New procedures for challenged nominations By Robert P. Mills The Layman Online Saturday, June 19, 1999 "The health of this church is in inverse relation to the number of slates being challenged." That is how Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick introduced proposed procedures by which the Fort Worth Assembly may handle nominations that are challenged from the GA floor. The proposal was adopted unanimously by the Assembly's Bills and Overtures committee. Bills and Overtures begins meeting before the Assembly officially convenes. Among its other actions Saturday morning, it approved the proposed docket for the Assembly and all proposed referrals of business. Challenges to GANC slate Kirkpatrick said "Potentially a good number of challenges are being brought to the slate proposed by the General Assembly Nominating Committee." He noted that while a process is in place for such nominations with candidates for moderator and stated clerk, no such procedures are in place for other nominations. The procedure adopted by the committee is, "When the General Assembly is ready to elect persons to fill vacancies to General Assembly Committees, one speech shall be made supporting the nomination of each nominee for the challenged position. Such speech shall not exceed three minutes in length. There shall be no other speeches seconding the nomination of any nominee." Guidelines for the nominating speeches include that a nomination speech "should focus on the positive contribution that the person being nominated can make to the committee; should indicate how this nomination shall enhance the diversity and representation on the committee; [and] should not be a negative speech about the other nominee." Avoiding another Syracuse "We got into a situation in Syracuse that I think was unfortunate," Kirkpatrick said. "Speeches made from the floor became speeches against nominees instead of for, which was clearly out of order." His reference was to the Syracuse Assembly's rejection of David Dobler and Phillip Hull, who had been nominated to serve on the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. Dobler and Hull, both of whom supported G-6.0106b, the "fidelity and chastity" clause of the Book of Order, were rejected in favor of candidates who opposed the provision. During the debate, both were the subject of extended personal attacks. "It seemed to us it might seem wise to have a clear process adopted with a sense of fairness for all concerned," Kirkpatrick said. "We want to avoid another situation like Syracuse." |
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