Bishop Deborah Kiesey has called a Special Session of the Dakotas Annual Conference:  "I am asking us to gather in accordance with our standing rules and ¶603.5 of the Book of Discipline; I hereby call for a special session of the Dakotas Annual Conference on November 19, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. central time and 8:30 a.m. mountain time.

REGISTER HERE

The special session will be conducted in a hybrid conferencing format with four locations for participants at Legacy UMC in Bismarck, North Dakota, First United Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota, Canyon Lake United Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota, and First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Bishop Deborah Kiesey will preside. Bishop Kiesey and other presenters will be in a separate studio location from any of the participants. 

The agenda will include one business item: consideration of resolutions ratifying the disaffiliation of local churches from the United Methodist Church per the provisions of ¶2553. Contact your district superintendent for more information about the disaffiliation process. 

A Special Session Conference Workbook will be published online. 

Pre-Conference webinars will be held online, November 12 and 13. View the details here. 

Here are a few questions people have been asking about this year's conference.

What is meant by a hybrid conference?
The hybrid format will feature an opportunity to gather for business in-person on Saturday, Novemer 19, 2022, at one of these four locations:

• Legacy United Methodist Church, Bismarck, North Dakota
• First United Methodist Church, Fargo, North Dakota
• Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, Rapid City, South Dakota
• First United Methodist Church , Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Bishop Deborah Kiesey will preside and will  not be in the same room as any of the participants at the four sites. The broadcast will  take place from a separate room at First UMC in Sioux Falls  with all speakers and videos broadcasting to the four other locations. The agenda for Saturday will focus one business item, disaffiliation agreements. Voting taking place at each location.

When and how do I register?
Registration is now open here.  To obtain important information, attend one of the necessary pre-conference gatherings, you must register by Friday, November 11, 2022, at 5 p.m. CST.  The special session will be live-streamed on the Dakotas Conference website. 

Why is there a registration fee? 
The registration fee for voting delegates  and visitors is $30. The fee covers the costs for the hybrid conference, including presenters fee, charges for the technology platforms— a Zoom webinar premier paid account(s)are necessary, production costs at each of the sites, support for each of the participants and presenters, as well as lunch at each of the sites. 

How do I get a printed receipt or confirmation of my registration?
Look in your inbox for your confirmation e-mail and follow the link in the e-mail. Here are the detailed instructions. 

Can I watch everything on the Livestream and not register?
Yes, the special session will be available to the general public via livestream on the conference website.

What will be the COVID safety protocols in place?
COVID  precautions, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the North Dakota and South Dakota Departments of Health, will be in place.

What is the Pre-Conference Gathering, and why should I attend?
Two Pre-Conference Gathering sessions will be held virtually via Zoom Webinar. These gatherings will inform voting members about, the agenda for the special session, how the voting will take place and each of the disaffiliation agreements that will be up for affirmation. Time is limited during the special sesison. This is your opportunity to discuss the processes and the disaffiliation agreements  that will be acted upon during the session. 

You will register for one of these Pre-Conference Gatherings when you register for the special session, Saturday, November 12, 9:30 a.m., central time, 8:30 a.m. mountain time; or Sunday, November 13, 8 p.m. central time, 7 p.m. mountain time. 

Is there any support for people who have difficulty attending virtually on Saturday or anytime during the conference?
There will be technical support and detailed instructions at each location for voting or requesting to speak. 

Will childcare be provided?
Childcare will not provided at this one-day session. 

Do you have questions we have not answered?
You may still have some questions that we have not answered please feel free to reach out to one of us. Here is a list of people and the role that they play for annual conference. 
Conference Secretary: Amber Laffey | e-mail 
Worship: Lou Whitmer | e-mail
Agenda Coordinator: Duane Coates | e-mail
Registration, Lay Equalization: Susan Punt | e-mail
Event logistics and voting: Al Roll| e-mail 
Technology  Doreen Gosmire | e-mail