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2007 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly:
Called Into God's Marvelous Light...To tell the story!
 2007 Synod Assembly > Resolution Writing

Write Your Resolution Right: A Quick & Easy Guide
1. Resolutions should be submitted by:

  • a congregation (majority vote of congregation or two-thirds vote of council), or
  • a committee/conference (committee minutes indicating the resolution must be submitted with the resolution), or
  • a group of 10 voting members (their signatures, typed names, and phone numbers must be submitted with the resolution)

2. A resolution should be stated clearly and concisely.

3. Resolutions should be tested before they are submitted. Ask yourself...

  • Is the information in the resolution complete and accurate?
  • Is this a matter which pertains to the life and ministry of the synod?
  • Is this a matter of significance requiring consideration by the synod assembly?
  • Is the action requested one which the synod can appropriately and effectively implement?
  • Is this concern directed to the appropriate unit? Would be it be best directed toward the synod council, the executive committee, a synod committee, the synod staff, etc.?
  • Do other people validate this idea? Have I tested it with other voting members, pastors, etc.?
  • Does my resolution answer the following questions:
    WHAT should be done?
    WHO should act?
    WHAT ENTITY should bear the cost, if any, and what cost is
    anticipated?
    WHEN should the action be done?
    TO WHOM should the results be reported?
  • If the resolution demands changes to the constitution
    or bylaws, are the proposed changes included in the
    resolution?
  • Does the resolution use specific, non-inflammatory language, including straightforward nouns and verbs?

Remember - Direct Your Concern to the Appropriate Body!
The Churchwide Assembly has been swamped by memorials. Many of these concerns could be better addressed by sending resolutions to the ELCA Church Council. Please keep in mind that memorials may not be the only route for a synod to express concern.

Resolutions may be passed that are addressed to a specific Churchwide unit or to units that relate to a given concern. In the final "resolved" of such an assembly action, should be this provision:
For example:

RESOLVED, that the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly direct the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Council to forward this resolution to the Church Council for consideration and possible action.

Resolutions follow a more direct route than memorials, which must go to the Churchwide Assembly, and await the assembly's response. Memorials should be reserved, insofar as possible, for broader policy issues that belong in the Churchwide Assembly. By contrast, resolutions may receive more immediate attention.

We are encouraged to route our resolutions through our Synod Council either to the Church Council or to the Church Council's Executive Committee. Our National Church policy affirms that:

  • Synod Assemblies address the Churchwide Assembly;
  • Synod Councils address the ELCA Church Council; and
  • Synod Councils address Churchwide units through the ELCA Church Council's Executive Committee, including forwarding actions of the Synod Assembly.

Resolution Format Guide
A resolution must be written in the following format:

WHEREAS: The WHEREAS sections clearly state the REASONS for the resolution. Each reason should be a separate WHEREAS.

RESOLVED: The RESOLVED sections clearly state the action(s) desired – what should be done, who should do it, how it should be done, and when it should be done. Each action should be a separate RESOLVED so the assembly may deal with them individually.

If a resolution requires one action, use the following format:

RESOLVED, _________________________________.

If a resolution requires more than one action, the following format is used:

RESOLVED, _____________________________; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, _________________.

If a resolution is preceded by a reason for submitting it, the following format is used:

WHEREAS, _________________________________;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, _______________.

If a resolution is preceded by two or more reasons, the following format is used:

WHEREAS, ______________________________; and
WHEREAS, ______________________________;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, _______________.

You must always include with your resolution:

  • a title for your resolution
  • name of congregation and city (or committee, or conference) from which the resolution was originated
  • date the resolution was submitted

If your resolution is being submitted by a conference or committee, you must also include:

  • typed name and signature of conference dean or committee chair,
  • minutes from meeting at which the resolution was drafted/approved

If your resolution is being submitted by a group of 10 voting members, you must also include:

  • signature(s) of all those submitting the resolution (and their names and phone numbers, typed)
  • name of the congregation and city from which the resolution was originated
  • signature of the pastor or congregational president of that congregation

Take a look at last year's resolutions for examples.

Resolutions must be in the synod office by March 15, 2007.

Send your resolutions to:


1001 14th St NW, Suite 300
Rochester, MN 55901-2551
Fax: 507-280-8824