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Synod Council Transition Team Task Force ...Purpose
At the April 2006 Synod Council meeting, the Synod Council passed a motion to have the Executive Committee nominate who would serve on the transition team for the logistical issues that needed to be coordinated for a smooth transition between bishops. Below are some of the duties that will need to be coordinated through this committee.
Duties
Here is a list based on documents from the ELCA Churchwide. However additional duties for the task force might need to be added.
Closure with Outgoing Bishop
Synod Council or executive committee works with bishop to communicate the bishop’s decision to the synod.
Bishop communicates decision to the Office of the Presiding Bishop with a copy to the Director of the Department for Synodical Relations.
Synod Council works with churchwide Office of the Presiding Bishop to establish a date for a special assembly, if needed, and announces to synod.
Status of synod (bishop’s assistants or associates) reviewed by Synod Council; severance policy is reviewed and plans made for implementation.
Synod Council makes plans for “exit interview” with bishop and any staff who will also be leaving.
Synod Council makes a decision as to whom will be responsible for planning bishop’s farewell and appreciation event(s).
Secretary of the synod works with outgoing bishop and staff to plan for transfer of files and documents of historical value to archives; bishop prepares confidential files for transmission to successor.
Outgoing bishop and staff compile informational manual and lists of contact persons and resources that will be needed by successor.
Officers make arrangements for transfer of signature authorization (on bank accounts, official documents, etc.)
Preparation for Bishop’s Election
If advance site reservation is required, Synod Council sets tentative date for new bishop’s installation in consultation with churchwide Office of the Presiding Bishop.
Synod Council and assembly planning committee review process for bishop’s election and incorporate needed time into agenda for regular or special assembly.
Officers and communications staff or committee consider means of preparing synod assembly voting members for the important task of electing a bishop.
Synod Council monitors and responds to any inappropriate overt “campaigning” or “electioneering”.
Synod vice president and assembly presiding office (likely outgoing bishop) confirm details with churchwide representative who will preside over election portions of assembly.
New Bishop Assumes Offices
A letter of call to the new bishop is prepared by the churchwide Office of the Secretary.
Synod Council confers with bishop-elect and churchwide Office of the Presiding Bishop confirming plans for installation.
Bishop-elect and outgoing bishop confer regarding matters of pastoral care and administrative concerns.
Bishop-elect confers with churchwide partners (coordinated by Department for Synodical Relations) in matters related to staffing, strategic planning and initial programming.
Bishop-elect attends first Conference of Bishops meeting, orientation for new bishop and annual Bishops’ Academy.
Synod Council issues calls to
rostered persons selected as bishop’s assistants or associates (normally
coterminous with bishop).
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