A business meeting of the General Conference Executive Committee held in the spring of the year at a time and place chosen by the committee; often referred to as the “Spring Council.”
Late in the past century the practice developed of holding a spring session of the General Conference Committee, including joint meetings with other organizations, forerunners of the departments ( see Organization ). In 1898 the term Spring Council appears in the Review and Herald and the General Conference Bulletin, but apparently not until 1906 in the General Conference Committee minutes. In 1907 and 1908 spring sessions of the full Executive Committee were held in Europe.
The General Conference Working Policy provides for annual spring meetings of the General Conference Committee, at which time there is a presentation by the General Conference treasurer of the audited financial statement for the calendar year preceding.
Attendance at the Spring Meeting is generally limited to committee members resident in the North American Division, to division presidents, and to General Conference Committee members resident overseas who are on furlough or leave of absence, or who are called specifically for the consideration of general items.
Problems of administration, evangelism, and spiritual life are also discussed at the Spring Meeting. Because it is a meeting of the General Conference Executive Committee, all items within the purview of that committee’s authority not reserved to the Annual Council may be considered.