Michigan District Convention Task Force Report to the Principals of the Michigan District

1. February 6, 2009 Michigan District Convention Task ForceReport to the Principals of the Michigan District

2. Resolution 2-06 Adopted by the 2006 District Convention SUBJECT: To Establish a Task Force to Study the District Convention. WHEREAS the process we now have for our District Convention has been in place for many years, which includes for example, District Bylaw specified Regional Assemblies on a specific date; which have been poorly attended, and WHEREAS there may be ways to increase participation, utilizing greater stewardship of resources, therefore be it resolved:

3. Resolution 2-06 Adopted by the 2006 District Convention RESOLVED that the District in convention direct the President of the District to establish a task force to reexamine the Regional Assemblies, and be it further RESOLVED that the Task Force be directed also to study the length, timing and logistics of the District Convention, and be it finally RESOLVED that the Task Force report its findings to the District Board of Directors for consideration and possible action at the 2009 Michigan District Convention.

4. Michigan DistrictConvention Task Force • Metro East Region Rev. Peter Nickel - Huntington Woods Mr. Steven D. Meseke - Clinton Twp. • Metro West Region Mr. Edward Schroeder - Brighton Mr. Dennis Oberly - Dearborn Heights • West Region Rev. Dieter Haupt - Grand Haven Mr. O. Dennis Sohn – Holt • North & East Region Rev. David Jung – Pinconning • District Staff Rev. C. William Hoesman Mrs. Debby Fall Mr. Chad Woltemath

5. Issues Addressed That Effect Principals/Schools/Teachers • While the main purpose of the District Convention is to conduct the “business” of the Michigan District, there are other components and elements that can be incorporated while the District is gathered. • (i.e. inspiration, communication, celebration, recognition, promoting unity, and the like.)

6. Issues Addressed That Effect Principals/Schools/Teachers • Feeling of disenfranchisement among the commissioned workers of the District who are forbidden from voting by Synodical Bylaws.

7. Issues Addressed That Effect Principals/Schools/Teachers • Perceived need to reduce convention floor time. • Reduction in the number of overtures/resolutions.

8. Sub-committees • Meetings and Bylaws Committee Analyze purpose and timing of Pre-convention meetings and make appropriate bylaw change recommendations. • Logistics Committee Brainstorm length, location, timing, and logistics issues. • Advisors/Content Committee Suggest ways to increase attendance of teachers and other advisors by providing meaningful program in addition to the regular floor activities. Examine the balance of decision making, inspiration and education on the convention agenda.

9. Accomplishments • Concluded a careful study of previous convention evaluations. • Duration • Accommodations • Food service • Exhibition Area • Disenfranchisement of teachers/commissioned workers

10. Accomplishments • Completed a study of District Convention practices of other Synodical Districts. • January – June • No set pattern – each District is unique • From Lutheran camps to convention centers

11. Accomplishments • Decided not to recommend modifying the Sunday-Wednesday Convention schedule for June of 2009, in order to provide a proper amount of floor time for anticipated Synodical business. • Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synodical Structure and Governance.

12. Accomplishments • Proposing a significant change for the 2012 convention. • Changes would require the approval of the 2009 Convention.

13. Our Proposal • Move convention to an October time-frame. • Away from vacation time • While teachers are on duty • When Pastors/Teachers/Commissioned workers are accustomed to gathering for conferences

14. Our Proposal • Combine the established individual Fall Pastors/Teachers conferences with the District Convention. • Combining budgets

15. Our Proposal • Begin with workshops/plenary speakers designed to build Congregational/ District/Synodical unity. • Quality speakers • Synodical exposure • Staff unity

16. Our Proposals • Changing the timing of the Convention from Sunday-Wednesday to Thursday-Saturday. • Laity would require only two days (or even one) off from work • Traditional time for teachers to participate and schools to close.

17. Our Proposals • Changing our meeting location from CUAA to a convention center. (such as Grand Rapids) • Concordia’s facilities inadequate for new model • Concordia would be in session • Meals • Ministry tent • Weather/Comfort • Housing

18. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Wednesday Evening

19. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Thursday Morning

20. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Thursday Afternoon

21. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Thursday Evening

22. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Friday Morning

23. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Friday Afternoon

24. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Friday Evening

25. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Saturday Morning

26. Proposed Conference/ConventionSample Agenda Saturday Afternoon

27. Considerations • Teachers retain their normal fall conference schedule. • No significant changes to congregational/school assessments. • Participants can remain if desired for additional rest and relaxation at their own expense.

28. Impact • Schedule • Current three-year cycle • LEA, MANS, District Teachers Conference • Proposed three-year cycle • LEA, MANS, District Convention Conference

29. Impact • Schedule Dr. Braun has already formally approached the MANS Conference Board and requested a change in the present schedule, moving the 2012 Conference to 2013. A vote on the is scheduled soon.

30. Impact • Financial • Business Managers Preliminary study

31. Balance Sheet Fall vs. Summer Convention Disadvantages • Departure from CUAA • Distance from District Office • Loss of chapel worship setting • Perceived mixing of purposes • We’ve never done it that way before • Geographical centrality • Synodical advisory delegates

32. Balance Sheet Fall vs. Summer Convention Advantages • Improved accommodations • Solves numerous food service issues • Increases District unity - collegiality • Eliminates numerous ministry tent issues • Conducive timing • Banquet possibilities • Eliminates bleachers for guests

33. Balance Sheet Fall vs. Summer Convention Advantages • Eliminates worship overflow seating • Workshop/Entertainment personnel possibilities • Weather concerns eliminated • Educators exposed to Synodical leadership • Possible increase in sponsorship funding/opportunities • Better facilitating regional pre-convention meetings • Workshops/training for laity in addition to professionals

34. Fall vs. Summer Convention Balance Sheet Disadvantages • Departure from CUAA • Distance from District Office • Loss of chapel worship setting • Perceived mixing of purposes • We’ve never done it that way before • Geographical centrality • Synodical advisory delegates Advantages • Improved accommodations • Solves food service issues • Increases District unity - collegiality • Eliminates ministry tent issues • Conducive timing • Banquet possibilities • No more bleachers for guests • Eliminates worship overflow seating • Workshop/Entertainment personnel possibilities • Weather concerns eliminated • Educators exposed to Synodical leadership • Possible increase in sponsorship funding/opportunities • Better facilitating regional pre-convention meetings • Workshops/training for laity in addition to professionals

35. The Task Force Provided • A careful study of the overall Convention process by experienced General Convention Committee members and District staff. • Recommendations that the Task Force feels will address many of the chronic issues identified on previous Convention evaluations and identified by previous Convention General Committees. • A new model which the Task Force feels will best serve District Congregations and Schools.

36. The Task Force Provided • Bylaw recommendations which will address the new model for possible presentation to the 2009 District convention. • A schedule which addresses many issues that teachers have had issues with in the past. • Valuable possibilities for workshops and Synodical exposure for teachers and other commissioned workers, as well as for pastors and lay delegates.

37. Questions/Comments?