Georgia-Cumberland Constitution and Bylaws - 2017-2022 Proposed Changes on April 30, 2017.
On page 4, they proposed changing the Constitution amendment vote majority from 51% to 66% of the delegates. On the surface this appears be a step towards consensus, but in reality it could be a safeguard against pushback--of the kind that occurred in the Upper Columbia Conference when numerous local churches opposed the Conference Executive Committee's attempt to circumvent the World Church decision on ordained ministers. NAD conferences typically stack their constituency sessions with employees and delegates that tend to vote the interest of the conference leaders, thus making it more difficult for a conscientious laity to hold disloyal Conference leaders accountable.
On page 9, item E, they broaden constituency voting representation to "full-time" pastors instead of the previous "ordained and district pastors." This allows them to potentially add more women to constituency voting sessions. They have eliminated the words ordained ministers.
On page 11, they extend the special constituency meeting provision from 6 weeks to 9 weeks. This means it is a bit harder for a constituency to petition for a special constituency meeting--to rein in a potential non-compliant conference:
On page 27 they seek to make this change:
ARTICLE XII -- AMENDMENTS
The Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of this Conference may be amended, revised, or repealed at any duly-called Constituency Meeting by two-thirds (was 51%) vote of the total session delegates to any such Constituency Meeting of the Conference provided that it is proposed to amend the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, or Bylaws at any regular or specially-called Constituency Meeting. Notice of such proposed amendments shall be given specifically in conjunction with the publication of notice for such session.
"When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice" (Proverbs 29:2).