Committee Members Present: Tom James (TE Maumee Valley), Mark Johnson (RE Scioto Valley), Andy Thorburn (RE Lake Michigan), Diane Ziegler (TE Miami Valley)

Excused: None

Absent: None

Synod Resource: Cathy Ulrich, General Presbyter/Stated Clerk (Eastminster)

Staff Resource: Chip Hardwick, Interim Executive, Fran Lane-Lawrence, Interim Stated Clerk

Call to Order: Fran Lane-Lawrence called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

Quorum: A quorum was present.

Opening Prayer: The meeting was opened with scripture and prayer by Chip Hardwick, Synod Executive. Psalm 16:6 was read, noting “the boundary lines have fallen for me in godly places” and the connection between governance and boundary lines that fall in godly places. Establishing the boundary lines that we need will fill us with joy.

New Business:

Agenda: A motion prevailed to approve the agenda.

Introductions: Introductions were then made of the committee and resource persons. Overview of tasks: An overview of the initial tasks was presented with the Book of Order requirements for sexual misconduct and child protection policies. In discussion, a number of other requirements were shared, including the need to develop a manual of operations, a plan for participation and representation, and a rule for the election of Trustees. Committee members agreed that beginning with the first two tasks at this point was enough, and that the additional tasks would be held for work upon the completion of the first two. Committee members agreed to send Fran Lane-Lawrence and Cathy Ulrich copies of policies from their presbytery that are good models. These copies will be shared with committee members in preparation for the next meeting. The committee will seek to present the first to items at the February Synod Assembly.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair: A motion prevailed to elect Andy Thorburn Chair. A motion prevailed to elect Mark Johnson as Vice Chair.

Minutes: A motion prevailed to elect Diane Ziegler as Recording Clerk. It was noted that minutes need to be taken and posted in a timely manner to support communication and transparency in the Synod.

Quorum: A motion prevailed to define a quorum as a majority of members (3).

Meeting day and time: The committee will meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. via Zoom. The meetings will be limited to 90 minutes unless the group agrees to extend them.

Old Business: There was no old business to discuss.

Adjourned: The committee adjourned at 5:11 p.m.

Closing Prayer: Andy Thorburn, Chair, closed the meeting in prayer.

Respectfully Submitted, Diane Ziegler, Recording Clerk

The next meeting is on December 14th at 10 a.m.
Devotions will be led by Andy Thorburn.