General Assembly Commissioner Training Cliff Creel, Stated Clerk Presbytery of Northern New England.

General AssemblyCommissioner

TrainingCliff Creel, Stated Clerk

Presbytery of Northern New England

Presbytery of Northern New England 2

Registration Travel arrangements Hotel assignment / roommate Packing

Dress casual and comfortably – lot of walking Plenary may be cool – bring sweater or light

jacket Umbrella may be useful

Cell phone – we will communicate by cell phone.

Preliminaries


You MUST have a laptop / tablet computer. You may use your own or GA will provide you

with one (if you are a commissioner). GA is now paperless. PC-BIZ is used to view all documents. http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga221/

Computer

http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga221/

http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/ga221/


Arrival at Airport

COLA = Committee On Local Arrangements – they are volunteers from the hosting presbytery and will be wearing T-shirts of a certain color that usually stands out.

You will be directed to buses that will take you to your hotel (should be no charge).

Look for COLA volunteers


Detroit Area Map


Detroit Area


After checking into your hotel, go to the convention center to register for the GA.

A packet should be waiting for you. You will need a photo ID.

You will get a name badge that you must wear at all times when in the convention center.

You should also get tickets for any special meals or events you paid for (and maybe a tote bag).

Registration


Name Badge

Blue – Commissioners Navy – Advisory delegates Red – Staff of OGA , GAMC,

BOP, etc. Grey - Elected members COGA,

GAMC, BOP, etc. Black – Presbytery & Synod

Stated Clerks and staff Orange – COLA Brown vinyl – Observers Orange vinyl – Exhibitors Green vinyl - Press

MUST wear in convention center area.

REMOVE outside convention center area – otherwise can be an easy target for thieves, etc. – marks you as an out-of-towner.


Saturday Riverside Conversations (Informal conversation about hot

topics) Opening Worship Plenary

Moderator’s Election Sunday -> Tuesday

Daily Worship Committee Meetings Tuesday Evening: Presbytery Dinner

Wednesday -> Saturday Daily Worship Plenary

Docket Summary


Docket Details


Opening Worship


Committee Work

You are randomly assigned to a committee.

You will spend most of 3 days in committee.

YAAD can vote in committee, but not in plenary.

May work as quasi committee of the whole.


Committees

Overtures are debated, amended and a recommendation voted.

Overture advocates will speak to the overtures before your committee. Some may speak against.

In committee and plenary you vote as guided by the Holy Spirit.


Plenary

All 800+ commissioners debate and vote together.

Vote on the recommendation of the committee. If the committee

recommends against an overture,

Then voting YES is a vote against the overture.

If recommendation fails, then vote on overture.


Plenary

You must go to a floor microphone to speak or make a motion.

Stated Clerk & RP has assigned seating outside, but near the commissioner area.


Plenary

Voting may be by: Voice Hand Electronic

Parliamentarians are at floor mics to help if needed.

Colored signs used to signify why you are standing.


Electronic Voting


Moderator’s Reception


The Committee and Plenary meetings are conducted by Robert’s Rules. The will of the majority shall prevail. The rights of the minority are protected. Protection of the rights of the individual. Protection against instability.

All actions subservient to the PCUSA Constitution & GA Manual.

Robert’s Rules


Motion: “I move that …” state succinctly what, when, how, who and how much it will cost. Do not normally state why. You must gain the floor to make a motion.

Second: Any commissioner can second without getting the floor. If coming from committee, it doesn’t need a second.

Most motions just need simple majority to pass – that’s more than half of those present and voting.

Motions that affect the rights of the minority require a supermajority.

Robert’s Rules


Only two degrees of amendment allowed. Must be germane. Insert or add contiguous words or a paragraph. Strike out contiguous words or a paragraph. Strike out and insert (must be germane unless

unanimous consent) In same place: words must be related In different place: words must not be materially

different

Amend


May apply to paragraph, section or complete motion (usually seen applied to complete motion).

Moved to substitute motion S for the main motion M. 1. Ask for any amendments to M (perfecting M) 2. Ask for any amendments to S (perfecting S) 3. Vote: Shall the substitute motion become the main

motion? 4. Yes: Discussion on new main motion. (No further

amendments allowed except by adding something that does not modify existing content.

5. Vote on main motion. No: Original main motion survives and can be further

discussed and amended.

Substitute Motion


Previous Question – Stop debate and vote, requires 2/3 vote.

Reconsider - can only be moved by someone who voted on the prevailing side. Must be made on the same or next day of the vote.

Limit Debate – motions to limit the time each person can speak or the total time, requires 2/3 vote.

Robert’s Rules


Rescind – to undo an action (2/3 vote or previous notice).

Lay on Table – no time associated, cannot use to kill.

Postpone Definitely – delay to a specific time. Point of Order – you believe a mistake was made. Request for Information – you have a question –

do not use this for debate. Appeal – you believe the moderator erred in a

ruling. Amend Something Previously Adopted (2/3 vote

or previous notice).

Robert’s Rules


Any 2 commissioners (different presbyteries) may propose an item of new business.

No commissioner may sign more than 2 resolutions.

It may not deal with business that requires amendment or interpretation of the Constitution.

It may not deal with business already before the Assembly nor whose purpose can be achieved by the regular process of amendment and debate.

If the resolution deals with substantially the same issue considered by one of the two previous GA’s, it may be rejected.

Commissioner Resolutions


GA Office located somewhere – you may have to ask where.

Go there if you have problems. File Commissioner resolutions. Register your cell phone number for overture

advocate.

GA Office


Same Sex Marriage Ordination Standards (G-2.0104b) Mid-Council Report (restructure of synods) Middle East Issues / Divestment Belhar Catechism New Directory for Worship

Hot Issues


Learn to use PC-Biz proficiently. Be familiar with GA Manual (in PC-Biz). Study ALL overtures and reports. Study in depth all overtures and reports

assigned to your committee. Be rested and prepared for hard work.

Preparation


We will communicate by cell phone. Be sure Cliff has the cell phone number you will have at GA.

The directory you will receive at registration will show where everyone will be seated.

ONLY commissioners are allowed in the commissioner area. So, you will have to come to us or call us – we can’t go to you.

If anyone has to leave early, becomes ill or has to be away from committee / pleanary for any reason, let Cliff know.

Communications


Remember…. Commissioners will be expected to give a

report to Presbytery at the September meeting. You should each plan to speak for about 5 to 10 minutes about your overall experience and your specific committee work. Coordinate with each other about the overall talk.

Report to Presbytery

General Assembly Commissioner Training Cliff Creel, Stated Clerk Presbytery of Northern New England.

Documents

Transcript of General Assembly Commissioner Training Cliff Creel, Stated Clerk Presbytery of Northern New England.