Information about the Synod Youth Committee The Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee (SPSYC) is the leadership team of the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) of the ELCA's Sierra Pacific Synod. It consists of students and adults elected by youth members of ELCA churches at the annual High School Youth Gathering held each October. And don't forget to check out photos of all the current SPSYC members. Important note: All of our districts have vacancies this fall, to be filled at our High School Event in October at Mount Cross.

The Synod is organized as 5 districts, A through E, and is comprised of over 200 ELCA congregations across northern California and Northern Nevada (map.) The SPSYC includes 3 student members and one adult member from each of the 5 districts. To futher encourage participation, the SPSYC includes a special "Nevada District" which includes three representatives, two students and one adult, from the Nevada congregations.

Getting on the Committee: Elections

All members, students and adults, are elected at the annual High School Event in October. Here's how this process works:

1. The committee gives an overview of SPSYC responsibilities and requirements to the whole High School group before the election during one of the sessions.


2. Later, typically after lunch on Saturday, all attendees may participate in a business meeting. If any at-large positions are open (Multicultural or Definitely-abled), interested students can be nominated. Each candidate may give a short campaign speech, and others may speak in support of her/him. A secret ballot is then held to elect the new members. Only two students and one adult attendees from any one congregation may vote, however.


3. In addition we discuss proposed changes, if any, to the SPSYC constitution at this meeting, and then vote on them.


4. After the general meeting, the group divides into district caucuses, based on the geographic location of the congregation. We have 6 groups, including Districts A-E, and a special Nevada caucus. See this map of SPSYC districts. E-mail us if you need help finding your congregation's district.


5. At a caucus, individuals may be nominated for any open SPSYC student or adult positios for that district. Anyone may speak for him/herself, and may be supported by other speakers. A secret ballot is then held to elect the new SPSYC representatives from that district. As in the general meeting, no more than 2 people from a congregation may vote.

Important: We encourage potential candidates to think about the level of commitment before the High School Event, consider carefully if 7 weekend meetings a year will work, and pray about running for SPSYC. We also urge anyone to talk with her/his parents and youth director about the time and travel commitment.

That's the process to become part of the SPSYC. A new member's term starts at the next event, typically the Middle School Event in early December.

Usually members are elected for 2 year terms, and a member may be reelected if the member is eligble (see constitution for details.) Sometimes 1 year terms become available, and they may be filled by elections at the High School Event, or by appointment of the committee at other times.

Special At-Large Positions on the Committee

In addition to the district representatives, SPSYC includes several at large positions:

• President: a student elected by the committee for a one year term (renewable).
• Adult chair: an adult member elected by the committee. Together with the officers, coordinates and plans SPSYC activities and meetings.
• Synod Council representative: a youth elected at the annual Synod Assembly for the purpose of representing youth on the Synod Council. This person is automatically a member of SPSYC in addition to her/his other duties.
• Multi-cultural representative: This person is a full member of the committee, with the special task to be the “eyes and ears” in the area of sensitivity to other cultures in events that the committee sponsors. This person may be of any race.
• Definitely-abled representative: This person must be definitely-abled, visibly or invisibly. With all the same responsibilities as any other youth serving on the Synod Youth Committee, this person has the special role of “eyes and ears” in sensitivity to accessibility for people who are definitely-abled in events and activities that the committee sponsors.
• Adult assistant: one or more adults appointed to assist, guide, and advise the committee and assist in implementation of its programs.

The SPSYC constitution, updated October 2010 (download here), specifies all the rules for membership and participation in the SPSYC.

All members of the Synod Youth Committee are expected to abide by our covenant and our code of conduct and commitment to God and to each other.