AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 50 th Quadrennial Session GENERAL CONFERENCE July 6-July 13, 2016 Pennsylvania Convention Center 1101 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Business Session IV July 7, 2016 Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, Presiding MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Bishop Richard Franklin Norris called the session to order at 2:13pm. DEVOTION The Reverend Innocent Monare (15) offered an opening prayer. Bishop Norris called upon Dr. Jeffrey Cooper, Chief Information Officer/General Secretary to present Mr. Joe Turner with Universal Products to give an update on the Wi-Fi. Mr. Turner reported that the Philadelphia Convention Center cannot handle the large number of tablets we have. He shared that there are young people present who are IT (Information Technology) experts from Wilberforce University in the delegation area to help delegates get online. In order to give time for the IT experts to get everyone online, Dr. Cooper asked that the minutes be held until the next session. Approved by common consent. The Reverend Dr. J. Edgar Boyd (5) stated there is no microphone in the Fifth District. Bishop Norris instructed the technicians to put a microphone in the Fifth District. Bishop Norris called for the following reports: REPORTS TREASURER Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer presented Mr. Harry Richards to present the report (see the report). Mr. Lewis moved to receive the Treasurer s Report and the Treasurer s Audit Report. The Reverend Willem Simon Hanse (15) seconded. Page 1 of 7
Unreadiness The Reverend Dorothy Ealy (13) along with the Thirteenth District commended the Treasurer for an outstanding report. The Reverend Willem Simon Hanse (15) asked for and received clarification on payments of Districts 14-20. The motion carried by show of hands. Bishop Norris declared the report approved and received. Dr. Lewis presented Bishop John Richard Bryant as the Chair of Statistics and Finance Commission. Bishop Bryant in his remarks congratulated Dr. Lewis. Dr. Lewis thanked Bishop Bryant for being the Chair of the Commission and expressed appreciation to the entire committee for their cooperation. Dr. Lewis thanked the entire body for quarterly payments being paid on time, and he thanked his wife Delores for allowing him to serve as treasurer Bishop Norris joined in congratulations to Dr. Lewis. Brigadier General Raymond Scott Dingle presented an award to Senior Bishop John Richard Bryant on behalf of the Henry McNeil Turner Chaplain s Association. REVISIONS (FIRST) The Reverend Dr. Gregory Groover Sr. (1), Chair, called for Ms. Angela Pettis (4) to begin the reading of the report (see the report). Dr. Groover read the twelve (12) guidelines used to determine which the bills were to be brought forward. Dr. Groover extended thanks to Dr. Cooper and Dr. Lewis and moved for the adoption of the report. Mr. Walter Searcy (13) seconded. Parliamentary Inquiry The Reverend J. Edgar Boyd (5) asked in order to save time if bills have no objection on the second reading can it be moved as the second and third readings. Bishop Norris stated that if there is an amendment they cannot be read as second and third readings. The Reverend Walter Searcy (13) stated that the question raised is dangerous and called for the question. Bishop Norris ruled that to end debate requires a motion. The Reverend Ronald Braxton (2) asked if by common consent a bill can be suspended on first reading. Bishop Norris stated it is a proposal by the committee and not a rule. The Reverend J. Edgar Boyd (5) stated rationale for his previous question. Page 2 of 7
The Reverend Dr. William Campbell (10) reminded the Chair that the recommendation is consistent with the rules already adopted. Point of Clarification The Reverend Dr. William Watley (6) asked for clarification on what the opportunity for action meant in the second reading? Dr. Watley wanted clarity on whether a bill can be deleted on the second reading? The Reverend Dr. Gregory Groover, Sr. replied action can be taken. Bishop Norris ruled that his understanding is action includes deletion. The Reverend Henry Belin (1) asked if a motion would be in order to allow a certain bill to constitute a second and third reading. Bishop Norris ruled it can. The Reverend Sam Harris (3) called for the question. Bishop Leath stated this question brought havoc in the past Compilation Committee. He suggested that Roberts Rules of Order allowed for the combining of the First and Second Readings. He warned the body to not allow Second and Third Reading to be combined. He recommended a vote be put to the body. Point on the Speaker The Reverend Henry Belin (1) asked what the previous motion was. Dr. Jeffery Cooper re-stated the motion to approve the report. Mr. Walter Searcy (13) stated the problem was the meaning of the word dispensation. Bishop Leath reminded that any amendment of the rules must be referred to the Rules Committee. Bishop Norris referred the requested change to the Rules Committee. The Reverend Mark Griffin (11) asked if any of the bills have budget implications already factored into the budget to be presented. Bishop Norris ruled that as the budget has not yet been passed any bill that has budgetary implications are referred to Statistics and Finance. The Reverend Mark Griffin (11) asked if any of the 69 bills presented have budgetary impact. The Reverend Dr. Gregory Groover (1) stated that bills with budgetary impact have been vetted by the Dr. Richard Lewis, the CFO and have no budgetary impact. The Reverend Dr. William Watley (6) requested clarification on what the body was being asked to vote upon. Dr. Jeffery Cooper stated to the vote was to adopt the report as given. Dr. Watley (6) asked if that means that deletion can occur on the second reading. The Reverend Henry Belin (1) read from the report on the Page 3 of 7
third reading. The Reverend Ronald Braxton (2) inquired if a bill can be deleted on the second reading. He again asked if there is a rule that states a bill cannot be deleted on the second reading. Bishop Norris referred to the Parliamentarian, Mr. Freddie Colson. The Parliamentarian Mr. Freddie Colson explained the rules. While he was explaining, Bishop Norris was summoned to the Episcopal Committee ; Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie assumed the chair. When the Parliamentarian Mr. Freddie Colson completed his explanation, he asked if his information helped address the body s uncertainty; the answer was no. Bishop Fugh called for the Order of the Day. Bishop Fugh made the motion to end the discussion. The Reverend Sam Harris (3) seconded. The Reverend Ronald Braxton (2) wanted to know if at the end of the process if a bill is voted down, is it deleted. Parliamentarian Mr. Freddie Colson stated yes. The motion to end the discussion was approved by raising of hands. The Committee proceeded to the First Reading. At the reading of the first bill, there was a delay to get the information on the screen. The Reverend Ronald Slaughter (1) wanted to make a motion to constitute First and Second reading. Reverend Slaughter s motion was ruled out of order. The Committee proceeded to read the bills. The Reverend Mark Griffin (11) moved this constitutes the first reading. Mr. Walter Searcy (13) seconded. Unreadiness The Reverend Michael Bouie (11) stated CC12 was read, but the bill is not in the packet. Bishop McKenzie inquired of the missing bill. The Committee reported that it is not available. Bishop McKenzie was called by the Episcopal Committee. Bishop Ingram now presides in her stead. The Reverend Dr. Patrick Clayborn (9) asked why CM5 was not brought forth. The Reverend Gregory Groover (1) said it was duplicated. Dr. Clayborn asked for clarification on which bill was duplicated. Bishop Ingram stated that it is up to the judgment of committee to make that determination. Bishop Webster addressed the body determining if a bill is brought forward. Point of Procedure The Reverend Dr. Ronald Braxton (2) inquired as to the procedure of calling a bill forth. Bishop Ingram asked for time to find the bill CM5 so the body can vote intelligently. Page 4 of 7
Dr. Jayme Coleman Williams, retired General Officer, requested what needed to be done to bring her bill to the floor of the General Conference. She moved that her bill be brought forward; the Reverend Valerie Bell seconded. The motion to adopt the First Reading passed. The Reverend Sam Harris (3) asked that if a bill had a budgetary impact of one dollar does it automatically die. The Reverend J. Edgar Boyd (5) requested that all of the bills not presented be brought forward with a reason as to why they were not included. He moved all omitted bills be brought out. There was no second. The Reverend Ronald Slaughter (1) stated that the Revisions Committee has worked since June 28 th. To undermine their work is an insult to the committee. The Reverend Madonna Gray (3) stated that some bills that were combined and the body does not know which bills were. Bishop Ingram stated that since the First Reading passed, the committee is dismissed. The Reverend Mark Griffin (11) asked that the entire Delegation respect the process and only speak when they are recognized in the Que. The Reverend Allen Parrot (7) and the Seventh District gave commendations to Bishop Richard Allen Norris and Mother Mary Norris for leadership in this session and in South Carolina. The Reverend Marcellus Norris (1) and the First District commended Bishop Norris as son of the First District. The Reverend Albert Johnson (1) stated that it had been approved that the queue would be on the screen. It was shown. Bishop Ingram recognized Dr. Virgil Lattimore, Dean of Hood Theological Seminary. Chair of the Chaplains requested a microphone be placed in the Chaplain area. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION Dr. Johnny Barbour presented the report of the Sunday School Union (see the report). The Reverend J. Edgar Boyd (8) and Stephanie Burks (8) and the Eighth Episcopal District gave commendations to Dr. Barbour. Bishop McAlister also shared commendations. The Reverend J. Edgar Boyd (9) moved; and The Page 5 of 7
Reverend David Smith (8) seconded. The motion carried. The body gave Dr. Barbour a standing ovation. CHRISTIAN RECORDER Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III recognized a list of contributors to the Christian Recorder, including his wife, Dr. Charlotte Sydnor and his fellow General Officers. The Reverend Linda Thomas Martin (13) presented John Thomas III and the Lay and Clergy of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, seconded by Linda Martin. The Reverend Ronald Owens and the Chaplains gave commendations. The Reverend Ronald Slaughter (1) yielded his comments to the commendations made on behalf of the First. Bishop Leath joined the Thirteenth District in commendations. Presiding Elder Kamani (15) gave commendations. The motion carried. The body gave Dr. Sydnor a standing ovation. ELECTION COMMISSION Bishop James Davis presented the Election Commission committee members to read the report (see the report). At the reading of the candidates, Dr. Jeffery Cooper the CIO noted that Allen L. Williams Sr., #427, should be removed as he deposited a letter of withdrawal with the General Secretary s office. The Reverend Dr. Watley inquired relative to posted items D and F ; he wanted to know if the area of negotiations will be on the stage or in the back area. Bishop Davis said the stage area will be the designated area. The Reverend Henry Belin (1) corrected the spelling of Beaman. The Reverend Derrick Scott (7) made the motion; Veronica Wiley (9) seconded. The Reverend Alec Boois (15) wondered if this is the final list. He stated that there is a challenge to the Judicial Council. Davis stated that this is the list from the General Secretary. The Reverend Alec Boois stated the report should not be passed until the Judicial Council report is passed. Bishop Ingram ruled we are just receiving the report. The motion carried. Bishop McAllister asked how the determination of time will be made. Response was we are not voting now. Bishop Fugh asked that those on the stage be included in the Queue. CORPORATE SPONSOR Bishop Ingram presented John Stokes, Vice President of Community Development in North Carolina and South Carolina for BB&T Bank. ANNOUNCEMENTS Page 6 of 7
Bishop Bryant stated that in response to police murders in Baton Rouge and Minnesota that the Young Adults of the AME Church will lead a peaceful march immediately after this session. The march is on behalf of people at risk from those hired to protect them. They are to meet in room 102. Bishop Fugh gave other announcements. ADJOURNMENT Bishop Ingram adjourned at 6:09 p.m. with prayer. Session will resume at 8:00 p.m. Page 7 of 7