2012 Business Meeting
Presbyterian Women’s triennial Churchwide Gathering includes a Business Meeting. It is at this meeting that voting representatives decide the focus, budget and leadership for the upcoming triennium. The 2012 Business Meeting was held Thursday, July 19 (12–5 pm) and Friday, July 20 (12–4 pm).
Voting representatives received a Business Book with reports from elected leaders, staff and committees, along with proposals for the budget, bylaws and programs for 2012–2015.
Hydrogen, oxygen, consensus and budgets at the Business Meeting
By Yvonne Hileman
“Imagine that the three persons in one God want to build a river of hope. They study the periodic table, consult legal counsel . . . . Finally, Father and Son agree that hydrogen is the way to build a river of hope. The Holy Spirit is not convinced. “It’s gotta be oxygen,” the Spirit says.
This is the conundrum that Gusti Newquist, parliamentarian for the Churchwide Business Meeting, presented to practice consensus-building skills among the voting representatives during the first day of the Business Meeting, July 19. A lively discussion ensued, when a representative from Synod of the Northeast asked if the two—hydrogen and oxygen—might be combined. There was a question from the floor regarding financial implications, a request for clarity on the science, and a suggestion to pray about the issue. One representative proposed testing the combination for a period of years. Another observed that creation was finished in seven days, suggesting the testing period should be reduced to three days. Finally, the fruitful and inclusive discussion led to consensus. Two hydrogen atoms are to be combined with one oxygen atom (since H represents hope and oxygen is life-giving). The group will place the elements on a rock bed, then pray for lightning (free electricity) to bond the elements, thus eliminating the financial implications.
In this way, voting representatives prepared to use the consensus model of decision-making for the business. That business included two resolutions from both the Antiracism Committee and the Leadership Enhancement Committee. Read more.
The 2009–2012 moderator team (left three) happily pass the gavel to the newly-elected 2012–2015 team. Photo by Louise Davidson.
New leaders and new directions emerge from Business Meeting
By Yvonne Hileman
On Friday, July 20, Presbyterian Women’s 395 seated voting representatives elected a new Churchwide Coordinating Team, approved six resolutions, referred six more items of new business to the CCT, and elected Mary Cook Jorgenson moderator of the 2012–2015 Churchwide Coordinating Team. Pam Snyder and Sheila Louder were elected to vice moderator positions. Pam will be vice moderator for mission relationships, Sheila will be vice moderator for justice and peace issues.
Mary said, “I want to thank you for bestowing on me this great honor and responsibility. Since the slate was announced last fall, I’ve heard from many women offering their prayers and support. This means so much. I covet that support and especially your prayers in the coming months.” Read more about the leadership team and resolutions.
PW's structural review
Voting delegates at PW's 2012 Business Meeting affirmed a resolution to commend the 2003 Structural Review Task Group's Report to PW groups. The task group worked from 2001 to 2003 to assess PW's organizational structure, programs and resources from an antiracist perspective. Their report includes various recommendations for individuals and PW groups to proactively build diverse communities.
Learn more about the recommendations and the opportunities for growth for your PW group.
