ELCIC NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE BYLAWS impact on mno synod

BACKGROUND National Convention delegates approve new administrative bylaws for our national church that will significantly change the way future national conventions are organized New administrative bylaws affect the existence of “conferences” and their legislative mandates and abilities

ELCIC NATIONAL CONVENTION SIZE current system provides for one delegate per congregation or parish (approximately 350) beginning in 2017, the eligible number of national convention delegates will be reduced from 350 to 150 retired rostered ministers will no longer be eligible to serve as delegates to national convention lay delegates (53.3%); rostered (40%); youth (6.7%)

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF DELEGATES ACROSS THE ELCIC Each synod will receive a base level of 10 delegates (50) The remaining 100 will be distributed according to baptized membership 18 months prior to the next national convention delegates will be comprised of the same proportion of lay (53.3%), rostered (40%) and youth (6.7%) across synods

FOR 2016 SYNOD CONVENTION A MNO Synod transition plan includes: a “Policy to Elect National Delegates” which takes affect for the 2016 synod convention only a new set of MNO Synod Bylaws be presented at the 2016 Synod Convention that will ensure an appropriate process for electing national delegates for the ELCIC National Conventions

12 Lay delegates 9 Active rostered 2 Youth **If the estimate is larger, then Synod Council will appoint delegates to fill noticeable gaps based on geography, gender, age, etc. ESTIMATE OF MNO DELEGATES TO BE ELECTED AT THE 2016 SYNOD CONVENTION

DISTRIBUTION OF DELEGATES ACCORDING TO ELECTORAL DISTRICTS For the SOLE purpose of electing delegates to national convention, the synod will be divided into four electoral districts: 1. Western and Northern Manitoba 2. Central and Eastern Manitoba 3.Southeastern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario 4. Metropolitan Winnipeg Based on baptized membership, Electoral districts 1, 2, and 3 will receive 1 lay and 1 rostered delegate AND Electoral district 4 will receive 2 lay and 2 rostered

ASSIGNMENT OF CONGREGATIONS IN ELECTORAL DISTRICTS insure representation from all regions of the synod insure each district has a sufficient number of eligible rostered members for election

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTION OF DELEGATES 10 elected through Electoral districts 2 youth, elected on an at-large basis 6 lay, elected on an at-large basis 4 rostered, elected on an at-large basis total pool of delegates fluctuates from one convention to the next depending on MNO’s % of baptized membership across the ELCIC

ELECTORAL DISTRICT #1 Current Westman conference congregations situated in Baldur, Glenboro, Waldersee, Erickson, Brandon and Langruth, Current Aurora Conference congregations situated in Flin, Flon and Thompson Current Agassiz Conference congregations situated in Brunkild, Carman, Emerson, Friedenstahl, Morris, Rosenfeld and Starbuck

ELECTORAL DISTRICT #2 Current Interlake Conference congregations situated in Selkirk, Arborg, Riverton, Teulon, Ashern, Gimli, Inwood, Lundar and Moosehorn Current Brokenhead Conference congregations situated in Beausejour, Green Bay, Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa, River Hills, Thalberg and Whitemouth Current Metro Conference congregation situated in East St. Paul

ELECTORAL DISTRICT #3 Current Agassiz Conference Congregation situated in Steinbach Current Cambrian Conference Congregations situated in Ontario: Thunder Bay, Pass Lake, Fort Frances, and Berglund Current Brokenhead Conference congregations situated in Kenora, Lydiatt and Ostenfeld

ELECTORAL DISTRICT #4 Current Metro Conference Congregations situated in Winnipeg only

ELIGIBILITY FOR 2017 ROSTERED DELEGATE STATUS all active members of the MNO roster provided they did not serve as a delegate to the 2015 ELCIC National Convention

ELIGIBLE LAY AND YOUTH DELEGATES Must be members in good standing of an MNO Synod congregation Youth must be between the ages of 15 and 25, inclusive on the opening day of the 2017 National Convention Must not have represented their parish or congregation at the 2015 National Convention

PROCESS OF NOMINATIONS FOR LAY AND YOUTH DELEGATES By vote at a congregational meeting By vote at a congregational council meeting By any 10 members in good standing of MNO Synod Congregations

OFFICIAL LAY AND YOUTH NOMINATIONS Complete a downloadable nomination form from the MNO Synod website mnosynod.org Deadline is February 19, 2016 (60 days prior to the opening of the 2016 MNO Synod convention

2016 SYNOD CONVENTION ELECTION PROCESS Delegate elections will be conducted as follows: Roster (active) delegates - electoral region representatives Roster (active) delegates - at large lay - electoral region representatives lay - at large youth

FROM REGIONAL TO AT LARGE STATUS Nominees who are unsuccessful on regional ballots will automatically be placed on the respective ballot for delegates at large Nominees will be declared delegates using a “first past the post system”. For example, if there are two positions to be elected on a given ballot, the candidates receiving the most and second most number of votes will be declared elected. Ties would be broken by a second round of balloting.

FUNDING FOR NATIONAL DELEGATES For 2017 National Convention, synods will be responsible for funding delegate representation to National Conventions Fees are expected to be lower due to a reduced number of national delegates, the ability to access smaller, less expensive venues and fees are paid every third year rather than every second year Options for funding are being explored by MNO Synod Council, which include the current option by congregation payment of fees OR by an assessment fee based on a congregation’s baptized membership, paid over three years OR out of existing benevolence receipts which would result in cutting allocations to other programs and ministries of the synod. A proposal will come to the 2016 synod convention for consideration and adoption

SYNOD “AREAS” number and boundaries of areas organized by synod council, in consultation with current conferences role is to encourage fellowship, arrange for opportunities for the study of scripture and doctrine, assist the synod in planning, promoting and implementing the mission of the church, AND respond in consultation with the synod to particular needs within its territories

SYNOD AREA LEADERSHIP TEAMS assist congregations and ministries to plan, promote and implement the mission of this church consult with the synod bishop on matters of congregational and area mission and leadership serve as Bishop’s representative at installations of rostered ministers and throughout call processes work cooperatively with synod staff and congregational leaders

AREA LEADERSHIP CON’T arrange for continuing education opportunities for all leaders to support and encourage area mission strategies encourage networking and mutual support among leaders provide pastoral support to area rostered leaders report annually to the bishop appointed for three year terms commencing each Jan of the year following a synod convention and are eligible for reappointment an appointment of an area leadership team member may be rescinded mid-term only upon resolution of synod council

AREAS DISCUSSION Models for Areas and Area Leadership Teams: Cambrian conf. model for NWO Brokenhead model of shared ministry team Congregational leaders will be part of the consultative process, to address needs of “Areas” and assist Synod Council in designating “Areas”