LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 26–27, 2012, Page 2

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district conventions in the same manner as is the case with circuit counselor elections. Incorporating input
from the commission’s December 2011 meeting, Secretary Hartwig presented a draft of a proposed
overture to the 2013 Synod convention, “To Provide Bylaw Process for Regional District Vice-President
and Board of Directors Elections” for consideration, which was approved by the commission as follows:
To Provide Bylaw Process for Regional District Vice-President
and Board of Directors Elections
WHEREAS, Interest in regional elections of district vice-presidents and board of directors
members continues to increase; and
WHEREAS, Bylaw 4.7.1 allows each district to adopt its own regulations for the nomination and
election of its vice-presidents but is silent regarding regional elections; and
WHEREAS, Final determinations in elections to district positions rightly belong to the district
convention, including regional positions; and
WHEREAS, Such district convention action is required in the election of circuit counselors, who
are selected by circuits but elected by district convention ratification (Bylaw 5.2.2 [g]); therefore be it
Resolved, That districts continue to determine their own nominations and selection processes for
regional elections as suitable to their needs; and be it further
Resolved, That all such processes culminate in final election actions by district conventions,
thereby honoring the principle that final decisions to district positions remain the responsibility of
district conventions; and be it finally
Resolved, That Bylaws 4.7.1–4.7.3 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.7.1

Each district may adopt regulations for the nomination and election of its president; the
nomination, selection, election, and ranking, of its vice-presidents; and the succession in case
of vacancies of its vice-presidents; and the nomination or selection of any regional officers or
regional board of directors members, as long as these provisions do not conflict with the
Bylaws of the Synod.

4.7.2

A nominating committee of each district shall be elected by the district convention.
Nominating committees may not be employed in the election of the president, and vicepresidents, and regional board of director positions.

4.7.3

A majority of all votes cast by a district convention shall be required in every election to all
elective offices and elective board positions….

22. Revision of Congregations’ Constitutions and Bylaws (11-012)
Confusion exists regarding the implementation of Bylaw 2.4.1 (d) after congregations have submitted
their constitutions and bylaws to district constitution committees for review. Richard Nuffer, taking into
consideration wording suggested during discussion at the December 2011 meeting, presented a proposed
Page 11 – 04.26 to 04.27.12 – COH Minutes