2012 Legisulation (Rev)

2012 LEGISLATION 145

IX. LEGISLATION

A. LEGISLATIVE ACTION INDEX

ANNUAL CONFERENCE PETITIONS

ITEM # PAGE SUBJECT ACTION IMPLEMENTATION

1 146 Conference Health Insurance Premiums Passed W/A CS, BPHB, TRES

2 147Disposition of Assets of Discontinued

Congregations [Withdrawn]Withdrawn DCM, CS

3 147 Welcoming Immigrants Passed CS, GBCS

4 148 Cooperative Parish Task Force PassedCS, Cabinet, CON, CPTF, New Church

5 149 Minimum Salary Support for 2013 Passed CS

6 150Guidelines for

Equitable Compensation SupportPassed CS

7 151Ministers' Reserve Pension Fund

(MRPF) – For Past ServicePassed CF&A, BPHB

8 151 Annual Policy Recommendations for 2013 Passed CF&A, CS

9 152 Various Rule Amendments Summary Passed CS, DCM, CRO PC

10 156 Rule 8 – Lay Equalization: Amendment Not Considered BCS, Local Congregations, Cabinet

11 157 Rule 13 – Attendance: Substitution Not Considered

11R 157Response to #13 p211 Book B

Rule 13 – Attendance: AmendmentNot Considered

12 158Rule 32 – Election of Lay and Clergy

General & Juris. Delegates AmendmentPassed CS, CRO DCM, PC

13 160Rule 33 – Balloting for Delegates

to Gen & Juris ConferencesNot Considered

13R / 14R 159Response to Items 13 & 14 pp213-214Election of Gen & Juis Conf Delegates

Passed W/A CS, GBCS, DCM

15 164Resolution re: Jurisdictional Conference

Reserve Delegate VacanciesMoot & withdrawn

16 166Plan of Org. – Michigan AreaHaiti Task Force – Additions

Passed W/A DCM, LT, CS

16R 165Resp to Item 16, p217 Book B

Mich. Area Task force SubstitutionPassed

17 167Plan of Org

Personnel Committee – SubstitutionPassed

DCM, LT, CS, PERSONEL

146 WEST MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012

ITEM # PAGE SUBJECT ACTION IMPLEMENTATION

18 168Plan of Org Membership

of the New Church Committee AmendPassed CS, DCM, NC, LT

19 168Plan of Org Duties of Director

of Connectional MinistriesPassed CS, DCM, LT

20 169Plan of Org Membership of

Communication Commission AmendmentPassed CS, DCM, LT, COM

21 169Plan of Org RELC Purpose and

Responsibilities SubstitutionPassed CS, DCM, LT, RELC

22 172West Michigan

Budget Recommendation for 2013Passed W/A CS, CF&A, Tres, DCM

22R 170Response to item 22, p220 Book B W Mich. Budget Recommendation

SubstitutionPassed W/A

22 R2 170Response to Item #22 p220 Book B

W Mich. Budget Recommendation 2013 Amendment

Reconsidered& Passed

22 R3 170Response to Item 22, p220, Book B

W Mich. Budget Recommendation 2013 Amendment

Reconsidered& Failed

23 175 Discontinuation of Eagle UMC Passed Trustees

24 175 Discontinuation of Sylvan UMC Passed Trustees

25 NAUMC Churches & ministries

be Weapons Free zonesPassed

NA NABishop Keaton, Neil Davis &

James McDuffy make CDPassed CS, COM

B. ANNUAL CONFERENCE PETITIONS

ITEM #1

SUBJECT: Conference Health Insurance Premiums. Conference voted concurrence with ammendments

MOTION: Beginning with the 2013 session of the West Michigan Annual Conference, prior to fi nal approval of the following calendar year conference budget, the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefi ts shall publicize premium rates and any benefi t changes for conference sponsored health insurance plans. For the 2013 budget year these rates and any benefi t changes shall be announced no later than July 15th, 2012.

RATIONALE: While it previously may have been necessary to set health insurance premiums later in the year, there should now be more than adequate claims history and cost data in place for premiums to be set in a more timely manner. Actual health insurance premiums should be fully and accurately incorporated into the conference budget for the following calendar year before it is approved by the West Michigan Annual Conference.

Working with an increasingly tight conference budget leaves almost no room to adjust for increased premiums after the budget has been set by annual conference. The only alternative is then to make cuts in other areas, which is increasingly diffi cult. While estimated increases in health insurance costs can be incorporated into the budget


proposal, a signifi cant difference between the estimated and actual premiums could have a strong negative impact on the overall budget. Currently, 24 positions funded through the conference budget are eligible for health insurance. As an example, at current rates, an error of just 3% in estimating future premiums would be approximately $465 per participant, resulting in $11,160 in budget cuts that would have to be made in other areas.

In addition, given that health insurance premiums for clergy serving in our local churches often cost nearly 50% of the cash salary, staff parish relations committees need more advance notice of premium rates as they begin forming and then recommending clergy compensation plans to the fi nance committee and church council in preparation for their fall church conference.

David F. Hills, Heartland District Superintendentof the West Michigan Annual Conference

ITEM #2

SUBJECT: Disposition of Assets from Discontinued Congregations. Withdrawn

MOTION: The West Michigan Annual Conference shall approve the following:

1. 75% of the net assets from all discontinued churches in the West Michigan Conference shall be used for the development of new faith communities. These resources will be placed in a segregated account for the sole purpose of supporting New Faith Community Development. Policies regarding how these funds will be divided, invested and used will be determined by the West Michigan Conference Committee on New Church Establishment and Development in accordance with the committee’s strategic plan and The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church ¶2548 regarding investing urban proceeds back into urban settings.

2. 25% of the net assets from all discontinued churches in the West Michigan Conference shall be used to fund the post-retirement medical liability of the annual conference.

RATIONALE: As congregations complete their life cycle of birth, life and death, we believe that resurrection is possible. As Scripture suggests, new life is made possible when seeds fall to the ground. We must allow the seeds of dying faith communities to be born anew in the planting of new faith communities if we are to fulfi ll the UMC mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world.

Further, each discontinued congregation has a responsibility to the pastors who have honorably served their charge in regard to the continuation of post-retirement medical benefi ts. This allocation could assist in lowering the unfunded liability of our post-retirement medical benefi ts.

West Michigan Conference New Church Establishment and Development Committee, Kathy Brown, Chair

ITEM #3

SUBJECT: Welcoming Immigrants. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: United Methodist congregations in West Michigan are encouraged to build relationships with immigrant communities, study issues regarding immigration, become a welcoming presence to immigrants in their communities, and learn more about how they can help the strangers in their midst. In so doing, they will fulfi ll the biblical command to reach out to others and provide hospitality to those newly arriving to our communities. Resources are available through the Welcoming Immigrants Congregations in West Michigan that were trained in February 2012 by the General Board of Church and Society and Justice for Our Neighbors. These congregations have been equipped to travel from mercy to justice; from service-only to multi-faceted friendships; from ministering to, to being transformed alongside the new immigrant. The Board of Church and Society will share throughout the conference the names of these congregations and their contact information. Local


churches are urged to pray about and study the issue, refl ecting on “Who is my neighbor?” from the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.

RATIONALE: By the time of annual conference in 2012, we will know the congregations in West Michigan that have been trained to welcome immigrants. Through them, and through the Conference Board of Church and Society, resources will be available for other congregations to reach out to immigrants.

West Michigan Conference Board of Church and SocietyEllen A. Brubaker, Chair

ITEM #4

SUBJECT: Cooperative Ministry Study Task Force. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: The West Michigan Annual Conference shall create a Cooperative Ministry Study Task Force to explore the advantages to the conference of implementing the models of ministry which are listed in ¶206 of the Book of Discipline and in the Annual Conference Cooperative Ministry Policy of 1993. The responsibilities of the task force shall include but not be limited to:

1. Identify areas in which the conference is not in compliance with ¶206 and /or where the conference could make greater use of the extensive Cooperative Ministry Policy which was adopted and printed in the 1993 Conference Journal.

2. Provide recommendations for any improvements to, and the implementation of the 1993 written policy concerning cooperative ministries as required by ¶206.2.

3. Provide recommendations for training opportunities for pastors and local church leaders as required by ¶206.5.

4. Provide recommendations for pursuing funding assistance from the general church, annual conference, and other sources as required by ¶206.7.

5. Provide a detailed report to the annual conference by June 2013.6. Provide a recommendation for either continuation of the task force for

a specifi ed period of time or identifi cation of other agencies within the conference that will provide ongoing support for cooperative ministries following the completion of the task force’s work.

The Conference Nominating Committee shall include in the establishment of the task force representation from the Commission on Equitable Compensation; the Board of Ordained Ministry; a pastor and a lay person with experience in part-time, multiple point charges; a district superintendent or conference staff member; and any other membership the Conference Nominating Committee believes is appropriate for the accomplishment of the stated goals.

RATIONALE: The provisions of ¶206 have been in the Book of Discipline for 15 years and yet the conference is at “ground zero” in terms of implementing the concepts of cooperative ministry. There are many churches that are going through extremely diffi cult times and are unable to pay the costs required to be a full-time appointment. Some churches have had ten part-time pastors in twenty years, have gone for periods of time without an appointed pastor, or had pastors with signifi cant health issues which limited their ability to provide the best pastoral leadership and care. These churches need strategic planning to allow them to provide the best quality ministry to the communities they serve. Cooperative ministry could provide additional tools and resources for them as they transition from the way things were done in the past to how they need to work in the future.

Administrative Boards of the Leslie and Felt Plains UMCsDon Buege, Pastor


ITEM #5

SUBJECT: Minimum Salary Support for 2013. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: The Commission on Equitable Compensation recommends the following Minimum Salary Schedule be adopted for 2013.

In addition, the Commission continues to recommend that churches budget a minimum of $1,200 for Professional Expenses, exclusive of mileage reimbursements, for each full time clergy person under appointment. In cases of less than full time appointment, it is recommended that the budgeted amount be prorated in accordance with the appointment (i.e., ½ Time = $600, etc.)

2013 Minimum Salary Schedule

Full Time Local Pastor Associate Member2012 2013 2012 2013

Year 1 32,616 33,203 * *Year 2 32,943 33,536 * *Year 3 33,269 33,868 * *Year 4 33,595 34,200 * *Year 5 33,922 34,533 35,452 36,090Year 6 34,249 34,865 35,804 36,448Year 7 34,575 35,197 36,156 36,807Year 8 34,902 35,530 36,513 37,170Year 9 35,229 35,863 36,872 37,536Year 10 35,555 36,195 38,075 38,760

YOS 356 362 381 388Provisional Member Full Member2012 2013 2012 2013

Year 1 36,397 37,052 ** **Year 2 36,760 37,422 ** **Year 3 37,125 37,793 ** **Year 4 37,488 38,163 39,233 39,939Year 5 37,851 38,532 39,626 40,339Year 6 38,215 38,903 40,021 40,741Year 7 38,579 39,273 40,370 41,097Year 8 38,943 39,644 40,803 41,537Year 9 39,306 40,014 41,196 41,938Year 10 39,670 40,384 41,589 42,338

YOS 397 404 416 423$200 shall be added to the Minimum for a 2-Point Charge$350 shall be added to the Minimum for a 3-Point Charge

In accordance with ¶625.3 of the 2008 Book of Discipline, the Minimum Salary Schedule refl ects the mandatory minimum cash salary which pastors shall be paid based on their status and years of service. While not mandatory, local congregations are strongly encouraged to give consideration to paying pastors with more than 10 years of service an additional 1% of the tenth year minimum for each additional year of service they have completed. As examples: A Full Member with 15 years of service must be paid a minimum of $42,338, but the congregation is encouraged to consider paying an additional $2,115 (5 x $423), for a total of $44,453 based on 5 additional years service. A Local Pastor with 20 years of service must be paid a minimum $36,195, but the congregation is encouraged to consider paying an additional $3,620 (10 x $362), for a total of $39,815, based on 10 additional years service.

Another option for providing additional support for those clergy with more than ten


years of service would be for the local congregation to cover the clergy contribution towards health insurance premiums, which varies from 7-20% of the premium, or $1,100 to $3,100, depending upon the actual salary.

Counting Years of Service To Determine Minimum CompensationPastors serving under appointment full or part time will have years of service counted equally for the purpose of moving through the salary schedule. Pastors serving more than six months under appointment in a year will be credited with a full year’s service for the purpose of moving through the salary schedule. Pastors serving six months or less under appointment in a year will remain in the year of the salary schedule they are in. When an additional full year of service is completed, pastors will move to the next year in the salary schedule. For salary schedule purposes, years of service are carried over equally from one category to another as clergy status changes.

RATIONALE: The proposed salary schedule for 2013 refl ects a 1.8% increase to the 2012 minimum compensation rates. This is slightly less than the increase in the CPI for the Midwestern US during 2011.

The recommendation regarding a minimum budget amount for Professional Expenses is offered to help guide SPRCs and congregations in adequately equipping clergy to meet the Disciplinary requirements for continuing education, and to adequately maintain a professional library, journal subscriptions, offi ce equipment (i.e., software, computers, cell phones, etc.), and other expenses related to the conduct of ministry.

Nancy Patera, Chair, Commission on Equitable Compensationof the West Michigan Annual Conference

ITEM #6

SUBJECT: Guidelines for Equitable Compensation Support. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: The Commission on Equitable Compensation moves that the Conference Guidelines for Equitable Compensation Support for 2013 as amended.

Guidelines for Equitable Compensation Support

1. Local congregations shall conduct an annual canvass of sources of support within the pastoral charge. Congregations receiving Equitable Compensation support are expected to participate in ongoing stewardship education and planning through programs such as the Stewardship Academy offered through the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.

2. Local congregations shall annually counsel with the District Superintendent concerning levels of pastoral support.

3. Requests for support from the Equitable Compensation Fund shall be included in the salary recommendation approved by the charge/church conference.

4. Churches should be grouped, where feasible, in a denominational or ecumenical grouping so as to provide an average attendance of at least 134 under the care of one pastor.

5. Circuit churches that become station charges will usually not be eligible for fi nancial assistance from the commission unless the church seeking assistance has an average attendance of at least 134.

6. Local congregations requesting equitable compensation support shall voucher pastors’ travel and business expenses according to the guidelines of the Council on Finance and Administration.

7. Local congregations may receive base supplemental Equitable Compensation support for up to fi ve consecutive years, with a goal of reducing the original grant amount by 20% each year.

8. Congregations receiving Equitable Compensation are expected to pay Ministry Shares in full. If a congregation receiving Equitable Compensation develops a


pattern of failing to meet this expectation, the commission may request that the bishop and cabinet review the continued viability of the current appointment and/or parish alignment, using the “Process for Assessment of Local Church Potential” as outlined in ¶213 of the 2008 Book of Discipline, where appropriate.

9. Churches receiving or applying for Equitable Compensation that have planned or are planning to enter into building or remodeling projects that require permission of the District Board of Church Location and Building, or which exceed 10% of the total annual budget of the local congregation, shall not proceed with proposed projects and/or related capital campaigns until such time as a plan for ending Equitable Compensation support has been presented and approved by the Commission on Equitable Compensation and the district superintendent. Exceptions to this guideline shall be given greater consideration when proposed projects are related to building accessibility.

10. Exceptions to these guidelines may be considered for missional purposes upon recommendation of the cabinet.

– Approved by Annual Conference 1984, Revised 1993, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011.

RATIONALE: The Commission does not believe any signifi cant modifi cations to the guidelines are necessary at this time. The average attendance fi gures in guidelines #4 and #5 were changed to refl ect the number determined by dividing the budget of an average church with a full-time pastor by the average individual annual giving.

Nancy Patera, Chair, Commission on Equitable Compensationof the West Michigan Annual Conference

ITEM #7

SUBJECT: Ministers’ Reserve Pension Fund (MRPF) – For Past Service. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: The Annuity Rate in 2013 for clergy service before 1982 shall be $711 for every year of service. The surviving spouse benefi t shall remain at 85 percent.

RATIONALE: The West Michigan Annual Conference is in compliance with the guidelines set forth in The Book of Discipline for past service pension which requires a past service rate minimum of 1% of the Conference Average Compensation which is determined by the General Board of Pension to be $607 in 2013.

West Michigan Conference Board ofPension and Health Benefi ts, Mike Anthes, Chair

ITEM #8

SUBJECT: Annual Policy Recommendations for 2013. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: The following shall be the policy recommendation for 2013:A. Special Sundays: The following Special Sundays will be observed with offerings

in compliance with the action of the 2008 General Conference:

2012 2013Human Relations Day Jan 15 Jan 20One Great Hour of Sharing March 18 March 17Native American Ministry Sunday April 22 April 21Peace with Justice Sunday* June 3* June 2*World Communion Sunday Oct 7 Oct 6United Methodist Student Sunday Nov 25 Nov 24*or on a date to be determined by the local church

These Sundays will be observed with offerings (except as noted):Racial Ethnic Local Church Sunday Feb 5 Feb 3Golden Cross Sunday May 6 May 5


United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Awareness June 3 June 2Rural Life Sunday Aug 26 Aug 25Christian Education Sunday Sept 9 Sept 8Disability Awareness Sunday (without offering) Oct 28 Oct 27Camp Sunday – To be determined by the individual church

B. Youth Ministries: From the Ministry Shares $2.00 per youth member will be allocated for the YOUTH SERVICE FUND. 70% is to be used by the conference youth program and 30% by the general church youth program. A ministry share of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) shall be authorized to continue to partially fund the staffi ng of conference youth and camping ministries.

C. The Council on Finance and Administration is authorized to establish a line of credit with the depository bank in the amount it determines appropriate to meet the needs of the conference.

D. The auditor of record of the Conference Treasurer shall be a fi rm of certifi ed public accountants, to be determined by the Council on Finance and Administration.

E. Furnishings allowance according to IRS regulations shall be allowed for the district superintendents and conference clergy staff persons as payroll withholding within their approved salary. A similar provision is available for local church pastors in an amount determined by the charge conference.

F. District superintendents and other clergy on the conference staff shall be allowed to designate the amount of their individual housing allowance within the approved salary and housing allowance in accordance with IRS regulations.

West Michigan Conference Council on Finance and AdministrationDale Kimball, President / Pros Tumonong, Treasurer

RULES OF ORDER ITEMS

ITEM #9

SUBJECT: Various Rule Amendments Summary. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: The West Michigan Annual Conference shall make the following changes in the “Rules of Order.” [pages 243-253]

I. RULES OF ORDER

Under: RULE 1 GOVERNANCE: Amend as noted.

E. PUBLICATION:The Rules of Order, as adopted and amended from time to time, DELETE shall be printed annually in both the Pre-Conference Reports Booklet and the Conference Journal. ADD Shall be available on the Conference website in a format persons can download and/or print.

Under: RULE 2 SECRETARY: B. DUTIES OF THE CONFERENCE SECRETARY: Amend items 5 &9 as noted:

5. Have the record of the Conference sessions certifi ed by himself/herself and the Conference President and printed published in the form of a journal. This printedpublished journal shall be the offi cial record of the Conference. Printed copies will be available for purchase.

9. By March 1 of the year for election of delegates to General and Jurisdictional conferences, prepare and mail distribute via the Conference web site a notifi cation of


the date for elections to all pastors under appointment, lay members of Conference and chairpersons of each district conference and request names of candidates for nomination as lay delegates.

Under: RULE 8 LAY MEMBERS AND CLERGY MEMBERS: C. EQUALIZATION OF LAY AND CLERGY MEMBERS: Amend as noted below by

substitution: 1. c. The additional seats shall be fi lled by lay persons who are not members of the

same Conference session serving as of December 31 of the year preceding in the following order:

1) All lay persons who are Members of general and jurisdictional boards, councils, and standing commissions or their divisions, departments, committees, units, and other sub-groups, who reside within the bounds of the West Michigan Conference;

2) All Lay chairpersons of West Michigan Conference boards; 3) Treasurer of West Michigan Conference; 4) Conference Facilitators; 5) Chairperson and all Lay members of the following agencies: the

Conference Leadership Team (CLT);• Conference Leadership Team (CLT);• Chairperson and all lay members of the Council on Finance and

Administration (CFA);• Lay Members of the Annual Conference Program Committee• All lay members of the Rules of Order Committee• The Lay Members on the Committee on the Journal

6) All Lay chairpersons of district council on ministries or equivalent; 7) Chairperson and all lay members of the Council on Finance and

Administration (CFA); 8) Conference Missionary Secretary; 9) Chairperson of the Council on Ministries; 10) Conference Secretary and all lay assistant secretaries; 11) Conference Statistician; 12) Conference Chancellor; 13) Director of Communications, if this person is a lay person; 14) Director of the Michigan Area Resource Center; 15) Conference Director of Lay Speaking; 16) Lay Members of the Conference Program Committee 17) Lay directors of West Michigan Conference campus ministries; 18) All Lay chairpersons / coordinator of these Conference Commissions

agencies:• Status and Role of Women• Religion and Race• Archives and History• Christian Unity and Inter-religious Concerns• Equitable Compensation• Communications

19) All lay chairpersons of these Conference Committees:• Nominations and Leadership Development• Disaster Response Team Coordinator• Episcopacy (vice chairperson if the chairperson is not a member of

West Michigan Conference)• Chair of Hispanic/Latino Committee• Michigan Area Indian Workers Conference• Conference Program


• Conference Rules of Order• UMCOR/Hunger• The Physical Limitations Representative• Chairperson of the Abuse Prevention Team• Chairperson of the Disability Committee• Committee on Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice Concerns• Conference Homeless Ministries• New Church Establishment and Development• Racial Ethnic Local Church

20) All Lay General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates and reserves elected for the last General and Jurisdictional conferences;

21) All Lay chairpersons of all Conference Council on Ministries permanent committees;

22) All Lay Conference Program Staff; 23) Associate Conference Lay Leaders;

24) The Physical Limitations Representative 25) Chairperson of the Abuse Prevention Team 26) Conference Council on Youth Ministries Coordinator.

27) All lay members of the Rules of Order Committee 28) Where there is co-leadership, both shall be a part of the lay equalization.

29) The Lay Members on the Committee on the Journal.

This section would now read as follows:

C. EQUALIZATION OF LAY AND CLERGY MEMBERS: 1. c. The additional seats shall be fi lled by lay persons who are not members of the

same Conference session serving as of December 31 of the year preceding: 1) Members of general and jurisdictional boards, councils, and standing

commissions or their divisions, departments, committees, units, and other sub-groups, who reside within the bounds of the West Michigan Conference;

2) Lay chairpersons of West Michigan Conference boards; 3) Treasurer of West Michigan Conference; 4) Conference Facilitators; 5) Lay members of the following agencies:

• Conference Leadership Team (CLT);• Council on Finance and Administration (CFA);• Conference Program Committee;• Rules of Order Committee;• Committee on the Journal;

6) Lay chairpersons of district council on ministries or equivalent; 7) Conference Missionary Secretary; 8) Conference Secretary and all lay assistant secretaries; 9) Conference Statistician; 10) Conference Chancellor; 11) Director of Communications, if this person is a lay person; 12) Director of the Michigan Area Resource Center; 13) Conference Director of Lay Speaking; 14) Lay directors of West Michigan Conference campus ministries; 15) Lay chairperson/coordinator of these Conference agencies:

• Abuse Prevention Team• Annual Conference Program• Archives and History• Christian Unity and Inter-religious Concerns• Communications• Disability Committee


• Disaster Response Team• Episcopacy (vice chairperson if the chairperson is not a member of

West Michigan Conference)• Equitable Compensation• Hispanic/Latino Committee• Homeless Ministries• Michigan Area Indian Workers Conference• New Church Establishment and Development• Nominations and Leadership Development• Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice Concerns• Racial Ethnic Local Church• Religion and Race• Status and Role of Women• UMCOR/Hunger

16) Lay General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates and reserves elected for the last General and Jurisdictional conferences;

17) Lay chairpersons of all permanent committees; 18) Lay Conference Program Staff; 19) Associate Conference Lay Leaders; 20) Conference Council on Youth Ministries Coordinator. Where there is co-leadership, both shall be a part of the lay equalization.

Under: RULE 9 PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Amend as noted below:

B. PRINTED PROGRAM: 1. A printed program shall be published in advance, on the Conference web site and printed

for distribution at the Annual Conference and except for necessary changes approved by the Conference, it shall be the offi cial program for the Conference session.

Under: RULE 10 PRE-CONFERENCE PREPARATION: Amend as noted below:

A. The Conference Secretary shall prepare a and post to the web site Pre-Conference Reports Booklet containing all reports required from offi cial Conference organizational units listed in the previous year’s Journal.

F. The Pre-Conference Reports Booklet shall be distributed posted on the Conference web sitein time for all Conference Members and others under appointment to receive access reports at least 14 days before the Conference convenes. The words “Not for Publication until Perfected and Acted Upon by the West Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church” shall be printed on the cover of the booklet noted at the beginning of the document.

G. The Pre-Conference Reports Booklet shall be made available to all Alternate Members of the Conference. A notice of where to obtain a copy shall be sent to each pastor prior to the orientation sessions on the districts.

H. G. The design and implementation of thorough training for Conference members and alternate members, including an orientation session on each district and a briefi ng session immediately before the Conference begins, shall be the responsibility of the Conference Lay Leader and the Conference Ministry Consultants Full Cabinet in consultation with the Annual Conference Program Committee Chair.

Under RULE 12 PETITIONS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Amend as noted below: D. Deadlines shall be the following: 1. All petitions which are fi led with the Director of Connectional Ministries by a date

set by the Conference Secretary shall be printed and mailed posted to the Conference web site with the Pre-Conference booklets to Conference members. Reports at least


60 days prior to the Annual Conference. When several members of a church or church organization are listed as supporting the petition, only the name of the church or church organization and the number of persons listed will be printed in the legislative material. If an identical petition is fi led by more than one individual or group, that petition shall be printed only once and the names and other identifying information of each church, church organization and/or individual(s) submitting the identical petition shall be printed below the petition.

2. Additional petitions in response to any matter contained in either the Pre-Conference Reports or a petition enclosed in the same mailing may be fi led with the Director of Connectional Ministries until 12 business days 30 days prior to the opening of the Conference session. However, no petition containing new business which was not introduced in the Pre-Conference Reports or previously fi led petitions shall be accepted.

3. All response petitions shall be furnished to the Members of the Conference posted to the Conference web site prior to the time Conference convenes.

4. No petitions fi led within 12 business days 30 days of the opening of the Conference session shall be accepted or considered except by suspension of the Rules or as Addenda (see Rule 22.D).

Under: RULE 21 SUBMITTING REPORTS: Amend as noted below:

When a report is submitted to the Conference Secretary and printed in the Pre-Conference Reports Booklet it is before the Conference without further reading provided that:

D. Materials in the Pre-Conference Reports Booklet shall be historical in nature only. Recommendations for legislative action shall be submitted separately to the Conference Secretary for inclusion in Recommendations and Petitions Decision Items publication and shall be referred to the Committee on Reference for processing.

RATIONALE: These changes are necessary in order to bring our rules in line with our current practices, the “Plan of Organization” changes that were legislated at the 2011 West Michigan An-nual Conference, and future desires in light of current electronic forms of communica-tion.

West Michigan Conference Committee onRules of Order, Judy Coffey, Chair

ITEM #10

SUBJECT: “Rules of Order,” Rule 8 – Lay Equalization: Amendment. Not considered

MOTION: I move to amend Rule 8.C.1.c.19 [page 246, line 8] by addition of the chairperson of the Committee on Disability Concerns. Further I move that this take effect immediately.

RATIONALE: I believe this was an oversight of the Structure Revision Task Force. It is important that this person be present to keep us aware of meeting the needs of those with physical limitations.

Ward D. Pierce, Clergy memberof the West Michigan Annual Conference

ITEM #11-R

SUBJECT: Response to Item #11, p. 211, Book B, Rule 13 – Attendance: AMENDMENT. Not considered

MOTION: I move to amend Item #11 section “G” by deleting the word: “full” and substituting the word: “clergy” so that “G” would read: “This rule would not apply to retired clergy members of conference.” [Book B, page 212, line 5]

RATIONALE: Not all retired clergy are “full” members of conference.

Ward D. Pierce, clergy member / pastor, Mendon/West Mendon UMCsof the West Michigan Annual Conference


ITEM #11

SUBJECT: “Rules of Order,” Rule 13 – Attendance: Substitution. Not considered

MOTION: I move to amend Rule 13 of the Rules of Order [page 248, lines 13-15] of the West Michigan Conference by substituting the following words for the present rule:

Rule 13 AttendanceA. All clergy and lay members of Conference shall register to attend the Annual

Conference in a timely manner, paying whatever fees the Conference shall impose. The names of any members not meeting this requirement by the registration deadline shall be referred to the district offi ces for direct contact.

B. If a clergy or lay member of Conference fails to register, the local churche(s) they represent shall be billed by the Treasurer’s Offi ce for the required fees.

C. If a clergy or a lay member submits in writing to the Secretary of the Conference a valid reason why they cannot attend or be represented, the Secretary of the Conference may excuse the absence and refund the fees. The district superintendent shall be informed and a record kept in order to establish patterns of non-attendance.

D. Although clergy and lay members of Conference are urged to attend all sessions, as a minimum they shall attend with validation the following sessions and activities of the Annual Conference:1. Opening worship2. All sessions of the Conference at which legislation is scheduled to be

presented3. The Ordination service

E. The Secretary of the Conference shall establish a procedure for recording and validating the presence of clergy and lay members at the required sessions.

F. The district superintendents shall keep a record of compliance in order to establish a pattern of non-attendance. Such record shall, if a clergy member is involved, be shared with the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry for disciplinary action in accordance with ¶602.8 of 2008 Book of Discipline.

G. This rule shall not apply to retired full members of Conference.

RATIONALE: ¶602.8 of the 2008 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church mandates that all full members, probationary members and local pastors in the annual conference shall attend “its sessions…” This change to Rule 13 simply puts teeth in an otherwise unenforceable regulation.

George Lawton, clergy member / pastor, Lakeside UMCof the West Michigan Annual Conference

ITEM #12

SUBJECT: “Rules of Order,” Rule 32 – Election of Lay and Clergy General and Jurisdictional Delegates: Amendment. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: The Rules of Order Committee moves to amend Rule 32 [page 252, lines 20-37] as follows:

RULE 32 LAY and Clergy DELEGATES:A. ELIGIBILITY FOR ELECTION:

1. Lay Delegates shall be nominated and elected without regard to age, sex, race or any handicapping condition.

2. Only Lay persons who must have been members of The United Methodist Church for at least two (2) years immediately prior to their election, and shall have been active participants in The United Methodist Church for at


least four (4) years preceding their election (Discipline article 36).

3. Lay delegates must be members of a United Methodist church within the bounds of the West Michigan Conference at the time the General and Jurisdictional conferences are held.

4. The ordained clergy delegates to the General and Jurisdictional conferences shall be elected by and from the ministerial members in full connection with the West Michigan Conference (Discipline article 35).

B. PRE-CONFERENCE INFORMATION:

1. Notifi cation that the election of delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conference will occur at the next Conference session shall be sentdistributed by the Conference Secretary.

2. This notifi cation shall be mailed e-mailed to each pastor under appointment, each lay member of Conference and the chairperson of each district conference posted to the Conference web site. before March 1.

3. In the same mailing e-mailing and posting the Conference Secretary shall request that the name and a brief biographical sketch (100 words) of each potential delegate be submitted. Appropriate forms shall be enclosed, including space for the written consent of each nominee.

4. Nominations may be made by any local church administrative board, district conference, or any other organization within the West Michigan Conference;, or by any lay person or clergy within the West Michigan Conference.

5. The names, biographical sketches and consent to serve shall be given to the Conference Secretary by April 1 of the year of the election. Copies of this material shall be enclosed with the Pre-Conference Reports posted to the Conference web site and distributed at Annual Conference.

RATIONALE: This will modify the election of clergy delegates. Now all clergy members in full connection of the West Michigan Conference are listed and many may not care to serve in this capacity. We also may not know the qualifi cations of many persons and this would allow us to know who would be interested and willing to serve as delegates. This would provide more information in regard to their qualifi cations.


ITEM #13/14-R

SUBJECT: Response to Items #13 and #14, pp. 213-214, Book B, Rule 33 – Election of General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegates: SUBSTITUTION. Conference voted concurrence with ammendment

MOTION: We move Rule 33 as described below as a substitute for both Item #13 and Item #14:[page 252, line 38 thru page 253, line 9]

RULE 33 ELECTION OF GENERAL & JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES:

A. DELEGATES: 1. The lay and clergy delegates to the General and Jurisdictional conferences shall be elected in

accordance with the provisions of The Book of Discipline in effect at the time of election.

B. TELLERS: 1. The Conference Secretary shall designate tellers from a list of names which shall have been

submitted by the superintendents of the districts. A member of the Conference Secretary’s staff shall serve as head of both groups of tellers.


2. The tellers will distribute all ballots, collect all ballots and be responsible for their count. The results shall be reported to the Conference Secretary and announced to the Conference by the bishop.

C. NOMINATIONS: 1. All clergy and lay persons whose biographical sketches have been submitted and posted to the

Conference web site shall be considered as nominated. Additional clergy and lay persons may be nominated from the fl oor, provided written consent to serve if elected has been obtained prior to their nomination. No speeches may be made for a clergy or lay person nominated from the fl oor; however a printed biographical statement (100 words) may be distributed to the members of the Conference.

D. BALLOTING: 1. Ballots may be cast any time the Conference is in session. 2. The bishop shall announce the number of candidates which may be elected and the names and

number of persons previously elected before each ballot is cast. 3. Each ballot shall be cast by distributing ballots, marking the ballots and standing within the limits of

the Conference until ballots have been collected by the tellers. 4. On the fi rst three ballots for General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates, respectively, the names

of all those receiving three or more votes shall be read. On subsequent ballots only the names of persons receiving ten or more votes shall be read.

E. INVALID BALLOTS: 1. An individual’s ballot shall be invalid if it contains more or less names (or identifying numbers) than

the number of delegates to be elected on that ballot. 2. The intent of the voter shall be allowed regardless of mistakes in spelling. 3. If persons with the same name are mentioned and no initials are included that total ballot shall be

invalid.

F. ELECTIONS 1. General Conference Delegates: Balloting shall fi rst occur for the number of lay and clergy General

Conference delegates to be elected. A majority of all valid ballots cast shall be necessary for such elections.

2. Jurisdictional Conference Delegates: The lay and clergy General Conference delegates shall be delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference. In addition, after balloting is completed for the General Conference delegates balloting shall continue for the remaining number of lay and clergy Jurisdic-tional Conference delegates to be elected. On each of the fi rst six (6) ballots, a majority of all valid ballots cast shall be necessary for election. On the seventh ballot, the vote-getters in order of votes received shall be elected to complete the Jurisdictional Conference delegation.

3. Reserve Delegates:a. General Conference Reserve Delegates: The delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference shall,

in the order of their election, be the reserve delegates to the General Conference. The expenses of the fi rst two persons, in order of election, serving as reserve delegates at the time of General Conference shall be paid by the Annual Conference using the same standards used by the Gen-eral Conference.

b. Jurisdictional Conference Reserve Delegates: Persons receiving votes beyond those elected to the Jurisdictional Conference delegation as above provided in Item 2 above shall, in the order of their election, be reserve delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference. The expenses of the fi rst two persons, in order of election, serving as reserve delegates at the time of Jurisdictional Conference shall be paid by the Annual Conference using the same standards used by the Juris-dictional Conference.

4. Tie Votes:If there is a tie on any ballot which results in an election of a delegate, unless the persons tied agree between themselves their place within the delegation, the tie shall be resolved by drawing lots to determine the order of such persons within the delegation.


G. VACANCIESIf a vacancy occurs in the General or Jurisdictional Conference delegation by virtue of resignation, withdrawal, death or any other reason, all persons (lay or clergy) with votes below the person whose position is vacated will “move up” in the delegation, in order of their election.

RATIONALE: Recognizing that Item 13 and Item 14 address the same subject (which is to improve the process for election of General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates), the petitioners for these two items have collaborated and now submit this joint Response Petition as a substitute for Items 13 and 14 on pages 213-216 of Decision Items Book B.

Committee on Rules of Order, Judy Coffey, ChairDavid Lundquist, member of Kalamazoo First UMC and Lay Member

of the West Michigan Annual ConferenceITEM #13

SUBJECT: “Rules of Order,” Rule 33 – Balloting for Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences: Substitution. Not considered

MOTION: The Rules of Order Committee moves to amend Rule 33 by substituting the following: [page 252, line 38 thru page 253, line 9]

RULE 33 BALLOTING FOR DELEGATES TO GENERAL & JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCES:A. TELLERS:

1. The Conference Secretary shall designate tellers from a list of names which shall have been submitted by the superintendents of the districts. A member of the Conference Secretary’s staff shall serve as head of both groups of tellers.

2. The Tellers will distribute all ballots, collect all ballots and be responsible for their count. The results shall be reported to the Conference Secretary and announced to the Conference by the bishop.

B. NOMINATIONS: 1. All clergy and lay persons whose biographical sketches have been submitted and posted

to the Conference web site shall be considered as nominated. Additional clergy and lay persons may be nominated from the fl oor, provided written consent to serve if elected has been obtained prior to their nomination. No speeches may be made for a clergy or lay person nominated from the fl oor; however, a printed biographical statement (100 words) may be distributed to the members of the Conference.

C. BALLOTING: 1. Ballots may be cast any time the Conference is in session. 2. The bishop shall announce the number of candidates which may be elected and the names

and number of persons previously elected before each ballot is cast. 3. Each ballot shall be cast by distributing ballots, marking the ballots and standing within

the limits of the Conference until ballots have been collected by the tellers. 4. Only the names of persons receiving ten (10) or more votes shall be read after each ballot

and that on the fi rst three (3) ballots all those receiving three (3) or more votes shall be read.

5. For each of the fi rst six ballots, a majority of all the valid ballots cast shall be necessary for election. On the seventh ballot, the highest vote getters will be elected to complete the General Conference delegation, excluding the reserve delegates. The same procedure, using not more than seven additional ballots, will be employed for the election of the Jurisdictional delegates.

6. After the ballot electing the last Jurisdictional lay delegate or clergy delegate, as the case may be, one additional ballot will be taken to elect the reserve delegates. The person receiving the highest number of votes, and the person receiving the next largest number of votes, up to the number of persons required to be elected as reserve delegates, shall


become the reserve delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference, and shall serve in order according to the votes received.

D. INVALID BALLOTS: 1. An individual’s ballot shall be invalid if it contains more or less names (or identifying

numbers) than the number of delegates to be elected on that ballot. 2. The intent of the voter shall be allowed regardless of mistakes in spelling. 3. If persons with the same name are mentioned and no initials are included that total ballot

shall be invalid.

E. ELECTIONSOn each ballot a majority of all the valid ballots cast shall be required for an election, except as noted in C.5 & 6 above.

F. RESERVE DELEGATES 1. The reserve delegates to General Conference, in the order of their election, shall be

delegates to Jurisdictional Conference. 2. The two lay and two clergy persons receiving the next largest numbers of votes on the

ballot which elects the last Jurisdictional Conference lay and clergy delegates shall automatically become the reserve delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference. These reserve delegates shall have their expenses paid at the same standard as the Jurisdictional Conference delegates.

3. As the expenses of the delegates to General Conference (lay and clergy) are paid by the General Conference, the Annual Conference shall pay the fi rst and second delegates’ (lay and clergy) expenses using the same standards used by the General Conference.

RATIONALE: These suggested changes which limit the number of ballots are intended to work in conjunction with the suggested changes noted in Rule #32. The intent of the committee is that these changes would help move the process along in a timely manner.


ITEM #14

SUBJECT: “Rules of Order,” Rule 33 – Election of General and Jurisdictional Conference Delegates: Substitution. Not considered

MOTION: I move that current Rule 33 of the Conference Rules of Order be amended by sub-stitution as follows: [page 252, line 38 thru page 253, line 9]

RULE 33 ELECTION OF GENERAL & JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES:A. DELEGATES

1. The lay and clergy delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conference shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of The Book of Discipline in effect at the time of election.

B. NOMINATIONS1. There shall be no nominations or nominating speeches for the clergy ballot.2. All lay persons whose biographical sketches have been submitted and mailed with the

Pre-Conference Reports shall be considered as nominated. Additional lay persons may be nominated from the fl oor, provided written consent to serve if elected has been ob-tained prior to their nomination. No speeches may be made for a lay person nominated from the fl oor; however, a printed biographical statement (100 words) may be passed out to the members of the Conference.

C. TELLERS1. The Conference Secretary shall designate tellers from a list of names which shall have

been submitted by the district superintendents. A member of the Conference Secre-tary’s staff shall serve as head of both groups of tellers.

2. The tellers will distribute all ballots, collect all ballots and be responsible for their


count. The results shall be reported to the Conference Secretary and announced to the Conference by the bishop.

D. BALLOTING1. Ballots shall fi rst be cast for the number of General Conference lay and clergy del-

egates to be elected. Thereafter ballots shall be cast for the number of Jurisdictional Conference delegates and reserves to be elected.

2. Ballots may be cast any time the Conference is in session.3. The bishop shall announce the number of candidates which may be elected and the

names and number of persons previously elected before each ballot is cast.4. Each ballot shall be cast by distributing ballots, marking the ballots and standing with-

in the limits of the Conference until ballots have been collected by the tellers.5. The tellers shall process the ballots and the head teller shall report the results to the

Conference Secretary and the Bishop who shall announce the results as follows: On the fi rst three (3) ballots for General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates, respectively, the names of all those receiving three (3) or more votes shall be read. On subsequent ballots only the names of persons receiving ten (10) or more votes shall be read.

6. Balloting shall continue until all delegates and reserve delegates have been elected.7. Invalid Ballots:

a. An individual’s ballot shall be invalid if it contains more or less names (or iden-tifying numbers) than the number of delegates to be elected on that ballot.

b. The intent of the voter shall be allowed regardless of mistakes in spelling.c. If persons with the same name are mentioned and no initials are included that

total ballot shall be invalid.

E. ELECTIONS:1. General Conference Delegates: Balloting shall fi rst occur for the number of lay and

clergy General Conference delegates to be elected. A majority of all valid ballots cast shall be necessary for such elections.

2. Jurisdictional Conference Delegates: The lay and clergy General Conference delegates shall be delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference. In addition, after balloting is com-pleted for the General Conference delegates balloting shall continue for the remaining number of lay and clergy Jurisdictional Conference delegates to be elected. On each of the fi rst six (6) ballots, a majority of all valid ballots cast shall be necessary for election. On the seventh ballot, the highest vote-getters in order shall be elected to complete the Jurisdictional Conference delegation.

3. General Conference Reserve Delegates: The delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference shall, in the order of their election, be the reserve delegates to the General Conference. The expenses of the fi rst two persons, in order of election, serving as reserve delegates at the time of General Conference shall be paid by the Annual Conference using the same standards used by the General Conference. Expenses of other reserve delegates attending the General Conference shall not be the responsibility of the Annual Confer-ence.

4. Jurisdictional Conference Reserve Delegates: Persons receiving votes beyond those elected to complete the Jurisdictional Conference delegation as above provided in item 2 above shall, in the order of the votes they receive, be deemed elected reserve delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference. The expenses of the fi rst two persons, in order of elec-tion, serving as reserve delegates at the time of Jurisdictional Conference, shall be paid by the Annual Conference using the same standards used by the Jurisdictional Confer-ence. Expenses of other reserve delegates attending the Jurisdictional Conference shall not be the responsibility of the Annual Conference.

5. Tie Votes: If there is a tie on any ballot which results in an election of a delegate or re-serve delegate, unless the persons who are tied agree among themselves to their order within the delegation, the tie shall be resolved by drawing lots to determine the order of such persons within the delegation.

6. Vacancies: If a vacancy occurs in the General or Jurisdictional Conference delegation


by virtue of resignation, withdrawal, death or any other reason, all persons (lay or clergy) with votes below the person whose position is vacated will “move up” in the delegation, in order of their election.

RATIONALE: This petition endeavors to address several aspects of the annual conference process used to elect General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates every four years. It preserves and reorders several of the provisions of current Rule 33 and also provides for some necessary changes in the election process, including:

a. This proposal expedites the election process for Jurisdictional Conference delegates and reserves by providing that after the fi rst six ballots requiring a majority of vote for election of lay and clergy jurisdictional delegates, respectively, the remainder of the jurisdictional delegates and reserves will be elected on the seventh ballot, in the order of votes received.

b. This proposal provides that all persons receiving votes on the seventh jurisdictional ballot beyond those elected as jurisdictional conference delegates will be electedas reserve delegates to jurisdictional conference. Currently under present Rule 33 only the fi rst two lay and clergy persons are elected. This limitation created a vacancy in the 2012 jurisdictional lay reserve delegation due to the resignation of one of the delegates originally elected.

c. Even though there is a larger number of General and Jurisdictional Conference re-serve delegates, this proposal preserves the current policy that the annual confer-ence will only pay the expenses of the fi rst two reserve delegates attending General and Jurisdictional Conference. Other reserve delegates attending would be respon-sible for their own expenses.

d. This proposal also establishes a process for resolving tie votes that might occur during balloting. Currently there is no procedure for doing this in our present rules.

David Lundquist, member of Kalamazoo First UMCand Lay Member of the West Michigan Annual Conference

ITEM #15

SUBJECT: Resolution re: Jurisdictional Conference Reserve Delegate Vacancies. Withdrawn

MOTION: I move adoption of the following Resolution:

Whereas, one of the lay delegates to the 2012 Jurisdictional Conference has resigned resulting in the following changes in the lay jurisdictional conference delegation:

a. The fi rst lay reserve jurisdictional conference delegate, Simmie Procter, has become the sixth lay jurisdictional conference delegate; and

b. The second lay reserve jurisdictional conference delegate, Patrick Tiedt, has become the fi rst lay reserve jurisdictional conference delegate creating a vacancy in the second lay reserve jurisdictional conference delegate position which has not been fi lled.

Whereas, Rule 33 of the Conference Rules of Order specifi es that there shall be two lay reserve delegates to the Jurisdictional Conference, however there is no provision in the conference rules for fi lling a vacancy in the second reserve jurisdictional position such as has occurred with the current lay delegation.

Whereas, during the balloting for jurisdictional conference delegates at the 2011 Annual Conference, other lay and clergy persons received votes beyond those elected, including Andrew Stange and David Lundquist, who were tied as next highest vote-getters after Patrick Tiedt.


Whereas, petitioner David Lundquist previously expressed his desire that Andrew Stange serve as the second lay reserve jurisdictional conference delegate.

Whereas, it is desirable and important that the West Michigan Conference have a full delegation, including at least two lay and clergy reserves, to represent the annual conference at the 2012 Jurisdictional Conference, as provided in the Conference Rules of Order.

Whereas, ¶34 of the United Methodist Constitution provides in pertinent part that:

“The annual conference shall also elect reserve clergy and lay delegates to the jurisdictional and central conference as it may deem desirable.”

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, that, deeming it desirable and important and acting in accordance with the authority given to it under ¶34 of the United Methodist Constitution, the West Michigan Conference hereby:

1. Elects Andrew Stange as the second lay reserve delegate to the 2012 Jurisdic-tional Conference to fi ll the current vacancy in that position; and also

2. Elects each of the remaining lay and clergy persons who received votes beyond those declared elected at the 2011 Annual Conference as reserve delegates to the 2012 Jurisdictional Conference, in the order of the votes they received, who will thereby be eligible to move up in the respective delegations in the event further vacancies occur.

RATIONALE: In recent General and Jurisdictional Conference delegate elections the annual conference has not been faced with vacancies in the delegation as is the case for this year’s 2012 Jurisdictional Conference. Not having a full delegation to represent the Annual Conference should not occur. There needs to be a process to fi ll vacancies in the delegation and I have fi led a petition for change of current Rule 33 in order to address this in future elections. Unfortunately our current rules are lacking in how to fi ll the current vacancy in the lay delegation and any others that might occur before the 2012 Jurisdictional Conference. The United Methodist Constitution (¶34) gives the Annual Conference the authority to determine how delegates “as it may deem desirable.” Acting under that authority, the above resolution provides for the election of a delegate to fi ll the current lay jurisdictional conference reserve delegate vacancy as well as any other vacancies that might occur before the 2012 Jurisdictional Conference in July 17-21, 2012 in Akron, Ohio.

David Lundquist, member of Kalamazoo First UMCand Lay Member of the West Michigan Annual Conference

PLAN OF ORGANIZATION ITEMS

ITEM #16-R

SUBJECT: Response to Item #16, p. 217, Book B, Michigan Area Haiti Task Force: SUBSTITUTION.Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: Move to amend the “Plan of Organization,” section III.B.4.d. [page 223, line 42; page 231, line 31], to include the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force (MAHTF) as an “Agency amenable to the Conference Leadership Team.”

Michigan Area Haiti Task Force

1) Accountability: The Executive Committee shall be accountable to the Conference Leadership Team (CLT) in matters of program and budget and shall annually fi le a written report with both the West Michigan and Detroit annual conferences. The report should highlight the accomplishments of the stated program priorities and partner sites.

2) Purpose: The committee will facilitate the covenant relationship between the Michigan Area United Methodist conferences and the Haiti District of


the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (EMH), and the partnership with The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), by:

a) Collaborating with our EMH covenant partner and UMCOR to establish Michigan Area program priorities for Haiti (Example: Haiti Hot Lunch) and a list of approved partner sites (Example: EMH work sites [Jeremie, Baudin, etc.] or Advance partners, such as Grace Children’s Hospital, HAPI, Haiti Solar Oven Project, Homes for Haitians, etc.).

b) Educating the Michigan Area on Haiti (history, culture, challenges, joys, faith and life) and on mission that helps without hurting (engaging with).

c) Promoting the priorities and partners within the covenant relationship.d) Positively affi rming our covenantal and partner relationships.e) Working together with all partners in a supportive and mutual relationship.f) Communicating opportunities to engage in an UMVIM team or other service

that supports the covenant relationship.g) Praying for one another regularly and providing a “safe” environment to

share.

3) Structure:The structure of the MAHTF shall consist of:

• an Executive Committee.• a committee comprised of the Executive Committee plus “at-large”

members and persons involved or interested in ministry with Haiti.

Meeting schedule:• The Executive Committee may be scheduled to meet 6 times per Annual

Conference year (July 1 – June 30).• The “at-large” committee may schedule an open meeting quarterly per

Annual Conference year.

Membership of Executive Committee:• A chair and co-chair who represent both conferences.• The North Central Jurisdictional UMCOR consultant. This person may

serve in a ‘dual’ capacity of membership positions on the Executive Committee.

• A member from each Conference Board of Global Ministries.• Two ‘at-large’ members from each Annual Conference, as selected by

the current MAHTF Executive Committee.

Membership of “at-large” committee:• The Executive Committee.• 1 clergy or lay representative from each district of the West Michigan

and Detroit Annual Conferences to be nominated by the respective Nominations’ Committees with consideration of the individual’s demonstrated interest in Haiti and willingness to support the covenant relationship to EMH. Care should be given to matters of inclusivity when nominating persons to the MAHTF.

• Attendance by anyone with an involvement or interest in ministry with Haiti.

RATIONALE: The Michigan Area has an outstanding record of response to our covenant relationship to Haiti, as evidenced by our support of the Haiti Hot Lunch program. 80% of that Advance program funding is received from the Michigan Area United Methodist congregations.

This covenant has been championed in the past by such persons as Bishop Ott, Paul Doherty and a host of committed others. MAHTF has existed outside of the conference structures in order to foster a committee of members passionate for Haiti and unhampered by the bureaucracy of “representation.”


However, the need has arisen to heighten the awareness of both the covenant relationship as well as the power of connectional ministry to our congregations.

We also need a channel through which to clearly articulate the voice of our covenant partner and how they would request our accompaniment and who can help to coordinate the various efforts into the “bigger picture.”

Finally, we need a body that can provide accurate information to our congregations on the status of ongoing work in Haiti and provide recommendations of future giving or service to our congregations.

Rev. David Morton, Co-chair, Michigan Area Haiti Task ForceITEM #16

SUBJECT: “Plan of Organization”: Michigan Area Haiti Task Force – Addition. Conference voted concurrence with ammendment

MOTION: Move to amend the “Plan of Organization,” section III.B.4.d. [page 223, line 42; page 231, line 31], to include the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force as an “Agency amenable to the Conference Leadership Team.”

Michigan Area Haiti Task Force

1) Accountability: The Committee shall be accountable to the Conference Leadership Team in matters of program and budget and shall annually fi le a written report with both the West Michigan and Detroit annual conferences. The report should highlight the accomplishments of the stated program priorities and partner sites.

2) Purpose: The committee will facilitate the covenant relationship between the Michigan Area United Methodist conferences and the Haiti District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, and the partnership with The United Methodist Committee on Relief, by:

a) Collaborating with our EMH covenant partner and UMCOR to establish Michigan Area program priorities for Haiti (Example: Haiti Hot Lunch) and a list of approved partner sites (Example: EMH work sites [Jeremie, Baudin, etc.] or Advance partners, such as Grace Children’s Hospital, HAPI, Haiti Solar Oven Project, Homes for Haitians, etc.).

b) Educating the Michigan Area on Haiti (history, culture, challenges, joys, faith and life) and on mission that helps without hurting (engaging with).

c) Promoting the priorities and partners within the covenant relationship.d) Positively affi rming our covenantal and partner relationships.e) Working together with all partners in a supportive and mutual relationship.f) Communicating opportunities to engage in an UMVIM team or other service

that supports the covenant relationship.g) Praying for one another regularly and providing a “safe” environment to

share.

3) Membership:a) A chair and co-chair who represent both conferences.b) An UMCOR representative who acts in a liaison role between EMH, UMCOR

and MAHTF.c) A member from each Conference Board of Global Ministries.d) To be determined by the current MAHTF Executive Committee.

RATIONALE: The Michigan Area has an outstanding record of response to our covenant relationship to Haiti, as evidenced by our support of the Haiti Hot Lunch program. 80% of that Advance program funding is received from the Michigan Area United Methodist congregations.

This covenant has been championed in the past by such persons as Bishop Ott, Paul


Doherty and a host of committed others. MAHTF has existed outside of the conference structures in order to foster a committee of members passionate for Haiti and unhampered by the bureaucracy of “representation.”

However, the need has arisen to heighten the awareness of both the covenant relationship as well as the power of connectional ministry to our congregations.

We also need a channel through which to clearly articulate the voice of our covenant partner and how they would request our accompaniment and who can help to coordinate the various efforts into the “bigger picture.”

Finally, we need a body that can provide accurate information to our congregations on the status of ongoing work in Haiti and provide recommendations of future giving or service to our congregations.

An amended petition will follow in Response Petitions to further complete the membership structure.

Rev. David Morton, Co-chair, Michigan Area Haiti Task ForceITEM #17

SUBJECT: “Plan of Organization”: Personnel Committee – Substitution. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: Move to amend by substitution the “Plan of Organization,” section III.B.4.f.8.[page 241, lines 8-30]

8. Conference Personnel Committee:

a) Accountability: The committee is accountable to the Conference Leadership Team in matters of program and budget and shall annually fi le a written report with the Annual Conference.

b) Purpose: To hire, evaluate and support staff employed by the Conference Leadership Team.

c) Membership:1. Nine (9) members at large.2. Ex-offi cio (with voice and vote): the Bishop or Clergy Assistant to the Bishop;

the Director of Connectional Ministries; one District Superintendent.d) Organization: Chairperson, Secretarye) Meetings: 2-4 meetings per yearf) Responsibilities: The Committee on Conference Personnel shall have the

responsibility of establishing and coordinating equitable employment policies for the conference program staff employed by all organizational units of the Conference; providing for the hiring, guidance, and termination criteria for all such employees hired by the several agencies of the Conference, and ensuring the establishment of effective supervision. The Committee is responsible for the administration of the grievance process for said employees; its work is carried out in consultation with the Director of Connectional Ministries to whom it provides guidance.

Further, our committee periodically reviews and updates the WMC Personnel Policy. We deal with grievances as outlined in this policy when they arise. This policy serves as a model for agencies and local congregations.”

RATIONALE: This description provides greater clarity.West Michigan Conference Personnel Committee,

Karen Grettenberger, ChairITEM #18

SUBJECT: “Plan of Organization”: Membership of the New Church Establishment and Development Committee – Amendment. Conference vote concurrence

MOTION: The West Michigan Conference “Plan of Organization,” section III.B.4.d.1.m.


[page 235, line 57], under the description of the membership of the New Church Establishment and Development Committee, shall be amended as follows:

Delete under 3) Membership the words “from congregations chartered within the last ten years” and substitute the words “or have been regular participants, members or pastors during the fi rst ten years of a new church start.”

No assumption shall be made that the church is or was ever chartered.

The amended language would read:“b) Three (3) of the twelve (12) shall be or have been regular participants, members or pastors during the fi rst ten years of a new church start.”

RATIONALE: The simple purpose of this legislation is to ensure that some of the members of the committee have real life experience attempting a new church start.

New Church Establishment and Development Committee,Kathy Brown, Chair

ITEM #19

SUBJECT: “Plan of Organization”: Duties of Director of Connectional Ministries – Amendment. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: Move to amend the following in the “Plan of Organization,” section III.B.4.a.3:[page 229, line 20]Add the words “and the Director of Communications” to the following sentence in the list of responsibilities of the Director of Connectional Ministries so that it reads:• Serve, in consultation with the Bishop and the Director of Communications, as

the Conference communicator to public media and other entities within and beyond the Conference.

RATIONALE: The Director of Communications by nature and training should be able to consult and facilitate communications with public media.

Jim Searls (Conference Webmaster) on behalf of the Communications CommissionCarole Armstrong, Chair

ITEM #20

SUBJECT: “Plan of Organization”: Membership of the Communications Commission – Amendment. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: It is moved that the “Plan of Organization,” section III.B.4.d.2.a.3.c. [page 237, lines 4-5], dealing with the Communications Commission, be amended as follows:

Delete the words, “the Editor of the United Methodist Reporter, the Editor of the Michigan Christian Advocate”, which are struck-through as noted in the text below.

c) Ex-offi cio (voice but without vote): Conference Staff persons employed in communications or media tasks. the Editor of the United Methodist Reporter, the Editor of the Michigan Christian Advocate.

RATIONALE: The two named positions no longer exist. The language in the new sentence ending with the word tasks, includes all persons employed by the conference in communications or media tasks.

Jim Searls (Conference Webmaster) on behalf of the Communications CommissionCarole Armstrong, Chair

ITEM #21

SUBJECT: “Plan of Organization”: RELC Purpose and Responsibilities – Substitution. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: Th at the following be substituted in the “Plan of Organization,” section III.B.4.d.1.o.


[page 236, lines 9-22], for Committee on Racial Ethnic Local Church.

o. Committee on Racial Ethnic Local Church:1. Accountability: The committee shall be accountable to the Conference Leadership

Team in matters of program and budget and shall annually fi le a written report with the Annual Conference.

2. Purpose. To support and strengthen racial ethnic churches in the West Michigan Conference and build conference-wide support for special ministries in outreach, evangelism, and discipleship with diverse people and communities.

3. Membership: The Racial Ethnic Local Church (RELC) Committee shall consist of eleven (11) members-at-large as nominated by the Committee of Nominations, including representatives from the RELC congregations. Ex-offi cio (voice and vote) one youth representative elective by the Conference Council on Youth Ministries.

4. Organization:a. Chairpersonb. Secretary and Treasurerc. Staff representativesd. A member from each district

5. Meetings: Shall meet at least three (3) times a year.6. Responsibilities:

• Keeping the vision of the ethnic local church concerns before the West Michigan Annual Conference.

• Providing guidance and resources to churches in the West Michigan Annual Conference as they minister with and to ethnic constituencies.

• Coordinating of West Michigan Annual Conference strategies related to ethnic local church concerns including general church emphases and initiatives.

• Providing a forum for dialogue among the ethnic local church constituencies, as well as with West Michigan Annual Conference agencies.

• Providing training for West Michigan Annual Conference and congregational leaders.

• Promoting and interpreting ethnic local church concerns to the West Michigan Annual Conference. This includes recommending funding for the ministries of the REL churches.

• Working with West Michigan Annual Conference to identify and nurture leaders, lay and clergy of ethnic communities.

RATIONALE: To re-defi ne and complete the description for this committee in the “Plan of Organization.”

West Michigan Conference Racial Ethnic Local Church Committee, Geri Litchfi eld, Chair

ITEM #22-R3

subject: Response to Item #22, p220, Book B, West Michigan Budget Recommendation for 2013: AMENDMENT. Conference non-concurrence

motion: I move that the 2013 proposed budget amount for World Service Contingency be $0.

rationale: World Service operated with out a contingency line item in 2011 and 2012. Rather than leave funds unused they can be used to support vital ministries within World Service.

Ryan Minier, Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo

ITEM #22-R2

subject: Response to Item #22, p220, Book B, West Michigan Budget Recommendation for 2013: AMENDMENT. Conference reconsidered and concurred


motion: I move that the 2013 proposed budget amount for Higher Education & Campus Ministry found on page 222 line 30, be $292,863.

rationale: The Higher Education & Campus Ministry budget funds our campus Wesley Foundations and other ministries that have proven to be vital ministries of our conference. These ministries bring young adults into the church and send students to seminary to be future church leaders. This vitality has been rewarded with several consecutive years of budget deceases. This response petition restores some funding for 2013 but still represents a reduction from the 2012 budgeted amount.

Ryan Minier, Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo

ITEM #22-R

subject: Response to Item #22, p. 220, Book B, West Michigan Budget Recommendation for 2013: SUBSTITUTION. Conference voted concurrence with amendment

motion: The Council on Finance and Administration moves to amend Item #22 by substitution with the following:1. The amount of $6,085,389 shall be the Conference budget in 2013, and the

Ministry Shares Rate shall be 12.8%, which is a decrease from last year’s rate of 12.9%, plus a 0.1% for Youth Ministry Staff Support.

2. District superintendents and cabinet level salaries in the amount of $75,736 are calculated based on the formula approved by Annual Conference in 2011.

3. Support staff wages adjustment of 2.25% using a rate increase of at least 0.25% above infl ation.

4. Health Care charge per employee is projected to increase by 8%. Additional amount of $1,500 is budgeted to fund the liability for the post-retirement health care of clergy and lay employees of the conference.

Actual Income of all churches X Percentage Rate X Projected Pay-in Rate = Ministry Shares Revenue

$54,222,479 x 12.8% x 87% = $6,038,215/$54,222,479 x 0.1% x 87% = $47,174 (Youth Ministry Staff Support)MINISTRY SHARES NEEDED = $6,085,389

2013 West Michigan Budget Recommendation-Response Petition2011 2011 2012 2013 REV

FINAL Budget Actual Approved Approved Proposed as Approved by 2012 Annual Conference (Plus Retiree Health) 54,222,479 12.80% 87% Anticipated Ministry Shares Revenue $6,038,215 Plus: Youth Ministry Staff $47,174Total Anticipated Revenue $5,741,225 $6,159,550 $5,951,854 $6,085,389

Expenditures BudgetA. Connectional Ministry DS Salary $73,182 $73,182 $74,490 $75,736 1. District Superintendents Fund Salaries $439,091 $439,092 $446,940 $454,416 New Pastor Orientation 939 1,500 500 500 Continuing Education 6,070 9,000 9,000 9,000 Health Care Plan 85,824 77,400 90,114 109,310 Workers Comp Insurance 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400 Pension Support 76,384 83,608 84,918 85,203 Travel Expense & Intro Meetings 69,383 73,528 66,441 62,441


BOM and Fall Retreat 2,332 3,000 1,000 1,000 New Superintendent Transition Fund 0 1,000 2,000 2,000 Renewal Leave 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 Contingency 1,179 5,500 5,000 5,000

$683,222 $697,028 $709,313 $732,270 District Offi ce Expense Albion $65,816 $60,439 $64,346 Heartland 64,295 60,981 63,946 Grand Rapids 59,564 59,618 64,776 Grand Traverse 59,269 58,687 65,346 Kalamazoo 57,944 59,527 64,766 Lansing 46,582 48,335 66,306 District Offi ce Rentals 63,180 62,031 62,769 64,049 Misc. Exp/Offi ce Equipment 16,800 10,228 District Offi ce Expense $416,650 $426,419 $446,033 $463,763

Total District Superintendents Fund $1,099,872 $1,123,447 $1,155,346 $1,196,033

2. Episcopal Fund $242,430 $260,677 $272,890 $248,299 3. Equitable Compensation Fund 184,141 200,000 180,000 180,000 4. Retiree Health Care 46,122 50,000 50,000 50,000 5. Ministerial Pension & Insurance Reserve 4,525 5,000 5,000 5,000 6. Bd. Of Ordained Min/Min Enhancement 49,738 65,000 65,000 57,500 7. Clergy Advocacy 0 2,500 2,500 2,500 8. Moving Expense Fund 158,369 175,000 165,000 165,000 9. Clergy Transition Fund 0 2,500 0 0 10. Abuse Prevention Team 51 500 500 500 11. Contingency Fund 0 5,000 0 5,000

Connectional Ministry Funds $1,785,248 $1,889,624 $1,896,236 $1,909,832

B. Administrative Funds 1. General Church Apportionments Interdenominational Cooperation $22,738 $24,450 $23,528 $22,995 General Administration 94,256 101,351 102,319 $103,392

Total General Apportionments $116,994 $125,801 $125,847 $126,387 2. Jurisdictional Conference 13,667 15,000 25,000 16,000 3. Michigan Area Administration Area Expense Fund $41,117 $45,685 $44,000 $48,232 Area Assistant To Bishop’s Offi ce 112,789 89,271 88,000 124,844 Area Episcopal Committee 800 800 800 800 Area Parsonage Committee 2,487 3,200 3,500 3,500

Total Area Administration $157,193 $138,956 $136,300 $177,376 4. Conference Administration Commission on Archives and History $9,506 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 Conference Properties 178,204 160,000 160,000 163,200 Program Committee 15,000 15,000 12,000 5,000 Secretary Expenses 36,222 32,000 30,000 32,000 Statistician Expenses 0 500 500 500 Victim’s Fund 0 1,000 0 0 Legal Contingencies-Conf Chancellor 2,677 6,000 6,000 6,000 At Large Lay Members Expense 40,844 30,000 30,000 42,000 U.M. Foundation of WMC 1,546 15,000 0 0 Council on Finance & Administration Treasurer’s Offi ce $231,475 $213,130 $230,800 $245,800 Auditing Expense 20,685 20,000 19,000 22,000 CFA Meeting Expenses 1,313 900 1,200 1,200 Administrative Services 34,682 40,000 45,000 40,000

Total CF&A $288,155 $274,030 $296,000 $309,000


Conference Committees 1,733 2,000 500 500 Nomination & Leadership Development 2,261 4,500 4,500 2,500

Total Conference Administration $576,148 $555,030 $554,500 $575,700 5. Administration Contingency Fund 5,000 0 5,000 6. Conference Budget Reserve 20,000 25,000 20,000 33,112 7. Camps Defi cit Reduction 20,000 Administrative Funds $884,002 $864,787 $861,647 $953,575

C. World Service & Conference Benevolences 1. World Service $928,799 $928,799 $895,886 $856,829 2. Conference Benevolence Programs Commission on Christian Unity – 500 500 500 Commission on Religion & Race 3,281 5,000 5,000 5,000 COSROW 498 1,000 500 500 Board of Christian Camping 155,181 145,000 162,000 175,000 Board of Church & Society 3,888 5,000 5,000 5,000 Board of Discipleship 6,976 10,000 5,000 3,000 CCYM 5,000 5,000 Board of Global Ministries 311,653 315,000 305,000 274,500 Racial/Ethnic Local Church 88,859 95,000 100,000 90,000 Higher Ed. & Campus Ministry 308,811 310,000 305,000 299,500 Communications Commission 31,209 50,000 60,000 85,000 Connnectional Ministries Staff 572,110 524,000 545,000 606,000 Board of Lay Ministries 1,243 3,000 3,000 3,000 Conference Personnel Committee 380 1,000 1,000 1,000 Board of Evangelism 1,287 5,000 5,000 5,000 United Methodist Men 683 1,000 1,000 1,000 Hunger Committee 167 1,500 1,500 1,500 Prison Ministry 4,499 5,000 5,000 5,000 Indian Workers Conference 1,362 3,500 2,000 2,000 Disability Concerns Committee 85 1,000 1,000 1,000 Congregational Transformation (Vital Church Initiative) 5,883 5,000 7,500 10,000 Hispanic/Latino Committee – 8,500 Contingency – 10,000 Connectional Programs Reserve – – –

Conference Benevolences Total $1,498,055 $1,486,500 $1,525,000 $1,597,000 3. WS & Conference Benevolence Contingency Fund 167,500 – –

WORLD SVC & CONF BENEVOLENCE $2,426,854 $2,582,799 $2,420,886 $2,453,829

D. New Church Development $277,037 $355,400 $330,400 $330,400E. Ministerial Education Fund 291,511 313,771 297,238 294,163F. Black Colleges Fund 116,397 125,158 118,555 117,333G. Africa University Fund 26,050 28,011 26,533 26,257

TOTAL CONFERENCE BUDGET $5,807,099 $6,159,550 $5,951,495 $6,085,389 Excess Revenue Over Expenditure -$65,874 $0 $359 $0 Budget Increase/(Decrease) vs. Last Year 94.28% -208,055 133,894 Percent Increase/(Decrease) vs. Last Year -3.38% 2.25%

West Michigan Conference Council on Finance and Administration,Dale Kimball, President / Pros Tumonong, Treasurer

ITEM #22

subject: West Michigan Budget Recommendation for 2013. Conference voted concurrence with amendment


motion: The Council on Finance and Administration recommends the following:

1. The amount of $5,932,552 shall be the Conference budget in 2013. The Conference 2013 Budget is based on the anticipated revenue of $5,948,800 using the projected Table III total receipts of churches in 2011.

2. District superintendents and cabinet level salaries in the amount of $75,736 are calculated based on the formula approved by Annual Conference in 2011.

3. Support staff wages adjustment of 2.25% using a rate increase of at least 0.25% above infl ation.

4. Health Care charge per employee is projected to increase by 8%. Additional amount of $3,000 is budgeted for every employee’s post-retirement health care fund.

West Michigan 2013 Budget Recommendation

Actual Approved Approved Proposed(plus Retiree Health)

2011 2011 2012 201352,500,000 52,500,000 52,430,000 52,000,000

12.63% 12.63% 12.90% 12.90%86.6% 93% 88% 88%

Anticipated Ministry Shares Revenue $5,741,225 $6,166,598 $5,951,854 $5,903,040Plus: Youth Ministry Staff $45,760Total Anticipated Revenue $5,741,2255 $6,159,550 $5,951,854 $5,948,800

93.21%Expenditures BudgetA. Connectional Ministry

DS Salary $73,182 $73,182 $74,490 $75,736 1. District Superintendents Fund Salaries $439,091 $439,092 $446,940 $454,416 New Pastor Orientation 939 1,500 500 500 Continuing Education 6,070 9,000 9,000 9,000 Health Care Plan 85,824 77,400 90,114 118,310 Workers Comp Insurance 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400 Pension Support 76,384 83,608 84,918 85,203 Travel Expense & Intro Meetings 69,383 73,528 66,441 55,441 BOM and Fall Retreat 2,332 3,000 1,000 1,000 New Superintendent Transition Fund 0 1,000 2,000 2,000 Renewal Leave 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 Contingency 1,179 5,500 5,000 0

$683,222 $697,028 $709,313 $729,270 District Offi ce Expense Albion $65,816 $60,439 $65,846 Heartland 64,295 60,981 65,446 Grand Rapids 59,564 59,618 66,276 Grand Traverse 59,269 58,687 66,846 Kalamazoo 57,944 59,527 66,266 Lansing 46,582 48,335 67,806 District Offi ce Rentals 63,180 62,031 62,769 59,049 Misc. Exp/Offi ce Equipment 16,800 6,228 Total District Offi ce Expense $416,650 $426,419 $446,033 $463,763

Total District Superintendents Fund $1,099,872 $1,123,447 $1,155,346 $1,193,033

2. Episcopal Fund $242,430 $260,677 $272,890 $272,890 3. Equitable Compensation Fund 184,141 200,000 180,000 180,000 4. Retiree Health Care 46,122 50,000 50,000 50,000


5. Ministerial Pension & Insurance Reserve 4,525 5,000 5,000 5,000 6. Bd. of Ordained Min/Min Enhancement 49,738 65,000 65,000 57,500 7. Clergy Advocacy 0 2,500 2,500 2,500 8. Moving Expense Fund 158,369 175,000 165,000 165,000 9. Clergy Transition Fund 0 2,500 0 0 10. Abuse Prevention Team 51 500 500 500 11. Contingency Fund 0 5,000 0 0

Total Connectional Ministry Funds $1,785,248 $1,889,624 $1,896,236 $1,926,423

B. Administrative Funds

1. General Church Apportionments Interdenominational Cooperation $22,738 $24,450 $23,528 $21,175 General Administration 94,256 101,351 102,319 $92,087 Total General Apportionments $116,994 $125,801 $125,847 $113,262 2. Jurisdictional Conference 13,667 15,000 25,000 16,000 3. Michigan Area Administration Area Expense Fund $41,117 $45,685 $44,000 $48,232 Area Assistant To Bishop’s Offi ce 112,789 89,271 88,000 124,844 Area Episcopal Committee 800 800 800 800 Area Parsonage Committee 2,487 3,200 3,500 3,500 Total Area Administration $157,193 $138,956 $136,300 $177,376 4. Conference Administration Commission on Archives and History $9,506 $15,000 $15,000 $10,000 Conference Properties 178,204 160,000 160,000 163,200 Program Committee 15,000 15,000 12,000 5,000 Secretary Expenses 36,222 32,000 30,000 32,000 Statistician Expenses 0 500 500 500 Victim’s Fund 0 1,000 0 0 Legal Contingencies-Conf Chancellor 2,677 6,000 6,000 6,000 At Large Lay Members Expense 40,844 30,000 30,000 42,000 U.M. Foundation of WMC 1,546 15,000 0 0 Council on Finance & Administration Treasurer’s Offi ce $231,475 $213,130 $230,800 $251,800 Auditing Expense 20,685 20,000 19,000 20,000 CFA Meeting Expenses 1,313 900 1,200 1,200 Administrative Services 34,682 40,000 45,000 40,000 Total CF&A $288,155 $274,030 $296,000 $313,000 Conference Committees 1,733 2,000 500 500 Nomination & Leadership Development 2,261 4,500 4,500 1,500 Total Conference Administration $576,148 $555,030 $554,500 $573,700 5. Administration Contingency Fund 5,000 0 0 6. Conference Budget Reserve 20,000 25,000 20,000 20,000

Total Administrative Funds $884,002 $864,787 $861,647 $900,338

C. World Service & Conference Benevolences 1. World Service $928,799 $928,799 $895,886 $806,297 2. Conference Benevolences Programs Commission on Christian Unity 0 500 500 500 Commission on Religion & Race 3,281 5,000 5,000 5,000 COSROW 498 1,000 500 500 Board of Christian Camping 155,181 145,000 162,000 175,000 Board of Church & Society 3,888 5,000 5,000 5,000 Board of Discipleship 6,976 10,000 5,000 3,000 Conference Council on Youth Ministries 5,000 5,000 Board of Global Ministries 311,653 315,000 305,000 274,500 Racial/Ethnic Local Church 88,859 95,000 100,000 90,000


Higher Education & Campus Ministry 308,811 310,000 305,000 279,000 Communications Commission 31,209 50,000 60,000 85,000 Connectional Ministries Staff 572,110 524,000 545,000 616,500 Board of Lay Ministries 1,243 3,000 3,000 3,000 Conference Personnel Committee 380 1,000 1,000 1,000 Board of Evangelism 1,287 5,000 5,000 5,000 United Methodist Men 683 1,000 1,000 1,000 Hunger Committee 167 1,500 1,500 1,500 Prison Ministry 4,499 5,000 5,000 5,000 Indian Workers Conference 1,362 3,500 2,000 2,000 Disability Concerns Committee 85 1,000 1,000 1,000 Congre Transformation (Vital Church Initiative) 5,883 5,000 7,500 10,000 Hispanic/Latino Committee 0 2,500 Total Conference Benevolences $1,498,055 $1,486,500 $1,525,000 $1,571,000 3. WS & Conf. Benevolence Contingency Fund 167,500 0 0

WORLD SVC & CONF BENEVOLENCE $2,426,854 $2,582,799 $2,420,886 $2,377,297D. New Church Development $277,037 $355,400 $330,400 $330,400E. Ministerial Education Fund 291,511 313,771 297,238 267,514F. Black Colleges Fund 116,397 125,158 118,555 106,700G. Africa University Fund 26,050 28,011 26,533 23,880

TOTAL CONFERENCE BUDGET $5,807,099 $6,159,550 $5,951,495 $5,932,552 Excess Revenue Over Expenditure ($65,874) (0) $359 $16,248 Budget Increase/(Decrease) vs. Last Year 94.28% (208,055) (18,943) Percent Increase/(Decrease) vs. Last Year -3.38% -0.32%

West Michigan Conference Council on Finance and Administration,Dale Kimball, President / Pros Tumonong, Treasurer

CORPORATE SESSIONITEM #23

SUBJECT: Discontinuation of Eagle United Methodist Church. Conference voted concurence

MOTION: The following motion is presented for approval by the West Michigan Annual Conference Corporate Session regarding the discontinuation of Eagle United Methodist Church in the Lansing District.

June, 2012 – In accordance with ¶2548.2a, the West Michigan Conference Cabinet moves that the West Michigan Annual Conference declares the Eagle United Methodist Church, discontinued, effective October 15, 2011. (The former Eagle United Methodist Church was located at 14258 Michigan Street, Eagle, MI 48822.)

The Eagle congregation voted at a Church Conference April 27, 2011 (attended by 8 members) to sell the property with the distribution of the assets based on a ministry investment plan within the Lansing District, investing in ministries that are near and dear to the membership.

On May 4, 2011, the Lansing District Board of Building and Location reviewed the property and the potential sale. They unanimously concurred with the decision of the congregation to discontinue and to sell the property. The bishop and cabinet approved the discontinuation action on May 9, 2011.

The fi nal worship service as a United Methodist congregation was held on Sunday, June 19, 2011.

The property was sold on October 6, 2011.

RATIONALE: The above action was in process during the 2011 Annual Conference. At that time, a tentative purchase agreement was in place for the property that actually fell through during the Annual Conference session. Consequently, the above motion was withdrawn


in order to give the congregation the time to complete their process, including the sale of the property.

Rev. Dr. Robert Hundley, Superintendent of Record, Lansing Districtof the West Michigan Annual Conference

ITEM #24

SUBJECT: Discontinuation of Sylvan United Methodist Church. Conference voted concurrence

MOTION: The following motion is presented for approval by the West Michigan Annual Conference Corporate Session regarding the discontinuation of Sylvan United Methodist Church in the Heartland District.

June, 2012 – In accordance with ¶2548.2a, the West Michigan Conference Cabinet moves that the West Michigan Annual Conference declares effective December 31st, 2011 the Sylvan United Methodist Church, located within the bounds of the Heartland District at 4984 Sylvan Road, Evart, Michigan, has discontinued as a United Methodist church pursuant to ¶2548.2 of the 2008 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.

The membership present voted unanimously in favor of discontinuance at a Church Conference held on November 9th, 2011, following a series of consultations with myself and the District Committee on Church Building and Location. In accordance with the Discipline, this action had been previously approved by Bishop Jonathan Keaton with unanimous support of the district superintendents of the West Michigan Conference Cabinet during a meeting held September 28-30, 2011.

At the fi nal Church Conference the remaining members of Sylvan UMC concurred that after payment of related transaction costs, all proceeds from sale of the physical property would be disbursed as follows: $772 in unpaid 2011 Ministry Shares to the West Michigan Conference Treasurer; with the remaining balance to be divided evenly and distributed to Camp Albright, located in Reed City, Michigan, and the Evart Free Store, located in Evart, Michigan. All remaining historical records of Sylvan United Methodist Church have been removed for transfer to the Historical Archives of the West Michigan Conference located at Albion College, Albion, Michigan, and a visual inspection of the site verifi ed that all United Methodist signage has been removed and appropriately disposed of. With the exception of one member transfer to Marion United Methodist Church, all remaining members have withdrawn from The United Methodist Church.

A copy of the original deed was reviewed by Conference Chancellor Andrew J. Vorbrich, who found no indication of a reversion clause or right of reacquisition. This was also confi rmed by Surveryors Title prior to closing. On April 16th, 2012, the real property at 4984 Sylvan Road, Evart, Michigan, was sold to the Sylvan Community Church, a Michigan Ecclesiastical Corporation, for the sum of $5,150, including their share of closing costs. Along with all related closing documents, the balance of the proceeds remaining after payment of closing costs paid by the Annual Conference was forwarded to the Conference Treasurer for disbursement as previously outlined. Copies of all closing documents were also provided to the Area Episcopal Offi ce and are on fi le in the Heartland District Offi ce.

In accordance with ¶423.13 of the 2008 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, as District Superintendent of record I attest that, following sale of the physical property, to the best of my knowledge and ability, all applicable disciplinary requirements will have been followed in caring for discontinuance of the congregation and disposal of remaining assets and physical property.

Rev. David F. Hills, Heartland District Superintendentof the West Michigan Annual Conference


C. OTHER LEGISLATION AND NEW BUSINESS

MOTION #26SUBJECT: Limits of the Floor Conference voted concurrenceMotion: That the limits of the fl oor be set as all arena seats on the main fl oor; upper level seats

are for visitors.

MOTION #27SUBJECT: Adoption of the Agenda Conference voted concurrenceMotion: For the adoption of the Annual Conference Agenda as printed

in Program Book A with changes as necessary.

MOTION #28SUBJECT: Acceptance of Vol. 1 Conference voted concurrenceMotion: For the acceptance of Conference Journal Volume 1.

MOTION #29SUBJECT: ITEM #1 Amendment by Substitution Conference voted concurrenceMotion: Substitute for Item #1 reading, Beginning with the 2013 session of the West Michigan

Annual Conference, prior to fi nal approval of the proposed conference budget the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefi ts shall publicize a best estimate premium rate for the ensuing calendar year.

MOTION #30SUBJECT: Motion to Refer ITEM #4 Conference voted non-concurrence as amendedMotion: To refer the petition to the Cabinet and New Church Development Committee.

MOTION #31SUBJECT: Motion to Amend Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To amend MOTION #29 by adding, “and would report back to the 2013 Annual

Conference.”

MOTION #32SUBJECT: Motion to Amend Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To amend ITEM #4 by adding “that the 2013 Report of the Cabinet and New

Church Committee include a strategy to develop a conference-wide plan for encouraging creative ministry in small membership churches or helping these faithful congregations to close with celebration and dignity.”

MOTION #33SUBJECT: Call the Question Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To call the question of all that is before us related to ITEM #4.

MOTION #34SUBJECT: Approval of the minutes Conference voted concurrenceMotion: That the Daily Proceedings of Wednesday, June 6, 2012 be approved.

MOTION #35SUBJECT: Suspension of the Rules Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To suspend the rules to present a petition on concealed weapons-free zones.

ITEM #25SUBJECT: Churches Concealed Weapon Free Zones Conference voted concurrenceMotion: Be it resolved that the churches and ministries of the West Michigan Annual

Conference remain concealed weapon free zones regardless of any changes made


to the concealed weapons laws in the State of Michigan. This would not apply to qualifi ed law enforcement offi cers.

MOTION #36SUBJECT: Amendment to Item #22-R3 Conference voted concurrenceMotion: Amendment to Item #22-R3, changing the wording from “World Service

Contingency” to “World Service and Conference Benevolences Contingency.”

MOTION #37SUBJECT: Amendment to Item #22-R3 Conference voted non-concurrenceMotion: Amendment to change the amount in Item #22-R3 from $0 to $10,250.

MOTION #38SUBJECT: Call the Question Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To call the question of all that is before us related to ITEM #22-R3.

MOTION #39SUBJECT: Call the Question Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To call the question of all that is before us related to ITEM #22-R2.

MOTION #40SUBJECT: Call the Question Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To call the question of all that is before us related to ITEM #25.

MOTION #41SUBJECT: Suspension of the Rules Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To suspend the rule allow for 30 minutes for discussion regarding the future of

CCOYM.

MOTION #42SUBJECT: Approval of the minutes Conference voted concurrenceMotion: That the Daily Proceedings of Thursday, June 7, 2012 be approved.

MOTION #43SUBJECT: Acceptance of Jurisdictional Pool Nominations Conference voted concurrenceMotion: That the nominations of for the Jurisdictional Pool be accepted.

MOTION #44SUBJECT: Acceptance of Nominations Report Conference voted concurrenceMotion: Acceptance of the Nominations Report.

MOTION #45SUBJECT: Confi rm Nomination of Treasurer Conference voted concurrenceMotion: To confi rm CF&A nomination of Prospero Tumonong as Conference Treasurer.

MOTION #46SUBJECT: Approval of the minutes Conference voted concurrenceMotion: That the Daily Proceedings of Friday, June 8, 2012 be approved, and that the Secretary

be empowered to perfect the minutes for Saturday, June 9, 2012.

MOTION #47SUBJECT: Adjournment of Conference Conference voted concurrenceMotion: That the 2012 West Michigan Annual Conference be adjourned at the conclusion of

the Miracle Saturday June 9th Workshops.

2012 Legisulation (Rev)

Documents

Transcript of 2012 Legisulation (Rev)