To Amend Bylaw 1.10.7.4 to Allow Advisors to Represent Parties in Dispute Resolution Process

Official Workbook overture source text

10-22 
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.7.4 to Allow Advisors to 
Represent Parties in Dispute Resolution Process 
Preamble 
Bylaw 1.10.7.4 (a) states that “The hearing shall be private, attended 
only by the parties to the dispute and one advisor of each party’s 
choice, should any party desire one. This advisor shall not address 
the panel or participate in the discussion at the hearing.” 
W
HEREAS, The Lord of Scripture recognizes the need for 
advocates, identifying the Holy Spirit as our advocate before the 
Father; and 
W
HEREAS, All secular and religious history recognizes the need 
for advocates; and 
WHEREAS, This is disastrous when there is an issue between 
unequal parties; a normal dispute resolution process is unequal, that 
is when a complaint is made about the actions of an authority figure; 
and 
WHEREAS, A common result is a wounded person, left without 
reconciliation, harmed again; therefore be it 
Resolved, That each party may have an advisor who may take a 
lead position, directing the testimony and presenting the issues to 
be resolved, and the complainant is not required to speak other than 
answering the questions they are asked; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 1.10.7.4 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Procedure of a Dispute Resolution Panel 
… 
1.10.7.4 The following rules for the Dispute Resolution Panel shall 
apply: 
(a) The hearing shall be privatepublic , attended only by the 
parties to the dispute and one advisor of each party’s choice, 
should any party desire one. This advisor shall not address the 
panel or participate may take a leading position, directing the 
testimony and presenting the issues to be resolved. The 
complainant is not required to speak other than answering the 
questions they are asked in the discussion at the hearing. 
Witnesses who can substantiate the facts relevant to the matter in 
dispute may be called before and address the panel. The 
administrator of the process shall not attend the hearing or serve 
as a witness. The panel shall establish the procedure to be 
followed in the hearing and the relevancy of evidence so that each 
party shall be given an opportunity fully to present its respective 
position. In performing its duty, the panel shall continue efforts 
to reconcile the parties to the dispute on the basis of Christian 
love and forgiveness. 
… 
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov.