And now I know how long I’ve been mispronouncing Marit’s name!

Coding Question … In January 2021 we had our regular meeting and then had a special meeting. When I numbered the action at the special meeting, I put it in sequence with the regular meeting. Is that correct?

Good question, Kay. That's correct. You don't start renumbering with each month. The sequence follows through the year and restarts each new year.

Marit, if we’ve been doing it wrong, should we go back and renumber?

How does one appropriately number executive committee motions/decisions?

If it's ok Sonja and Erin, I'll answer your questions in the Q&A section so that all can hear.

Feel free to type in questions as we go along!

Of course! Thank you.

I'll try answer some as we go and will add others to the list to discuss in the Q&A. :)

Sounds good. :)

Oh, my! I've been numbering each month independently from the other months of the year.

Me too Kay!

So have I!

I wasn't even told about the coding standards!

Where is region 8 incorporated? Are Synods a 501c3?

Where on the ELCA website it the Synod Portal for the Digital Archives?

The regions are not incorporated; the region 8 synods are incorporated in PA (not sure if there are any exceptions).

The synods participate in the ELCA's group ruling under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For questions about the group ruling, email to 501c3@elca.org

Are memorials implemented via resolutions?

Note that the group ruling is different than an EIN; each synod has its own EIN and should NOT use the ELCA's EIN

This is the first I have heard of reporting Synod Council actions electronically -- are we supposed to do that after each SC meeting?

Hi Beth. You only need to report them to us if there are resolutions to forward to the Church Council or constitution changes in accordance with S18.31

If they are just synod related matters, you don't need to submit the form

My predecessor created a separate area in the agenda near the top that listed the specific actions voted on by the Council. Very helpful

Is it normal for the Synod Secretary to also be viewed as the parliamentarian?

How often should things be uploaded to SODA?

Adam DeHoek

I’m in my 3rd term as Secretary & now all of a sudden (due to the end of some lives) I’m also the only person handling constitutional questions coming from congregations… is this a good thing or a bd thing?

Only go back if you think they actions may not be found later.

We don’t have a constitution committee either.

I love Word Compare!

I find myself referring to https://ergofabulous.org/model/ and encourage congregations to help bone up on things as well.

Me too with Compare. It’s made things easier.

Hi - Northwest Intermountain Synod Here.Our Nominations Committee finds people to serve on the Constitution Committee.

I was told that the Model Constitution trumps any local constitution. So that changes to the model override those sections of a local constitution, even if the locals aren't aware. Can that really be true?

No, not true

Thanks, Tom

If anyone has a online form or website where congregations can submit consitutional changes at the synod level, I’d love to see a link to adapt for my local context

I use “I highly recommend a percentage rather than an actual number” more often than I ever anticipated.

Southwestern Minnesota - we have some helpful things on our website that congregations can access as they start to look at updating constitutions.

I agree with you Ann

To those that put this meeting together, and have helped present - thank you so very much.

That’s been on my list of things to do! I think it would be incredibly helpful

Re Temporary Synod Secretary position. My experience was similar - appointed due to vacancy and then elected to full term at next Assembly.

Beyond Robert's Rules, some people, where allowed by state law, say the email must state a specific motion, and give a reply by date and time. It also requires 100% voting for (no abstentions or no-replies) to count. Without that, the email motion fails

That is an action by written consent in lieu of meeting, and every state has different requirements for such an action

Tom, I agree

Parliamentary, I believe minutes do not need to record voting totals??

The times when I recorded numbers for voting were Synod Calls extended for an Intentional Interim Pastor -- when a 75% vote was required.

incredibly helpful! Thank you again.

Thank you all!

Thank you all for coordinating this -- it was great to "see" folks!

Wonderful session. Thank you for all of the helpful information. Many Blessings!

This has been very helpful for this rookie. Thank you!

Thank you so much for this information. It is wonderful affirmation of what I a supposed to be doing.

Thank you very much! :)

I look forward to having the recording for the slides that were shown!

Many thanks. Much appreciated!