The General Conference (GC) Executive Committee has approved several updates to the Rules of Order that will govern proceedings at the upcoming General Conference Session. The revisions address key procedural aspects, including points of order, voting methods, and quorum rules.
"These rules of order are intended to be used with a sense of reverence for the divine purpose," said Ted Wilson, president of the GC, quoting from the document's introduction written by the late Dr. Bert Beach. "They are not intended to provide for quick or dilatory parliamentary maneuvers."
Todd McFarland, GC deputy general counsel, presented the changes and explained that points of order—a significant challenge during the 2015 GC Session—now have a clearer definition and process. "This also makes it more explicit that a chair is ask a person sooner rather than later make their point of order if it is not immediately evident," McFarland noted.
Other updates include making the document gender-neutral and clarifying that abstentions never count in vote totals.
The revised rules, which will be the seventh edition dated 2025, will be translated into Portuguese, French, and Spanish before being distributed with voting credentials at the GC Session.
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