Christian Life, Service and Action
a ministry of
The Pacific Northwest Conference
United Church of Christ

Resolutions in the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ

For questions about resolutions not covered below, please email:
resolutions@pnc-clsa.org

Purpose of Resolutions and Issues of Concern

The purpose of resolutions and issues of concern is to discern the mind of the conference local church delegates related to certain issues at a particular time in the life of the conference.  Resolutions and Issues of Concern can:

• ask for action on social justice issues, conference concerns, and denominational priorities;

• create a new awareness, teach, and inform Annual Meeting Delegates and their local churches about timely issues;

• shape the priorities and structures of the conference within the constraints of the bylaws;

• can launch resolutions to be presented to the General Synod of the United Church of Christ.

Types of Resolutions

Three types of resolutions are recognized in the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ for presentation at the Annual Meeting or Special Called Meetings of the Conference. 

• A Resolution of Witness is an expression of the gathered delegates concerning a moral, ethical or religious matter confronting  the church, the nation or the world which must be adopted by 2/3rds of voting delegates present at the appropriate plenary session of the meeting where presented.   
• A Prudential Resolution establishes polity, institutes or revises structures or procedures, authorizes programs, approves directions or requests actions and is adopted by a simple majority of voting delegates present at the appropriate plenary session of the meeting where presented. 
• An Issue of Concern is a matter of interest or concern presented to delegates for informational or educational purposes and which is not voted upon.  However, 2/3rds of the voting delegates at the appropriate plenary session of the meeting where presented may determine it must be voted upon.  In such an event, the delegates will also determine the number of votes required to adopt the Issue of Concern. 

Origin of Resolutions

Any Resolution may originate with the Board of Directors, a Conference Committee, an authorized Conference network or three local churches with standing in the Conference (according to their polity: congregational meeting or governing body).   It shall be submitted to the Board of Directors or its designee (such as an Annual Meeting Business Committee or the Christian Life, Service and Action Committee) at least 2 months before the Annual or Special Meeting at which it will be presented.  That body will designate the resolution as a Resolution of Witness or a Prudential Resolution, determine if it is in the required format, and if it is appropriate to bring before the Conference Delegates.  If a proposed resolution is rejected by a designee, reason for the rejection will be given in writing and the rejection may be appealed to the Board of Directors if the appeal may be made within the prescribed time period (2 months before the conference meeting).

An Issue of Concern may originate in any body authorized to sponsor a resolution or by petition of 10 members in good standing in a local UCC church, from at least 2 local churches in good standing with the Conference.   It shall be presented to the Board of Directors or its designee at least 2 months before the Annual or Special Meeting at which it will be presented.  That body will determine if the Issue of Concern is in the required format.  Review will be of form only and not content. 

A copy of each resolution and issue of concern will be distributed to local church delegates 1 month prior to the meeting.  Local Churches and Conference Areas will be encouraged to meet and discuss and to respond to sponsors prior to the Annual or Special Meeting.

No resolution or issue of concern which has not followed the above procedure will be considered with the following exceptions:

• Urgent or critical issues which have arisen after the indicated deadline above may be submitted to the Board of Directors or its designee not later than 21 days before the Annual or Called Special Meeting.  Administrative costs associated with the distribution of these resolutions or issues of concern to delegates will be the responsibility of the sponsors.
• Any resolution or issue of concern rejected by the Board of Director or its designee and proposed items arising from the floor of the Meeting may be placed on the agenda for consideration by a 2/3rds favorable vote of the delegates present at the appropriate plenary.

Format of Resolutions and Issues of Concern

Proposed resolutions or issues of concern shall be submitted and circulated in the following format:

• A brief title with information indicating the sponsor of the proposed resolution or issue of concern; date of submission; and any other information pertinent to the proposal or contacting the sponsors.
• A brief summary statement
• Background statement indicating significance and rationale for the proposal.
• Biblical, theological and ethical rationale for the proposal if pertinent.
• The statement of Christian conviction or witness or action that the delegates will vote upon, including the body that will implement and be accountable for carrying out the actions proposed and reporting to the next Annual Meeting.
• The text of any resolution or issue of concern shall be so phrased as not to bring into question the Christian commitment of those who do not agree.
• The resolution or issue of concern shall honor the polity of the United Church of Christ that in passing the resolution, the delegates speak to the world and other settings of the church, and not for other settings.

Hearings for Resolutions

Hearing time will be provided at the Annual or Other Meeting to provide information, allow question and answer time, have issues debated, give an opportunity for refinement or modification of the original proposed resolution or issue of concern statement and seek consensus of the hearing participants as to the substance of the resolution or issue of concern and whether or not it is recommended to the Delegates as an important issue upon which to act.  Sponsors of a resolution or an issue of concern must be present to justify their proposal.  Expenses to be present or for other resources to present their proposal are the responsibility of the sponsors.  A moderator will be provided by the Annual or Special Meeting Planning Committee and will report the consensus or decision of the hearing to the business meeting according to the adopted agenda schedule.  Both the original sponsor and the hearing moderator of a resolution will be given on opportunity to speak and bring recommendations to the floor before further discussion and debate.  In this session, the original proposal will be introduced first.  Priority in the presentation of proposed amendments will be given first to the hearing moderator who will bring any amendments to the floor arising from the hearing process.  Following this, the Annual Meeting will then deal with the original resolution and its proposed amendments as they see fit, in accordance with regular parliamentary procedure.

The hearing moderator will report the results of the hearing and how an issue of concern is to be implemented.  The issue of concern will not be debated, discussed or voted upon on the floor of the plenary session unless determined necessary by a 2/3rds affirmative vote of the delegates present at that plenary session.

Reporting on Resolutions

Resolutions that have passed shall have attached to all reporting documents the number of delegates voting for/against/abstaining if requested by a majority of delegates present at the plenary session (motion for division of the house).  At the next Annual Meeting, unless otherwise designated by the resolution, the Board of Directors or the Conference Minister shall report on the implementation of any resolutions that pass. 
 

Summary of Resolution Process