Commission On Handbook
Who We Are
The Commission on Handbook (as per Bylaws 3.9.4–3.9.4.2) consists of five voting members. Three are individual members of the Synod (ordained or commissioned ministers) and two are attorneys. The Secretary of the Synod, the Chief Administrative Officer, and a voting member of the Commission on Constitutional Matters serve as non-voting members of the COH. The voting members are appointed by the President of the Synod from nominees provided by district boards of directors and selected as candidates by the Council of Presidents. The President’s appointees are ratified by a majority vote of the Council of Presidents.
The current voting members of the commission are: Albert M. Marcis; Walter L. Rosin; Richard T. Nuffer; Marvin L. Temme; and Gordon D. Tresch (chairman). The non-voting members are Raymond L. Hartwig; Ronald P. Schultz; and Wilbert J. Sohns.
What We Do
The primary responsibility of the Commission on Handbook is to provide for the ongoing maintenance and management of the Handbook of the Synod, that is, its Constitution, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation. In order to maintain the integrity and good order of these documents, the COH assists convention floor committees when developing amendment proposals, revises the Handbook immediately after each convention (in consultation with the Commission on Constitutional Matters), and responds to requests from agencies of the Synod to propose new provisions to address specific handbook-related issues that surface between conventions. The commission also carries out assignments by conventions of the Synod relating to the Handbook and its content.
When We Meet
The COH meets at least four times a year, and more often as necessary to carry out its responsibilities. The next regularly scheduled meeting(s) will be held in St. Louis on January 25-26, 2013 and February 23-24, 2013.
Major Documents
The COH consults with the Commission on Constitutional Matters in its revision of the Handbook of the Synod following each national convention to bring it into harmony with convention actions. The commission also maintains a complete file of former editions of the Handbook of the Synod so that comparison can be made between current provisions and those preceding.
Other Documents
The COH regularly publishes its minutes on the Synod’s Website in a timely manner following each meeting. These minutes contain proposed convention actions advocating amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation of the Synod that the commission plans to submit to the next regular convention of the Synod.