Committee Information

CONSTITUTION AND CANONS

This committee considers proposed changes to the Constitution 

and/or Canons and makes a report to Council with recommendations.

Additional information/roles/responsibilities:

• Be familiar with the diocesan constitution, canons, and rules of order, particularly the process of changing the constitution and the process of changing the canons

• Be familiar with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church (TEC)

• Review all matters referred to the Committee by the Bishop and examine all proposed amendments for proper wording and any conflicts with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church

• The committee is free to offer an amendment to any proposed amendment, to propose any amendments the Committee deems desirable to the diocesan Constitution and Canons, and it may offer for Council's consideration any memorials to General Convention for the amendment of TEC’s Constitution and Canons

• In reporting to Council, at the time scheduled in the Order of Business, the Committee will present all proposed amendments with whatever recommendation the Committee may deem advisable, and time will be given for an explanation of its recommendation.

• Refer to constitution and canons for adoption process

• Memorials to General Convention do not require a vote by Order

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

This committee helps facilitate the nomination and election processes. 

Additional information/roles/responsibilities:

• Helping to publicize the nominations process and to encourage nominations

• Being familiar with the Canons governing the various elected positions, including eligibility and terms

• Reporting to Council on Friday night regarding nominations, if asked to do so

  • The Secretary of the Diocese will provide a list of officers and offices to be filled by election, including the names of those nominated prior to Council. 

• Assisting with the voting process, as needed.  In the event that digital voting is not possible, help with the distribution and counting of votes.

CREDENTIALS AND DISPATCH OF BUSINESS 

This committee delivers the report on credentials, makes a motion to begin 

the business of Council, and makes a motion to conclude business.  

Additional information/roles/responsibilities:

• Below, C=Credentials and B=Dispatch of Business

• The first credentials report is typically made to Council after worship on Friday, in order to establish whether we have a quorum.  

  • The Registrar provides the number of clergy and the number of parishes represented by one or more delegates or alternates who have by then registered.  Send in an email to the Secretary

  • On Saturday, report the total number of clergy registered, number of parishes represented with total number of delegates and alternates, number of missions represented with total number of delegates and alternates, the total number of mission stations represented, the number representing college chaplaincies, the number of convocational youth delegates/alternates the numbers representing any additional group, and the number of visitors registered (including volunteers)

• Also on Friday, Dispatch of Business makes a motion to accept the agenda as printed in The Mississippi Episcopalian and the Council packets and to adopt the reports as published in The Mississippi Episcopalian and the Council packets. 

• On Sunday, Dispatch of Business makes a motion to adjourn Council.

• Note on the necrology: the registrar has a spreadsheet of previous members of Council and receives the names for the necrology report and the prayer on Sunday.  If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the registrar needs assistance with this duty, those assigned to this committee could be asked to help.

RESOLUTIONS

This committee considers content resolutions, making recommendations to Council as to the next steps for each.  This committee also writes/edits courtesy resolutions.

Additional information/roles/responsibilities:

• Review all matters referred to the Committee by either the Bishop or the Secretary of the Diocese, and be prepared to report to Council (refer to Rule #10 of the Rules of Order regarding the process for resolutions submitted after Dec. 15) 

• The committee should see to it that the resolutions are written properly, rewriting them if necessary, so that the subject and action desired are clearly stated.

• It is the responsibility of the Committee on Resolutions to clearly identify each resolution brought to the floor of Council for consideration. Such identification should describe the type of resolution (requires an action, is advisory, is a courtesy, etc.), the level at which the resolution is proposed to be implemented (diocesan, parish, etc,, and the duration of the proposed resolution 

• The committee may write any resolution it desires; and it should prepare courtesy resolutions that enable Council to express its gratitude to the Council Hosts, special speakers, others who contribute to the effectiveness of Council, and others suggested by the Bishop or Secretary

• On any resolutions including a proposal to raise or expend funds, the Committee should confer with the Standing Committee on Finance so that its reaction may be made at the time the resolution is presented to Council.

• In reporting any matter to Council, the Committee may, at its discretion:

  • For resolutions which have not been pre-filed: Move that Council, in accordance with Rule #10 of the Rules of Order, consider for action a resolution on the subject of _____(here state the subject or briefly describe the purport).

  • Move that Council adopt the resolution as submitted or as  amended by the committee or consider a germane substitute resolution prepared by the Resolutions Committee.

  • Recommend the resolution be rejected or discharged.

  • Move referral to a specific organization or interim study group for further study, and to be reported on at the next Annual Council

PARISHES AND MISSIONS

When a parish or mission wishes to change status, 

this committee makes the motion for Council to approve the change. 

Additional information/roles/responsibilities:

• Review all matters referred to the Committee by the Bishop and be prepared to report at the time scheduled on the Order of Business

• Reading and inwardly digesting the relevant Canons, particularly Canon 34, so that canonical requirements can be reviewed for all applications to organize a parish or mission or to change the status of the same

• Staying in communication with the diocesan office and the leadership of any churches who are interested in changing status (from mission to parish, for example), so the appropriate process can be followed

• In reporting an item to Council the Committee may:

  • Recommend for or against approval/adoption

  • Recommend adoption as amended

  • Make no recommendation either for or against approval/adoption

  • Recommend referral to another Committee of Council

  • Recommend referral to a specific agency of the Diocese for further study, to be reported to the next Council

  • Recommend that the matter be tabled and the Committee be discharged from further consideration

• The Committee may initiate any matter within its purview, if it desires Council action.

• If there are no parishes or missions wishing to change status, this committee may not be required to meet

• The Chancellor may be asked to give an opinion on any canonical questions

PLACE OF MEETING

The Place of Meeting Committee proposes a resolution during each Council 

to officially select the location for the next year’s meeting.

Additional information/roles/responsibilities:

• Review all invitations to host Council, giving attention to the below areas

  • the last year Council met in the area

  • accommodations available for plenary sessions, services, committee meetings, and banquets

  • the possible benefits of holding Council there for the diocese

• The Committee is free to interview the delegates from any parish issuing an invitation regarding the available facilities and the desirability of accepting the invitation.

• This Committee can recommend a change in the scheduling of Council

• Membership of this committee is largely based on the current and future locations of Council 

• Updating and sharing files, including budgets, floor plans, contact info, letters, volunteer sign-up, etc. so there is an ongoing record of Council planning.

• Coordinating the movement of the Council supplies (portable altar, stanchions for tables, etc.) following each Council.  The supplies are traditionally transported and stored by the incoming host parishes.  

• To the extent possible, Place of Meeting updates Council on the hosting plans for two years after the current Council.  

• After Council, Place of Meeting should meet to share any helpful knowledge or feedback regarding space usage, set-up, etc. that the committee can provide to the next year’s hosts.

RESPONSE TO THE BISHOP’S ADDRESS

This committee will share a response to Bishop Wells’ address with Council.

The verbal report should represent the written work of the group, 

which is included in the Council’s Journal.

Additional information/roles/responsibilities:

• The address happens on Friday night, so members of this committee should be registered before worship begins.

• The members of this committee traditionally receive a copy of the address on Friday before worship, so they can take notes during the address.  The notes should include changes the Bishop makes from the printed text as well as personal notes.

• The report should include whatever the the Committee thinks should be called to Council’s attention and/or action

• If the Bishop has called for any action by Council or the Diocese, the Committee is free to respond in whatever manner it may deem proper, including specific recommendations for the implementation of such action

• This committee will miss some pieces of Saturday’s agenda

• Be sure to email the written report to the Secretary