaws should be
updated to “Bylaw 1.10.10.”



Under Article VII, section B, paragraph 2: The reference to “chapter VIII” of the Synod’s
Bylaws should be updated to refer to “Bylaw section 1.10.”



Under Article IX: The paragraph providing for amendments to the Bylaws should include
mention of the need for review by the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters (Synod
Bylaw 3.9.2.2.4).

(D) Minnesota North District Bylaws (09-2551)
With a February 14, 2009 e-mailed letter, the secretary of the Minnesota North District shared a copy
of an overture to the district’s convention to eliminate all term limits for district elective positions.
After review, the commission expressed its thanks to the district for its cooperation in providing the
bylaw change for review prior to its convention and noted that the proposed change is in harmony
with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod.
(E) South Dakota District Bylaws (09-2553)
With a March 17, 2009 letter, the president of the South Dakota District provided a copy of a district
convention overture proposing an addition to a district bylaw governing the installation and beginning
of duties of the district’s newly elected officers and directors following a convention. The
commission expressed its appreciation to the district for its cooperation in providing for timely review
of the proposed bylaw change prior to the district convention. The commission found the change to be
in harmony with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod.
(F) Mid-South District Bylaws (09-2554)
With an e-mailed letter dated March 12, 2009, the President of the Mid-South District provided a
copy of the district’s Bylaws with proposed changes for convention consideration. The letter noted
the district’s intention to do “an overhaul” of the Bylaws during the next triennium. With that in mind
the commission thanked the district for its cooperation in providing the bylaw changes prior to
convention consideration, refraining from conducting a thorough review of the entire Bylaws in lieu
of the district’s intention to do its major overhaul. The commission requested that the district provide

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