BYLAWS

BYLAWS

MICHIGAN DISTRICT

LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE

LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD

Article I — Name

The name of this organization shall be the Michigan District of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (hereinafter referred to as “LWML”) and also d.b.a. Lutheran Women in Mission.  The LWML is an auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (hereinafter referred to as “LCMS”).

Article II — Object

The object of this organization shall be:

a.  to develop and to maintain a greater mission consciousness among the women of the Michigan District LCMS through mission education, mission inspiration, and mission service;

b.  to gather funds for mission grants either directly sponsored or approved by synodical boards or synodical district presidents, especially those for which no adequate provision has been made in synodical or synodical district budgets;

c.  to foster and support the program of LWML;

d.  to take charge of, hold, and manage all property, personal and real, that may at any time or in any manner come to or vest in this organization.

Article III — Structure

Section 1

The Michigan District LWML (hereinafter referred to as the “District”) is composed of individual women and women’s societies within congregations of the Michigan District LCMS, on campuses, in resident homes, or in other settings.

Section 2

The District is organized into zones which consist of individual women and women’s societies from LCMS congregations in their geographical areas.  Zones shall conform to synodical circuit lines where possible.

Section 3

a.  Each zone shall write its own bylaws.

b.    The articles on Object, Members, Representation at the national convention, and Parliamentary Authority shall conform to the respective articles in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the national LWML. The articles on Representation at District conventions shall conform to the respective articles in these District bylaws.

c.  The zone bylaws and any subsequent proposed amendments shall be submitted in the required number of copies to the District Structure Coordinator for approval before being presented to the zone voting body for adoption.

d.  One copy of the zone bylaws as adopted shall be placed on file with the District Structure Coordinator.

Section 4

a.  Each zone shall hold at least two general meetings each year for the purpose of furthering the objectives of LWML, for conducting the routine business of the zone, and for promoting Christian growth and fellowship.  These meetings may take the form of rallies, workshops, servant events, or other format planned by the zone.

b.  Each member of a society and each individual LWML member shall have privilege of voice and vote at zone meetings.

c.  Each zone shall select delegates for the purpose of representation at the biennial conventions of the national LWML (see Article V, Section 4).

d.  At the earliest possible date following each zone meeting, the zone secretary shall forward one (1) copy of the minutes to the District President who will forward same to District Archivist-Historian at the end of each biennium.

Article IV — Members

a.  A woman who is a communicant member of an LCMS congregation is eligible for membership.

b.  Women’s organizations within congregations of the LCMS, on campuses, in resident homes, or in other settings shall be eligible for membership as societies.

c.  One (1) or more societies affiliated with the District from the same congregation, campus, resident home, or other single setting shall be considered one (1) unit for the purpose of representation at LWML conventions.

d.  Societies formed in a setting other than a congregation, a campus, or a resident home by women who hold membership in an LCMS congregation shall make application to the District for recognition as societies.

e.  Individual membership is available to a woman in an LCMS congregation with or without a society affiliated with LWML.  Individual membership is not considered a society or a unit, nor does it confer voting privileges at the district or national level.

f.   Request for recognition of membership shall be processed by the District Recording Secretary with approval of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

Article V — Conventions

Section 1

A convention for the purpose of transacting the business of the District shall be held biennially in the even-numbered years at a place determined in a prior convention.

a.  Zones shall extend invitations for hosting a District convention.  Invitations shall be made to the Executive Committee in a time and manner prescribed by the Executive Committee.  The convention may, or may not, be held within the boundaries of the zone(s) hosting the convention.

b.  The Convention Site Committee shall present to the Executive Committee for approval a list of sites with adequate facilities and personnel to host the convention.

c.  The Executive Committee shall determine the dates of, and program for, the convention.

d.  The official call to convention shall appear in the second quarter issue of the official publication prior to convention.

Section 2

a.  The voting assembly of the convention shall be:

     (1)      two (2) certified delegates from each unit within the District;

     (2)      the members of the Board of Directors;

     (3)      past District Presidents who are currently members of the Michigan District LWML;

b.  A member of the voting assembly shall vote in one (1) capacity only;

c.  Proxy votes are prohibited.

Section 3

a.  Each certified delegate shall have a certified alternate when possible.

b.  The zone president shall submit the names of the certified delegates and alternates to the District President and District Recording Secretary at least eight (8) weeks prior to the convention.

c.  In the event neither the delegate nor the alternate is able to serve, a member of the same society may serve as delegate upon certification in writing by her zone president and presentation to the District Recording Secretary.

Section 4

A convention for the purpose of transacting the business of the national LWML shall be held biennially in the odd-numbered years at a place determined in a prior convention.

a.  District representation shall be as follows:

(1)      Districts may authorize one (1) certified delegate from each zone having ten (10) or fewer units

and one (1) certified delegate for each additional ten (10) units, or major fraction thereof, as of

January 1 preceding the convention.

     (2)      Delegates may vote in only one (1) capacity and proxy votes are prohibited.

     (3)      Each certified delegate shall have a certified alternate when possible.

(4) The District President shall send the names of the certified delegates and the alternates to the national LWML Recording Secretary by March 1 in the odd-numbered years.

     (5)      In the event neither the delegate nor the alternate is able to serve, a member of the same zone may serve as delegate upon certification in writing by the District President and    presentation to the national LWML Recording Secretary.

Article VI — Officers and Elections

Section 1

The elected officers shall be:  President, Vice President of Caring Ministry, Vice President of Christian Growth, Vice President of Communication, Vice President of Mission Outreach, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2

a.  The elected officers shall be elected by ballot at the District convention to serve a term of four (4) years or until their successors are elected and shall not be eligible for reelection to the same office.  Newly elected officers shall assume their duties at the close of the convention in which they are elected.

b.  The election of officers shall be as follows:

     (1)      The President, the Vice President of Communication, the Vice President of Mission Outreach, the Vice President of Organizational Resources, and the Financial Secretary shall be elected in one convention.

     (2)      The Vice President of Caring Ministry, the Vice President of Christian Growth, the Recording Secretary, and the Treasurer shall be elected in the following convention.

     (3)      In the event that there are three (3) or more candidates for office and a majority vote has not been reached after two (2) ballots have been cast, the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be removed from each successive ballot.

c.  The retiring Financial Secretary and Treasurer shall, within sixty (60) days following the election, turn over to their successors all materials pertaining to the office.  All other retiring officers shall, within thirty (30) days following the election, turn over to their successors all materials pertaining to their offices.

Section 3

a.       In the event a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Board of Directors shall fill the vacancy.  The election shall be by ballot vote.  The candidates eligible to fill the vacancy shall be the Vice Presidents who are serving in the third or fourth year of their term of office.  If there is no regularly scheduled meeting of the Board within thirty (30) days of the vacancy in the office of President, a special meeting shall be called by the Vice President of Organizational Resources within thirty (30) days of such vacancy for the express purpose of electing a new president.

b.       In the event a vacancy occurs in any other elective position, such vacancy shall be filled by the Executive Committee.

c.       In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Pastoral Counselor, the position shall be first offered to the pastor who was on the ballot at the last District convention but not selected.  If he chooses not to accept the position, the Executive Committee in consultation with the LCMS District President shall fill the vacancy.

Article VII — Duties of Officers

Section 1

The President shall:

a.  preside at conventions of the District and at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee;

b.  be responsible for execution of resolutions passed by the convention body, Board of Directors, and Executive Committee;

c.  serve as a member of the national Board of Directors and attend national conventions as a member of said Board;

     (1)      in the event the President cannot attend a national Board meeting or convention, she may ask one of the elected vice presidents to attend in her stead;

               (a)     such substitute may have voice, but not vote, at national Board meetings and conventions;^[1]

d.  be responsible for appointing standing committees, appointed officers, special appointed personnel, and special committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee;

e.  receive and approve vouchers for payment of legitimately incurred expenditures and forward vouchers to the Treasurer for issuance of checks;

f.   be the only officer designated to sign legal contracts for the District;

g.  be an ex officio member of all departments and committees except the Nominating Committee;

h.  send a résumé of the second and fourth quarter Executive Committee meetings to members of the Board of Directors, including cost and source of funding for programs;

i.   prepare a report for the convention, including activities of the Board of Directors;

j.   perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Section 2

The Vice President of Caring Ministry may perform the duties of the office of the President in the absence, or at the request, of the President, and shall:

a.    serve as chairman  of  the Caring Ministry Committee;

b.    be authorized to sign checks in an emergency;

c.    be bonded in an amount determined by the Executive Committee;

d.    report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors;

e.  prepare a report for the convention, including committee activities;

f.   perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Section 3

The Vice President of Christian Growth may perform the duties of the office of the President in the absence, or at the request, of the President, and shall:

a.  serve as chairman of the Christian Growth Committee;

b.  with Christian Growth Committee, plan and recruit participants for producing Board Retreats and district-wide retreats when asked to do so by the Executive Committee;

c.  with the Pastoral Counselors, the President, and the Convention Worship Committee, plan and recruit participants for the worship services of the District conventions;

d.  report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors;

e.  prepare a report for the convention, including committee activities;

f.   perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Section 4

The Vice President of Communication may perform the duties of the office of the President in the absence, or at the request, of the President, and shall:

a.  serve as chairman of the Communication Committee;

b.  serve as Public Relations Director for the District;

c.  maintain the District LWML Display and represent the District in exhibits areas of conventions and gatherings when asked to do so by the President;

d.  coordinate the preparation and publication of the convention manual;

e.  report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors;

f.   prepare a report for the convention, including committee activities;

g.  perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Section 5

The Vice President of Mission Outreach may perform the duties of the office of the President in the absence, or at the request, of the President, and shall:

a.    serve as chairman of the Mission Outreach Committee;

b.  receive mission grant proposals;

c.  chair the Grant Evaluation and Selection meeting (see Article XIV, Section 5);

d.  present the mission grant proposals to the President of the Michigan District LCMS for evaluation and comment;

e.  present to the Board of Directors, for consideration and approval, the proposals selected for the mission grants ballot;

f.   prepare an impartial presentation of the approved grant proposals for the convention;

g.  prepare the mission grants ballot for the convention;

h.  requisition and disburse mission grant funds and monitor the progress of each recipient until completion;

i.   serve on the Finance Committee (see Article XV, Section 3);

j.   report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, including a report on the progress of each adopted mission grant until its completion;

k.  prepare a report for the convention, including committee activities;

l.   perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Section 6

The Vice President of Organizational Resources may perform the duties of the office of the President in the absence, or at the request, of the President, and shall:

a.  serve as chairman of the Organizational Resources Committee;

b.  in the event of an emergency or unexpected vacancy in the office of the President, fill the vacancy until the President is able to resume her responsibilities or until an election is held by the Board of Directors (see Article VI, Section 3a and Article XII, Section 3e);

c.  be responsible for keeping the District Leaders’ Guide current;

d.  report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors;

e.  prepare a report for the convention, including committee activities;

f.   perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Section 7

The Recording Secretary shall:

a.  record the convention proceedings and meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive committee;

b.    provide each member of the Board of Directors with a copy of the minutes of its meetings;

c.  provide each member of the Executive Committee with a copy of the minutes of its meetings;

d.  keep a current roster of the addresses of the members of the Board of Directors and distribute to Board members;

e.  keep a record of society and zone officers and membership statistics;

f.   keep a current list of society and individual members’ addresses for the circulation of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly and the District LWML in Action;

g.  receive credentials of delegates prior to the District convention;

h.  provide a copy of the convention minutes to each member of the Board of Directors and to other delegates upon request;

i.   prepare a résumé of convention action to be published in the first issue of LWML in Action following the convention;

j.   prepare a report for the convention;

k.  perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Section 8

The Financial Secretary shall:

a.  receive all funds for the District LWML and deposit same in financial institution(s) approved by the Executive Committee (including Special Gift funds, see Article XV, Section 4);

b.  keep an itemized account of all receipts and a record of all deposits;

c.  report regularly to the Treasurer all funds received and deposited;

d.  serve as a member of the Finance Committee (see Article XV, Section 3);

e.  serve as a member of the Special Gift Fund Committee (see Article XV, Section 4);

f.   be bonded in an amount determined by the Executive Committee;

g.  prepare financial reports for the convention, Board of Directors, and Executive Committee;

h.  submit records for financial review at end of each biennium;

i.   perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Section 9

The Treasurer shall:

a.    chair the Finance Committee (see Article XV, Section 3);

b.  with the Finance Committee, prepare the organizational and convention budgets;

c.  keep a record of all deposits made by the Financial Secretary and an itemized account of all disbursements;

d.  make all disbursements authorized by the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and by signed vouchers from the President, and disburse funds for mission grants as requested by the Vice President of Mission Outreach and approved by the President;

e.  remit quarterly to the LWML Office twenty-five percent (25%) or more of all regular mite box offerings received from Michigan District LWML members;

f.   serve as a member of the Special Gift Fund Committee (see Article XV, Section 4);

g.  be bonded in an amount determined by the Executive Committee;

h.  prepare financial reports for the convention, the Board of Directors, and Executive Committee;

i.   submit records for financial review at the end of each biennium;

j.   perform other duties as set forth in the District Leaders’ Guide.

Article VIII — Nominations

Section 1

a.  A Nominating committee of at least three (3) members shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its third quarter Board Meeting in the year prior to the biennial convention.

b.  The members must be serving on the District Board of Directors at the time of their election and shall be as widely representative of the District as possible.

Section 2

The Nominating Committee shall:

a.  submit a slate of at least two (2) candidates, if possible, for each elective office to be filled;

b.  with the exception of Pastoral Counselors, select candidates who are members of LWML and who have served as a zone officer;

c.  select candidates for President who have served as a zone president or a member of the District Board of Directors;

d.  submit names of nominees for Pastoral Counselors to the Michigan District LCMS president for approval (see Article XIII, Section 2b);

e.  select two (2) candidates for Pastoral Counselor from the approved nominees (see Article XIII, Section 2c);

f.   obtain written consent of all nominees to serve if elected;

g.    submit a report of nominees, listed alphabetically, for publication in LWML in Action prior to the

     convention;

h.  submit for publication in the convention manual a résumé of each nominee, listed in alphabetical order;

i.   prepare and provide for the convention the correct number of ballots with the names listed in alphabetical order for each office.

Section 3

Nominations for elected officers may be made from the floor of the convention provided written consent of the nominee has been secured and she meets the stipulated qualifications for office.

Article IX —Appointed Officers

Section 1

The appointed officers shall be Meeting Manager and Planner, appointed by the President, and shall:

a.  be members of LWML;

b.  serve a term of two (2) years or until their successors are appointed, and be eligible for one reappointment;

c.  be advisory members of the Executive Committee;

d.  be voting members of the Board of Directors;

e.  be responsible to the President;

f.   report to each regular meeting of the Board of Directors and to the convention.

Section 2

The Meeting Manager shall:

a.  develop and administer meeting service support for conventions, retreats, conferences, Board Meetings, Executive Committee Meetings, and other District events;

b.  serve as chairman of the Convention Site Committee;

c.  coordinate travel arrangements for district members attending national LWML conventions when asked to do so by the Executive Committee;

d.  arrange district caucus and fellowship activities at national LWML conventions when asked to do so by the Executive Committee.

Section 3

The Planner shall:

a.  be responsible for focusing the vision of the District through the planning process;

b.    lead the Board of Directors in evaluating activities and programs as they relate to the purpose and

     objectives of the District and national LWML;

c.  serve as networker with committees to assist in planning;

d.  serve as adviser to zones when requested to do so;

e.  serve as coordinator of district convention policies.

Article X — Special Appointed Personnel

Section 1

The special appointed personnel shall be the Archivist-Historian and the Parliamentarian, appointed by the President, and shall:

a.  be members of LWML;

b.  serve a term of two (2) years or until their successors are appointed, and be eligible for reappointment;

c.  attend meetings as advisory members at the request of the President or as otherwise stipulated in these Bylaws;

d.  be responsible to the President.

Section 2

The Archivist-Historian shall:

a.  gather and preserve records and other material of historical significance to the District;

b.  write a brief history of the activities of the District for each biennium;

c.  send a copy of the biennial history to the national LWML Archivist-Historian immediately following each convention;

d.  maintain a file of histories submitted by the zones;

e.  assemble articles and materials relative to the history of the District for display at each convention;

f.   attend meetings at the request of the President.

Section 3

The Parliamentarian shall:

a.  advise the President, other officers, and members regarding parliamentary procedure upon request;

b.  attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and the District LWML convention;

c.  supervise activities of tellers at the conventions;

c.    perform other duties as outlined in the District Leaders’ Guide.

 Article XI — Board of Directors

Section 1

a.  The Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) shall be composed of the elected officers, appointed officers, and zone presidents.  Pastoral Counselors and standing committee members shall serve as advisory members.

b.  When a zone president must be absent from a Board Meeting or a District Convention, the zone vice president or any other zone officer shall be authorized to attend as the zone representative and shall have the privilege of voice and vote.

Section 2

a.  Regular meetings of the Board shall be held two (2) times per year in the first and third quarters of the calendar year (unless date is rescheduled by the Board).

b.  An additional Board Meeting shall be held in the convention city immediately prior to the biennial convention.

c.  Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Executive Committee or by written request of five (5) members of the Board.

d.  In a time of emergency or special urgency, the Board may take action by mail or by electronic messaging.

Section 3

Representation from a majority of the zone presidents, plus five (5) voting members of the Executive Committee, shall constitute a quorum.

Section 4

The Board of Directors shall:

a.  carry out the business of the Michigan District LWML approved in convention;

b.  transact the business of the District between conventions;

c.  consider and approve proposed Bylaws amendments before presentation to the convention;

d.  receive and take action on recommendations, resolutions, and special appeals presented by the Executive Committee, members of the Board of Directors, or the membership for possible presentation to the convention (see Article XVIII);

e.  consider and approve the mission goal for each biennium;

f.   consider and approve the mission grants proposals for the convention ballot;

g.    consider and approve, either in session, by mail, or by electronic messaging, changes that occur in

     mission grant plans after the recipients have been selected in convention (see Article XVII, 

     Section 3b);

h.  determine the place for the convention when such selection has not been made at a convention;

i.   elect a president in the event a vacancy occurs in that office (see Article VI, Section 3a);

j.   at the third quarter meeting in odd-numbered years, select six (6) nominees for Pastoral Counselor, if possible, to be submitted to the Nominating Committee (see Article XIII, Section 2a);

k.  consider and take action on recommendations and resolutions of the Executive Committee;

l.   consider requests for membership and recognize new LWML societies and individual members within the District (see Article IV f).

Article XII — Executive Committee

Section 1

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected officers of the District.  The Pastoral Counselors and the appointed officers shall be advisory members.

Section 2

a.  The Executive Committee shall meet four (4) times per year. When necessary, action may be taken by mail or by electronic messaging.

b.  Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by written request of five (5) voting members of the committee.

c.  Five (5) voting members shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Committee.

Section 3

The Executive Committee shall:

a.  transact necessary business between meetings of the Board;

b.  evaluate, promote, and coordinate the activities of the District in relation to its object, and initiate programs to meet the needs of the membership;

c.  plan and supervise the program of the convention and approve the convention budget;

d.  approve the convention minutes and direct their mailing in a timely manner;

e.  fill vacancies occurring in elective offices, except the office of President (see Article VI, Section 3a, 3c);

f.   approve appointed officers, committee appointments, and special appointed personnel;

g.  approve financial institution(s) for deposit of funds;

h.    determine the amounts of bonds of those who are authorized to receive or disburse funds

     (see Article VII, Sections 2c, 8f, and 9g);

i.   arrange for insurance coverage for the benefit of the organization in such amount as the Committee deems advisable;

j.   consider and recommend Board of Directors’ recognition of new LWML societies and individual women seeking membership in the District (see Article IV f).

Article XIII — Pastoral Counselors

Section 1

The Pastoral Counselors shall be two pastors of the Michigan District LCMS.  They shall serve a term of four (4) years and cannot immediately succeed themselves.  In the event a pastor has been appointed to complete a term as counselor when a vacancy has occurred in that position, he shall be eligible for election if the partial term served is two years or less.   One (1) counselor shall be elected at each convention.  A newly elected counselor shall assume his duties at the close of the convention in which he is elected.  (See Article VI, Section 3c).

Section 2

Candidates for pastoral counselors will be selected in the following manner:

a.  The Board of Directors shall nominate six (6) pastors, if possible, for pastoral counselors at the third quarter Board Meeting in odd-numbered years (see Article XI, Section 4j).

b.  The Nominating Committee shall submit the names of the nominees to the Michigan District LCMS president for approval (see Article VIII, Section 2d).

c.  From the list of approved nominees, the Nominating Committee shall select two candidates and obtain their written consent to serve if elected (see Article VIII, Section 2e).

Section 3

Pastoral Counselors shall:

a.  serve the Michigan District LWML in an advisory capacity;

b.  serve as spiritual leaders to the officers and members of the District;

c.  prepare devotions and worship services as requested;

d.  in cooperation with the President, the Vice President of Christian Growth, and the Convention Worship Committee, prepare the worship program for the convention;

e.  serve as doctrinal advisers to committees as assigned by the President;

f.      on a rotating basis (one counselor at one convention, the other counselor at the following convention),

     be seated with the District delegation at national LWML conventions to serve as advisors regarding

     business of the convention;

g.  attend all District conventions and meetings of the Board and Exeuctive Committee as    

     advisory members.

Article XIV — Standing Committees

Section 1

a.  The Standing Committees shall be Caring Ministry, Christian Growth, Communication, Mission Outreach, and Organizational Resources, with a vice president serving as chairman of each committee.

b.  Standing Committee members shall:

     (1)      be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee;

     (2)      serve as coordinators of continuing programs and activities of the District and correspond to Standing Committees of the national LWML;

     (3)      serve as non-voting members of the Board;

     (4)      prepare a written report for regular meetings of the Board when requested to do so by the Vice President of their committee;

     (5)      present an oral report to the Board when requested to do so by the President;

     (6)      prepare a written report for the convention manual;

     (7)      serve a term of two (2) years or until their successors are appointed, and shall be eligible for one (1) reappointment.

Section 2

The Caring Ministry Committee shall include the Vice President of Caring Ministry as chairman, the Servant Opportunities Coordinator, and the Service Projects Coordinator.  The Committee shall encourage sensitivity in women toward those who are hurting and in need.

a.  The Servant Opportunities Coordinator shall:

     (1)      plan activities and servant events in which women of the District may become involved in Christ-like, hands-on service to those who are hurting and in need;

     (2)      challenge members to be alert to service opportunities in their church, community, and the world and respond as Christ would have them do.

b.  The Service Projects Coordinator shall:

     (1)      Inform women of the District about projects they can prepare in the home or church to provide comfort and the basic necessities to those who are  in need;

     (2)      be alert to crises situations in this country and around the world and encourage women of the District to help supply provisions for those who have immediate basic survival needs;

     (3)      plan and coordinate the ingathering for District convention;

     (4)      provide information to members regarding ingatherings for the national LWML convention and give instruction on how to complete projects for ingatherings when necessary;

     (5)      serve as liaison with LCMS World Relief and inform members of needs of that organization.

Section 3

The Christian Growth Committee shall include the Vice President of Christian Growth as chairman, the Christian Events Coordinator, and the Christian Materials Coordinator.  The Committee shall provide materials and opportunities that nurture members’ spiritual lives.

a.  The Christian Events Coordinator shall:

     (1)      work with zone presidents to prepare and present devotions at Board Meetings;

     (2)      serve as a resource person for zone and society Christian Growth chairmen in planning Christian nurturing events;

     (3)      maintain and publicize a list of approved speakers to serve as resource persons for society and zone activities.

b.  The Christian Materials Coordinator shall:

     (1)      inform members of a variety of resources suitable for use by individual members and for use at women’s activities and events;

     (2)      maintain a table display of materials available from the national LWML catalog;

     (3)      maintain the audio/visual library for the Michigan District LWML and be responsible for its circulation.

Section 4

The Communication Committee shall include the Vice President of Communication as chairman, the LWML in Action Coordinator, The Michigan Lutheran Coordinator, and the Web Page Coordinator.  The Committee shall publicize and promote programs and events of the District and be responsible for preparing and publishing the convention manual.

a.  The LWML in Action Coordinator shall:

     (1)      solicit and edit articles for, produce, and supervise mailing of LWML in Action, the official publication of the District (see Article XVI);

     (2)      assist with preparation and publishing of the convention manual.

b.  The Michigan Lutheran Coordinator shall:

     (1)      solicit and edit news articles and pictures regarding members and activities of  LWML for the LWML page of The Michigan Lutheran;

     (2)      assist with preparation and publishing of the convention manual.

c.  The Web Page Coordinator shall:

     (1)      keep the District web site current;

     (2)      assist with preparation and publishing of the convention manual.

Section 5

The Mission Outreach Committee shall include the Vice President of Mission Outreach as chairman, the Gospel Outreach Coordinator, and the Mission Awareness Coordinator.  The Committee shall promote mission awareness and support for mission opportunities, especially for LWML mission grants.  The Committee, along with two zone presidents and the Pastoral Counselors, will comprise the Grant Evaluation and Selection Committee which will evaluate grant proposals and select the proposed mission grants for the convention ballot with the approval of the Board (see Article XV, Section 4).

a.  The Gospel Outreach Coordinator shall:

     (1)      encourage and equip women to become personally involved in verbally sharing the Gospel with all God’s children;