Guidelines for legislation

LUTHERAN STUDENT MOVEMENT-USA            1981 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

During the business sessions of this assembly, the people of LSM_USA will vote on positions and actions for LSM_USA to take. The legislation adopted is an active response to our growing understanding of what it means to be God’s people in today’s world. The legislation serves to express our needs, concerns and actions to the church bodies and to our fellow students here and abroad.

This sheet is designed to help the assembly participants understand the purpose and format of the various types of legislation which will be presented ruing the business sessions.

What does passing a resolution or position paper really mean? It means not only affirming an issue’s importance or worthiness. It also means that we are committing ourselves, and our sisters and brothers whom we represent, to take a position or to act on an issue.

There are four categories of legislation:             (1) Resolutions

                                                                        (2) Regional Concerns

                                                                        (3) Position Papers

                                                                        (4) Study Papers

RESOLUTIONS: A resolution addresses a particular issue, provides necessary background information, and outlines specific action for the people of LSM_USA to take. The Legislative Assembly’s adoption of a resolution commits all affiliated groups of LSM-USA to that issue and to following through on the specified actions.

            The format includes a background section, resolved section (proposed action), and sponsors’ names. Passage by the Assembly requires a two-thirds majority vote.

            * A list of resolutions passed by LSM-USA since its beginning in 1969 is included in this packet.

REGIONAL CONCERNS: A regional concern informs the Assembly of the commitment of a specific region or of a local group to take action on a particular issue, rather than asking the entire Assembly to act in response to an issue. This does not imply that the concerns addressed are not of national or international significance! The purpose of a regional concern is to bring an issue to the attention of all members of LSM-USA and to provide support, encouragement and affirmation of the local or regional action. Other LSM-USA groups are encouraged to join with the sponsoring group.

            The format is identical to a resolution. It must include and address where interested groups can write for further information. The sponsoring group has complete responsibility for dissemination any further information.

            Regional concerns are not  voted on but are given five minutes for presentation.

POSITION PAPERS: A position paper is a statement defining LSM-USA’s particular position or stance on a certain issue. Its purpose is to clarify an issue relevant to the life and mission of LSM-USA and to state LSM-USA’s stand on that issue.

            The format includes a background section, recommendation section, and sponsor’s names. Passage by the Assembly requires a two-thirds majority vote.

STUDY PAPERS: Similar in format to a position paper, a study paper explores different aspects of an issue or a problem with the intention of providing impetus for local group discussion. This differs from a position paper in that a study paper does not  take a particular stand on the issue.

            Study papers are not voted on but given five minutes for presentation.