PCUSA
Open Meeting Policy
The Layman
Online
Wednesday, August 4, 1999
- The work of the church is strengthened when it is done in a
spirit of openness and trust. Church members have a basic right to
know about the work done and the decisions made by entities within
the church. Church leaders have a basic responsibility to honor that
right by conducting their business with a spirit of openness and
vulnerability to public scrutiny. Therefore, open meetings shall be
the norm for all such entities.
- It is the policy of the General Assembly, the General Assembly
Council, its divisions and Finance and Technology Office, and of the
entities and work groups related to them, that their meetings shall
be open to all interested person.
- In certain circumstances, when confidentiality of the subject
matter is impeding the open work of the group, its meetings may be
closed. These requirements apply:
(a) Subjects dealt with must be limited to property
negotiation, personnel, civil and criminal litigation.
(b) Closed meetings may be authorized only after serious
consideration and by a majority vote of members present. Such
closure must be limited in time and scope to matters in 3(a) above.
(c) In closed meetings, only voting members and other
persons invited by the group to serve it are to be present.
(d) The reason(s) for closing must be announced before
closure and also must be recorded in the minutes.
(e) The decisions reached shall be recorded in the minutes,
and shall be made public as soon as possible following the end of
the closed meeting.
- Since staff groups have neither authority nor responsibility for
establishing policy, their meetings are not subject to these
provisions. This does not preclude them from opening their meetings.
- The provisions of this policy shall apply to visitors and
representatives of both church and public media, including print,
electronic and photographic journalists.
- All the provisions of this policy are to be applied equitably to
all persons and groups.
- The Office of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly is
responsible for resolving questions relating to the application and
interpretation of the open meeting policy. Approved: News Advisory
Committee 9/96; GAC 6/97; General Assembly 6/97
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