2204. Membership--The policies, plans, and administration of the work of the general commission shall be determined by its membership which shall be composed in accord with the following guidelines:
1. The basic membership shall be nominated and elected by the jurisdictional conferences, assuring that the pluralism and diversity of the Church's membership is reflected in the representation of racial and ethnic minorities and various age categories. Each jurisdiction shall elect six persons for membership. It is recommended that of the six there be two laywomen, two laymen, one clergywoman, and one clergyman. Of the persons elected by each jurisdictional conference, at least one should be from a racial and ethnic group and at least one shall be under thirty-one years of age at the time of election.
2. There shall be thirteen additional members elected by the general commission, in accord with the provisions of 805.3b. The election of the additional members shall take into account the need to provide adequate representation of racial and ethnic groups and of the various age categories, and to include persons of special competence. It is recommended that the addition of the at-large membership assure that the total membership maintain the one-third laymen, one-third laywomen, one-third clergy balance as well as majority membership of women.
3. There shall be three women named by the Women's Division from its members or staff to serve as ex officio members with vote.
4. There shall be two bishops named by the Council of Bishops.
5. In the total membership:
a) Persons over sixty-five years of age shall be included.
b) There should be no less than four persons (two women and two men) from each of these four racial and ethnic groups: Pacific and Asian Americans, Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans.
c) There shall be at least one member who is a diaconal minister.
6. The general commission shall be authorized to fill vacancies in its membership during the quadrennium.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 2204
1996 United Methodist General Conference