28 Apr 2022

General Conference BUSINESS MEETING DATE, TIMES, PROCESS and AGENDA

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GC 2022 Be Transformed

GlobeThe General Conference business meeting will be held totally online this year for the first time ever. This means more delegates around the world can participate in the democratic process of our denomination. Being online also gives an opportunity to try a new way of conducting our business together and shifting our culture. This new approach will help us hear more perspectives and build more consensus prior to the Business Meeting.

There is no one time that is convenient for all time zones. May we be gracious and understanding as we do our business in new ways, allowing for the fullest global voice possible.

The business meeting will be held on Saturday 16th July for all time zones*

6:00am PDT,  8:00am CDT,  9:00am EDT,  10:00am BRT,  2:00pm BST,
3:00pm CEST SAST,  4:00pm EEST EAT,  9:00pm PHST,  11:00pm AEST
 *apart from NZT, where it will start at 1am Sunday 17th July. 

For those who may have concerns about preparations or restedness for Sunday preaching, we will provide a video sermon that may be used for Sunday 17 July.

There will be a separate registration for voting delegates for the Business Meeting. Information on when and how to register will be sent out later.

The Business FORUM will be held on Thursday 7th July at the same times, apart from NZT, where it will be very early – 1am – Friday 8th July.

 

The Business Process

In order to give as many people as possible a chance to contribute to the discussion before the Business Meeting, the business process will be in four stages. More details will be provided with the business packet, which will come out in early June. Here is a brief overview:

 

Stage 1. Discussion Circles – June – various times and languages
These facilitated online discussions will take place at varying times in June and in different languages. Anyone can participate, particularly delegates, in any of the Discussion Circles to discuss items on the business agenda. Notes of suggestions and questions about motions and bylaw proposals will be taken at each Discussion Circle and given to the authors of motions and bylaw proposals. They will also be posted on the conference website, so all delegates can see what others have raised.

 

Stage 2. Business Forum – Thursday 7th July – see times above
The Governing Board, Moderator, and Commissions will be available to answer questions related to their reports and receive feedback. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the Governing Board candidates. Motions and bylaw proposals will be presented with any changes from the original versions highlighted (as a result of the input from the Discussion Circles). There will be opportunity to suggest any further amendments for consideration by the authors.

 

Stage 3. Business Meeting – Saturday 16th July – see dates and times above
This will be our official Business Meeting. Reports will be received and any previously submitted motions will be formally made. Voting will happen in stage four. We will hear a limited number of delegates speak for or against a motion. Most of the discussion will have occurred in stages 1 and 2. There will be no further amendments to motions and no new motions from delegates at this stage. This is to ensure that the business content is all translated, culturally comprehensible and accessible to our global delegates.

 

Stage 4. Virtual Voting – 17th or 18th July
Most votes will take place in a 24 hour period after the Business Meeting and results then announced online. If there needs to be a second round of voting for the Governing Board candidates, voting delegates will be informed of the time and details.

The Process for Motions

In order to manage the complexities of a large number of delegates seated in two houses online, who do not share the same primary language, the Governing Board has decided that all substantive motions (see example below) to come before the Business Meeting must be received in writing by the Clerk of the Governing Board, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher by Sunday 22nd May 2022. This is so the motions can be translated and distributed before the Discussion Circles and Business Forum, and to allow time for lay delegates to consult with their congregation. Motions may be modified by their author, having received feedback from the Discussion Circles and the Business Forum.
There will be no new motions accepted from delegates during the Business Meeting itself. Having all motions in writing beforehand means that all delegates will be able to have time to consider the motions on which they will be voting, prior to the meeting. These motions will be discussed during the Discussion Circles and Business Forum. During those times, any suggested amendments may be offered to the authors for consideration. Final versions of any motions will be made available prior to the Business Meeting. During the meeting, we will hear arguments for and against each motion.
Only clergy, lay delegates, Council of Elders, and the Governing Board may propose motions. If you wish to submit a motion, please write it out in full, with your name and with the name of the person who is seconding the motion.
It is helpful to provide a rationale for the motion that you are proposing – why you think MCC needs to make the change that the motion, if passed, will make. Please consider the staffing and financial implications of any changes you are proposing.
An example of a substantive motion would be:
  • Motion to request the appointment of a Commission by the Governing Board to look at a specific issue
An example of a motion that has no financial or timelines would be:
  • Motions of appreciation, to thank individuals or groups of people for their service to the denomination over the past three years
Please send your motion to [email protected] no later than 22nd May.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact the Chair of the Governance Committee, Clare Coughlin [email protected].

General Conference Business Agenda

Click on this link to view or download the draft agenda for the Business Meeting. Proposed Agenda Remember this is still subject to change. A final proposed agenda will be in the Business Packet and will be on the General Conference website.

Meet Some of Our Speakers for the Global Transformational Weekend!
1-3 July 2022

 

During the Global General Conference Transformational Weekend, we will be featuring a number of dynamic plenary speakers. Read more about our speakers here.

Register NOW for the Global General Conference Transformational Weekend! 1-3 July 2022

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THANK YOU for your support as we navigate this new way of holding General Conference!
If you have any questions or ideas you want to share with our core team about the Transformational Weekend, please contact us: [email protected]
If you have any questions or suggestions about the Business Meeting process, please contact the Chair of the Governance Committee, Clare Coughlin [email protected].
We look forward to co-creating this new way of doing General Conference with you.