Memorandum Number 987

IN RE: Request from the Western Michigan Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of the Discipline to the Addition of Domestic Partner Benefits to the Conference Health Benefits Policy.

Digest

Oral hearings were held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 28, 2004. Speaking on behalf of the opponents of the action of the Western Michigan Annual Conference was Robert L. Hinklin, chair of the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits. Speaking on behalf of the proponents of the action of the Western Michigan Annual Conference were Ms. Judy Coffey, chair of the Conference Committee on Personnel, and Dr. C. David Lundquist.

The Judicial Council does not have jurisdiction in this matter. The motion does not seek a determination of the meaning, application or effect of any specific paragraph of the 2000 Discipline, which is required for request of a declaratory decision under ¶ 2610 of the Discipline.

The Judicial Council does not have jurisdiction in this matter. A motion “to request a Declaratory Decision from the Judicial Council on the Disciplinary appropriateness of adding domestic partner benefits to the conference health benefits policy” does not seek a determination of the meaning, application or effect of any specific paragraph of the 2000 Discipline, which is required for a declaratory decision under ¶ 2610 of the Discipline.