MEMO To: Congregations, Pastors, AIMs, Congregational Council, Synod Council, Conference Conveners, and Board Chairs From: Rev. Don Fossum, SW WA Synod Assembly Administrator Date: November 2009 Re: Information on positions open and how to nominate people for election at the 2010 SW WA Synod Assembly --May 14-15, 2010, Hilton Vancouver Hotel, Vancouver, WA The 2009-2010 Southwestern Washington Synod Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for various positions that will be elected at the May 14-15, 2010, Synod Assembly. Since nominations need to be submitted by March 3, 2010, the Synod Nominating Committee is asking each conference to meet for the purpose of suggesting nominees from their conference meetings, congregations and 2010 Synod Assembly voting members, to be submitted to the Synod Nominating Committee. Attached is: 1. List of 2009-10 Synod Nominating Committee members. 2. Nomination and Biographical Information Form 3. Positions open for election- by position and by conference. 4. Job Descriptions for all positions open for election. Please note that certain positions are reserved for a layperson (male or female); clergy; youth under 18, young adult 18-30 or a specific conference. Most of the positions are subject to the following provisions that have been established by the ELCA and the SW WA Synod. 1. The synod constitutional provision (S6.04) states that all entities shall be: (a) at least 60% lay; (b) at least 50% male or female; (c) 10% of its members be a Person of Color and/or Primary Language is other than English (PCL). 2. A single nomination for the Synod Council Conference Representative position must be solely nominated by their conference with the nominee being ratified by the voting members at the Synod Assembly. 3. Nominations for some positions must be rotated between conferences, so each conference must wait its turn on some positions. As a result, some conferences will not have a person nominated for a position in any given election. 4. Nominations for some positions must be rotated between clergy and lay, youth and young adult and between lay male, lay female, therefore, a position may be limited in one of the categories in any given election. 5. Conferences, congregations or 2010 assembly voting members can submit multiple nominations, with the nominee s approval, for any position open in any conference except the Synod Council Conference Representative positions. 6. Nominees for the 2011 Churchwide Assembly Voting member positions must be from the designated conference, lay male/lay female, clergy, youth or young adult and must NOT have been a churchwide assembly voting member in the past 10 years. 6. Nominations can be made from the assembly floor for all of the positions, except the Synod Council Conference Representative. 7. The Synod Council Nomination Committee will present nominees for the Synod Secretary and Synod Nominating Committee positions. 2010 Synod Assembly voting members can present nominees, from the assembly floor only, for these positions. Remember to secure the signature and approval of the proposed nominee. Make additional copies, if needed. The Nomination and Biographical Information Form may be downloaded from the synod web page (www.lutheranssw.org) and click on 2010 Synod Assembly. Please send the completed Nomination and Biographical Information Form to: Southwestern Washington Synod Office, 420 121st St. South Tacoma, WA 98444, by March 3. If you have any questions, please contact your Conference Synod Nominating Committee member or the Synod Office (Rev. Don Fossum 253-535-8300). Unfortunately this year, many of the conferences do not have a nominating committee member.
2010 POSITIONS OPEN FOR ELECTION Revised (12/02/09) (Conference/Term of office) (Incumbent) (Eligibility) SYNOD SECRETARY 4-year term 2010-2014 (Nominated by the Synod Council) Open for floor nominations only (nominees for secretary must have a background check) Clergy/Lay Male/Female Any conference Janice Olson eligible SYNOD COUNCIL 3-year term 2010-2013 (Positions #1, 2, 3, will be nominated by their conference. These positions are not open to floor nominations.) Position # 1 Lay Male Ft. Vancouver Position # 2 Clergy Evergreen Rev. Lori Cornell eligible Position # 3 Lay Male Mt Rainier 3-year term 2010-2013 Position # 4 Lay M/F Any conference (new position young adult 18-30) SYNOD CALL COMMITTEE 3-year term (2010-2013) Position # 1 Lay Female Evergreen Position # 2 A.I.M. (M/F) any conference Position # 3 Clergy Coastal Rev. Beth Utto-Galarneau eligible Position #4 Lay Female Evergreen Carmen Ode eligible 2-year term (2010-2012) Position # 4 Lay Male Tacoma Southwest SYNOD CONSULTATION COMMITTEE 6-year term (2010-2016) Position # 1 Lay Male Lower Columbia 5-year term (2010-2015) Position # 2 Clergy Tacoma Southwest SYNOD DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE 5-year term (2010-2015) Position # 1 Clergy Lower Columbia 1-year term (2010-2011) Position # 2 Clergy Tacoma Southwest SYNOD NOMINATING COMMITTEE 3-year term (These positions will be nominated by the Synod Council) (2010-2013) (Only open to floor nominations by the assembly) Position # 1 Clergy Lower Columbia Position # 2 Lay Male Ft. Vancouver Position # 3 Lay Male South Sound 2-year term (2010-2012) Position # 4 Clergy Tacoma Narrows Position # 5 Lay Female Peninsula Position # 6 Clergy Tacoma Southwest Position # 7 Lay Male Evergreen 1-year term (2010-2011) Position # 8 Clergy Mt Rainier PLU COPORTATION DELEGATE 3-year term (2010-2013) Position # 1 Clergy Lower Columbia Position # 2 Lay M/F Lower Columbia Robert Baldwin eligible Position # 3 Lay M/F Olympic Position # 4 Lay M/F Coastal Lois Brass eligible Position # 5 Clergy Coastal Position # 6 Lay M/F Tacoma Narrows Position # 7 Clergy Tacoma Narrows Position # 8 Lay M/F Tacoma Southwest Noreen Gulhagen eligible 2011 CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY VOTING MEMBERS August 14-20, 2011 Orlando, FL Position # 1 Clergy South Sound Position # 2 Clergy Evergreen Position # 3 Lay Female Lower Columbia Position # 4 Lay F Young Adult(18-30) Tacoma Southwest Position # 5 Lay Male Tacoma Narrows Position # 6 Lay Female/Youth(UNDER 18) Ft Vancouver
2010 SW WA SYNOD POSITIONS OPEN BY CONFERENCE (If a name is mentioned, that person is listed as a eligible incumbent for that position.) Revised 10/12/2009 COASTAL 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (see not below) 3. Synod Call (Clergy (Rev. Beth Utto-Galarneau) 4. PLU Corporation Delegate (Clergy) 5. PLU Corporation Delegate (Lay M/F Lois Brass) EVERGREEN 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council Representative (Clergy Rev. Lori Cornell) 3. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (See note below 4. Synod Call Committee (Lay Female Carmen Ode) 5. Synod Nominating Com. (Lay Male) 6. 2011 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member (Clergy) FT. VANCOUVER 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council Representative (Lay Male) 3. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30)(see not below) 4. Synod Nominating Committee (Lay Male) 5. 2011 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member (Lay Female/youth up to 18) LOWER COLUMBIA 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (see note below) 3. Synod Consultation Com. (Lay Male) 4. Synod Discipline Com. (Clergy) 5. Synod Nominating Committee (Clergy) 6. PLU Corporation Delegate (Clergy) 7. PLU Corporation (Lay M/F Robert Baldwin) 8. 2011 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member (Lay Female) MT. RAINIER 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council Conf. Representative (Lay Male) 3. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30)(see note below 4. Synod Nominating Committee (Clergy) OLYMPIC 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (see note below) 3. PLU Corporation Delegate (Lay M/F) PENINSULA 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (see note below) 3. Synod Nominating Committee (Lay Female) SOUTH SOUND 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (see note below) 3. Synod Nomination Committee (Lay Male) 4. 2011 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member (Clergy) TACOMA NARROWS 1. Synod Secretary (Lay M/F Clergy Janice Olson) 2. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (see note below) 3. Synod Nominating Committee (Clergy 4. PLU Corporation Delegate (Lay M/F) 5. 2011 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member (Lay Male) TACOMA SOUTHWEST 1. Synod Secretary Lay M/F/ Clergy Janice Olson 2. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (see note below) 3. Synod Call Committee (Lay Male) 4. Synod Consultation Committee (Clergy) 5. Synod Discipline Committee (Clergy) 6. Synod Nominating Committee (Clergy) 7. PLU Corporation Delegate (Lay M/F Noreen Gulhagen) 8. 2011 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member (Lay Female Young Adult age 18-30) M.I.S.S. (Ministers in Specialize Settings) 1. Synod Secretary (Clergy) All M.I.S.S. are eligible for clergy positions in the conference that they designated as their conference A.I.M. (Associates in Ministry) 1. Synod Secretary Janice Olson 2. Synod Council (Lay M/F age 18-30) (see note below) All A.I.M.s are eligible for all positions open to a Lay Male/Female in their conference The shaded boxed positions indicate the responsibility of the Conference to secure one nominee and these positions are not open to floor nomination. The dotted boxed positions indicate the responsibility of the Synod Council Nomination Committee to secure nominees. These positions are only open to floor nominations by the assembly voting members. Definition of Youth for Churchwide Voting Member (voting member of cong. not 18 years of age by August 14, 2011 Definition of Young Adult for Synod Council (18 years of age after May 13, 2010 and not 30 years of age by May 14, 2010, if position for a Young Adult on Synod Council is approved by the Synod Assembly)
CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY VOTING MEMBERS People listed below are NOT eligible to be elected for the 2011 Churchwide assembly. Voting members, except for Synod Bishop and Vice President, are restricted to attend only once in 10 years 2001 (Elected at 2000 Synod Assembly) Sharon Brown Olympic Lay Female Roy DeBoer (PCL) Peninsula Lay Male Joel DeWitt Tacoma Narrows Youth (Male) Rev. Russell Hillman Tacoma Narrows Clergy Carol Messecar Evergreen Lay Female Rev. Valinda Morse South Sound Clergy Rev. Dennis Sepper Mt. Rainier Clergy Steve Seberson Tacoma Southwest Lay Male Bishop David Wold Bishop s Office Bishop (eligible as bishop) 2003 (Elected at 2002 Synod Assembly) Rev. Terrie Rae Anderson Evergreen Clergy Ron Coen Tac. Narrows Lay Male Jonathan Kempe Mt. Rainier Lay Male Beverly Masini South Sound Lay Female Rev. David Monsen Coastal Clergy Kathryn Nelson Tac. Southwest Lay Female Kristen Pickett Lower Columbia Youth (Female) Rev. Tom Tweed Ft. Vancouver Clergy Bishop Robert Hofstad Bishop s Office Bishop (eligible as bishop) 2005 (Elected at 2004 Synod Assembly) Lena Howden Ft. Vancouver Lay Female Andrew Carlson Coastal Lay Male Rev. Don Jukam Olympic Clergy Rev. Paul Meeker Peninsula Clergy Rev. Randy Olson Tac. Southwest Clergy Shirley Ray-Togia (PCL) Tacoma Narrows Lay Female Erik Skaurud South Sound Youth (Male) Duane Thompson Lower Columbia Lay Male Bishop Robert Hofstad Bishop s Office Bishop (eligible as bishop) 2007 (Elected at 2006 Synod Assembly) Carol Fossum Mt Rainier Lay Female William Messecar Evergreen Lay Male Rev. Jeffrey Spencer Lower Columbia Clergy Andrea Cook Tacoma Southwest Youth (Female) Rev. Cliff Weimer Coastal Clergy Darcy Lund Peninsula Lay Female Bryan Bell Olympic Lay Male Jim Hushagen Vice President Lay Male (eligible as VP) Bishop Robert Hofstad Bishop s Office Bishop (eligible as bishop) 2009 (Elected at 2008 Synod Assembly) Rev. Don Fossum Mt. Rainier Clergy Catherine Crossan-Vork Evergreen Lay Female John Hoyum Olympic Lay Male (Youth) Lynette Lile Coastal Lay Female Jack Oakley Peninsula Lay Male Marcia Riggers South Sound Lay Female Rev. Jan Ruud Tacoma Narrows Clergy Jim Hushagen Vice President Lay Male (eligible as VP) Bishop Robert Hofstad Bishop s Office Bishop (eligible as bishop)
2010 SW WA Synod Nomination and Biographical Information Form (Please print information) I hereby present as a proposed nominee (full legal name) for (position) (conference) Nominated by (sign) Date Biographical Information Nominee s full legal name Last First MI Title check one Clergy A.I.M. Male Female M.I.S.S. Male Female check one Lay Male Lay Female check one Youth (confirmed -17) Male Female Young Adult ((18-30) Male Female check one Age for Churchwide Assembly Voting Member nominees Under 18 18-30 31-45 46-60 over 60 Resident Address Mailing Address City Zip E-mail Home Phone Work Phone Congregational Membership Name City Conference Occupation Do you wish to be identified as a person of color or whose primary language is other than English? Yes No Past elected/appointed synodical experience Personal/congregational experience Statement of why you wish to serve Signature of nominee Date Return completed form no later than March 12 th to: Southwestern Washington Synod 420-121 st South Tacoma, WA 98444
2010 JOB DESCRIPTIONS SYNOD SECRETARY JOB DESCRIPTION: The secretary may be a layperson or a clergy and must be a voting member of a congregation of this synod. The secretary is member of the Synod Council and an officer of the synod. The secretary shall be elected to a term of four years and may serve two consecutive terms. The secretary is responsible to record the actions of the Synod Council, Executive Committee and the Synod Assembly. The secretary shall arrange for the safe keeping of all legal documents. The secretary shall certify a list of the churchwide assembly voting members to the ELCA secretary. QUALIFICATIONS: This person needs a vision of the mission of the church, a record of leadership in their local congregation, and a commitment to Christ expressed in the stewardship of one s gifts. They must have the ability to record the actions of the legislative groups of the synod concerning the policies and mission of the church and synod. SYNOD COUNCIL Each Conference shall nominate one member to the Synod Council and may nominate an additional two At-Large positions, for three-year terms. Elections for the At-Large position shall take place at and by the Synod Assembly. The Conference Representative position shall be elected by their conference and shall be confirmed by the Synod Assembly. JOB DESCRIPTION: The Synod Council shall be the board of directors of the Synod and shall serve as its interim legislative authority between meetings of the Synod Assembly. It may make decisions which are not in conflict with actions taken by the Synod Assembly or which are not precluded by provisions of the constitution and bylaws of the ELCA. The council normally meets four times a year for a full day. The term is three years and is eligible to serve two consecutive full terms. QUALIFICATIONS: Persons needs a vision of the mission of the church, a record of leadership in their local congregation, and a commitment to Christ expressed in the stewardship of one's gifts. They must be able to share openly in the decisions concerning the policies and missions of the church, and be ready to assist the Bishop of the Synod in working with the agencies, institutions, conferences, congregations and clergy in implementing the work of the church. SYNOD CALL COMMITTEE JOB DESCRIPTION: The Synod Call Committee assists the Bishop in carrying out the Bishop s constitutionally mandated responsibilities under S14.13 of the synod constitution. This section outlines the steps that must be taken before a congregation can vote to terminate the call of a pastor. The committee meets at the request of the Bishop and serves in an advisory capacity. This is a three-year term with no limit to number of terms. QUALIFICATIONS: Persons elected to the Call Committee need a vision of the mission of the church, a record of leadership in their local congregation and a commitment to Christ expressed in the stewardship of one's gifts.
SYNOD CONSULTATION COMMITTEE JOB DESCRIPTION: The Synod Consultation Committee (12 members) is a constitutionally mandated committee to advise the office of the Bishop and as requested to investigate situations that are potentially matters of formal ecclesiastical discipline. The committee meets at the request of the Bishop. Occasionally individuals are selected from the Consultation Committee to assist congregations in processing matters of conflict or community relationships within a local parish. The committee serves in an advisory capacity. The members serve a one six-year term and not eligible for a second consecutive term. QUALIFICATIONS: The gifts requested for a successful ministry on this committee include the ability to listen with discernment, to act impartially during investigations, to reflect prayerfully and to articulate helpful guidance in situations of pain and difficulty. SYNOD DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE JOB DESCRIPTION: The Discipline Committee (12 members) is a constitutionally mandated committee which acts to administer a thorough review and, as necessary, discipline process upon congregations and rostered individuals; clergy, associates in ministry, diaconal ministers and deaconesses. The Discipline Committee meets upon call of the Office of the Bishop should charges be either pending or submitted. The term is six years with no reelection. QUALIFICATIONS: The primary gifts required for this ministry are the ability to reflect critically over the unfolding of events or incidences; the discernment of ethical requirements of ministry in the name of Christ; the ability to listen and the sensitivity to sit in humble judgment upon another Christian individual or body. SYNOD NOMINATING COMMITTEE JOB DESCRIPTION: The Nominating Committee shall consist of ten members, one from each conference. This committee obtains the needed nominees for vacant Synod positions and prepares the list of nominees for the Synod Assembly. The term is three years. QUALIFICATIONS: Should have a record of leadership in their local congregation, and a commitment to Christ expressed in the stewardship of one s gifts. Should be willing and able to attend as many meetings as necessary to develop forms and disseminate information regarding positions open for election and process for nomination to conferences and congregations in a timely manner. PLU CORPORATION DELEGATE JOB DESCRIPTION: The delegates, in addition to their corporate duties of one corporate annual meeting at Pacific Lutheran University per year, help to further the objectives of the University where possible in their conferences or congregations by creating and developing greater interest in PLU as an institution of Christian higher education. Delegates assist in increasing student enrollment at PLU from congregations of the Synod, and assist congregations in providing financial support to the University. Terms shall be three years. Each conference has a one clergy and one layperson delegate to the corporation meeting. Delegates are eligible to serve two consecutive 3 year terms. QUALIFICATIONS: Delegates need to have a deep concern for spiritual and educational values, and a concern for the well being of the entire University. They should also have an understanding of commitment to the preservation of an independent, church-related University. Delegates should have a willingness and ability to speak or communicate in a positive way on behalf of the University.
2011 CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY VOTING MEMBERS JOB DESCRIPTION: The Southwestern Washington Synod is normally assigned eight (8) voting members, including the Bishop and the Synod Vice President, to attend the Churchwide Assembly, one (1) of who should be a Person of Color or English is their second language and one (1) should be a youth, confirmed and under age 18 and one (1) should be a young adult, age 19-30. The Southwestern Washington Synod has been assigned 3 clergy positions and 3 lay positions. The Synod Nominating Committee assigns to specific conferences these positions based on the prior clergy or lay male and female positions during the last five (5) churchwide assemblies. Not eligible are clergy and lay who have attended a churchwide assembly in the last 10 years. Confirmed youth, age 17 or younger and a young adult age 18-30, during the year of the Churchwide Assembly, are eligible as a voting member from the synod. QUALIFICATIONS: Voting members of the Churchwide Assembly need to have a deep love and concern for the at-large-church. The issues that come before the assembly have a deep impact on the ministry of the whole church. The voting members need time to study and digest the issues that will come before the assembly. The voting members need to take time to listen to what members of the synod, the church-at-large and the Holy Spirit s guidance as they vote their conscience. The Churchwide Assembly Voting Members are not delegates nor representative a congregation, conference, or synod.