A Brief Explanation of Voting at Annual Conference vs Clergy Session

Update from the Secretary of the Annual Conference A Brief Explanation of Voting at Annual Conference vs Clergy Session June 3, 2020 Some questions are still arising about voting at annual conference and the clergy session. Let me try to clarify.

As we understand it, Tennessee State Law does not allow a non-profit corporation board of directors/ governing body to hold a virtual session and vote unless there can be discussion and debate and the resulting vote must be unanimous. The session of the annual conference would be considered the governing body under this schema. Therefore, since we cannot hold debate and discussion for a virtual group that large, we are not going to present any item that requires a vote. It would also be almost impossible for us to achieve a unanimous vote.

Upon completion of the annual conference session, leaders of the various committees that need to have action taken, i.e. approve a budget, past service rate, etc, will file a motion with the Secretary of the Annual Conference. The Secretary will present these motions to an extended cabinet session, at a date yet to be determined in the near future, whereupon the extended cabinet can act upon these motions. Their action will be on behalf of the annual conference. This session will be an open zoom session that anyone can view.

The Clergy Session is considered more of a sub-group and not the governing body of the annual conference.

It is not bound by the same sort of Tennessee laws. Therefore, we will be able to discuss, albeit in a rather awkward manner, items that might be raised in the clergy session. In addition, there are votes that must be taken in the clergy session. These will be done via the Zoom Webinar. Each item will be presented individually by Mickey Rainwater, Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Bishop Taylor will then proceed to call for a vote and close out each vote. There will be a Q&A function that will be monitored so that if questions are raised, they may be brought to Mickey and/or the Bishop’s attention prior to the vote being taken.

If there are further questions on this matter, please contact Terry Goodman at (865) 690-4080 or conferencesecretary@holston.org