Arizona Conference Corporation Constituency Meeting
T
he air was filled with a mix of cautious optimism and nervous excitement as the Arizona Conference administration, staff, and volunteers conducted the final runthrough on Saturday night, October 23. The next morning, delegates would arrive to attend the 31st Regular Arizona Conference Corporation Constituency Meeting. In a time of uncertainty over attendance, expectations regarding quorum were palpable. As with any large gathering of constituents, the element of surprise motions from the floor or public scrutiny of administrative actions brought a level of stress. Months earlier the Arizona Conference Corporation Executive Committee had weighed the merits of conducting a virtual meeting versus an in-person meeting. The decision to hold an in-person meeting was based heavily on three elements: 1) The size of the Mesa Arizona Convention Center venue allowed for physical distancing for delegates; 2) COVID-19 protocols would be in place; and 3) Other virtual meetings around the North American Division had met with technical difficulties and mixed reviews. As registration opened Sunday morning, October 24, delegates began filtering through the lobby and into the main convention hall. The numbers steadily increased, and a little after 9 a.m. it was announced that
Pacific Union Conference President Bradford Newton dedicates the newly reelected officers.
22 Pacific Union Recorder
Arizona Conference
Cyiza Music Ministry opens the constituency meeting with praise music. the constituency meeting had met quorum and could conduct business. The meeting started as the nearly 400 delegates listened to the music of Cyiza Music Ministry and President Ed Keyes’ devotional based on the session’s theme, “Love Them Like Jesus.” Throughout the day, other musical interludes were presented by the Thunderbird Adventist Academy Chorale and the Glenview Adventist Academy Select Choir. The rest of the morning was filled with reports from the president, executive secretary, treasurer, and director of education. Pacific Union Conference President Bradford Newton served as the chair of the nominating committee and, along with vice-chair Michelle Ritzer, presented the recommended names to the delegates for the corporation officers, assistants to the president, and departmental directors. After some procedural questions, the constituency voted all recommended names for the next quinquennium, along with recommendations for the Executive and Bylaws Committees. Two departmental positions were left vacant for the newly elected Executive Committee to appoint. After lunch and the Nominating Committee report, Executive Secretary Jorge A. Ramirez presented
