1. Midyear and Yearend Meetings
Myron A Iseminger, Undersecretary
Tamara K Boward, Policy and Projects Manager

2. Definition of Terms
As suggested by the title, Divisions hold Midyear Meetings in the middle of the year. They hold Yearend Meetings at the end of the year.
Similarly, the General Conference holds Spring Meeting in April and Annual Council in October.

3. Definition of Terms: Spring Meeting
“A meeting of the Executive Committee, known as the Spring Meeting, shall be held annually for the purpose of receiving the audited financial reports of the General Conference and for transacting regular Executive Committee business.” (General Conference Working Policy BA 10 05)

4. Definition of Terms: Annual Council
“A meeting of the Executive Committee of the General Conference, known as the Annual Council, shall be held yearly for the purpose of considering budgets from the divisions and making appropriations, and for the transacting of business pertaining to the general policy of the worldwide field.” (General Conference Working Policy BA 05 05)

5. Distribution of Information
Many items that are discussed at the General Conference meetings are then shared at the Division meetings.

6. Distribution of Information
 Informational Items
Major Initiatives. Examples: Total Member Involvement, Believe His Prophets
Reports
From General Conference departments
From smaller committees, which meeting during pre-meetings

7. Distribution of Information
Informational Items (continued)
Church Manual Amendments (not finalized until General Conference Session)
General Conference Constitution and Bylaws Amendments (not finalized until General Conference Session)
Items Requiring Division Consideration or Action
Working Policy Amendments (including Model Constitutions, Bylaws, and Operating Policies

8. Staying Up-to-Date
Division policies should be updated to remain in accordance with General Conference Working Policy 
Constitution and Bylaws amendments and Church Manual amendments are finalized at General Conference Session so the wording of these cannot be used to amend Division documents until after the Session.

9. Document Requests
Often the General Conference receives requests from the divisions for documents being discussed at a Spring Meeting or Annual Council BEFORE they are voted. 
Division meeting preparation
Translation needs

10. Document Requests
However, following the meeting of the General Conference Executive Committee 
Minutes are written;
Minutes are reviewed for accuracy by the Assistant Secretary, Undersecretary, Assistant to the President, an Associate Treasurer, and the NAD Secretary;
Minor editing takes place;
Items are placed on the portal for access by the divisions.

11. Document Requests
This process takes time! We are moving as fast as we can! 
It is important to wait until items are voted and final editing is done: 
Items are amended on the floor
Confusing to have the wrong version of the document
Wrong information can be communicated to the field.

12. Interpreting the Reference Line
The reference line is found at the top of every General Conference action and indicates: 
The source of an item
The committees that HAVE reviewed the item
The committees that WILL review the item
The initials of the General Conference officer responsible for the item.

13. Interpreting the Reference Line
Example: 
SEC/PolRev&Dev/ADCOM to MAI-GCDO16AC+16AC(DIV) 
This item
Started in Secretariat (SEC)
Passed through Policy Review and Development Committee (PolRev&Dev)

14. Interpreting the Reference Line
Example: 
SEC/PolRev&Dev/ADCOM to MAI-GCDO16AC+16AC(DIV) 
Passed through General Conference ADCOM (ADCOM)
Myron’s initials next indicate that he is responsible for this item. (MAI)
Everything prior to his initials show the HISTORY of the item.
Everything after his initials show the FUTURE of the item.

15. Interpreting the Reference Line
Example: 
SEC/PolRev&Dev/ADCOM to MAI-GCDO16AC+16AC(DIV) 
Will still go to the meeting of General Conference and Division officers at the 2016 Annual Council (GCDO16AC)
Will be finalized at the 2016 Annual Council (16AC)
This item will need to be shared at the meetings of the Division (DIV).

16. Accessing Voted General Conference Items
Karen J Porter, Associate Secretary

17. Questions and Discussion