Some people really love checklists. If you're one of those people, this page is for you! It'll help you make sure you don't miss a thing while amending the congregation's governing documents.

First Thing's First

Organize a Team

Contact the synod

Get the latest Model Constitution

Set priorities and goals

Plan the timeline for completing the work

Review and, if necessary, revise the incorporation documents

Track all changes!

Amending Constitutional Provisions

Create or revise the title page

Create or revise the table of contents

Create or revise the codification explanation

Update required provisions to conform with the Model Constitution, fully and without alteration

Update non-required provisions to conform with the Model Constitution where beneficial

Address any unresolved blanks, ORs, and [brackets]

Address any concerns, chapter by chapter

Submit a draft of the revisions to the Congregation Council for review; revise as necessary

Submit a draft of the revisions to the synod's constitution review committee for review; revise as necessary

Prepare the resolutions for a vote

Submit the final draft along with the resolutions to the Congregation Council for recommendation

Notify the congregation of the meeting and distribute resolutions with the notification

After the Vote

Notify the synod's constitution review committee of the result of the resolutions and any amendments made at the meeting

Ratify the changes at the next regular meeting

Notify the synod's constitution review committee of the ratification results

Await approval by the Synod Council

Amending Bylaws or Continuing Resolutions

If currently in separate documents, consider moving the bylaws and continuing resolutions inline with the constitution

Create any required bylaws and continuing resolutions that are missing

Address any concerns, chapter by chapter

Submit a draft of the revisions to the Congregation Council for review; revise as necessary

Submit a draft of the revisions to the synod's constitution review committee for review; revise as necessary

Prepare the resolutions for a vote

Submit the final draft along with the resolutions to the Congregation Council for recommendation

Notify the congregation of the meeting and distribute resolutions with the notification

After the Vote

Notify the synod's constitution review committee of the result of the resolutions and any amendments made at the meeting

Don't Forget the Final Steps!

Submit the revised governing documents to the synod

Update all copies of governing documents