2001-1:

A Proposal Concerning MALSM and the Lower New York Area

Purpose:           In order to better serve the Lutheran students and communities in both Mid-Atlantic Lutheran Student Movement, (MALSM), and New England Lutheran Student Movement, (NELSM), the members of MALSM in assembly in Fall 2001, propose to alter the regional boundaries thereby including the entire state of New York within NELSM. 

WHEREAS,     the area of Lower New York is defined as the counties of Suffolk, Nassau, Kings, Queens, Bronx, New York, Richmond, Westchester, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, and Putnam.

WHEREAS,     the state of NY is currently divided with the area of Lower NY affiliated with MALSM and Upper New York affiliated with NELSM.

WHEREAS,     there are six Lutheran colleges and universities within MALSM including Concordia University, Bronxville; Gettysburg College; Muhlenberg College; Susquehanna University; Thiel College; and Wagner College, and there are two Lutheran seminaries including the Lutheran Theological Seminaries at Gettysburg and at Philadelphia.

WHEREAS,     the Lower New York area includes Wagner College and Concordia University, Bronxville.  

WHEREAS,     the total number of baptized Lutherans located within the MALSM region is approximately 996,000. 

WHEREAS,     the total number of baptized Lutherans located within the NELSM region is approximately 187,000.

WHEREAS,     the total number of baptized Lutherans in the Lower NY area located within MALSM is approximately 131,000.

THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that Lower New York be ceded to NELSM.

In conclusion, we ask for a vote at the 2002-2003 LSM National Gathering for the LSM-USA Constitution Article Three, Section 4 to read under Region Seven as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and under Region Eight as West Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.

As a result, approximately 318,000 baptized Lutherans will reside within NELSM.

As a result, the NELSM region will contain a Lutheran college and a Lutheran university.

In conclusion, this boundary change will provide a logistical and spiritual benefit to all parties involved. 

Authored by Brian Evans and Katherine Sterner (MALSM) and MALSM council as directed by MALSM assembly.

Sponsored by NELSM.