Proxy System Mechanics

[Pastor Gary]

For those interested in the MECHANICS of the COGOP Assembly Proxy System: I had an interesting conversation with John Payne this week about the nuts and bolts of the system, and he said it was okay to mention it here.

• All Representatives that carry a local church proxy, properly certified, meeting the deadlines, etc., will be registered on Monday of the Assembly by an Independent agency... a company hired to manage the proxy process. They are not affiliated with COGOP and have no stake in the outcome, as they are merely professionals hired to manage the logistics and assure the integrity of the process.

• The proxy-carrying representative (don't make me look up the correct terminology right now -- I have had quite a week) will be issued a voting card that is bar coded. Lose it? Lose the vote.

• There will be x number of seats on the floor of the Sommet Center during the business sessions designated for those carrying the proxies, and ONLY them.

• When the time comes for expressing the proxy on an issue, there will be about 15 strategically placed electronic stations at which the proxy "voters" (I think they are trying to avoid that word, but...) will be able to use the bar-coded credential to register "yes/no" "for/against" or whatever the two options might be... "A/B".

• The independent agency will tally the results (pretty much immediately if I understand the system) and report them to the person presiding.

Sounds like they have at least thought the system out fairly well, and, I am told, are committed to implementation regardless of the level of participation.

[Paully_44]

any idea on the cost of this new process (scanners, outside firm, etc...?)

my wife was selected as the proxy for our church. Guess I wont be sitting with her during the business sessions.

[RamboPreacher]

For those interested in the MECHANICS of the COGOP Assembly Proxy System: I had an interesting conversation with John Payne this week about the nuts and bolts of the system, and he said it was okay to mention it here.

...

awesome PG - thank you for this information!!

[Pastor Gary]

any idea on the cost of this new process (scanners, outside firm, etc...?)

No, I don't. I am sure it is not cheap, but it is likely cheaper than trying to reinvent the convention voting system from scratch.

[Dr. Ron]

"WHEW" !

[Faith rider]

[quote="Pastor Gary"]

• All Representatives that carry a local church proxy, properly certified, meeting the deadlines, etc., will be registered on Monday of the Assembly by an Independent agency...

So what happens if the Rep. doesn't arrive in time on Monday to get his card? Suppose his flight is late, or held up by other means?

• The proxy-carrying representative (don't make me look up the correct terminology right now -- I have had quite a week) will be issued a voting card that is bar coded. Lose it? Lose the vote.

Who came up with this system?

• There will be x number of seats on the floor of the Sommet Center during the business sessions designated for those carrying the proxies, and ONLY them.

Now, that is real unity.

• When the time comes for expressing the proxy on an issue, there will be about 15 strategically placed electronic stations at which the proxy "voters" (I think they are trying to avoid that word, but...) will be able to use the bar-coded credential to register "yes/no" "for/against" or whatever the two options might be... "A/B".

Like it or not, it's is VOTING!

• The independent agency will tally the results (pretty much immediately if I understand the system) and report them to the person presiding

Whom shall that be?

I am told, are committed to implementation regardless of the level of participation.[/quote]


So if only 10 rep. show up, that is the feeling of the whole church.

Why bother going to any business session if you have no voice? Or why continue to send support to IO?

[RamboPreacher]

...
Why bother going to any business session if you have no voice? Or why continue to send support to IO?

nobody said there would be no voices. all members that are there are still allowed for discussion. PG's comments are only for the actual expressions that are set. Individual expressions are at their local church-level when they have meetings to discuss the issues/documents at hand.

the proxy-expresser, will represent those local churches. That proxy-person was to have been selected as one that represents the "heart" of the church and they can change their expression as needed, as the voices/discussion is made on the floor. thus it is very important that the local churches get the information as soon as possible so that they can discuss the documented recommendations.

[PastorP]

[quote="RamboPreacher"][quote="Faith rider"]...
the proxy-expresser, will represent those local churches. That proxy-person was to have been selected as one that represents the "heart" of the church and they can change their expression as needed, as the voices/discussion is made on the floor. quote]

Why have discussion on the floor if the local churches have already spoken their desire through the proxy "or" why have the local meetings if the proxies are not locked into the vote of the local church that they represent. Is a problem being created with this system, or am I just not understanding the process?

[RamboPreacher]

...
the proxy-expresser, will represent those local churches. That proxy-person was to have been selected as one that represents the "heart" of the church and they can change their expression as needed, as the voices/discussion is made on the floor.

Why have discussion on the floor if the local churches have already spoken their desire through the proxy "or" why have the local meetings if the proxies are not locked into the vote of the local church that they represent. Is a problem being created with this system, or am I just not understanding the process?

If I understand you correctly it's because there is still "voice" at the floor and there may be brought up something that may have been missed at the local church discussions. or perhaps the wording of particular recommendations get changed as part of that voicing, that changes the understood meaning.

I recall when this happened previously. someone or some group didn't like a particular recommendation because of the way something was written in the recommendation. when it was re-written, they were okay with it (even though, in my opinion at the time, it didn't change the meaning at all).

There are some points in the current documents that we will discuss at our local church, so that our proxy-rep will know what our expression will be; and if the individual voices wand certain wording to change, we will have discussed the issues locally enough that the proxy-rep will know what to do, and that we trust God will lead them as necessary (part of the official decision, and business meeting, in choosing them in the first place).

[dawgs10]

...
the proxy-expresser, will represent those local churches. That proxy-person was to have been selected as one that represents the "heart" of the church and they can change their expression as needed, as the voices/discussion is made on the floor.

Why have discussion on the floor if the local churches have already spoken their desire through the proxy "or" why have the local meetings if the proxies are not locked into the vote of the local church that they represent. Is a problem being created with this system, or am I just not understanding the process?

If I understand you correctly it's because there is still "voice" at the floor and there may be brought up something that may have been missed at the local church discussions. or perhaps the wording of particular recommendations get changed as part of that voicing, that changes the understood meaning.

I recall when this happened previously. someone or some group didn't like a particular recommendation because of the way something was written in the recommendation. when it was re-written, they were okay with it (even though, in my opinion at the time, it didn't change the meaning at all).

There are some points in the current documents that we will discuss at our local church, so that our proxy-rep wilsl know what our expression will be; and if the individual voices wand certain wording to change, we will have discussed the issues locally enough that the proxy-rep will know what to do, and that we trust God will lead them as necessary (part of the official decision, and business meeting, in choosing them in the first place).

what it means is that the church is trying to leave room for the Holy Spirit to move and we must be willing to allow that even in a proxy system. that is why the proxy-rep my change the voice. and on a side note not directed to the quote it is no more a vote than those that would take the floor year after year in the past as far as my opinion goes.

[RamboPreacher]

...
what it means is that the church is trying to leave room for the Holy Spirit to move and we must be willing to allow that even in a proxy system. that is why the proxy-rep my change the voice. and on a side note not directed to the quote it is no more a vote than those that would take the floor year after year in the past as far as my opinion goes.

you mean change their representative expression, right? (the "voice" is what members have at the mics to present there pro/con's for given items in discussion)

[dawgs10]

...
what it means is that the church is trying to leave room for the Holy Spirit to move and we must be willing to allow that even in a proxy system. that is why the proxy-rep my change the voice. and on a side note not directed to the quote it is no more a vote than those that would take the floor year after year in the past as far as my opinion goes.

you mean change their representative expression, right? (the "voice" is what members have at the mics to present there pro/con's for given items in discussion)

yes, that is what i mean.

[shaunmckinley]

FYI—Proxy registrations begin on Monday, but will also be available on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

[scooter]

FYI—Proxy registrations begin on Monday, but will also be available on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

Response: Great. I think this is a great way to admit and begin to fix a broken way of doing church business. I'm sure there will be problems but at least we can stop looking like a bunch of hicks at open mic night at the local bowling alley karaoke bar for the most part depending on who some select as their proxy.

[Paully_44]

I think this is a great way to admit and begin to fix a broken way of doing church business. I'm sure there will be problems but at least we can stop looking like a bunch of hicks at open mic night at the local bowling alley karaoke bar for the most part depending on who some select as their proxy.

No kidding! I hope people dont expect perfection right away.