These times are the same for the Business Forum on Thursday, 7th July and the Business Meeting on Saturday 16th July
3:00am Hawaii Time; 6:00am Pacific Time; 8:00am Central Time; 9:00am Eastern Time; 10:00am Brasilia Time, 2:00pm British Time; 3:00pm Central European Time / South Africa Time; 4:00pm Eastern European Time / Eastern Africa Time; 9:00pm Philippine Time; 11:00pm Australian Eastern Time; Friday 8th July and Sunday 17th July 1:00am New Zealand Time
Stage 1. Discussion Circles – June – various times and languages
Stage 2. Business Forum – Thursday 7th July – see times above
Stage 3. Business Meeting – Saturday 16th July – see dates and times above
Stage 4. Virtual Voting – 18th July
The Process for Motions
In order to manage the complexities of a large number of delegates seated in two houses online, who do not share the same primary language, the Governing Board has decided that all substantive motions (see example below) to come before the Business Meeting must be received in writing by the Clerk of the Governing Board, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher by Sunday 22nd May 2022. This is so the motions can be translated and distributed before the Discussion Circles and Business Forum, and to allow time for lay delegates to consult with their congregation. Motions may be modified by their author, having received feedback from the Discussion Circles and the Business Forum.
There will be no new motions accepted from delegates during the Business Meeting itself. Having all motions in writing beforehand means that all delegates will be able to have time to consider the motions on which they will be voting, prior to the meeting. These motions will be discussed during the Discussion Circles and Business Forum. During those times, any suggested amendments may be offered to the authors for consideration. Final versions of any motions will be made available prior to the Business Meeting. During the meeting, we will hear arguments for and against each motion.
Only clergy, lay delegates, Council of Elders, and the Governing Board may propose motions. If you wish to submit a motion, please write it out in full, with your name and with the name of the person who is seconding the motion.
It is helpful to provide a rationale for the motion that you are proposing – why you think MCC needs to make the change that the motion, if passed, will make. Please consider the staffing and financial implications of any changes you are proposing.
An example of a substantive motion would be:
- Motion to request the appointment of a Commission by the Governing Board to look at a specific issue
- Motions of appreciation, to thank individuals or groups of people for their service to the denomination over the past three years