Informational webinars were held on May 27, 29, and June 1, 2025, in preparation for the 2025 Dakotas Annual Conference. Below is a summary of the questions/answers from all three sessions as well as links that were shared during the webinars. To view the May 29^th webinar in it’s entirety, click here.

As you prepare to arrive in Mitchell, you can find a map of DWU here that includes designated parking areas as well as the primary buildings (circled) that will be utilized as a part of the event. Clergy session part 1 begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, in the School for Business, Innovation and Leadership, and opening worship begins at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 6, in the Sherman Center.

Q&A SUMMARY

Budget Proposal

How much has the apportionment percentage been reduced in the past few years?
     The apportionment percentage was 16% for many years. It is now 13% of a church’s operating budget.

How much are we saving by meeting at DWU?
     We have reduced the general fund portion of the Annual Conference from approximately $50,000 in 2022 and 2023 to $35,000 in 2024 to an anticipated amount of $20,000 in 2025.  This is a result of savings in facility rental, production costs, and meal savings.

Do you forecast a time when we won’t need to dip into reserves?
     The sooner the better, we hope to be close to a balanced budget in 2027.

What is the new DS arrangement? Will you be sharing more about the restructuring of the District Superintendents? What will the new regions be for the three district superintendents since they are going down to three?
     The budget is set to from four to three full-time equivalent district superintendent positions by July 2026. This does not necessarily mean it will be three full-time superintendents. The configuration to make up the three full-time equivalencies has not been finalized.
     Other legislation includes changing the district superintendent title to conference superintendent. The annual conference sets the number of districts, but the appointive cabinet determines district lines and how/where superintendents are assigned.
     The adjustment is a continuation of adapting our staffing model to our size and geographic needs.

What is driving the move from "district" superintendents to "conference..." What responsibilities will be different
     This is happening across several conferences and allows for adaptability in how superintendents are deployed.

Will there be an editorial update in the reaffiliation plan to ‘conference superintendents?
     If the legislation related to conference rules and structure passes, we will make those editorial changes where needed.

Have any churches expressed an interest in reaffiliating in the Dakotas?
     The conference is not aware of any formal inquiries but are taking the necessary steps to be prepared.

Pensions/ Legislation/ Nominations

How will we be voting this year at AC2025? Electronically or in a different way?
     We will use paper ballots for the Constitutional Amendments. They can be discussed but not amended so it will be a Yes/ No vote. The paper ballots are in the nametags for the ones who are eligible to vote (lay members and clergy in full connection.)
     All other votes have as a first option a hand-vote. If someone calls for a written ballot, then we are prepared with paper for that if needed.

Who is eligible to vote on the constitutional amendments and other legislation?
     For the constitutional amendments, only clergy in full connection and lay members of the Annual Conference can vote. Ballots will be in the appropriate nametag holders. For other legislation any clergy or lay member of the Annual Conference is able to vote. This is designated by the color of the nametag lanyards as we have visitors and guests who do not have voting privileges.
     New this year is an update to the Board of Ordained Ministry Divorce Policy on page 28 in the workbook.
     The Book of Discipline is available as a free resource.

General Conference Legislation

Would a person ordained in one region then have to meet or exceed the standards of ordination of another region if they move to that one and seek an appointment?
     In general, transfers must be approved by the Bishop, in consultation with the BOM Executive Committee. Currently, annual conferences can have additional requirements for a pastor being appointed or desiring to transfer (e.g. updated psychological examination, number of years in appointment before transfer, etc.)

Ballot #3 is in full accordance with our newly revised 2024 Social Principles, but at odds with stated political policies of the Administration in power in the US.  What effect might this have on our church and its faithfulness to Christ?
     We can’t predict that. As always, there will be challenges that we come up against. Things are uncertain in this area.

Is Caretakers of God's Creation formally called 'Earthkeepers?
     Earthkeepers is a separate program of the Caretakers of God’s Creation. It covers many different activities from local to conference levels. It is open to any UM - lay or clergy who has a creation care idea for their local church or town or wherever.  Community garden, solar panels, clean water run-off from parking lots, publication of articles on what churches are doing. More information about Earthkeepers
     To revisit the General Conference Legislation, please access the articles that were published in the e-newsletter. You can find those on our website in the news section.

In the re-affiliation legislation, does the specific use of "district superintendent" create an issue with the idea of "conference superintendent"?
     If the legislation related to conference rules and structure passes, we will make those editorial changes where needed.

For the constitutional amendments, will the Dakotas get one vote based on result, or is it a total number of the voting delegates?
     All the votes count – every single vote counts. The vote is based on an aggregate of all votes from conferences around the world.

Registration & Donations:

What building are we checking in on campus?
     The registration is in the Sherman Center. Late registrations are accepted there. You will receive your lanyard, nametag, voting ballots and other information there.
     On Thursday there are lots of pre-conference meetings in the School of Business, Innovation, and Leadership and it is recommended to register beforehand in the Sherman Center.

Registration Desk Hours:
Thursday: 1pm – 6.30pm CT
Friday: 7am – 5pm CT
Saturday: 8am – 5pm CT

Are there still T-shirts available?
     There will be a limited variety of sizes available for purchase at the registration desk!

How late will the personal dignity kits be accepted? Do they have to come to AC? And where do we bring and unload the UMCOR kits & donations?
     We will have a truck in the Conference Office Parking lot and Asbury UMC is a new drop-off site in Sioux Falls. Financial donations for the Miracle Offering are being collected at worship service on Friday, June 6.
     Prom dresses and formal attire for men for Tree of Life can be dropped off at the Tree of Life table in the display area.

Conference Workbook Online
Invite members of your congregation to watch the annual conference livestream at this link
Learn more about the 2025 Miracle Offering here
Conference Schedule