POTOMAC CONFERENCE FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
SEPTEMBER 26, 2010 1
POTOMAC CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS MINUTES OF THE FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
Takoma Academy Gymnasium, Takoma Park, MD September 26, 2010
10:00 a.m.
PRAYER Opening prayer was offered by Corinne Rawlins, Potomac Conference Executive Committee member.
WELCOME William Miller, President of Potomac Conference, and David Daniels, Principal of Takoma Academy welcomed all delegates and visitors to the First Quinquennial Constituency Session.
SPECIAL MUSIC The Takoma Academy choir presented two vocal selections.
DEVOTIONAL Dave Weigley, Columbia Union Conference President
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION Neville Harcombe, Columbia Union Conference Secretary
FQCS 10-01 OFFICIAL CALL
The official call of the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was presented to the delegates by Jorge Ramirez, Vice President for Administration.
QUORUM A quorum was met as follows:
741 church elected delegates authorized 600 church-elected delegates present
174 employee delegates authorized 115 employee delegates present
11 lay executive committee delegates
authorized 11 lay executive committee delegates present
7 lay constitution & bylaws committee
delegates authorized 4 lay constitution & bylaws committee
delegates present
25 committee-voted delegates authorized 22 committee-voted delegates present
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5 Columbia Union/NAD delegates present
A total of 752 authorized delegates were present (78.5%) of which 79.79% were church elected delegates, constituting a quorum.
FQCS 10-02 SEATING OF DELEGATES
VOTED, to seat the delegates of the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
OPENING OF THE SESSION William Miller, chair of the session, declared the session officially open.
FQCS 10-03 PARLIAMENTARIAN
VOTED, to authorize Walter Carson, Office of Legal Counsel, Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, to serve as Parliamentarian for the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Dr. Carson gave a summary of parliamentary procedures to be used.
FQCS 10-04 PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES
VOTED, to approve the procedural guidelines as printed on page 9 of the Session Book. (Attachment A)
FQCS 10-05 LEGAL NOTICE
VOTED, to waive the reading of the legal notices published in the July 1 and August 1, 2010 issues of the Columbia Union Visitor.
FQCS 10-06 AGENDA
VOTED, to approve the Agenda as printed on pages 6 & 7 of the Session Book.
FQCS 10-07 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Potomac Conference Third Quadrennial Session, September 25, 2005
VOTED, to approve the September 25, 2005 minutes of the Third Quadrennial Constituency Session of the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
FQCS 10-08 PRESENTATION OF NEW CONGREGATIONS
VOTED, to accept the following organized churches into the sisterhood of churches of the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists:
Far West End – Richmond Cornerstone Glenmont Spanish Northern VA Ghanaian Washington Ethiopian Gaithersburg Brazilian Oxon Hill Spanish Bealeton Spanish
POTOMAC CONFERENCE FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
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Chirilagua Spanish Roanoke Spanish Redeeming Grace Fellowship DC Spanish Damascus Spanish Leesburg Spanish
PRESENTATION OF NEW COMPANIES
The following new Companies were recognized with a note of appreciation, encouragement and support:
Centreville Spanish Culmore Spanish Dale City Spanish Deaf Evangelistic Adventist Fellowship Hopewell Spanish Martinsville Spanish Newport News Peninsula Korean Takoma Park Oromo West End Spanish Restoration Praise Center
PRESENTION OF NEW MISSION GROUPS
The following new Mission Groups were acknowledged and encouraged in their growth:
Blackstone Spanish Charlottesville Spanish Light Bearers Mission Lynchburg Spanish Reston Spanish Stafford Spanish Tappahannock Spanish Woodstock Spanish
DEDICATORY PRAYER FOR NEW CONGREGATIONS
Seth Bardu, Treasurer for the Columbia Union, gave a special dedicatory prayer for the new congregations.
FQCS 10-09 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE REPORT, CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE
VOTED, to invite the following individuals to serve on the Constitution & Bylaws Committee for the next quinquennium: Jorge Ramirez Neville Harcombe Angel Santiago-Pinto Willy Benzaquen Lloyd Dallas, Sr. Ruth Statelmajer Richard Christian William Jones Clinton Adams
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Lynda French Rod Lowe
FQCS 10-10 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
VOTED, to receive the report given by William Miller, Potomac Conference President, as presented.
FQCS 10-11 VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION’S REPORT
VOTED, to receive the report given by Jorge Ramirez, Potomac Conference Vice President for Administration, as presented.
FQCS 10-12 AUDITOR’S REPORT: Potomac Conference, Potomac Conference Corporation, Potomac Adventist Book and Health Food Center, Shenandoah Valley Academy Takoma Academy
VOTED, to accept the Audited Statements of the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, as of December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, as well as the Audited Special-Purpose Schedules of the Potomac Adventist Book and Health Food Center, a department of Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, as of January 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and the Audited Financial Statements of both Shenandoah Valley Academy and Takoma Academy as of June 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, as presented by Kim Westfall of the General Conference Auditing Service.
FQCS 10-13 VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE’S REPORT
VOTED, to receive the report given by Steve Wilson, Potomac Conference Vice President For Finance, as presented.
FQCS 10-14 FIRST PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE, WILLIAM MILLER
VOTED, to invite William Miller to serve as Potomac Conference President for the next quinquennium.
FQCS 10-15 FIRST PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE, JORGE RAMIREZ
VOTED, to invite Jorge Ramirez to serve as Potomac Conference Vice President for Administration for the next quinquennium.
FQCS 10-16 FIRST PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE, STEPHEN WILSON
VOTED, to invite Stephen Wilson to serve as Potomac Conference Vice President for Finance for the next quinquennium.
LUNCH Elder Ernest Castillo, Vice President of the North American Division gave the blessing for lunch.
SESSION RECONVENED William Miller called the session back to order.
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FQCS 10-17 SECOND PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE, KEITH HALLAM
VOTED, to invite Keith Hallam to serve as Potomac Conference Vice President for Education for the next quinquennium.
FQCS 10-18 SECOND PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE, RAYMOND PICHETTE
VOTED, to invite Raymond Pichette to serve as Potomac Conference Vice President for Pastoral Ministries for the next quinquennium
FQCS 10-19 SECOND PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINIATING COMMITTEE, DIRECTORS AND ASSOCIATES
VOTED, to invite the following individuals to serve as Potomac Conference Departmental Directors and Associates for the next quinquennium:
Lisa Myaing Adventist Book Center, CEO Glen Altermatt Associate for Pastoral Ministries-
Evangelism Robert Banks Associate for Pastoral Ministries-
South Desiree Bryant Associate Superintendent for
Education-North Nancy Melashenko Associate Superintendent for
Education-South Mary Ann Sheffer Undertreasurer Daryl Hevener Associate Treasurer Okemas Williams Associate Treasurer/Head Auditor Jose Esposito Hispanic Ministries, Director Johanna Prestol-Dominguez
Human Resource, Director
Lynette Christ Human Resource, Associate Director
Frank Cox Information Technology, Director Hugo Chinchay Planned Giving, Trust Services
& Stewardship, Director Denny Grady Youth, Director Sherilyn O’Ffill Youth, Associate Director
FQCS 10-20 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Consolidation of Conference & Corporations
VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to merge the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, District of Columbia Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists and Virginia Conference Agency of Seventh-day Adventists into the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, and to direct the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and Officers of each Corporation and Unincorporated Association to execute all agreements and documents necessary to complete the transfer, donation and merger by January 1, 2011, and to take all further steps necessary to conclude the transfer, donation and
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merger, including the election of necessary corporate officers for the newly created corporation.
FQCS 10-21 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Consolidation of Potomac Conference & Potomac Conference Corporation
VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to merge the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, into the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, and to direct the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and Officers of this Corporation and Unincorporated Association to execute all agreements and documents necessary to complete the transfer, donation and merger by January 1, 2011, and to take all further steps necessary to conclude the transfer, donation and merger, including the election of new corporate officers if necessary.
FQCS 10-22 ADJOURNMENT OF POTOMAC CONFERENCE FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
VOTED, to adjourn the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
FQCS 10-23 CONVENE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CORPORATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
VOTED, to convene the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the District of Columbia Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists.
FQCS 10-24 WAIVE READING OF LEGAL NOTICES IN COLUMBIA UNION VISITOR
VOTED, to waive the reading of the legal notices that appeared in the Columbia Union Visitor, July 1, 2010 and August 1, 2010.
FQCS 10-25 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Consolidation of District of Columbia Corporation & Potomac Conference Corporation
VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to merge the District of Columbia Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, into the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, and to direct the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and Officers of this Corporation to execute all agreements and documents necessary to complete the transfer, donation and merger by January 1, 2011, and to take all further steps necessary to conclude the transfer, donation and merger, including the election of new corporate officers if necessary.
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FQCS 10-26 ADJOURNMENT OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CORPORATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
VOTED, to adjourn the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the District of Columbia Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists.
FQCS 10-27 CONVENE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE AGENCY OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS INCORPORATED FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
VOTED, to convene the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Virginia Conference Agency of Seventh-day Adventists Incorporated.
FQCS 10-28 WAIVE READING OF LEGAL NOTICES IN COLUMBIA UNION VISITOR
VOTED, to waive the reading of the legal notices that appeared in the Columbia Union Visitor, July 1, 2010 and August 1, 2010.
FQCS 10-29 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Consolidation of Virginia Conference Agency Incorporated & Potomac Conference Corporation
VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to merge the Virginia Conference Agency of Seventh-day Adventists Incorporated, into the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, and to direct the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and Officers of this Corporation to execute all agreements and documents necessary to complete the transfer, donation and merger by January 1, 2011, and to take all further steps necessary to conclude the transfer, donation and merger, including the election of new corporate officers if necessary.
FQCS 10-30 ADJOURNMENT OF VIRGINIA CONFEENCE AGENCY OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS INCORPORATED FIRST QUINQUENNIEL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
VOTED, to adjourn the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Virginia Conference Agency of Seventh-day Adventists Incorporated.
FQCS 10-31 CONVENE POTOMAC CONFERENCE CORPORATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
VOTED, to convene the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists.
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FQCS 10-32 WAIVE READING OF LEGAL NOTICES IN COLUMBIA UNION VISITOR
VOTED, to waive the reading of the legal notices that appeared in the Columbia Union Visitor, July 1, 2010 and August 1, 2010.
FQCS 10-33 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Consolidation of Conference & Corporations
VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to accept the merger of Potomac Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, District of Columbia Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists and Virginia Conference Agency of Seventh-day Adventists into the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists, and to direct the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and Officers of each Corporation and Unincorporated Association to execute all agreements and documents necessary to complete the transfer, donation and merger by January 1, 2011, and to take all further steps necessary to conclude the transfer, donation and merger, including the election of new corporate officers if necessary.
FQCS 10-34 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists
Motion, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee to approve the new amended and restated bylaws of the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists as presented. Amendment to the Motion to add "regular standing" to Article VIII, Section 1, lines 34 & 35, defeated. Motion to vote on presented issues one-by-one, defeated. Motion to approve the following statement to be added in Article 7, Section 2c: "Nominating committee shall nominate only positions that currently exist. They shall not create a new position." VOTED, to approve the following statement to be added in Article 7, Section 2c: "Nominating committee shall nominate only positions that currently exist. They shall not create a new position." Motion that the membership of the organizing committee and nominating committee be 50% female/lay, defeated.
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VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws committee to accept the new amended and restated bylaws of the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists as presented (Attachment B) and refer back to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee the following items:
add "regular standing" to Article VIII, Section
1, lines 34 & 35
membership of the organizing committee
and nominating committee be 50%
female/lay
FQCS 10-35 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: Potomac Conference Corporation Board of Education Constitution
VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws committee to accept the
Potomac Conference Corporation Board of Education Constitution as presented. (Attachment C)
FQCS 10-36 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: Shenandoah Valley Academy Constitution
VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws committee to accept the Shenandoah Valley Academy Constitution as presented. (Attachment D)
FQCS 10-37 CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: Takoma Academy Constitution
VOTED, to approve the recommendation of the Constitution and Bylaws committee to accept the Takoma Academy Constitution as presented. (Attachment E)
FQCS 10-38 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Potomac Conference Corporation Third Quadrennial Constituency Session, District of Columbia Corporation Third Quadrennial Constituency Session, Virginia Conference Agency Third Quadrennial Constituency Session
VOTED, to approve the minutes of the Potomac Conference Corporation Third Quadrennial Constituency Session, District of Columbia Corporation Third Quadrennial Constituency Session and the Virginia Conference Agency Third Quadrennial Constituency Session held September 25, 2005, as presented.
FQCS 10-39 THIRD PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: POTOMAC CONFERENCE CORPORATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
VOTED, to invite the following individuals to serve on the Potomac Conference Corporation Executive Committee for the next quinquennium:
Ex Officio William Miller, Chair
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Jorge Ramirez, Vice Chair and Secretary
Steve Wilson Keith Hallam
DC/MD John Wagner Steve Murphy Kermit Netteburg Karen Burke Carl Sobremisana Veena Alfred Jesse Nascemento Karen Seek
DC Metro Hispanic
Jose Esposito Juan Carlos Rodriguez Miguel Flores Carmen Martinez Raul Rodriguez
Northern Virginia Kathy Mitchell Ron Gadsden Becky Newman
Virginia Capital Jack Calkins Dan McManus
Virginia South Central Lisa Braye
Virginia Southwest Corinne Rawlins Virginia Tidewater
Dave Dildy
Virginia Valley Rick Labate Barbara Manspeaker
FQCS 10-40 FOURTH PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: POTOMAC CONFERENCE CORPORATION BOARD OF EDUCATION
VOTED, to invite the following individuals to serve on the Potomac Conference Corporation Board of Education for the next quinquennium:
Ex Officio
William Miller
Jorge Ramirez, Chair
Steve Wilson
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Keith Hallam
Ham Canosa
David Daniels
Spencer Hannah
Desiree Bryant (non-voting)
Nancy Melashenko (non-voting)
Church Employees
Todd Coulter
Daniel Darrikhuma
Becky Durichek
Wendy Pega
Larry Rich
Angie Weems
Non-Church Employee Members
Rodney Cartwright
Tommie Melendez
Susie Shurtz
Audrey Sprinkle
Gary Wilson
FQCS 10-41 FOURTH PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: SHENANDOAH VALLEY ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VOTED, to invite the following individuals to serve on the Shenandoah Valley Academy Board of Trustees for the next quinquennium:
Ex Officio
William Miller, Chair
Jorge Ramirez, Vice Chair
Steve Wilson
Keith Hallam
Ham Canosa
Spencer Hannah
Jeff Twomley
Church Employees
Shane Anderson
David Daniels
Joe Fralick
Bonita Shields
David Vandevere
Grant Wolters
Non Church Employee Members
Jim Callan
Ron Davis
Mike Dickerhoff
Joanne Gentry
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Paul Griffin
Patty McLennan
Bill Strickland
Duane Swanson
Tony Williams
FQCS 10-42 FOURTH PARTIAL REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: TAKOMA ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VOTED, to invite the following individuals to serve on the Takoma Academy Board of Trustees for the next quinquennium:
Ex Officio
William Miller, Chair
Jorge Ramirez, Vice Chair
Steve Wilson
Keith Hallam
David Daniels
Weymouth Spence
Ham Canosa
Church Employees
Karnik Doukmetzian
Spencer Hannah
Richard James
Cavel Melbourne
Wendy Pega
Larry Rich
Non Church Employee Members
Rodney Cartwright
Chris Lunsford
Kim Malin
Glenn Pedersen
Juan Torres
Ivy Vedamuthu
Irving Westney
Al Wood
Marcel Wright
Yekaterina Unnikumaran
FQCS 10-43 REMOVAL FROM SISTERHOOD OF CHURCHES: FIRST MIZO OF AMERICA
VOTED, to remove the First Mizo of America church from the Sisterhood of Churches due to transferring to Chesapeake Conference.
FQCS 10-44 LAY VACANCIES ON COMFERENCE COMMITTEES
VOTED, to ask each church board to submit to the Vice President for Administration 1 or 2 names that meet the qualifications for the appropriate
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committee. These would then be submitted to the Executive Committee for final approval to fill conference committee vacancies.
FQCS 10-45 EDUCATION IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON DC/METRO AREA
VOTED, to request the Columbia Union Conference Administration to consider the following action: Appoint a taskforce to:
1. Study the conflict that is caused by policies which limit school choice to the Adventist schools that are within the territory of the parents’ conference employment.
2. Assess the availability of Adventist schools in the metro area as it relates to demographic need and study the feasibility of establishing a cross-conference metro school district.
3. Develop an impact study with recommendations for each conference committee that participates in the metro school district.
4. Request that conference committees study the work of the taskforce and take action on the recommendations.
The information in this study will then be reported back to the local church.
CHALLENGE A challenge to the delegation was presented by William Miller, Potomac Conference President.
DEDICATION OF OFFICERS, CONFERENCE STAFF, PASTORS AND TEACHERS
William Miller, Potomac Conference President, offered a dedicatory prayer on behalf of the officers, conference staff, pastors & teachers.
FQCS 10-46 ADJOURNMENT OF THE POTOMAC CONFERENCE CORPORATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST FIRST QUINQUENNIAL CONSTITUENCY SESSION
VOTED, to adjourn the First Quinquennial Constituency Session of the Potomac Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists.
_________________________________________ William Miller, President
_________________________________________ Jorge Ramirez, Vice President for Administration
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