📝 Model Constitution from ELCA August 2022, with easy updates

📄 Zion’s most current September 2017

Reading assignment: to be read before meeting

January

• [x] Chapters 1-5 in model only (no differences except model offers a non-required paragraph 5.05)

February

• [x] Chapters 6-7 in both model and current
  • [x] new paragraph 6.04d
  • [x] amended and expanded 6.05
  • [x] amended 7.03 and 7.04
  • [x] new 7.05
• [x] Chapter 8 in model only
  • [x] added final sentence of 8.02c
  • [x] DECISION, 8.02d: Will we allow associate members from other Christian churches, other Lutheran churches, or only other ELCA churches?

March

• [x] Chapter 9-10 in model only
  • [x] new paragraph 9.03b6
  • [x] lightly amended 9.05a4
  • [x] lightly amended 9.08…any ministry setting not just ELCA ones
  • [x] lightly amended 9.14
  • [x] new non-required paragraph 9.15
  • [x] amended 9.21ff…replacing “Minister of Word and Service” with “deacon”
  • [x] amended 10.01
  • [x] DECISION, in 1995, Zion added this sentence to 10.02: “A special meeting may be designated an Emergency meeting if in the judgement of the Pastor, the Congregation Council, or the President of the Congregation, a situation exists whereby the property of the congregation would suffer unless immediate action is taken.” —
  • Will we retain it? “No, the 10 day process is sufficient and an important guardian of an inclusive, democratic decision making process.”
  • [x] new 10.03, 10.08, and 10.09

April

• [x] Chapter 11-13 in both model and current—several DECISIONS must be made, including the size and composition of Officers, Council, Executive Committee and, Will we retain the current 13.02 about a Vision Committee?
• [x] Chapter 14 in model only (no differences)

May

• [x] 12.01 only

June through September

I suggest we make it our goal to complete constitution updates no later than our September meeting. Then on to bylaws and continuing resolutions.

• [ ] Chapter 12
  • [ ] 12.02…both options in the model are significantly different than Zion’s current.
    • what term length? 3 years? SK/PC: yes, 3
    • will we retain the positions of Property and Finance Trustees? SK/PC: no, if we want to retain these roles, define elsewhere
    • will we keep the language about rotation? SK/PC: no, if we want to retain this rotation, define elsewhere
  • [x] 12.03…model simply omits language about succession
  • [x] 12.04…model simply adds encouraging use of ELCA program resources
  • [ ] 12.05…model simply adds language to limit budget imbalances in 12.05d
    • will we retain $25,000 in 12.05c? SK/PC: yes
    • what limit will we add 12.05d? SK/PC: $25k
  • [x] 12.06…model simply adds the option for continuing resolutions, which “are intended to provide more detailed descriptions of operational patterns and practices within the congregation.” Bylaws relate to “each congregation’s organization, operation, and life.” Neither are required. Chapter 17 describes the adopting and amending of bylaws; chapter 18, continuing resolutions. Continuing resolutions are much easier to adopt or amend, and are useful for that reason. I recommend we include both bylaws and continuing resolutions.
  • [x] 12.07…no change
    • this is the reason council sent a letter and removed inactive members. Council is constitutionally required to do this every year.
  • [x] 12.08…model updates language but includes no meaningful change
  • [ ] 12.12…model significantly expands this paragraph
    • shall we omit “senior”? SK/PC: yes
  • [x] 12.13…model adds this paragraph