Minutes of the Synod Council Executive Committee

MINUTES OF THE SYNOD COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SOUTHWESTERN TEXASSYNOD

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH INAMERICA

February 4, 2016

The Synod Council Executive Committee meeting held via GoToMeeting was called to order by Vice President Carl Teinert at 8:05 p.m. Mr. Teinert opened the meeting with prayer.

RollCall

A quorumwas determined to be present.

Members Present:

Elaine KalkwarfPaul PfeiferBishop Ray Tiemann

The Rev. Anne Kolmeier Carl TeinertCindy House

Linda Nicholas

Bishop Tiemann presented the order of business:

a)Adopt Synod Assembly Standing Rules (upcoming SC Exh. B-1)

b)Appoint Pr. Kent Bohls to replace Pr. Bill Irons on Discipline Committee, per S11.02.c

c) Appoint Nominating committee replacements, per S9.03 (upcoming SC Exh. B-2)

d) Re-appoint Deans whose terms end on August 31, 2016, to new terms ending August 31, 2018.

Pr. Herb Beyer, Bluebonnet Conference, Tri-County Cooperative

Pr. Don Taylor, Gulf Coast Conference, Retired

Pr. Dick Bremer, Hill Country Conference, Retired

Pr. Paul Miller, Cibolo Conference, St. Andrew, Canyon Lake

e) Adopt “Ministry Transition Agreement” Guidelines(upcoming SC Exh. B-3)

f) Adopt revisions to “Philip L. Wahlberg Scholarship” Fund guidelines (upcoming SC Exh. B-4)

g) Adopt “Operational Ethics Policy” for the Southwestern Texas Synod(upcoming SC Exh. B-5)

h) 2017-18 Synod budget presentation

VOTED

SCEx.16.02.01To approve the Synod Assembly Standing Rules as presented with verification of 2.h.S7.22;SC15.05 on Page 2.

VOTED

SCEx.16.02.02To appoint Pr. Kent Bohls to replace Pr. Bill Irons on the Discipline Committee,per S11.02.c, term ending August 31, 2018.

VOTED

SCEx.16.02.03To approve Mary Lovig, Rio Grande Conference, term ending August 31, 2022; Scott Hofmann, Hill Country Conference, term ending August 31, 2018; Tom Dupler, Bluebonnet Conference, term ending August 31, 2022, to the SWTX Synod Nominating Committee per S9.03.

Citing that there are no term limitations for Deans, Bishop Tiemann presented four Deans for re-appointment who had agreed to serve.

VOTED

SCEx.16.02.04To re-appoint Deans whose terms end on August 31, 2016, to new terms ending August 31, 2018.

Pr. Herb Beyer, Bluebonnet Conference, Tri-County Cooperative

Pr. Don Taylor, Gulf Coast Conference, Retired

Pr. Dick Bremer, Hill Country Conference, Retired

Pr. Paul Miller, Cibolo Conference, St. Andrew, Canyon Lake

Bishop Tiemann gave a brief explanation of the “Ministry Transition Agreement” Guidelines and how the guidelines are used when working with pastors, rostered leaders and congregations.

VOTED

SCEx.16.02.05To adopt the “Ministry Agreement” Guidelines as presented.

Bishop Tiemann gave an overview of the history of The Philip L. Wahlberg Scholarship Fund, how it was established, funding, administration, and recommended changes to improve administration of the scholarship.

VOTED

SCEx.16.02.06To adopt revisions of The Philip L. Wahlberg Scholarship Fund as presented.

Bishop Tiemann presented the Operational Ethics Policy to address conflicts of interest and business ethics in the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA as written by Mark Helmke. After adoption, all existing and new Synod Council membersand employees will receive a copy of this policy annually and will sign a statement verifying receipt of said policy.

VOTED

SCEx.16.02.07To adopt the Southwestern Texas Synod Operational Ethics Policy as presented.

Synod Treasurer, Elaine Kalkwarf, presented the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year Beginning February 1, 2017. Mrs. Kalkwarf reviewed changes made to the proposed budget for clarity of revenue and expense line items emphasizing that figures are subject to change until April 30, 2016. The 2015/2016 YTD Unauditedfigures are subject to change as the Administration and Finance Committee completes its work.

Following a closing prayer by Bishop Tiemann, the meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

Respectfullysubmitted,

Cindy House, SynodSecretary