LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 3-4, 2011, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Airport Crowne Plaza Hotel, St. Louis
September 3-4, 2011

47. Call to Order, Opening Devotion, and Review of Agenda
Chairman Wilbert Sohns called the meeting to order and called on Raymond Hartwig for an opening
devotion. He then reviewed the sizeable agenda for the meeting, noting priority items requiring first
attention.
48. Consultation with President of Synod
Chairman Sohns welcomed Synod President Matthew Harrison to the meeting, who was appearing at his
own request to discuss 2010 Res. 8-07 “To Study Future District Function and Configuration,” to carry
out the consultation required by 2010 Res. 8-30B “To Study Article VI of Synod’s Constitution,” and to
discuss the study called for by 2010 Res. 8-32B “To Study Article VII of Synod’s Constitution.”
49. Revision of Bylaw Section 2.15 Standard Operating Procedures Manual
In accordance with Bylaw 2.15.9.3, the commission reviewed a final draft revision of its Standard
Operating Procedures Manual to accompany Bylaw section 2.15 and determined final changes. Secretary
Hartwig reported that the draft version had already been reviewed by a committee of the Council of
Presidents authorized to give the council’s concurrence. Such concurrence having been received and the
commission’s final changes having been incorporated into the document, the revised version (attached to
these minutes) now replaces the former version of the Bylaw section 2.15 Standard Operating
Procedures Manual and will be made available and distributed for use by the Synod.
50. Review of Oklahoma District Bylaws (08-2536)
During its February 2009 meeting, the commission reviewed a draft copy of the Handbook of the
Oklahoma District upon request of the district president. Upon review, the commission offered
suggestions and recommendations for change but also recognized that the document was “a work in
progress,” to be submitted for further review upon its completion.
With a July 1, 2011 letter, the secretary of the Oklahoma District submitted for review the result of that
work in progress in preparation for its submission to the district’s 2012 convention. The commission
again reviewed the documents (Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws) and offered the following
suggestions and recommendations for additional changes prior to convention consideration.
Regarding the Bylaws submitted for review:
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Article II, paragraph 1: This paragraph would better be titled “Constitution and Bylaws:” and
include a second sentence indicating that the Bylaws of the Synod shall also be the primary
Bylaws of the district (Synod Bylaw 4.1.1.2).
Article II, paragraph 3: The referenced bylaws describe the process for becoming a member of the
Synod through the district. A description of who the members of the district are is provided in
Synod Bylaws 4.1.2ff, which reference should also be added to this paragraph.