Report of the Reference and Counsel Committee

Dear friends in Christ,

The assembly received one resolution before our deadline on April 22, 2024, which has since been withdrawn. The Reference and Counsel Committee has honored this request.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Beth Baron
Chair

Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team
The Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team creates opportunities for individuals, households, and communities of faith to recognize the gifts God has entrusted to us and to steward these gifts in ways that demonstrate care for all God’s creation and communicate the love of Jesus. Their work includes communication about how mission support and gifts to the synod impact congregations and ministry partners, provides educational opportunities for congregations and leaders, and promotes stewardship initiatives developed across the church. The team is comprised of a synod staff member and faithful volunteers.

Guidelines for the submission of resolutions

Resolutions are formal motions that are presented to the assembly in writing. All resolutions must comply with

The constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutions of the Grand Canyon Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and
parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order; and
the specific rules and agenda of the assembly.

The Reference and Counsel Committee reviews resolutions in advance of the assembly to make certain that they comply with all procedural rules and guidelines. The review allows corrections to be made by the sponsor(s) and to be distributed to the voting members of the assembly in a timely manner.

Resolutions for the 2024 Grand Canyon Synod assembly must be submitted to the Reference and Counsel Committee by the close of business on Monday, April 22, 2024. Resolutions must be submitted electronically as an editable file (for example, MS Word) to the chair of the Reference and Counsel Committee, Mary Beth Baron, at baronswest@yahoo.com.

The Reference and Counsel Committee will confirm receipt of each resolution, and will address any concerns about rules and procedure with the sponsor(s) prior to making its report. The final report of the Reference and Counsel Committee will be available for download from the synod website by Friday, May 17, 2024. The report will include all submitted resolutions and the committee’s recommendations to the assembly concerning each one.

The inclusion of a resolution in the pre-assembly report does not guarantee that the resolution will receive discussion or a vote during the assembly. The rules and agenda of the assembly will establish parameters for time and debate.

Questions about resolutions should be sent directly to Mary Beth Baron, chair of the Reference and Counsel Committee, at baronswest@yahoo.com.