2014 Detroit Annual Conference

Proposed STRUCTURE

2014 Detroit Annual Conference Session May 15-18, 2014

Adrian College • Adrian, Mich.  

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Standing Rules of the Detroit Annual Conference 1 2 Structure 3 4

Index 5 Administrative Review Committee ¶1 6 Alliance for Urban Ministry ¶2 7 Archives and History, Commission on ¶3 8 Asian American Ministry, Committee on ¶4 9 Christian Education, Board of ¶5 10 Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, Commission on (CUIC) ¶6 11 Church and Society, Board of ¶7 12 Conference Commission on Young Adult Communities (YAC) ¶8 13 Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) ¶9 14 Conference Leadership Team ¶10 15 Conference Program Committee ¶11 16 Disabilities Concerns,Committee on ¶12 17 Discipleship, Board of ¶13 18 District Council on Ministries (DCOM) ¶14 19 Episcopacy, Committee on ¶15 20 Episcopal Residence, Committee on ¶16 21 Equitable Compensation, Commission on ¶17 22 Ethnic Local Church Concerns, Committee on ¶17 23 Finance and Administration (CFA), Council on ¶19 24 Global Ministries, Board of ¶20 25 Higher Education and Campus Ministry, Board of ¶21 26 Hispanic/Latino Ministry, Committee on ¶22 27 Investigation of Diaconal Ministers, Committee on ¶23 28 Journal, Committee on ¶24 29 Laity, Board of ¶25 30 Leadership Development, Conference, Committee on ¶26 31 Memoirs, Committee on ¶27 32 Michigan Area Clergy Family Advocacy, Committee on ¶28 33 Michigan Area Loan Funds ¶29 34 Native American Ministry, Committee on ¶30 35 New Church Development Committee ¶31 36 Nominations, Committee on ¶33 37 Ordained Ministry, Board of ¶33 38 Outdoor and Retreat Ministries, Board of ¶34 39 Pension and Health Benefits, Board of ¶35 40 Personnel Committee, Conference Leadership Team ¶36 41 Protection Policy, Conference, Committee on ¶37 42 Reference and Daily Procedure, Committee on (ReDaP) ¶38 43 Religion and Race, Commission on ¶39 44 Standing Rules, Committee on ¶40 45 Status  and  Role  of  Women,  Commission  on  the  (COSROW)     ¶41 46 Support Staff Policy, Conference, Committee on ¶42 47 Trustees, Board of ¶43 48 United Methodist Foundation ¶44 49 United Methodist Men (UMM) ¶45 50 United Methodist Women (UMW) ¶46 51 United Methodist Church Secretaries ¶47 52 Other Conference Organizational Units ¶48 53 54

55 56

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DEFINITIONS 57 Agency: a general term used to describe any council, board, commission, committee, 58

division, or other unit within the annual conference 59 Board: a continuing body to carry out assigned responsibilities of program, 60

administration and/or service 61 Commission: an organization created by the annual conference to fulfill a specific function for 62

an indefinite period of time 63 Co-opted member: a person added to an agency because of his/her expertise, who serves for a 64

period of time 65 Council: an organization to perform defined responsibilities of review and oversight in 66

relation to other agencies and to perform other assigned functions 67 Division/Committee: an organizational unit of a board responsible for carrying out a part of the 68

responsibility of the board 69 Ex officio member: one who is a member by virtue of an office. Ex officio members, except 70

conference staff, shall have the right to vote unless specifically denied herein. Ex 71 officio membership shall not apply against the rule of eligibility for election to 72 conference organizational units and other official groups. 73

Section: a functional subunit of a division 74 Standing committee: a permanent committee dealing with designated responsibilities that is amenable 75

to the Annual Conference and is not a sub group of another conference agency 76 Task force: persons recruited to carry out a designated operation or mission in a specific 77

period of time 78 79

80

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Administrative Review Committee ¶ 1 81 1. Accountability: The Administrative Review Committee shall be accountable to the annual 82

conference and report to the clergy session as necessary. 83 2. Purpose: To ensure that the Disciplinary procedures for involuntary leaves of absence, 84

involuntary retirement or administrative location are properly followed. 85 3. Membership: There shall be three members and two alternates, all clergy as required by ¶636 of 86

the 2012Discipline, nominated by the Bishop and elected for the quadrennium by the clergy 87 session. 88

4. Organization: The chairperson shall be elected from the membership of the committee. 89 5. Meetings: The Committee shall meet as necessary. 90 91

Alliance for Urban Ministry ¶ 2 92 1. Accountability: The conference Alliance for Urban Ministry shall be accountable to the 93

Conference Leadership Team in matters of program and budget and annually file a written report 94 with the annual conference. 95

2. Purpose: 96 a. develop urban policy 97

b. evaluate the progress and effectiveness of urban ministries and make recommended 98 changes 99

c. allocate funds and other resources in order to develop and strengthen urban ministry 100 3. Membership: 101 a. Fifteen members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and 102

elected by the annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. The 103 members shall be organized into four classes with each class having at least one member 104 from a district other than Detroit Renaissance. An effort shall be made to keep at least one 105 community organizer, urban planner, and economic developer on the alliance at all times. 106

b. one representative from the Commission on Equitable Compensation 107 c. one representative from the Division of Church Extension 108 d. one representative from the United Methodist Foundation 109 e. two representatives from the United Methodist Union 110 f. one representative from each of the five district boards of missions 111 g. ex officio members 112 (1) bishop 113 (2) one district superintendent designated by the cabinet 114 (3) executive secretary of the United Methodist Union 115 (4) a conference program staff member if assigned to the committee. 116 4. Organization: 117 a. chairperson, in addition to the 25 members, nominated by the conference Committee on 118

Nominations and elected by the annual conference for a term of two years 119 b. vice chairperson and secretary elected by the alliance for a term of two years 120 c. strategy groups defined in the urban policy adopted by the annual conference in June 1995. 121

These shall include volunteers and co-opted members with interest and/or expertise in the 122 specific areas: 123

(1) ministries with children, youth, and their families 124 (2) evangelism and spiritual empowerment ministries 125 (3) leadership development ministries 126 (4) church redevelopment and new church development 127 (5) strengthening church/community relationships 128 (6) fund raising/resource development 129 (7) urban, suburban, and rural relationships 130 d. The executive committee shall be the officers of the alliance and three or four additional 131

members. It shall be responsible for the administrative oversight of the alliance. 132 5. Meetings: 133 a. The alliance shall meet four times a year. 134 b. The executive committee shall meet as needed. 135

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c. Strategy groups shall meet as needed. 136 6. Responsibilities: 137 a. coordinate urban ministry work and interest 138 b. raise new funds and allocate existing funds and other resources for urban ministry 139 c. establish joint ventures and partnerships to tackle challenging urban problems 140 d. utilize existing and develop new urban expertise, knowledge, experience, and instrumentation 141

to develop and carry out the Urban Ministry Plan 142 e. retain, maintain, and advocate for conference funding provided for urban ministry, particularly 143

as it relates to the funds received in the past by the Detroit Metropolitan Coordinating 144 Committee and the urban work section of the Conference Leadership Team 145

f. cultivate district boards of missions for participation in the Urban Ministry Plan 146 g. cultivate the influence, presence, and expertise ecumenically and with secular organizations 147 h. identify urban churches, in consultation with the district superintendents, that are beginning to 148

decline or may do so in the near future. With the district superintendent, congregation, urban 149 missioner, and other council staff, as appropriate, design a plan to redevelop the 150 congregation. 151

I. annually evaluate the progress being made toward the vision of the Urban Ministry Plan and 152 provide a report to the urban churches which includes progress on strategies and 153 recommended changes 154

j. submit “The State of Urban Life and Ministry,” a written historical report, to the annual 155 conference 156

7. Relationships: 157 a. provide representation to the Division of Parish and Community Development. 158 b. work toward a collaborative model with the agencies whose scope of ministry may have 159

impact upon the urban churches, communities, and their peoples. 160 c. recommend programs and strategic priorities to related agencies for funding and other 161

assistance and receive recommendations in return. 162 163 Commission on Archives and History ¶ 3 164 1. Accountability: The Commission on Archives and History shall be accountable to and annually 165

file a written report with the annual conference. It shall request funding through the Council on 166 Finance and Administration. 167

2. Purpose: preserve the records of the annual conference and collect and preserve data of 168 historical value 169

3. Membership: 170 a. twelve persons: one representative from each district and five six members-at-large 171

nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the annual 172 conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. 173

b. Members of the General Commission on Archives and History residing within the conference 174 shall serve ex officio. 175

4. Organization: chairperson and secretary nominated by the conference Committee on 176 Nominations and elected by the annual conference for a term of four years. One person of the 177 commission shall be designated as Memoirs Coordinator. 178

5. Meetings: There shall be, at least, two meetings each year. 179 6. Responsibilities: 180 a. maintain a fire-safe historical and archival depository and see that all current items (of 181

historical nature) are preserved therein 182 b. provide for ownership of real property and receive gifts and bequests 183 c. provide liaison with shrines, landmarks, and conference historical sites in their bounds 184 d. assist the bishop or conference program committee in planning for historical observances at 185

annual conference 186 e. establish retention and disposition schedules for local church records under guidelines set by 187

the General Commission on Archives and History 188 f. encourage and assist local churches in preserving their records and compiling their histories 189 g. engage with other Wesleyan, Methodist, or Evangelical United Brethren-related 190

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denominations in lifting up our joint heritage 191 h. provide written reflection regarding the deceased to the Program committee for the 192

Annual Conference memorial time. 193 i.  facilitate the development of memoirs of the persons listed above in a format 194

appropriate for printing in the Journal by June 15. 195 j. fulfill all other duties specified in the 2012 Discipline para 641. 196

7. Relationships: The committee shall be related to the Friends of the Archives and The Michigan 197 Area United Methodist Church Historical Society. 198

199 200 Committee on Asian American Ministry ¶ 4 201 1. Accountability: The Committee on Asian American Ministry shall be accountable to the 202

Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a 203 written report with the annual conference. 204

2. Purpose: 205 a. To develop and support leadership for Asian American United Methodist churches and 206 communities of the Michigan Area United Methodist Church (Detroit and West Michigan 207 annual conferences), and meet together for mutual support, training, and fellowship. 208 b. To train, support, and empower Asian American United Methodist pastors and lay 209 leaders to engage in effective leadership and ministries in their churches, communities, and 210 ministry settings, and to be a catalytic agent for increased cross-cultural understanding and 211 appreciation of ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity among multiple Asian and Asian 212 American groups and immigrant generations. 213 c. To train, support, and develop new leadership and ministry and outreach models to more 214 effectively relate to 2nd generation and successive generations of Asian Americans and 215 Asian-populated communities in Michigan. 216

3. Membership: 217 a. There shall be 8 members in four rotating classes including the chairperson. Members 218 shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations, with suggested names 219 submitted by the Committee on Asian American Ministry and elected by the annual 220 conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. 221 b. The committee membership shall be composed of persons engaged in Asian Ministries 222 and Asian American churches, as well as those persons interested in Asian Ministries and 223 outreach to Asian populations and communities. 224 c. There will be special emphasis on membership representation from churches and 225 districts where there are Asian United Methodist Churches and Asian population and 226 communities. 227 d. The Asian Ministries committee may also co-opt an additional four non-voting members, 228 which may include the following: 229

(1) 1st, 1.5 and/or 2nd Generation ministry coordinator 230 (2) Asian youth and young adult ministry representative 231 (3) Cross-Racial Cross-Cultural (CRCC) Ministry representative 232 (4) UMC grant writer and liaison with GCORR and other organizations. 233

e. Ex-officio members will include: 234 (1) A district superintendent designated by the cabinet 235 (2) The director of connectional ministries or another conference representative 236

f. Persons interested in Asian American ministry and outreach may attend the meetings 237 and special events, but for official purposes will have voice (express their opinions) but will 238 not have a vote. 239

4. Organization: The Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer will be elected by the committee 240 from its membership. 241

5. Meetings: The committee shall meet at least four (4) times annually, with additional business and 242 planning meetings as needed. 243

6. Responsibilities and Tasks: 244

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a. To provide leadership and training programs for Asian American ministry pastors and 245 laity, including Cross-Racial Cross-Cultural (CRCC) training components. 246 b. To provide information and support for Asian Americans exploring their call to ministry 247 and support for exploring different paths to ministry with Asian American populations, 248 communities, and churches. This would include support of exploring and certified candidates 249 for Licensed Local Pastorate and ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church. 250 c. To inform the conference and districts’ leadership of the Asian population growth trends 251 and Asian communities’ and churches’ particular issues, concerns, and needs. 252 d. To plan, organize, and implement an annual retreat/seminar for Asian American 253 Ministry church pastors’ and families, for both leadership development and a mutual support 254 network. 255 e. To plan, organize, and implement special program(s) addressing the needs of 1st, 1.5 256 and 2nd generation youth and young adults, and also support these ministry leaders. 257 f. To communicate the committee’s goals and vision, aligned with some of the national 258 Asian Ministries United Methodist organizations addressing Asian American Ministry 259 concerns. 260

261 Board of Christian Education ¶ 5 262 1. Accountability: The Board of Christian Education shall be accountable to the Conference 263

Leadership Team in matters of program and budget and annually file a written report with the 264 annual conference. 265

2. Purpose: Enable district and local congregation leaders, both laity and clergy, through resources, 266 ministry opportunities for training and programming, and ongoing support as together we strive to 267 make disciples of Jesus Christ. 268

3. Membership: 269 a. One clergy person and one lay person from each district shall be nominated by the 270

conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the annual conference for a term of 271 four years with a maximum of two terms. 272

b. Each district shall elect annually a person to serve on the board who will represent the district 273 in Christian education programming. 274

c. ex officio members 275 (1) district project directors whose primary portfolio is Christian education or district Christian 276

education consultants 277 (2) director of Skills on Wheels 278 (3) assistant or consultant to the Board of Christian Education, when there is one 279 (4) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 280 (5) members of the General Board of Discipleship residing within the conference 281 d. resource persons: annually, the board may invite additional persons who have expertise in 282

needed areas of Christian educational ministry to assist focus ministry groups 283 4. Organization: 284 a. chairperson, in addition to the members, nominated by the conference Committee on 285

Nominations in consultation with the board and elected by the annual conference 286 b. vice chairperson and secretary elected by the board 287 c. ministry focus groups 288 (1) The groups will annually be redefined by the board; some will be continuous. 289 (2) Members of the board may select the ministry focus groups on which they will serve. 290 (3) The groups will meet as needed. 291 (4) Minutes of the groups are to be sent to the chairperson of the board. 292 (5) A written report of each ministry focus group shall be given at every board meeting. 293 (6) Calendared events, budgets, and focus ministry group vision for events or projects shall 294

be approved by the board. 295 5. Meetings: The board shall meet three times annually. 296 6. Responsibilities: 297 a. promote and support the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ 298 b. provide training for district and local congregation workers in Christian education 299

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c. develop methods for communicating with district and local congregation leaders 300 d. promote church school attendance and growth 301 e. assist local congregations in programs that help persons recognize God’s call for Christian 302

education in their lives 303 f. assist the conference and local congregations in learning how to support, nurture, and 304

advocate for all persons: children, youth, adults, and families 305 306 Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns ¶ 6 307 1. Accountability: The Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns shall be 308

accountable to the Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget and 309 shall annually file a written report with the annual conference. 310

2. Purpose: promote interest in and work with ecumenical groups within the annual conference and 311 cooperate with the program of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious 312 Concerns 313

3. Membership: 314 a. fifteen members, seven of whom shall be nominated by the conference Committee on 315 Nominations, elected by the annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two 316 terms 317 b. one representative from each district nominated and elected by the district council on 318 ministries or like body 319 c. ex officio members 320 (1) members of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns 321 residing within the conference 322 (2) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 323

4. Organization: 324 a. chairperson, in addition to the fourteen members, nominated by the conference Committee 325 on Nominations and elected by the annual conference 326 b. secretary elected by the commission 327 c. A person or persons shall be designated by the commission to represent the conference at 328 state ecumenical groups. 329

5. Meetings: The commission shall meet at least annually. 330 6. Responsibilities: 331

a. relate to ecumenical groups within the state 332 b. interpret, advocate, and work for the unity of the Christian church 333 c. assist the conference in developing ecumenical relationships 334 d. promote and interpret the work of national and world ecumenical bodies 335 e. fulfill other functions assigned by the annual conference and in the 2012 Discipline, ¶ 642 336

337 Board of Church and Society ¶ 7 338 1. Accountability: The Board of Church and Society shall be accountable to the Conference 339

Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a written report 340 with the annual conference. 341

2. Purpose: 342 a. relate the gospel of Jesus Christ to the members of the church and to the persons and 343

structures of the communities and world in which they live 344 b. show the members of the church and of the society that the reconciliation which God effected 345

through Christ involves personal, social, and civic righteousness 346 3. Membership: 347

a. Thirty-two members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and 348 elected by the annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. 349 Members shall be assigned to divisions by the board's executive committee. 350

b. ex officio members 351 (1) conference United Methodist Women mission coordinator for social action 352 (2) members of the General Board of Church and Society residing within the conference 353

(3) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 354

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4. Organization: 355 a. chairperson, in addition to the 32 members, nominated by the conference Committee on 356

Nominations, in consultation with the board, and elected by the annual conference 357 b. vice chairperson and secretary nominated and elected by the board 358 c. a director for each of the following divisions: 359 (1) Education: educate leaders and members of local congregations about various social 360

issues (consciousness raising) 361 (2) Communication: keep local congregations informed and aware of study, action needs, 362

and opportunities related to community, state, national, and international issues of peace 363 and justice. 364

(3) Advocacy: responsible for training, resourcing, and encouraging local congregations and 365 their leaders to advocate for, witness, and act in response to needs and issues of justice 366 and peace 367

(4) Networking: help local congregations make connections with other local congregations, 368 general church and conference agencies, and other public, private, and governmental 369 resources, with particular emphasis on issues which affect their communities 370

d. The executive committee shall be the officers of the board and the directors of the divisions. 371 5. Meetings: 372 a. The board and divisions shall meet at least two times annually. 373 b. In addition, the divisions, sections, and task forces may meet as necessary to accomplish 374

their work. 375 6. Responsibilities: 376 a. develop and promote programs on church and society (e.g., Doing the Word, 377

U.N./Washington D.C. seminars) 378 b. serve to connect the local churches, districts, and General Board of Church and Society 379 c. develop programs which provide education and action on issues confronting the church 380

consistent with the Social Principles and the policies adopted by General Conference 381 7. Relationships: The board shall work with other structures in the conference for the purpose of 382

providing guidance on social issues and keeping them aware of the need for study and action in 383 the areas of peace and world order, human welfare, political and human rights, and 384 environmental justice and survival. 385

386 . 387 388

Conference Commission on Young Adult Communities(YAC) ¶8 389 1. Accountability: The Conference Commission on Young Adult Communities shall be accountable 390

to the Conference Leadership Team in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a 391 written report with the annual conference. (See Rules I.A.1.) 392

2. Purpose: The mission of the Conference Commission on Young Adult Communities is to 393 encourage and uplift the diverse group of young adults within our conference to grow spiritually 394 through forming real relationships with the church and each other. 395

3. Membership: The members of the commission shall be young adults, ages 18-30, when elected. 396 It is recommended that the membership of the commission include racial, ethnic and gender 397 diversity to insure inclusiveness. 398

a. 5 lay women, 5 lay men, nominated by the Conference Nominating Committee. In order to 399 secure experience and stability, the membership shall be divided into four classes, one of 400 which shall be elected each year for a four year term. 401

b. 3 clergy interested in the spiritual needs of young adults, nominated by the Conference 402 Nominating Committee 403

c. Ex officio: Conference Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. 404 4. Organization: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary-treasurer shall be elected from the 405

commission by the commission members. 406 5. Meetings: The commission shall meet quarterly. 407 6. Responsibilities: 408

a. To initiate and support plans and activities and projects that are of particular interest to 409

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young adults who are college students, working persons, single and married. 410 b. To be an advocate for the free expression of the convictions of young adults on issues vital 411

to them. 412 c. To support and facilitate, where deemed needed, the formation of young adult caucuses. 413 d. To cooperate with agencies of the annual conference, including Wesley Foundations, United 414

Methodist-related campus ministries and chaplaincies, in assisting graduating college 415 students in the transition to congregational life, and receiving recommendations from and 416 making recommendations to the same to provide for the needs of young adults in the United 417 Methodist Church. 418

e. Recommend to the annual conference committee on nominations qualified young adults for 419 membership on conference agencies 420

a. To participate with the Conference Leadership Team/Personnel Committee in the nomination of 421 the Conference Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. 422

423 Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) ¶9 424 1. Accountability: The conference Council on Youth Ministry shall be accountable to the Conference 425

Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget, and shall annually file a written report 426 with the annual conference. 427

2. Purpose: enable youth to become aware of the need for and the meaning of commitment to 428 Christ, and to involve themselves actively in the mission of the church through fellowship, 429 worship, study, and service in local churches, districts, and the annual conference 430

3. Membership: 431 a. five youth (7th-12th grade) representatives from each district 432 b. the coordinators from each district youth council 433 c. six adults nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 434

annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms 435 d. ex officio without vote 436 (1) the conference coordinator of youth ministry shall be nominated by the conference 437

Committee on Nominations, in consultation with the conference Council on Youth 438 Ministry, and elected by the annual conference 439

(2) the conference staff person 440 4. Organization: 441

a. president, vice president, secretary, and Youth Service Fund secretary nominated and 442 elected by the conference Council on Youth Ministry 443

b. executive committee composed of the above officers, the conference coordinator of youth 444 ministry, 445

and the conference staff person 446 c. Conference Council on Youth Ministry youth representatives shall serve a one-year term 447

beginning at the conclusion of annual conference. They are eligible for reelection annually by 448 their respective districts. 449

5. Meetings: The council shall meet at least twice a year. 450 6. Responsibilities: 451

a. initiate and support plans, activities, and projects that are of particular interest to youth 452 b. be an advocate for the free expression of the conviction of youth on issues vital to them 453 c. provide leadership opportunities for the youth of our conference 454 d. aid in the coordination of the work of district youth councils 455 e. receive and set the policy and criteria for its portion of the Youth Service Fund 456 f. recommend to the conference Committee on Nominations qualified youth for membership on 457

agencies 458 7. Relationships: 459

a. participate with the Conference Leadership Team in the nomination of the conference 460 coordinator of youth ministry, who shall serve as adviser 461

b. relate to the Conference Leadership Team for funding and reporting 462 a. relate to the Board of Christian Education, through its Division on Youth, for 463

administrative purposes 464

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465 Conference Leadership Team ¶10 466 1. Accountability: The Conference Leadership Team is a council with governing responsibilities that 467

shall be accountable to and annually file a written report with the annual conference. It shall 468 request funding through the Council on Finance and Administration. 469

2. Purpose: To act on behalf of the annual conference between sessions to implement the 470 conference vision. 471

3. Membership: 472 a. Area Bishop 473 b. Conference Lay Leader 474 c. Cabinet assignment - for a term of no less than two but no more than three years. 475 d. Chairperson of the Council on Finance and Administration 476 e. Chairpersons of the District Councils on Ministries (or equivalent) 477 f. Conference Secretary of Global Ministries 478 g. Twelve Members-at-large 479 (1) at least two of which shall be between the ages of 12-30 480 (2) shall not be leaders of conference agencies 481

(3) shall be selected by the Committee on Nominations, with input from the leadership team 482 based on needed skills 483

(4) shall be elected for four-year terms in 4 classes of 3 persons each 484 h. The bishop, in consultation with the Committee on Nominations, may provide two additional 485

persons at large to ensure inclusiveness and diversity. These persons shall not be leaders of 486 conference agencies. These persons, if the bishop so chooses to act, shall be appointed 487 annually. 488

i. Other members with voice, but no vote 489 (1) Director of Connectional Ministries 490 (2) Conference Treasurer 491 (3) Chairperson of the Commission on Religion and Race 492 (4) Chairperson of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women 493 (5) Chairperson of the Committee on Disability Concerns 494

(6) Any person residing within the bounds of the annual conference with membership on the 495 Connectional Table- 2012 Discipline ¶ 901 496

4. Organization: 497 a. The Bishop shall select, in consultation with the Director of Connectional Ministries and 498

Conference Lay Leader, 2 individuals, one clergy and one laity, to serve as chairperson and 499 vice-chairperson of the Conference Leadership Team. These individuals may be drawn from 500 the membership listed in ¶ 9.3 above or may be in addition thereto. In the event that the 501 chairperson selected is clergy, then the Conference Lay Leader is eligible to be selected as 502 the vice-chairperson. 503

b. A recording secretary shall be co-opted to serve, shall not be a member of the Conference 504 Leadership Team and have no voice or vote. 505

5. Meetings: The team shall meet at least five times a year. The bishop or conference lay leader 506 may call special meetings as necessary to respond to the ministry needs of the conference. All 507 members of the team shall meet the minimum attendance requirement of being present at two-508 thirds (66 percent) of leadership team meetings. Failure to meet the minimum attendance 509 requirement will result in being declared ineligible to serve as a member of the leadership team. 510

6. Responsibilities: The Conference Leadership Team shall act on behalf of the annual conference 511 between sessions in order to give general direction, guidance, and alignment of resources, 512 structure and ministries in support of the mission, vision and goals of the conference. 513

a. Affirm the permission-giving strategies of the Detroit Annual Conference. Throughout each 514 segment of the conference there will be stakeholders who identify the needs of the mission 515 and vision and organize their constituency around the strategies for change. 516

b. Be the policy-setting and decision-making body for the conference between its sessions 517 within limits set by the annual conference. 518

c. coordinate and support the work of the agencies as they focus spiritual, human and fiscal 519

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resources to meet identified needs for mission and ministry. 520 d. convene an annual Visioning Conference of conference and district leaders to test the current 521

vision and develop a future vision for the conference for change. 522 e. recommend priorities to the annual conference on a quadrennial basis 523 f. develop measures of performance and evaluate the effectiveness of the agencies in fulfilling 524

its and the conference’s vision, mission, and goals. 525 g. provide an opportunity for effective communication to and from local churches through the 526

district and conference agencies throughout the visioning process. 527 h. appoint Task Forces as needed. 528 7. Relationships: 529 a. Work collaboratively with the Council on Finance and Administration in establishing and 530

submitting a proposed budget to the annual conference. 531 b. Members-at-large shall be responsible for acting as a communication link and an 532

accountability resource for the agencies to which they are assigned. 533 534

535 Conference Program Committee ¶ 11 536 1. Accountability: The conference Program Committee shall be accountable to the annual 537

conference. It shall request funding through the Council on Finance and Administration. 538 2. Purpose: arrange the program for each session of the annual conference 539 3. Membership: nine members nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and 540

elected by the annual conference in three classes for a quadrennium. The following shall be ex 541 officio members: 542

a. bishop or his/her representative 543 b. pastor of the entertaining church 544 c. conference lay leader or his/her representative 545 d. representative from the Division on Worship 546 e. Conference Leadership Team, designated by the chairperson of the Team 547 f. conference secretary 548 g. chairperson of the Committee on Reference and Daily Procedure 549 h. president of Adrian College or his/her representative 550 i. director of connectional ministries 551 j. representative from the Committee on Standing Rules 552 k. annual conference facilitator 553 l. district superintendent designated by the cabinet 554 m. representative from the conference organization of United Methodist Men 555 n. representative from conference organization of United Methodist Women 556 o. representative from the conference Council on Youth Ministry 557

p. representative from the Board of Ordained Ministry 558 q. Area Director of Communications 559 4. Organization: The chairperson shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations 560

and elected by the annual conference. The vice chairperson and secretary shall be elected by 561 the conference Program Committee from within its group. 562

5. Meetings: The committee shall meet at least once annually. 563 6. Responsibilities: 564 a. arrange the program for each session of the annual conference 565 b. appoint 566 (1) an annual conference coordinator of facilities 567 (2) the head usher for annual conference 568 (3) the chairperson of the Committee on Reference and Daily Procedure 569 7. Relationships: with all agencies participating in the annual conference session 570 571 Disability Concerns Committee ¶12 572 1. Accountability: The Disability Concerns Committee shall be accountable to the Conference 573

Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget, and shall annually file a written report 574

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with the annual conference. 575 2. Purpose: be aware of and advocate for, the role of persons with disabilities in ministry including 576

ordained and diaconal ministries and local church and annual conference leadership positions; 577 and advocate for and help develop programs within the annual conference which meet the needs 578 of persons with disabilities 579

3. Membership: Nine persons shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations 580 and elected by the annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. 581 Membership shall include persons with physical disabilities and persons with mental disabilities. 582

4. Organization: 583 a. chairperson nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 584

annual conference 585 b. vice chairperson and secretary elected by the Disability Concerns Committee from its 586

membership 587 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet as needed. 588 6. Responsibilities: 589

a. be aware of and advocate for, the role of persons with disabilities in ministry including 590 ordained and diaconal ministries and local church and annual conference leadership 591 positions 592

b. advocate for and help develop programs within the annual conference which meet the needs 593 of persons with disabilities 594

c. be informed about current ministries within the annual conference that are related to persons 595 with disabilities 596

d. develop ways to sensitize persons in leadership positions on issues that affect persons with 597 disabilities and therefore the entire church 598

e. foster cooperation among ministries within the annual conference that focus on specific 599 disabilities (deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, development disabilities, mental retardation, 600 mental illness, visual impairment, physical disabilities, etc.) 601

f. be a resource for local churches who are attempting to develop ministries that are 602 attitudinally and architecturally accessible 603

g. promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the local church and the annual 604 conference 605

h. participate in jurisdictional accessibility associations in the sharing of knowledge and 606 resources 607

7. Relationships: 608 a. interact with other conference and district agencies to foster an awareness of the needs and 609

ministries of ethnic local churches throughout the conference 610 b. help promote special program initiatives of the General Conference related to ethnic 611

ministries 612 Board of Discipleship ¶13 613 1. Accountability: The Board of Discipleship shall be accountable to the Conference Leadership 614

Team in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a written report with the annual 615 conference. 616

2. Purpose: foster and develop the ministry of the local church and the units of the annual 617 conference in the areas of evangelism, worship, and stewardship 618

3. Membership: 619 a. Thirty-four members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and 620

elected by the annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. The 621 members shall be assigned to divisions by the board's executive committee. 622

b. ex officio members 623 (1) members of the General Board of Discipleship residing within the conference 624 (2) staff related to the board 625 (3) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 626 (4) conference UMW mission coordinator for spiritual growth 627 4. Organization: 628 a. chairperson, in addition to the 34 members, nominated by the conference Committee on 629

Structure - 13

Nominations in consultation with the board and elected by the annual conference 630 b. vice chairperson and secretary elected by the board 631 c. the following divisions, each electing its own director and secretary: 632 (1) Evangelism 633 (2) Worship 634 (3) Stewardship 635 d. The executive committee shall be the officers of the board and the directors of the divisions. 636 5. Meetings: The board and its divisions shall meet at least two times annually. Divisions, sections, 637

and task forces may meet as necessary to accomplish their work. 638 6. Responsibilities: 639 a. provide resources in worship, evangelism, and stewardship to local churches 640 b. provide training opportunities in the three areas of ministry 641 c. research and develop new resources useful to local churches and conference agencies 642 d. maintain a leisure evangelism program at resort areas within the bounds of the annual 643

conference 644 7. Relationships: 645 a. The divisions shall cooperate with one another to provide maximum service to local churches 646

and other units of the annual conference. 647 b. The divisions and board shall keep the Conference Leadership Team informed of ministries 648

in process and take assignments from time to time from the annual conference and/or 649 Conference Leadership Team. 650

651 District Council on Ministries (DCOM) ¶ 14 652 1. There shall be a district council on ministries or like body for each district in the annual 653

conference. 654 2. Accountability: The district councils on ministries shall be accountable to and annually file a 655

written report with the annual conference. 656 3. Purpose: 657

a. be the basic unit of the connectional organization within the district 658 b. serve as a channel of communication between its local churches, the Conference Leadership 659

Team, and the general agencies of the church 660 c. assist local churches to minister more effectively 661 d. initiate programs for the district 662 e. help the Conference Leadership Team in the performance of its functions 663

4. Membership: Each district shall determine the membership of its council on ministries which shall 664 include 665 a. district superintendent 666 b. district lay leader 667 c. district elected representatives to conference boards 668 d. district presidents of United Methodist Men, United Methodist Women, and Council on Youth 669

Ministry 670 e. others determined by each district council on ministries chosen to include equitable 671

representation, when possible, of laity, clergy, minority groups, women, youth, and young 672 adults 673

5. Organization: The council shall determine its officers and their responsibilities. 674 6. Meetings: The council shall meet as often as deemed appropriate by its membership. 675 7. Responsibilities: 676

a. serve as a two-way channel of communication between the local churches, the annual 677 conference, and the general church 678

b. study the needs of local churches in the district to help them establish guidelines and 679 programs for more effective ministries, emphasizing the following: 680

(1) cooperative ministries 681 (2) inspirational events or experimental ministries 682 (3) leadership training events 683 (4) town and country concerns 684

Structure – 14

(5) urban situations 685 c. make program and other recommendations to the Conference Leadership Team and assist 686

in the implementation of the programs of the annual conference 687 d. determine district organization, programming, and allocation of funds within the district 688 e. cooperate in ecumenical programs and events at the district level 689 f. help congregations attain a higher level of financial giving through The United Methodist 690

Church 691 g. elect one representative to each of the six program boards 692 h. nominate or elect district representatives to other annual conference boards, commissions, 693

or committees when appropriate 694 8. Relationships: The council shall relate to the Conference Leadership Team and its staff for local 695

church needs. 696 697

Committee on Episcopacy ¶15 698 1. Accountability: The conference Committee on Episcopacy shall be accountable to and annually 699

file a written report with the annual conference. It shall request funding through the Council on 700 Finance and Administration of each conference. 701

2. Purpose: provide support and counsel to the bishop and interpret the episcopal office to members 702 of the annual conference 703

3. Membership: The committee shall be elected quadrennially by the annual conference at the 704 session following the General Conference and shall include 705

a. two laywomen, two laymen, two clergypersons, two members-at-large to make possible the 706 representation of ethnics, youth, young adults, and older adults 707

b. two persons appointed by the bishop, provided that one layperson shall be the conference lay 708 leader and provided that 709

(1) one layperson shall be the conference lay leader; 710 (2) at least four of the ten persons in a. and b. are clergypersons; 711 (3) when a change in Bishop occurs, the newly assigned Bishop shall have the 712

opportunity to make new appointments. 713 c. Lay and clergy members of the jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy shall be ex officio 714

members. 715 4. Organization: Chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary shall be elected by the committee 716

from its membership. 717 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet at least annually. Additional meetings shall be on call of the 718

bishop or the chairperson. 719 6. Responsibilities: 720 a. support the bishop in the oversight of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church 721 b. be available to the bishop for counsel 722 c. help determine the episcopal needs of the conference and/or area and make 723

recommendations to appropriate bodies 724 d. keep the bishop advised concerning conditions within the conference and/or the area 725 e. interpret to the people of the area and to conference agencies the nature and function of the 726

episcopal office 727 f. hold an annual consultation and appraisal of the work of the bishop 728 g. report needs for episcopal leadership to the jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy through 729

the elected members of that committee 730 731 Episcopal Residence Committee ¶ 16 732 1. Accountability: The Episcopal Residence Committee shall be accountable to the Committee on 733

Episcopacy. It shall request funding through the Board of Trustees and the Council on Finance 734 and Administration of each conference. 735

2. Purpose: give oversight in matters of upkeep, maintenance, improvements, and appropriate 736 insurance coverage for the episcopal residence 737

3. Membership: 738 a. one member of the Committee on Episcopacy from each conference 739

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Structure - 15

b. chairperson or his/her designate from the Council on Finance and Administration from each 740 conference 741

c. chairperson or his/her designate from the boards of trustees from each conference 742 4. Organization: The chairperson of the Episcopal Residence Committee shall be the representative 743

of the Committee on Episcopacy of the annual conference in which the episcopal residence is 744 located. There shall be a secretary and such other officers as needed elected by the committee 745 from its membership. 746

5. Meetings: The committee shall meet at least annually. 747 6. Responsibilities: 748 a. make recommendations to the annual conferences regarding the purchase, sale, or rental of 749

an episcopal residence 750 b. prepare an annual budget covering the cost of providing the residence which shall include 751

utilities, insurance, and normal costs of maintenance 752 c. forward the proposed budget to the Council on Finance and Administration of each annual 753

conference 754 d. forward the proposed budget annually to the General Council on Finance and Administration 755 e. supervise the expenditure of funds for expenses of the residence and account for such 756

expenditures annually to each annual conference 757 758

Commission on Equitable Compensation ¶17 759 1. Accountability: The Commission on Equitable Compensation shall be accountable to and annually 760

file a written report with the annual conference. It shall request funding through the Council on 761 Finance and Administration. 762

2. Purpose: 763 a. present to each annual conference session an Adjusted Equitable Base Compensation 764

Schedule for the ensuing year and ensure that no local church pastor under episcopal 765 appointment is below equitable salary schedule 766

b. provide additional salary beyond the equitable salary schedule to enable a pastor with special 767 skills to serve where needed 768

c. review and evaluate each year the justification for continuing support 769 3. Membership: Sixteen members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations 770

and elected by the annual conference. One-half of the members shall be elected each 771 quadrennium. 772

a. one clergyperson and one layperson from each district 773 b. two members-at-large from churches of fewer than 100 professing members, composed of 774

one clergyperson and one layperson 775 c. ex officio members 776 (1) conference treasurer 777 (2) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 778 (3) representative from the conference CFA 779 (4) representative from the conference Board of Ordained Ministry 780 4. Organization: 781 a. Chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary shall be elected by the commission from its 782

membership and constitute the executive committee. 783 b. The executive committee shall be empowered to act on behalf of the commission between 784

meetings and shall report such action to the commission at its next meeting. 785 c. The conference treasurer shall serve as the commission treasurer. 786 5. Meetings: The commission shall meet as often as necessary to fulfill its function. 787 6. Responsibilities: 788 a. study the needs for additional support within the conference and the sources of income 789 b. recommend annually to the annual conference for its action an Adjusted Equitable Base 790

Compensation Schedule of minimum salaries for all full-time pastors or those clergy members 791 of the annual conference appointed less-than-full-time to a local church 792

c. The treasurer shall present an audited financial statement annually to the annual conference 793 for publication in the conference Journal, including a complete list of the equitable 794

Structure – 16

compensation charges, showing the amount provided by the commission for each charge. 795 This item is listed in the conference Journal in the treasurer’s supplemental report titled 796 “Ministerial and Program Support Payments”. 797

d. Each district superintendent shall provide the commission annually with applications from 798 charges which are eligible to receive equitable compensation support and shall be accessible 799 for the fall meeting for the purpose of clarifying and evaluating the applications. It is expected 800 that members of the commission meet with their respective district superintendent following 801 the fall funding meeting and prior to the fall commission meeting to review applications from 802 that district. 803

e. It shall be the commission’s goal to create a collegial and cooperative relationship with the 804 cabinet, individual district superintendents, and the charges that make application for support 805 funds. 806

(1) At the same time, the commission shall set reasonable standards of eligibility for funds 807 and shall seek to enable all applicants to be accountable to the annual conference for 808 use of those funds in a way that reflects sound stewardship of all resources in pursuit of 809 missional goals and practices. 810

(2) To enable this process, the commission shall seek to educate and enter into timely and 811 flexible negotiations with all persons surrounding any given application. 812

f. give special attention to ethnic pastors serving ethnic ministries 813 g. fulfill other duties as listed in 2012 Discipline, ¶ 625 814 7. Relationships: The commission shall be related to church extension, United Methodist Union, and 815

the Alliance for Urban Ministry for purposes of ensuring adequate compensation. 816 817

Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee ¶18 818 1. Accountability: The Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee shall be accountable to the 819

Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget, and shall annually file a 820 written report with the annual conference. 821

2. Purpose: develop, strengthen and promote the implementation of a comprehensive plan for 822 ethnic ministries throughout the annual conference emphasizing ethnic local church ministries 823 serving ethnic communities. 824

3. Membership: Twelve persons shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations 825 and elected by the annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. The 826 majority of whom shall be ethnic minority persons, proportionately representing the ethnic 827 minority membership of the conference. 828

4. Organization: 829 a. chairperson nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 830

annual conference 831 b. vice chairperson and secretary elected by the Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee 832

from its membership 833 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet as needed. 834 6. Responsibilities: 835

a. develop and strengthen a comprehensive plan for ethnic ministries 836 b. provide training resources/opportunities to ethnic churches 837 c. interpret and advocate concerns for ethnic ministries and leadership 838 d. evaluate and recommend improvements in ethnic ministries 839

7. Relationships: 840 a. interact with other conference and district agencies to foster an awareness of the needs and 841

ministries of ethnic local churches throughout the conference 842 b. help promote special program initiatives of the General Conference related to ethnic 843

ministries 844 845

Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) ¶19 846 1. Accountability: The Council on Finance and Administration is accountable to and shall annually file a 847

written report (including their funding) with the annual conference. 848 2. Purpose: 849

Structure - 17

a. oversees the financial and administrative welfare of the conference 850 b. Within the work of this council is provision for the development and implementation of the 851

conference moving policies for appointed clergy. 852 3. Membership: 853 a. Fifteen members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and 854

elected by the annual conference for a quadrennium. There shall be at least one layperson 855 more than clergy included in the voting membership of the council. 856

b. Vacancies during a quadrennium will be filled by the council until the next annual conference. 857 c. The conference treasurer shall be nominated by the council and elected by the annual 858

conference. 859 d. The following shall be ex officio members without vote: 860 (1) bishop and assistant to the bishop 861 (2) conference treasurer 862 (3) director of connectional ministries 863 (4) executive director of the United Methodist Foundation 864 (5) two representatives from the Conference Leadership Team 865 (6) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 866 (7) Members of the General Council on Finance and Administration residing within the 867

conference. 868 4. Organization: A president, vice president, secretary, and chairpersons of the standing committees of 869

audit, investment, and moving shall be elected by the council from its membership. The conference 870 treasurer shall be the treasurer of the Council on Finance and Administration. 871

5. Meetings: The council shall meet at least four times per year. 872 6. Responsibilities: 873 a. study the needs of all annual conference agencies to be included in the budget of the annual 874

conference 875 b. present to the annual conference an annual budget after having received recommendations 876

from the Conference Leadership Team for ministries needing to be funded 877 c. determine and recommend to the annual conference the appropriate formulas and processes 878

to be used within the conference 879 d. provide sufficient and equitable support for district superintendents and other staff employed 880

by the conference e. develop and implement moving policies to be used in the appointive 881 process 882

f. report and make recommendations to the annual conference on any request to conduct a 883 special conference-wide financial appeal prior to final decision by the annual conference 884

7. Relationships: The council will work collaboratively with the Conference Leadership Team and 885 Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits. 886

887 Board of Global Ministries ¶20 888 1. Accountability: The Board of Global Ministries shall be accountable to the Conference Leadership 889

Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a written report with the 890 annual conference. 891

2. Purpose: seek to express the total mission of the church in the context of a global setting. 892 3. Membership: 893 a. Twelve members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations, and 894

elected by the annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. 895 Nominations shall be for specific positions on the Board. 896

(1) Nominations to the executive committee would include the following offices: Chairperson, 897 Vice-Chairperson, Financial Secretary, and Secretary. 898

(2) Additional Board positions to be nominated would be the Chairs of the Hunger/UMCOR, 899 Health and Wellness, Volunteers in Mission, Town and Country, Advance, 900 Communications, Conference Committee on Mission Personal, and one at-large 901 member. 902

b. ex officio members 903 (1) Conference secretary of global ministries, who shall be appointed by the bishop in 904

Structure – 18

consultation with the board, shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee. 905 (2) Conference Chair of the Haiti Task Force 906 (3) Conference Chair of the Liberia Task Force 907 (4) directors of the General Board of Global Ministries residing within the conference. 908 (5) disaster response coordinator, who shall be appointed by the bishop in consultation with 909

the Board 910 (6) representative from the Conference Council on Youth Ministries 911 (7) mission coordinator of the conference organization of United Methodist Men 912 (8) mission coordinator for education and interpretation of the conference organization of the 913

United Methodist Women 914 (9) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 915 (10) General Board of Global Ministries missionaries serving within the conference 916 c. The following district representatives, identified by district leadership, shall be ex officio 917

members of the appropriate committees: 918 (1) coordinator of Hunger/UMCOR 919 (2) coordinator of disaster response 920 (3) representative of health and wellness 921 (4) representative of town and country 922 (5) secretary of global ministries on the Secretaries of Global Ministries Committee 923 (6) Each district board of missions and church extension and the United Methodist Union of 924

Greater Detroit may have an ex officio representative on the Advance Committee 925 4. Organization: 926 a. The executive committee shall be: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Financial Secretary, 927

Secretary and Conference Secretary of Global Ministries. 928 b. The Board shall be the members of the Executive Committee, the committee chairs and the 929

ex officio officers listed above. 930 c. Committee membership will consist of the district leaders listed in 3.c and additional 931

members invited by the Committee Chairperson as needed. 932 5. Meetings: 933 a. The Board and its committees meet at least two times annually. 934 b. In addition, the committees may meet as necessary to accomplish the work. 935 6. Responsibilities of the board: 936 a. cooperate with the General Board of Global Ministries in carrying out the policies and 937

promoting all phases of the work as related to the scope of the board as set forth in the 2012 938 Discipline, ¶ 633 939

b. fulfill the responsibilities for conference boards of global ministries in the 2012 Discipline, 940 ¶ 633.4b - 633.6 941 7. Responsibilities of the committees: 942 a. Advance: establish, oversee, and interpret advance projects at all levels 943 b. Health and Wellness: direct and oversee annual conference relationships with related 944

agencies and efforts 945 c. Hunger/UMCOR: direct and oversee projects related to hunger and UMCOR 946 d. Mission Personnel: direct and oversee the General Board of Global Ministries mission 947

personnel serving in or related to our annual conference 948 e. Town and Country: direct and oversee projects related to town and country ministries, 949

including cooperative parishes. 950 f. Volunteers-In-Mission: direct and oversee VIM projects 951 g. Communications: design and implement a process of communicating the work of global 952

ministries throughout the conference 953 h. Executive committee: direct and manage the work of the board between meetings 954 i. Secretaries of Global Ministries: direct interpretation in districts and local congregations 955 8. Relationships: The board shall work with other agencies in the conference for the purpose of 956

promoting and understanding the missional purpose of the church. 957 958 Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry ¶21 959

Structure - 19

1. Accountability: The Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry shall be accountable to the 960 Conference Leadership Team in matters of program and budget and annually file a written report 961 with the annual conference. 962

2. Purpose: seek to express the total mission of the church in the context of a global setting. 963 a. oversee the management of the annual conference program of campus ministry in Wesley 964

Foundations, local churches, and ecumenical campus ministries. 965 b. provide for the connectional relationship between the General Board of Higher Education and 966

Ministry and the conference, district, and local church. 967 3. Membership: 968 a. Twenty-three members, two of whom shall be college students, shall be nominated by the 969

conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the annual conference for a term of 970 four years with a maximum of two terms. The members shall be assigned to divisions by the 971 board's executive committee. 972

b. ex officio members 973 (1) directors of Wesley Foundations 974 (2) representatives of ecumenical campus ministries 975 (3) a representative of ethnic minority higher education 976 (4) chaplains at Adrian and Albion colleges 977 (5) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 978 (6) members of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry residing within the 979

conference 980 4. Organization: 981

a. chairperson, in addition to the 23 members, nominated by the conference Committee on 982 Nominations and elected by the annual conference 983

b. vice chairperson and secretary nominated and elected by the board 984 c. directors of the following divisions nominated and elected by the board: 985 (1) Budget and Evaluation 986 (2) Developing Ministries 987 (3) Local Church 988 (4) Promotion and Interpretation 989 (5) Public Education 990 d. The executive committee shall be the officers of the board and the directors of the 991 divisions. 992

5. Meetings: The board and divisions shall meet at least two times annually. In addition, divisions, 993 sections, and task forces may meet as necessary to accomplish their work. 994

6. Responsibilities: 995 a. interpret and promote United Methodist ministries in higher education 996 b. recommend policies guiding the annual conference in its program of ministry in higher 997 education 998 c. train and provide resources for district committees and local church work areas on higher 999 education and campus ministry 1000 d. represent the annual conference in its relationship to Adrian and Albion colleges 1001 e. identify issues of public policy that relate to higher education, especially issues bearing 1002 on access, equity, academic freedom, peace, and justice 1003 f. fulfill other responsibilities in the 2012 Discipline, ¶ 634.4. 1004 1005

Committee on Hispanic/Latino Ministries ¶22 1006 1. Accountability: The Committee on Hispanic/Latino Ministry shall be accountable to the 1007

Conference Leadership Team in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a written 1008 report with the annual conference. 1009

2. Purpose: The committee 1010 a. will relate to all conference agencies for the implementation of the National Plan for Hispanic 1011 Ministry as it may be adapted to meet the specific needs of the Detroit Annual Conference 1012 b. will provide direction and leadership for Hispanic ministries of the conference 1013 c. shall establish governing policies for the committee and its staff. 1014

Structure – 20

3. Membership: 1015 a. Nine members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and 1016 elected by the annual conference. Terms shall be consistent with conference policy. 1017 b. The membership shall be composed of persons interested in Hispanic/Latino Ministries with 1018 special attention for representation from districts where there is a significant Hispanic population. 1019 c. Terms shall be consistent with conference policy. 1020 d. The committee may co-opt a maximum of four members. 1021 (1) Terms shall be consistent with conference policy. 1022 (2) Co-opted members may be asked to fill the following positions: 1023 (a) grant application coordinator 1024 (b) immigration advisor 1025 e. ex-officio members 1026 (1) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1027 (2) conference treasurer 1028 (3) director of connectional ministries 1029 (4) staff employed by the Committee on Hispanic/Latino Ministry 1030

4. Organization: 1031 a. chairperson, in addition to the nine members, nominated by the conference Committee on 1032 Nominations, in consultation with the Committee on Hispanic/Latino Ministry, and elected by the 1033 annual conference 1034 b. vice chairperson, secretary, and treasurer elected from the membership of the committee 1035 c. Task forces, whose members may or may not be committee members, may be created to 1036 help the committee accomplish its work. 1037

5. Meetings: 1038 a. The committee shall meet at least eight times annually. 1039 b. Additional meetings may be held as needed to accomplish necessary work. 1040

6. Responsibilities: 1041 a. interpret and advocate for Hispanic ministries 1042 (1) secure and share information about the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries and its 1043 resources with key conference leaders and local leaders involved in Hispanic ministries 1044 (2) promote the conference Spotlight/Advance funds and Ministry Jubilee 1045 (3) find stories that will illustrate various aspects of Hispanic Ministries/National Plan being 1046 implemented and share these with local, conference, and national media as appropriate 1047 (4) advocate appropriate responses to issues and concerns affecting Hispanics and Hispanic 1048 ministries. Secure information about the Plan for Hispanic Ministries and its resources and share 1049 it with key conference leaders and local leaders involved in Hispanic ministries 1050 b. planning 1051 (1) update the Hispanic population growth trends to develop or strengthen new or existing 1052 Hispanic ministries 1053 (2) reexamine and adjust the conference plan on Hispanic ministries for both Hispanic and 1054 non-Hispanic congregations based on the assessment and review recommended above in 6.b.1 1055 c. training 1056 (1) provide training opportunities for lay missioner and pastor teams, (hired) Hispanic 1057 ministry coordinators, committee members, and conference and local leaders utilizing the 1058 developed curriculum resources 1059 (2) train Hispanic and non-Hispanic local church leaders to develop Hispanic ministries or 1060 to assist them in strengthening and expanding Hispanic ministries utilizing developed resources 1061 as necessary 1062 (3) identify and enlist Hispanic and non-Hispanic candidates interested in ordained ministry 1063 and in becoming lay missioners, lay pastors or Hispanic ministry coordinators and refer them to 1064 the appropriate conference agencies for follow-up 1065 d. securing and providing resources 1066 (1) secure and provide educational/evangelical resources for leaders and local 1067 congregations 1068 (2) place the necessary personnel hired by the committee 1069

Structure - 21

(3) provide the necessary financial resources to support needed personnel for specific 1070 Hispanic ministries 1071 e. monitoring, supporting, and evaluating 1072 (1) provide a support system for leaders involved in Hispanic ministries including 1073 networking, crisis management, recognition, and affirmation 1074 (2) The committee shall annually monitor and evaluate the progress of each specific 1075 Hispanic ministry, including where sufficient and/or appropriate resources have been assigned. 1076

1077 1078 Committee on Investigation of Diaconal Ministers ¶23 1079 1. Accountability: The Committee on Investigation of Diaconal Ministers shall be accountable to the 1080

annual conference through the clergy session. 1081 2. Purpose: hear charges brought against a diaconal minister and make appropriate 1082

recommendations 1083 3. Membership: Members are nominated by the bishop in consultation with the Board of laity (for 1084

professing members) and with the board of ordained ministry (for clergy in full connection and 1085 diaconal ministers) and elected quadrennially by the annual conference 1086 a. four diaconal ministers or professing members of the church 1087 b. three clergy in full connection 1088 c. ten alternate members, five of whom shall be diaconal ministers or professing members and 1089

five clergy in full connection. 1090 4. Organization: This committee shall be organized in accordance with the 2012Discipline, ¶ 2703.2 1091 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet as needed. 1092 6. Responsibilities: The committee shall carry out the responsibilities in the 2012 Discipline, ¶ 2702 1093

thru ¶ 2706 inclusive. 1094 Committee on the Journal ¶24 1095 1. Accountability: The Committee on the Journal shall be accountable to the annual conference. It 1096

shall request funding through the Council on Finance and Administration. 1097 2. Purpose: be responsible for the annual conference Journal 1098 3. Membership: 1099 a. conference secretary and secretarial assistants 1100 b. Four persons shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations, elected by 1101

the annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms.c. other persons, 1102 appointed by the conference secretary, who are deemed necessary to fulfill the purpose 1103

d. ex officio: 1104 1. Chairperson of the Committee on Reference and Daily Procedure 1105 2. Area Director of Communications. 1106 4. Organization: The conference secretary shall serve as chairperson. 1107 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet as needed. 1108 6. Responsibilities: 1109 a. review annually the format and content of the Journal, complying with the disciplinary 1110

requirements 1111 b. ensure that the daily proceedings of annual conference sessions are reviewed and accurately 1112

recorded 1113 c. prepare a report for inclusion in the Journal reviewing the legislation of the conference that 1114

requires follow-up or implementation by agencies and local churches of the annual 1115 conference 1116

d. be responsible for the formatting, printing, and distributing of the Journal 1117 e. assist the conference secretary in the fulfillment of other responsibilities 1118 1119 Board of Laity ¶25 1120 1. Accountability: The Commission on the Laity shall be accountable to the Conference Leadership 1121

Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a written report with the 1122 annual conference. 1123

2. Purpose: provide an organizational structure to communicate lay concerns and to empower 1124

Structure – 22

laypersons within the conference 1125 3. Membership: 1126

a. conference lay leader 1127 b. conference associate lay leader 1128 c. each district lay leader 1129 d. conference director of lay speaking ministries 1130 e. president or designee of the conference United Methodist Men, of the conference United 1131

Methodist Women, and of the conference Council on Youth Ministry 1132 f. chairperson or designee of the conference Commission on Young Adult Communities 1133 g. conference scouting coordinator 1134 h. ex officio members 1135 (1) bishop 1136 (2) director of connectional ministries 1137 (3) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1138

4. Organization: The conference lay leader shall be the chairperson. The conference Committee on 1139 Nominations shall submit the name of the conference lay leader nominee chosen by the 1140 Commission on the Laity to the annual conference for vote. Other officers shall be elected as the 1141 commission deems necessary. 1142

5. Meetings: The commission shall meet a minimum of twice a year. 1143 6. Responsibilities: 1144

a. nominate the conference lay leader whose name must be submitted to the conference 1145 Committee on Nominations no later than January 30 prior to election which shall take place at the 1146 annual conference at the beginning of each quadrennium 1147 b. train local and district lay leaders 1148 c. plan lay activities at annual conference 1149 d. serve as an advocate for lay needs and concerns 1150 e. provide a communication link in both directions among local church lay leaders, district lay 1151 leaders, and the conference lay leader 1152 f. perform any other function which it deems necessary or which is assigned to the commission 1153

7. Relationships: The commission shall interact with other conference structures to foster an 1154 awareness of laity's role within the local congregation and through their ministries in the home, 1155 work place, community, and world in achieving the mission of the church. 1156

1157 Conference Leadership Development Committee ¶26 1158 1. Accountability: The Conference Leadership Development Committee shall be accountable to the 1159

Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget, and shall annually file a 1160 written report with the annual conference. 1161

2. Purpose: provide and support training opportunities for the development of leadership in local 1162 churches, districts, and the annual conference 1163

3. Membership: eight persons nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected 1164 by the annual conference 1165

4. Organization: 1166 a. chairperson nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 1167

annual conference 1168 b. vice chairperson and secretary nominated and elected by the leadership development 1169

committee from its membership 1170 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet at least three times a year. 1171 6. Responsibilities: 1172

a. provide training opportunities in the area of leadership development 1173 b. research and help develop new styles and new insights into effective leadership models and 1174 offer such findings to persons throughout the conference 1175 c. provide financial support through scholarships for laypersons participating in the area of 1176

leadership development 1177 1178

Committee on Memoirs ¶27 1179

Structure - 23

1. Accountability: The Committee on Memoirs shall be accountable to and annually file a 1180 written report with the annual conference. 1181

3. Purpose: 1182 a. develop and keep memoirs for publishing in the Journal of the persons listed in 1183

6.c. when deceased 1184 b. provide written reflection regarding the deceased to the program committee for the 1185

Annual Conference memorial service. 1186 3. Membership: The chairperson plus one from each district nominated by the conference 1187

Committee on Nominations, elected by the annual conference for a term of four years with 1188 a maximum of two terms. 1189

4. Organization: A chairperson nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and 1190 elected by the annual conference and a secretary elected by the committee. 1191

5. Meetings: The committee shall meet as needed. 1192 6. Responsibilities: 1193 a. When a lay member death occurs in a district, the district representative shall contact 1194

the chairperson 1195 b. Clergy deaths are reported to the conference office 1196 c. The memoirs for the following persons are to be included in the Journal 1197 (1) clergy, including retirees, part-time and retired local pastors, and their spouses 1198

and widows(ers) 1199 (2) diaconal ministers 1200 (3) lay members of the previous annual conference 1201 (4) laypersons of the conference support staff and ministry team 1202 (5) dependent children of clergy members 1203 (6) missionaries related to the conference 1204 (7) others recommended by the Committee on Memoirs 1205 d. The chairperson of the committee is responsible for preparing the written memoirs for 1206

the above persons in a format appropriate for printing in the Journal by June 15. 1207 1208 Michigan Area Clergy Family Advocacy Committee ¶28 1209 1. Accountability: The Michigan Area Clergy Family Advocacy Committee shall be accountable to 1210

the bishop both in matters of programming and budget. 1211 2. Purpose: To be an advocate for clergy families in crisis situations. 1212 3. Membership: Ten members 1213 a. One representative from each Conference Council on Finance & Administration 1214 b. One representative from each Conference Commission on Status and Role of Women 1215 c. One representative from each Conference Board of Ordained Ministry 1216 d. One district superintendent from each cabinet. 1217 e. The Clergy Family Advocacy Coordinator from each conference, once named. 1218 4. Organization: Chairperson and secretary nominated and elected by the committee from its 1219

membership. 1220 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet at least twice a year. 1221 6. Responsibilities: 1222 a. Oversee a support program for clergy families in the Michigan area 1223 b. Recommend names for the position of Clergy Family Advocacy Coordinators to the bishop 1224

who will name the coordinators 1225 c. Review and update the job description of the Clergy Family Advocacy Coordinators 1226 d. Provide supervision, review and support of the Clergy Family Advocacy Coordinators. 1227 7. There will be a Clergy Family Advocacy Coordinator in each annual conference that will be 1228

named by the bishop in collaboration with the Clergy Family Advocacy Committee. 1229 1230

Michigan Area Loan Funds ¶29 1231 1. Accountability: The Michigan Area Loan Funds shall be accountable to and shall annually file a 1232

written report with both the Detroit and West Michigan annual conferences. 1233 2. Purpose: administer the Missions and Church Extension Trust Fund and the Adrian-Albion 1234

Structure – 24

College Endowment Fund 1235 3. Membership: 1236 a. Twelve trustees: six shall be elected by the Detroit Annual Conference and six by West 1237

Michigan Annual Conference. 1238 b. They shall be nominated by the Committee on Nominations of the respective annual 1239

conferences and elected by their annual conferences. 1240 c. They shall be elected for three-year terms in three classes of two persons each. 1241 4. Organization: The Michigan Area Loan Funds shall be incorporated as a nonprofit corporation 1242

under the laws of the state of Michigan. The trustees shall elect, at the annual meeting, a 1243 president, vice president, and secretary. The resident agent is designated treasurer and serves 1244 without vote. 1245

5. Meetings: The trustees meet at least annually. The annual meeting takes place during 1246 September or October. 1247

6. Responsibilities: 1248 a. appoint the resident agent to act for the corporation in its day-to-day business 1249 b. manage the two funds 1250 c. act on requests for loans 1251 d. safeguard all monies, notes, and other assets of the funds 1252

1253 Committee on Native American Ministry ¶30 1254 1. Accountability: The Committee on Native American Ministry shall be accountable to the 1255

Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a 1256 written report with the annual conference. 1257

2. Purpose: determine the distribution of the Native American Awareness Sunday offering, 1258 coordinate the promotion of Native American Awareness Sunday, and monitor Native American 1259 ministries within the annual conference. 1260

3. Membership: 1261 a. There shall be no more than ten members, including the chairperson. It is recommended that 1262

a majority of the members be Native Americans. 1263 (1) Six members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations, from 1264

names submitted by the Committee on Native American Ministry, and elected by the annual 1265 conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms 1266

(2) The Committee on Native American Ministry may co-opt a maximum of four members 1267 to serve on the committee. 1268

b. Persons interested in ministry to Native Americans may attend the meetings for the purpose 1269 of input, but will have no vote. 1270

4. Organization: chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary elected by the committee from its 1271 membership 1272

5. Meetings: The committee shall meet at least two times a year. 1273 6. Responsibilities: 1274

a. promote Native American Awareness Sunday 1275 b. oversee the distribution of the Native American Awareness Sunday offering 1276 c. monitor existing Native American ministries within the annual conference 1277 d. have the responsibility of developing new Native American ministries within the annual 1278

conference 1279 e. fulfill all other functions in the 2012 Discipline, ¶ 654 1280

1281 New Church Development Committee ¶31 1282 1. Accountability: The New Church Development Committee shall be accountable to the 1283

Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a 1284 written report with the annual conference. 1285

2. Purpose: 1286 a) Collaborate with the Cabinet Representative, the Conference Director of New Faith 1287

Communities and Congregational Development, the Conference Staff, the Director of 1288 Connectional Ministries, and the Conference Leadership Team to start new congregations 1289

Structure - 25

and to promote, encourage, and resource healthy congregations in new ministries. 1290 b) Lead in further development and implementation of an approved Comprehensive Plan for 1291

starting new congregations and revitalizing existing churches, as per ¶ 633.5e of The Book 1292 of Discipline - 2012. 1293

3. Membership: 1294 a) Eight at-large members shall be nominated, in consultation with the New Church 1295

Development Committee, by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 1296 annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. 1297

b) Two additional at-large members shall be from congregations chartered, or church growth 1298 ministries, launched within the past ten years. 1299

c) The Committee on Nominations shall divide the membership into 4 classes of 2 members 1300 each. 1301

d) ex officio members 1302 (1) Director of the New Faith Communities and Congregational Development or other staff 1303

representative as assigned by the director of connectional ministries in consultation with 1304 the bishop. 1305

(2) District superintendent designated by the cabinet. 1306 4) Organization: 1307 a) Chairperson nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 1308

annual conference. 1309 b) Vice chairpersons as needed, secretary, and financial secretary nominated and elected by 1310

the committee. 1311 5) Meetings: 1312 The committee shall meet at least four times annually. 1313 6) Responsibilities of the committee: 1314 a) Communicate the vision of new church development to the annual conference. 1315 b) In cooperation with the District Superintendents and Full Cabinet, work with district task 1316

groups, partner churches and/or district boards of church location for starting new 1317 congregations or expanding vital existing congregations. 1318

c) Administer funds designated for new churches and intentionally selected revitalizing 1319 churches in accordance with decisions of appropriate conference entities. 1320

d) Work with the Cabinet and appropriate conference agencies to identify locations for the 1321 development of cooperative ministries as defined in The Book of Discipline - 2012, ¶ 206. 1322

e) Assist and equip new church pastors and pastors of selected revitalizing churches in 1323 developing and maintaining a covenant support network. 1324

f) Maintain a program of continuing education and participate in connectional leadership 1325 training events in the congregational development field. 1326

g) In collaboration with the assigned conference staff person, provide guidance to local 1327 churches as they progress through the process for intentional revitalization. 1328

7) Relationships: The committee shall work with other structures in the conference for the purpose 1329 of designing and implementing leadership development activities for new congregations and 1330 intentionally selected revitalization efforts. 1331

1332 Committee on Nominations ¶32 1333 1. Accountability: The conference Committee on Nominations shall be accountable to and annually 1334

file a written report with the annual conference. It shall request funding through the Council on 1335 Finance and Administration. 1336

2. Purpose: prepare and present to the annual conference the slate of nominees giving 1337 consideration to one-third clergypersons, one-third laymen, one-third laywomen, and ethnic 1338 balance for the various organizational units, as outlined on the table of contents pages of the 1339 structure. 1340

3. Membership: 1341 a. two persons elected from each district serving a term of four years with a maximum of two 1342

consecutive terms 1343 b. twelve additional members with three elected annually by the annual conference, equally 1344

Structure – 26

divided into four classes serving one four-year term only. These members could be re-1345 nominated for another term in another class, with a maximum of two consecutive terms. 1346

c. The following shall be shall be ex-officio members 1347 (1) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1348 (2) director of connectional ministries 1349 (3) conference lay leader or representative 1350 (4) chairperson or representative from the Committee on Standing Rules 1351

(5) presidents or representatives from the conference Council on Youth Ministry, conference 1352 United Methodist Men, and conference United Methodist Women 1353

(6) the following chairpersons or representatives, who are monitors without vote: 1354 Commission on Religion and Race, Commission on Status and Role of Women, one 1355 representative from each program board, and the secretary of the conference Committee 1356 on Nominations 1357

1358 4. Organization: 1359 a. chairperson and vice chairperson elected by the committee from its membership 1360 b. The secretary shall 1361 (1) be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the annual 1362

conference. The term of office shall be four years with a maximum tenure of two terms. 1363 (2) be an ex officio member of the conference Committee on Nominations without a vote. 1364 (3) serve as convener of the committee until a chairperson is elected. 1365 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet within three months following the annual conference 1366

session. Thereafter, it may meet as often as needed on the call of its chairperson, resident 1367 bishop, or secretary. 1368

6. Responsibilities: 1369 a. prepare and present a slate of nominees to the annual conference for election 1370 b. shall be empowered to fill vacancies, unless otherwise provided for by the Discipline, 1371

occurring between sessions of the annual conference as requested by the affected council, 1372 board, commission, or committee, subject to approval of the following session of the annual 1373 conference 1374

7. Relationships: The conference Committee on Nominations shall interact with the various boards, 1375 councils, commissions, and committees of the annual conference to achieve membership 1376 inclusiveness. 1377

1378 Board of Ordained Ministry ¶33 1379 1. Accountability: The Board of Ordained Ministry shall be accountable to and annually file a written 1380

report with the annual conference. It shall request funding through the Council on Finance and 1381 Administration. 1382

2. Purpose: 1383 a. counsel and guide candidates in becoming equipped and qualified for ordination and 1384

conference membership 1385 b. recommend to the annual conference laity and clergy who have met the standards for 1386

professional certification in Christian education, evangelism, music, youth, and other areas as 1387 may be assigned 1388

c. develop supportive relationships which will enable professional clergy to fulfill responsible and 1389 effective ministry 1390

3. Membership: At the first session of the annual conference following the General Conference, the 1391 annual conference shall elect for a term of four years a Board of Ordained Ministry. 1392

a. Forty-six members (including men, women, and ethnic persons) nominated by the bishop after 1393 consultation with the chairperson of the board, the executive committee, and the cabinet. 1394 Among them shall be: 1395

(1) At least two-thirds shall be ordained members in full connection, which may include 1396 retired ordained ministers. 2012Discipline, ¶ 635.1 1397

(2) At least one member of the board, engaged in extension ministries, who will represent 1398 all other clergy so assigned. 1399

Structure - 27

(3) Chairpersons of the Orders of Deacons, Orders of Elders, and Fellowship of Local 1400 Pastors and Associate Members. 1401

(4) At least one-fifth and up to one-third shall be lay members with vote, except when 1402 prohibited by the 2012 Discipline, ¶ 33. Some of these may be diaconal ministers. 1403

(5) A district superintendent named by the bishop to represent the cabinet. 1404 (6) When possible, at least two associate members or local pastors who have completed 1405

the course of studies. 1406 (7) When possible at least one young adult clergy person in full connection age 35 or 1407

younger. 1408 b. Members of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry residing within the 1409

conference shall serve ex officio. 1410 c. An elected board member may serve a maximum of three consecutive four-year terms. 2012 1411

Discipline, ¶ 635.1.a). 1412 4. Organization: A chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, registrars, chairpersons of Division of 1413

Deacons and of Division of Elders, chairpersons of Orders of Deacons and of Elders, committee 1414 chairpersons, and other officers as required to carry out the duties of the board. 1415 a. The committees shall be 1416

I. Support 1417 ii. Conference Relations, chaired by the vice chairperson of the board 1418 iii. Recruitment 1419 iv. Education 1420 v. Candidacy and Certification 1421

b. The Board shall elect from its membership an official representative to serve on each district 1422 committee on ordained Ministry, which shall function as subcommittees of the board. 2012 1423 Discipline ¶ 635.1.g) 1424

5. Meetings: The board shall meet three times a year and as often thereafter as necessary to complete 1425 its work. The executive committee shall meet at least three times annually. A meeting may be called 1426 by the chairperson or the registrar. 1427

6. Responsibilities: 1428 a. assume primary responsibility for deacons and elders 1429 b. enlist and guide lay and clergy in areas of professional certification in education, evangelism, 1430

music, and other assigned areas to prepare for and maintain denominational certification; and 1431 maintain required records, continuing education opportunities, and supportive relationships for 1432 certified professionals and the churches/agencies in which they serve 1433

c. study and interpret clergy needs and resources of the annual conference 1434 d. provide support services for vocational development 1435 e. administer the conference portion of the Ministerial Education Fund 1436 f. provide training experiences for members of the board at the beginning of each quadrennium 1437 g. continually evaluate the work of the board and its parts, discontinue those parts which have 1438

fulfilled their function, and create new parts as needed 1439 h. perform all other functions in the 2012 Discipline, ¶ 635.2a)-aa ¶ 635.3 1440 1441

Board of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries ¶34 1442 1. Accountability: The Board of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries shall be accountable to the 1443

Conference Leadership Team in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a written 1444 report with the annual conference. 1445

2. Purpose: provide direction and leadership for the outdoor and retreat ministries of the conference 1446 by establishing governance polices for the board and its staff 1447

3. Membership: 1448 a. Eighteen members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and 1449 elected by the annual conference. Terms shall be consistent with conference policies. 1450 b. district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1451

4. Organization: 1452 a. chairperson, in addition to the 18 members, nominated by the conference Committee on 1453 Nominations, in consultation with the board, and elected as directed by the conference standing 1454

Structure – 28

rules 1455 b. secretary nominated and elected by the membership of the board. Other offices may be 1456 created and filled as need is determined by the board. 1457 c. Divisions may be created by the board as needed to aid the process of governance. 1458 Members may be assigned to divisions by the chair or the board as needed. 1459 d. Action teams may be created to help the board or its staff accomplish its work. The 1460 purpose of action teams will be to aid the process of management. 1461 (1) Board members will be expected to serve on an action team. 1462 (2) Action team members may or may not also be board members. 1463 (3) District representatives for outdoor and retreat ministries will be assigned to the 1464 promotion and marketing action team rather than to the board. 1465

5. Meetings: 1466 a. The board and divisions shall meet at least two times annually. 1467 b. Additional meetings may be held as needed. 1468 c. Divisions may meet as necessary. 1469

6. Responsibilities: 1470 a. provide linkage to the annual conference 1471 b. establish policies pertaining to 1472 (1) ends: the goals and purposes for outdoor and retreat ministries 1473 (2) staff means: establish parameters within which the staff works 1474 (3) board-staff relationships: define the ways in which the board will relate to its staff 1475 (4) board governance: establish board procedures and internal discipline 1476 c. monitor the total outdoor and retreat ministries program in relation to established policies 1477 d. incorporate under the laws of the State of Michigan in order to hold the titles to all conference 1478 outdoor and retreat ministries’ properties 1479 e. The board may also take upon itself involvement in additional matters, such as fund-raising 1480 or advocacy for issues pertaining to outdoor and retreat ministries. 1481

1482 1483

Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits ¶35 1484 1. Accountability: The Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits shall be accountable to and 1485

annually file a written report with the annual conference. It shall request funding through the Council 1486 on Finance and Administration. 1487

2. Purpose: 1488 a. have charge of the interests and work of providing for and contributing to the support, relief, 1489

assistance, and pensioning of clergy and their families; other church workers and lay 1490 employees of The United Methodist Church; its institutions, organizations, and agencies within 1491 The United Methodist Church; and its institutions, organizations, and agencies within the 1492 annual conference, except as otherwise provided for by the General Board of Pension and 1493 Health Benefits 1494

b. make recommendations to the annual conference regarding the development, promotion, and 1495 review of a broad general program of insurance protection 1496

3. Membership: 1497 a. twelve persons, at least one, but not more than three of whom are retired clergy. No person is 1498

eligible to be a member if a lien exists against his/her pension benefits. 1499 b. Members shall be elected for a term of eight years. After four years of non-membership, a 1500

person may be eligible for re-election. 1501 c. Members shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by 1502

the annual conference. A vacancy in the membership of the board may be filled by the board 1503 for the remainder of the conference year in which the vacancy occurs, and at its next session, 1504 the annual conference shall fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. 1505

d. ex officio members 1506 (1) members of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits residing within the 1507

conference 1508 (2) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1509

Structure - 29

(3) benefits officer 1510 4. Organization: 1511 a. President, vice president, and secretary shall be elected by the Conference Board of Pensions 1512

and Health Benefits. 1513 b. It is suggested that the board shall divide itself into divisions to do its work. 1514 5. Meetings: The board shall meet at least annually or as often as necessary to do its work. 1515 6. Responsibilities: 1516 a. Pension responsibilities: 1517 (1) seek to provide retirement benefits for all clergy members of the Detroit Annual 1518

Conference including pensions, disabilities, and death benefits for widows, widowers, 1519 and dependent children 1520

(2) work with the Clergy Retirement Security Program of the General Board of Pension and 1521 Health Benefits. This work is directed by the Plan Document published by the General 1522 Board of Pension and Health Benefits which interprets all disciplinary rules. For 1523 additional details, see 2012 Discipline, ¶ 1506-09. 1524

b. Insurance responsibilities: 1525 (1) provide health coverage insurance and life insurance for all clergy in full connection, 1526

associate and full-time local pastors of the Detroit Annual Conference. Health insurance 1527 coverage is also available for full-time lay employees. 1528

(2) upgrade and evaluate continually in light of coverages offered with cost potential of our 1529 conference 1530

(3) maintain files with details on all conference insurance programs and have this material 1531 available to all persons on request 1532

7. Relationships: The board shall cooperate with other structures in the conference when necessary. 1533 1534

Conference Leadership Team Personnel Committee ¶36 1535 1. Accountability: The Conference Leadership Team Personnel Committee shall be accountable to 1536

the Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget, and shall annually file a 1537 written report with the Annual Conference. 1538

2. Purpose: Provide for an adequate program and support staff to carry out the purposes, goals, and 1539 responsibilities of the Conference Leadership Team. 1540

3. Membership: 1541 a. Eight persons nominated by the Conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 1542

Annual Conference. 1543 b. one person appointed by the Conference Leadership Team 1544 c. ex-officio members: 1545 1. Area Bishop 1546 2. Director of Connectional Ministries 1547 4. Organization: 1548 a. Chairperson nominated by the Conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 1549

Annual Conference. 1550 b. Vice Chairperson and secretary nominated by the Conference Leadership Team Personnel 1551

Committee from its membership. 1552 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet as often as necessary, and not less than twice each year. It 1553

shall meet at least once a year with each of the program directors and support staff members. 1554 6. Responsibilities: 1555 a. Consult with the Director of Connectional Ministries on the hiring, evaluation, support, and 1556

termination of program director staff. It will consult with the cabinet as needed. 1557 b. Give oversight to the hiring, evaluation, and termination of program support staff. 1558 c. Participate in the Conference Support Staff Policy Committee in the development of 1559

guidelines for Conference Support Staff. 1560 1561 Conference Protection Policy Committee ¶37 1562 1- Accountability: The Conference Protection Policy Committee shall be accountable to the 1563

Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a 1564

Structure – 30

written report with the annual conference . 1565 2- Purpose: To promote the Conference's Protection Policy through training and by certifying those 1566

who will work with children, youth, or vulnerable persons at District and/or Conference events. 1567 3- Membership: Nine members, nominated by the Conference Committee on Nominations and 1568

elected for a term of four years, with a maximum of two terms. 1569 4- Organization: The chairperson shall be elected from the membership of the committee. 1570 5- Meetings: The Committee shall meet at least three times a year. 1571 6- Responsibilities: 1572 7- a. promote adherence to the Protection Policy at all District and Conference events. 1573

b. propose changes to the Protection Policy to the Annual Conference as needed. 1574 c. provide training regarding the Policy and to address issues of risk reduction for District and 1575

Conference events. 1576 d. provide training to those who will be leading certification training. 1577 e. process applications for certification. 1578

1579 Committee on Reference and Daily Procedure (ReDaP) ¶38 1580 1. Accountability: The Committee on Reference and Daily Procedure shall be accountable to the 1581

conference Program Committee in matters of both program and budget. 1582 2. Purpose: facilitate the work of annual conference session. 1583 3. Membership: six members: 1584 a. two representatives from the Committee on Standing Rules named by that committee 1585 b. conference secretary or his/her representative 1586 c. annual conference facilitator 1587 d. two persons from the conference Program Committee named by that committee, one of 1588

whom shall serve as chairperson of ReDaP 1589 4. Organization: The conference Program Committee shall name the chairperson of ReDaP. 1590 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet as many times as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. 1591 6. Responsibilities: 1592 a. assign appropriate reports and legislative business of the annual conference to its legislative 1593

sections 1594 b. receive new business according to procedure outlined in the conference rules of order and 1595

assign to legislative sections 1596 c. secure and train leaders of the legislative sections 1597 d. coordinate the daily schedule for annual conference 1598 e. The committee chairperson shall be the coordinator for the reports from legislative sections at 1599

annual conference. 1600 f. The committee shall carry out any other functions assigned to it by the conference Program 1601

Committee. 1602 1603 Commission on Religion and Race ¶39 1604 1. Accountability: The Commission on Religion and Race shall be accountable to the Conference 1605

Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a written report 1606 with the annual conference. 1607

2. Purpose: challenge the local churches and agencies of the annual conference to a full, equitable 1608 participation of its racial and ethnic constituency in the total life and mission of the church through 1609 advocacy and by reviewing and monitoring the practices of the annual conference to ensure 1610 racial inclusiveness 1611

3. Membership: no more than fifteen members, including the chairperson. The majority of the 1612 members shall be ethnic minorities proportionately representing the ethnic minority membership 1613 of the conference. 1614 a. a district director from each district council on ministries or like body elected by the district 1615 council 1616 b. eight members nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations, elected by the 1617 annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms. 1618 c. ex officio members 1619

Structure - 31

(1) members of the General Commission on Religion and Race residing within the 1620 conference 1621 (2) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1622

4. Organization: 1623 a. chairperson nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations and elected by the 1624 annual conference 1625 b. vice chairperson and secretary elected by the commission 1626

5. Meetings: The commission shall meet at least quarterly. 1627 6. Responsibilities: 1628

a. provide resources and training to enable the work of chairpersons of local church work areas 1629 on religion and race 1630 b. examine ethnic representation on all conference agencies and make appropriate 1631 recommendations for total inclusiveness to the annual conference 1632 c. work with annual conference agencies in developing programs and policies of racial 1633 inclusiveness 1634 d. provide a channel of assistance to racial and ethnic groups as they seek to develop 1635 programs of empowerment and ministry to their communities 1636 e. provide opportunities for multiracial and interethnic dialogues and meetings through the 1637 conference 1638 f. provide programs of sensitization and education at every level of the conference on the 1639 nature and meaning of racism: attitudinal, behavioral, and institutional 1640 g. perform all other functions in the 2012 Discipline, ¶ 643 1641

7. Relationships: The commission shall consult with the 1642 a. Board of Ordained Ministry regarding recruitment and itinerancy of racial and ethnic ordained 1643 ministers. 1644 b. Board of Church and Society to coordinate conference support and cooperation with various 1645 movements for racial and social justice. 1646 c. Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns on conference programs of 1647 cooperation with African American and other racial/ethnic denominations, especially those of the 1648 Methodist family. 1649

1650 Committee on Standing Rules ¶40 1651 1. Accountability: The Committee on Standing Rules shall be accountable to and annually file a 1652

written report with the annual conference. 1653 2. Purpose: ensure that the rules of the annual conference comply with the Discipline and assist the 1654

annual conference in the development of conference rules in order to conduct business 1655 3. Membership: 1656 a. twelve persons nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations, elected by the 1657

annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms 1658 b. ex officio members 1659 (1) annual conference facilitator 1660 (2) journal secretary 1661 (3) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1662 (4) Director of Connectional Ministries 1663 4. Organization: A chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary shall be elected by the committee. 1664 5. Meetings: The committee shall meet as needed. 1665 6. Responsibilities: 1666 a. review the rules of the annual conference 1667 b. initiate rules when appropriate 1668 c. clarify rules and procedures for operation of the annual conference 1669 d. ensure that annual conference rules are compatible with the Discipline 1670 1671 Commission on the Status and Role of Women ¶41 1672 1. Accountability: The Commission on the Status and Role of Women shall be accountable to the 1673

Conference Leadership Team both in matters of program and budget and shall annually file a 1674

Structure – 32

written report with the annual conference . 1675 2. Purpose: foster an awareness of issues, problems, and concerns related to the status and role of 1676

women, with special reference to their full participation in the total life of the church 1677 3. Membership: 1678

a. seven members nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations, elected by the 1679 annual conference for a term of four years with a maximum of two terms 1680 b. one representative from each district nominated and elected by the district council on 1681 ministries or like body 1682 c. ex officio members 1683 (1) at least one person named by the conference United Methodist Women 1684 (2) members of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women residing within 1685 the conference 1686 (3) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1687 d. The majority of the commission shall be women, including both clergy and laity. All shall be 1688 professing members of The United Methodist Church. 1689

4. Organization: 1690 a. chairperson, who shall be a woman, nominated by the conference Committee on 1691 Nominations and elected by the annual conference 1692 b. vice chairperson and secretary nominated and elected by the commission 1693

5. Meetings: The commission shall meet at least quarterly. 1694 6. Responsibilities: 1695

a. foster an awareness of issues, problems, and concerns related to the status and role of 1696 women 1697 b. develop ways to inform and sensitize the leadership at all levels within the conference on 1698 issues that affect women 1699

7. Relationships: The commission shall monitor and work with other structures in the conference for 1700 the purpose of raising awareness of and responses to issues concerning women. 1701

1702 Conference Support Staff Policy Committee ¶42 1703 1. Accountability: The conference Support Staff Policy Committee shall be accountable to and 1704

annually file a written report with the annual conference. It shall request funding through the 1705 Conference Leadership Team. 1706

2. Purpose: responsible for reviewing and maintaining the conference support staff personnel policy 1707 3. Membership: 1708 a. one representative from each of the following agencies, chosen by that agency: 1709 (1) Conference Leadership Team 1710 (2) Council on Finance and Administration 1711 (3) United Methodist Foundation 1712 b. one representative from each of the district committees on district superintendency selected 1713

by the appointive cabinet 1714 c. three present support staff (one elected by the district administrative assistants and two from 1715

the conference center support staff) 1716 d. director of connectional ministries 1717 4. Organization: 1718

a. The director of connectional ministries shall be the convener. 1719 b. Other officers shall be elected as determined by the committee. 1720 5. Meetings: The director of connectional ministries shall convene the committee biannually, with 1721

additional meetings as needed. 1722 6. Responsibilities: 1723 a. review guidelines and processes for the employment, training, performance review, job 1724

enhancement, and termination of employment of all support staff 1725 b. update periodically a manual which includes all policies for support staff working for the 1726

Detroit Annual Conference 1727 7. Relationships: This committee shall report directly to the annual conference. The committee's 1728

operating funds shall come from the Connectional Ministry apportionment. Funds for employment 1729

Structure - 33

of support staff shall come from employing agencies. 1730 1731

Board of Trustees ¶43 1732 1. There shall be a Board of Trustees, Incorporated. 1733 2. Accountability: The board shall be accountable to and annually file a written report with the 1734

annual conference. It shall request funding through the Council on Finance and 1735 Administration. 1736

3. Purpose: 1737 a. provide for the needs of the annual conference for housing 1738 b. receive and safeguard gifts made to the annual conference 1739 4. Membership: 1740 a. twelve members all of whom must be of legal age as determined by law 1741

(1) Lay members shall be professing members in good standing of local churches 1742 within the bounds of the conference. 1743

(2) These persons shall be the directors of the corporation. 1744 (3) They shall be nominated by the conference Committee on Nominations, elected 1745

by the annual conference, and may serve a term of four years with a maximum of two 1746 terms. For vacancies between conference sessions see 2012 Discipline, Par 2512.2 1747

b. ex officio members, without vote 1748 (1) conference treasurer 1749 (2) district superintendent designated by the cabinet 1750 5. Organization: President, vice president, and secretary shall be elected by the trustees from its 1751

membership. The conference treasurer shall serve as treasurer. 1752 6. Meetings: The board shall meet at least annually. 1753 7. Responsibilities: 1754

a. receive, collect, and hold in trust for the annual conference any and all donations, 1755 bequests, and devises of any kind, real or personal 1756

b. buy, maintain, and sell property as appropriate to provide for housing needs of 1757 conference personnel 1758

c. fulfill other duties in the 2012 Discipline, ¶ 2512 1759 1760

1761 United Methodist Foundation ¶44 1762

1. There may be a United Methodist Foundation serving both Annual Conferences in the State 1763 of Michigan. 1764

2. Accountability: The foundation shall be accountable to and annually file a written report with 1765 the Detroit Annual Conference and the West Michigan Annual Conference. 1766

3. Purpose: To encourage the giving of gifts, conscientious investing and stewardship education 1767 for United Methodist churches in the Michigan Area. 1768

4. Membership: 1769 a. There will be a Board of Directors with twelve (12) directors elected at the 1770

Foundation’s Annual Meeting. Six (6) directors will be from the Detroit Annual 1771 Conference and six (6) will be from the West Michigan Annual Conference. 1772 These directors shall be reported to each Annual Conference and their 1773 respective Nominating Committee. 1774

b. Directors are elected by the then-sitting Board and serve three-year terms unless 1775 they are elected to fill an unexpired term. Directors may be reelected for a 1776 second full term, but no Board Director may serve for more than 9 consecutive 1777 years. 1778

c. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority vote 1779 of the remaining Directors present and voting at any regular or special meeting of 1780 the Board. A Director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired 1781 term of his or her predecessor in office. 1782

d. Ex officio without vote: 1783 1. Area Bishop 1784

Structure – 34

2. Executive Director of Foundation 1785 3. Treasurers of each Michigan Area Annual Conference. 1786

5. Organization: 1787 a. The officers of the Foundation shall be: chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, 1788

treasurer. All officers, except the Executive Director, shall serve without 1789 compensation and be directors of the Foundation. 1790

b. There shall be an Executive Committee made as follows: chairperson, vice 1791 chairperson, secretary, treasurer, stewardship committee chair, investment chair, 1792 finance/audit chair, personnel/management chair, marketing chair, and the 1793 Executive Director. 1794

c. There shall be a 12 -15 member Advisory Board in addition to the Board of 1795 Directors. The members of this Board will be selected for specific skill needs for 1796 the work of the Foundation and will be invited to serve by the Executive 1797 Committee. 1798

d. There shall be five (5) standing committees: Investment, Stewardship, 1799 Finance/Audit, Marketing, Personnel/Management. 1800

e. The Foundation Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Executive 1801 Committee shall hire the Executive Director. 1802

6. Meetings: The Foundation shall meet at least twice annually with additional meetings 1803 scheduled and called by the chairperson and Executive Director. Special meetings may be 1804 called by the President or at least three (3) other directors of the Board on three (3) days 1805 notice to each Director. 1806

7. Responsibilities: 1807 a. Encourage the giving of gifts to United Methodist Churches for the support of 1808

their ministries 1809 b. Provide resources to United Methodist Churches and their members regarding 1810

charitable giving and estate planning. 1811 c. Teach and encourage Biblical Stewardship principles to our churches and their 1812

members. 1813 d. Encourage and receive gifts, trusts, and bequests of real and/or personal 1814

property on behalf of either the Detroit Annual Conference or the West Michigan 1815 Annual Conference. 1816

e. Offer responsible choices and opportunities for investing United Methodist 1817 financial assets. 1818

f. Ensure timely and accurate reporting to congregations on the status of funds 1819 held by the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. 1820

1821 United Methodist Men ¶45 1822 1. Accountability: The conference organization of United Methodist Men shall be auxiliary to the 1823

jurisdictional committee on United Methodist Men and to the General Commission on United 1824 Methodist Men. It reports to the Conference Leadership Team and shall annually file a written 1825 report with the annual conference. It may request funding through the Conference Leadership 1826 Team. 1827

2. Purpose: United Methodist Men shall be a creative, supportive fellowship of men who seek to 1828 know God and Jesus Christ. The conference organization of United Methodist Men shall give 1829 leadership to and work with the districts and local units of United Methodist Men to meet the 1830 inspirational needs of men in evangelism, mission, and their spiritual life, and to promote the 1831 plans and responsibilities of the General Commission on United Methodist Men as listed in the 1832 2012 Discipline, ¶ 2302. 1833

3. Membership: 1834 a. all members of local units and all pastors within the bounds of the conference 1835 b. The bishop or his/her ministerial appointee shall be a member of the executive committee. 1836

4. Organization: 1837 a. president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer elected in accordance with the bylaws of 1838

the organization 1839

Structure - 35

b. additional officers and committee chairpersons elected or appointed in accordance with the 1840 bylaws 1841

c. All district presidents shall be members of the executive committee. 1842 d. Tenure in office shall be in accordance with the bylaws. 1843

5. Meetings: There shall be a meeting in the spring and an annual meeting in the fall. Other 1844 meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws of the organization. 1845

6. Objectives: 1846 a. establish and maintain a fellowship of United Methodist Men in each local church or charge 1847 b. provide support to all units through 1848 (1) witnessing to Christ 1849 (2) providing programs and policies for enriching ministry 1850 (3) interpreting the ministry of the laity 1851 (4) encouraging daily Bible study and personal evangelism 1852 (5) providing resources and opportunities for fulfilling the purposes of the United Methodist 1853

Men 1854 c. form and strengthen Covenant Prayer groups 1855 d. involve men in mission 1856 e. support the Scouting movement, and all other youth groups recognized by the Division of 1857

United Methodist Men 1858 f. provide leadership training for men 1859 1860

United Methodist Women ¶46 1861 1. Accountability: The conference organization of United Methodist Women shall have authority to 1862

promote its work in accordance with the plans, responsibilities, and policies of the national office 1863 of United Methodist Women. It reports to the Conference Leadership Team and shall annually file 1864 a written report with the annual conference. 1865

2. Purpose: 1866 a. work with the district organizations and the local units of United Methodist Women in 1867

developing programs to meet the needs and interests of women and the concerns and 1868 responsibilities of the global church 1869

b. encourage and support spiritual growth, missionary outreach, and Christian social action 1870 c. promote the plans and responsibilities of the national office of United Methodist Women 1871

3. Membership: 1872 a. The conference organization shall be composed of all members of local units within the 1873

bounds of the conference. 1874 b. The bishop shall be a member of the conference organization and its executive committee. 1875

4. Organization: 1876 a. president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and a Committee on Nominations elected 1877

according to the bylaws of the organization 1878 b. additional officers and committees elected or appointed in accordance with the bylaws 1879

5. Meetings: There shall be an annual meeting of the conference organization of United Methodist 1880 Women. 1881

6. Responsibilities: The conference organization shall carry out those responsibilities necessary to 1882 fulfill its purpose. 1883

1884 United Methodist Church Secretaries ¶ 47 1885 1. Accountability: The conference organization of United Methodist Church Secretaries shall have 1886

the authority to promote its work in accordance with the plans, responsibilities, and policies of the 1887 Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries (PAUMCS) related to the 1888 General Council on Finance and Administration. 1889

2. Purpose: 1890 a. provide a supportive base for the unity and fellowship of its members 1891 b. promote individual growth, professional development, continuing education, and spiritual 1892

enrichment 1893 3. Membership: The conference organization shall be composed of persons engaged in 1894

Structure – 36

administrative and secretarial work in local churches or beyond the local church in any agency of 1895 The United Methodist Church, active and retired, paid or volunteer. This is inclusive of 1896 administrative assistants, executive secretaries, office managers, and all others, regardless of 1897 title, who serve in this professional capacity. 1898

4. Organization: 1899 a. president, vice president, secretary, membership secretary, treasurer, and a Committee on 1900

Nominations in accordance with the bylaws of the organization 1901 b. additional officers and committees elected or appointed in accordance with the bylaws 1902

5. Meetings: There shall be an annual meeting of the conference organization of United Methodist 1903 Church Secretaries 1904

6. Responsibilities: The conference organization shall carry out those responsibilities necessary to 1905 fulfill its purpose. 1906

1907 Other Conference Organizational Units ¶ 48 1908 1) Adrian College, linked to the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry 1909 2) Albion College, linked to the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry 1910 3) Bay Shore Evangelical Association, linked to the Board of Outdoor and Retreat Ministry 1911 4) Conference Extension Fund, linked to the Board of Global Ministries 1912 5) Lake Louise Christian Community, linked to the Board of Outdoor and Retreat Ministry 1913 6) Methodist Theological School in Ohio, linked to the Board of Higher Education and Campus 1914

Ministry 1915 7) Methodist Children’s Home Society, linked to the Board of Global Ministries 1916 8) Michigan Area United Methodist Church Historical Society, Inc., linked to the Commission on 1917

Archives and History 1918 9) United Methodist Retirement Communities, Inc., linked to the Board of Global Ministries 1919 1920 1921 1922