Helpful Information for the Self-Nomination Process from the Election Procedures Committee

TO:                 POTENTIAL GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES
FROM:           KEN MINTON, CONFERENCE SECRETARY 

Over the past few weeks, I have received a number of phone calls and emails from people interested in placing their name before the Annual Conference for consideration as a General Conference delegate during the second self-nomination window allowed under the Standing Rules.  By Rule, individuals may self-nominate between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at the locations set aside for the Lay and Clergy Sessions.  This is the first time that our Annual Conference will be using this format for delegate nominations.  The Election Procedures Committee, the Annual Conference Program Planning Committee, and the Electronic Voting Device Vendor have been working together to simplify the process for all who desire to participate in it.   We believe that we are ready to do the work of electing the persons who will represent The Florida Annual Conference at the 2016 sessions of the General and Jurisdictional Conferences.  

So, let me begin with the most asked question – “Will I be able to fill out a form for people who are unable to make it to the second self-nomination window on Wednesday morning?”  The simple answer is “No.”  It is the duty of the Election Procedures Committee to verify the eligibility of those who desire to serve as delegates prior to the first ballot.  The only way that we can ensure that is to have you present your form – in person – within the timeframe stated by the Standing Rules.  This is a self-nomination process for a purpose.  Therefore, forms brought on behalf of others will not be received.  You must present your form yourself.

What follows is a brief overview of the process that we will be following during the second self-nomination window on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.  It covers almost all of the questions that I have been asked to date.  There are separate sections for the Lay and Clergy process.

Laity

Representatives from the Election Procedures Committee will be stationed at a table inside the Performing Arts Center from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.   You are invited to download the Self-Nomination Form from the link below, fill it out at your leisure, and present it to one of the representatives during the time block listed above.  Blank forms will be available at the table should you desire to fill it out there.   Laity seeking to be elected to General Conference “must be professing members of the United Methodist Church for at least two years next preceding their election, and shall have been active participants in The United Methodist Church for at least four years next preceding their election, and are members thereof within the Annual Conference electing them at the time of holding the General and Jurisdictional or central conferences.” (The 2012 Book of Disciple, Paragraph 36.)  It will help the representatives of the Election Procedures Committee to speed up the verification process if you would bring your completed Self-Nomination Form AND a signed letter from your pastor on church letterhead acknowledging that you have satisfied the above Disciplinary conditions.  Some form of identification with your name and photo (Driver’s License, Military I.D., etc.) might also help speed the verification process.  You may also bring a recent photograph of yourself that we will attach to your form to help voting members recognize you.   Once eligibility is verified, you will be presented with a ribbon to attach to your name badge which indicates that you are a candidate for election.  I invite you to register early so that you can participate in the “meet and greet” being held in the Performing Arts Center from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Clergy

Representatives from the Election Procedures Committee will be stationed at a table in the Moore Gymnasium from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.   You are invited to download the Self-Nomination Form from the link below, fill it out at your leisure, and present it to one of the representatives during the time block listed above.  Blank forms will be available at the table should you desire to fill it out there.   Only those categories of Clergy allowed by the Book of Discipline will be able to self-nominate.  You may also bring a recent photograph of yourself that we will attach to your form to help voting members recognize you.   Once eligibility is verified, you will be presented with a ribbon to attach to your name badge which indicates that you are a candidate for election.  I invite you to register early so that you can participate in the “meet and greet” being held in the Moore Gymnasium from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

I hope the above summary is of help to you.  If you have specific questions regarding the process, the current Standing Rules, or nominee eligibility requirements not covered above, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I am here to help you with the process.   Blessings.

Dr. Kenneth L. Minton
Conference Secretary