LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 10–11, 2015, Page 9

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The Board of Directors of the Eastern District having submitted the Bylaws of its Camp Pioneer for
review, the commission offered the following recommendations.
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Bylaw 3.1.5: Since agencies of districts are also agencies of the Synod, the removal of
directors of Camp Pioneer must be subject to the provisions of Synod Bylaw 1.5.7. Instead of
current wording, this paragraph should instead speak of compliance with the Synod bylaw,
the same also true in Bylaw 4.1.2.
Bylaw 3.2.3: Since the previous bylaw paragraph states that no notice is required for regular
meetings of the board, this paragraph apparently is speaking solely of special meetings, in
which case the reference to regular meetings should be deleted.
Bylaw 3.5: This paragraph regarding special meetings of board committees should also
include mention of compliance with Synod Bylaws 1.5.3.2−1.5.3.4.
Bylaw 3.7: This paragraph regarding provision of board minutes must comply with Synod
Bylaw 1.5.3.5 and its requirement that policies and procedures be developed for making
available official minutes of meetings.
Bylaw 4.1.1: For the sake of clarity, this paragraph should state how the board will select its
officers, either by election or appointment.
Bylaw 9.1: This bylaw must also include mention of the requirement that amendments are to
be submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters for review and approval prior to
final action.

L. Michigan District Bylaws (15-2765)
Upon review, the commission offered the following recommendations and expectations prior to
action by the district convention.
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Bylaw 1.3: The commission suggests that the former wording, “levels of organization,” was
a more accurate description of what follows than the proposed “organizations.”
Bylaw 1.3: The wording, “district in session between conventions” is not supported by the
Bylaws of the Synod. Such wording could be confusing and can be understood to mean that
the board has more power than it actually has. Since the district convention is no longer in
session after it adjourns, the wording “between conventions” will be more accurate.
Bylaw 2.3: This statement will more accurately read: “Representation – The district
convention shall be composed of regularly elected and certified delegates delegated
representatives and of….” (Synod Bylaw 4.2.2).
Bylaw 2.3: Subparagraph (a) will more accurately read: “Representatives Delegates of
congregations entitled to vote. Every congregation or parish is entitled to two (2) votes, one
of which is to be cast by the pastor pastoral delegate and the other by the lay delegate.”
Bylaw 3.5: This bylaw will more accurately read: “Each voting member congregation or
parish is entitled to….”
Bylaw 3.8: Paragraph b must read: “to nominate from its region two (2) pastors ministers of
religion—ordained for the office of….”
Bylaw 5.3: This proposed wording contradicts Synod Bylaw 4.3.3 (e) which requires
regional residence throughout an officer or board member’s tenure.
Bylaw 5.6: In keeping with Synod Bylaw 3.12.3.5, which articulates a principle to be
followed also on the district level, meetings of the nominating committee are to be called
only by the secretary of the district (paragraph b).
Bylaw 5.6: In paragraph f, the activity described is not a proper function of a nominating
committee. It could be assigned to the elections committee, which could be instructed to fill
the vacancy with the person who received the next-highest number of votes.

CCM Minutes – April 10–11, 2015 – Page 71