Laymen's Delegate Equalization — Reimbursement Request
2026 Synod Convention

Equalization is the Synod's way of distributing the cost of all delegate convention travel expenses to all congregations of the Synod. The Synod uses this approach so that the cost of travel does not prevent any congregation from sending lay delegates to the convention.

Use this form to submit your travel expenses electronically. Please complete a separate form for each delegate, except where one delegate carpooled with others — in that case, the driver lists the carpool passengers on a single form.

Delegate Information

Identify the delegate seeking reimbursement and the address to which the check should be mailed.
Begin typing to find your congregation. If yours is not listed, choose Other (please specify) and type the full name.

Method of Travel

Select every method that applies. Modes may be combined — for example, driving to the airport and then flying.
Equalization Guidelines

If this is your first time submitting an equalization request, please read through the guidelines below before completing the form. Congregations are encouraged to send their delegate(s) by the most economical means of travel, in order to keep the equalization costs down for all congregations.

  • Mileage (own car): 25¢/mile for one round trip if you drove alone, or 40¢/mile if a second delegate or pastor accompanied you.
  • Bus or shuttle fares: Reimbursable in full. Please retain receipts.
  • Air travel: Round-trip airfare is reimbursable. Car rental costs are not reimbursable, but mileage to or from the airport is.
  • Long-distance driving: Mileage from the point of departure is reimbursed at the lesser of the mileage rate or the cost of a comparable airline ticket.

Reimbursement for any single delegate is capped at $600.00, as determined by the Equalization Committee.

Drove Own Car

Mileage is reimbursed for one round trip at 25¢/mile if you drove alone, or 40¢/mile if a second delegate or pastor accompanied you.

About the “comparable airfare” field: If you drove a long distance, the Synod reimburses at the lesser of your mileage cost or what a round-trip airline ticket would have cost from your point of departure to the convention. If a flight would have been cheaper than driving, please enter that estimated airfare so the calculation reflects it. Leave blank for short or local trips.

See note above.

Flew

Enter the round-trip airfare, plus any mileage you drove to or from the airport. Car rental costs are not reimbursable, but airport mileage is. If you carpooled to or from the airport with another delegate or pastor, choose the $0.40/mi rate and list the passengers below.

Bus / Shuttle

Bus fares and shuttle services are reimbursable. Please retain your receipts and submit them with this form.

Other Reimbursable Expense

The Equalization Committee will review additional expenses and approve those that fall within Synod guidelines. Receipts are required.

Additional Notes

Provide any further detail that may help the Equalization Committee, including notes about receipts being mailed separately.

Calculated Reimbursement

This figure is calculated automatically as you complete the form above. The final reimbursement amount is determined by the Equalization Committee.
Please complete the travel details above to view the calculation.
Estimated reimbursement
$0.00
✔

Submission Received

Thank you. Your reimbursement request has been submitted to the Equalization Committee.

If receipts must be mailed separately, please send them to Laymen's Equalization · Seth Ferkenstad · 184 Mary Circle · North Mankato, MN 56003. Alternatively, receipts may be emailed to seth.ferkenstad@blc.edu.