Register and Sign-up now to Volunteer
General Convention would not happen without the countless hours, wisdom, smiles, and vibrant energy of hundreds of volunteers. Some of those volunteers have worked at General Convention for decades while others will be brand new for 2022. There are numerous opportunities for volunteering, everything from roles that cover all of General Convention to others that are for just an afternoon. All are essential.
Interested in volunteering?
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Health and Safety
at the 80th General Convention
The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe issued an update, Health and Safety at the 80th General Convention, on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Click here for the full text of the update.
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As we continue to live through the pandemic caused by Covid 19, preparations for the meeting of the General Convention have been made to provide as safe an environment as possible. Our planning has been informed through consultations with public health officials, the City of Baltimore, and following (and exceeding) the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). What follows is a summary of what you can expect in Baltimore, and what you can do to make convention as safe as possible.
What to Expect at the General Convention
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Legislation at the 80th General Convention |
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Updates – Attention Resolution Writers:
New Policy for Amendments
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After receiving additional feedback about the new policy for amendments in the legislative process, the following changes and clarifications are being made. Existing resolutions will automatically be edited to conform to this new policy, and Legislative Committees should draft any new resolutions they’re putting forward to the 80th General Convention in accordance with these guidelines.
This policy applies when:
- Writing a resolution that amends the Constitution, Canons, or Rules of Order
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A Legislative Committee is making an amendment to any resolution
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A Bishop or Deputy is making a floor amendment to any resolution
Please use the following steps when making amendments:
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Begin the resolution with the following: <Amended text as it would appear if adopted and concurred. Scroll below the line of asterisks (******) to see the version showing all deleted and added text.>
- Put the text of the resolution as it would appear if adopted and concurred. This means, remove any text that is to be taken out and/or add any new text without using italics. There should be no strikethrough or italics in this version of the text.
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Then add the following text: ****** <Proposed amended resolution text showing exact changes being made:>
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Put the text of the resolution showing the exact changes being made. This means, show any text being removed using a
strikethrough and any new text being added using italics. Note that bold should never be used in resolutions as this has been a longstanding way that the General Convention has shown the final version of the resolution text after it has been adopted and concurred.
Resolution writers and amendment proposers are encouraged to strikethrough entire words and phrases, as is practical for the situation, but to still show exactly what is being modified. Please do not strikethrough a portion of a word. The previously published guidelines that strikethroughs for an entire sentence or paragraph must be used are no longer necessary.
Why the changes are necessary
The General Convention provides translations of all resolutions written in English into Spanish and simultaneous interpretation in multiple languages during meetings of General Convention. When making changes to a text, not all words and phrases have an exact translation between languages. At times, partial strikethroughs of words and phrases have created confusion and errors for professional translators and interpreters and automated machine translators. Additionally, for readers in English and Spanish, providing a finalized version of the text as it would appear if the changes were adopted and marked-up version of the text outlining the exact numbers, letters, words, phrases, and/or sentences being removed or added allows for better clarity as to what is being proposed.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions about this policy or other matters relating to the legislative process.
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The Archives of The Episcopal Church has begun publishing reports on each resolution filed for the 80th General Convention. The page, 80th General Convention Legislative Research, shows a list of all currently available reports. If you don’t see a resolution listed, please continue to check back as the Archives will begin research when a resolution is added to the Virtual Binder and publishes new reports as they become available. Each report contains information about previous legislation and documents relating to the resolution being considered.
For any questions about this resource, please contact The Archives. For additional research on previous actions or topics considered by General Convention, please contact the Archives using the Research Request Form. Legislative Committee members should note their role and committee number to receive a priority response. The Chair of any Legislative Committee may request the posting of supplementary documents provided they are related and historical in nature.
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Mark Duffy, Archivist for The Episcopal Church, Retires |
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Mr. Mark J. Duffy, Canonical Archivist and Director of the Archives of The Episcopal Church, retired on March 31, 2022. He had served The Episcopal Church for over 30 years, having begun his tenure at The Archives in 1992. Click here for a press release detailing the announcement and some of Mr. Duffy’s career highlights.
The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, Executive Officer of General Convention, in an email announcement to DFMS staff, noted, “We thank Mark for the distinguished service he has given to the church, and we wish him a long and fulfilling retirement.”
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Actions of the April 2022 Meeting
of the Executive Council
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The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church met in a hybrid format of in-person in San Juan, Puerto Rico and online via Zoom from Wednesday, April 20 through Saturday, April 23, 2022.
The meeting convened on Wednesday, April 20 in plenary during which the Council heard reports from the Presiding Officers, click here for remarks from the Presiding Bishop and click here for remarks by the President of the House of Deputies, the Treasurer of Executive Council, and brief remarks from the Chairs of the Subcommittees on their agendas for the week. Due to not enough nominees having been submitted prior to the meeting, a motion was made to suspend the Rules of Order to allow for the election of the transitional Executive Committee of Executive Council. (EC III.4)
The motion was carried and Council elected the following members:
Ms. Sarah Stonesifer Boylan, Ms. Alice Freeman, the Very Rev. Mark Goodman, the Ven. Aaron Perkins, the Rev. Deacon Lillian Davis Wilson. They will join the Rt. Rev. Scott Hayashi, the Hon. Rose Sconiers, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, the Most Rev. Michael Curry and the Rev. Gay Jennings.
The senior (members with terms expiring at the 80th General Convention) and junior (members with terms continuing to the 81st General Convention) classes then met to further discuss the upcoming transition.
On Thursday, April 21, Council reconvened for conversations on their mutual ministry review that was facilitated by Dr. Matthew Sheep. The Council was also given a welcome address from the Rt. Rev. Rafael Morales, Bishop of the Diocese of Puerto Rico, and introductions to other leaders in the diocese.
On Friday, April 22, as part of Council’s ongoing conversations on dismantling racism, Dr. Víctor A. Feliberty-Ruberté gave a presentation on imperialism, colonialism, and neocolonialism, with a focus on how that has related to the history and present realities of Puerto Rico, that was followed by discussion.
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In the evening, a celebration was held in honor of the service of the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, the Hon. Byron Rushing, and the members of Council who are completing their terms of service in 2022.
On Saturday, April 23, after reports were given by the companion church representatives followed by reports from the Chairs of the Subcommittees.
In total, the Executive Council passed the following resolutions on Saturday, April 23:
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MB – Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Mission Beyond The Episcopal Church
ECEC – Executive Committee of the Executive Council
FIN – Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Finance
GO – Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Governance and Operations
MW – Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Mission Within The Episcopal Church
The next meeting of the Executive Council, which will be the first for the 2022-2024 shortened triennium, will be October 17 – 20, 2022 in a hybrid format of in-person and online.
Executive Council Role and Membership
The Executive Council serves as the governing body of The Episcopal Church between sessions of General Convention, charged specifically with executing the program and policies adopted by Convention (Canon IV.1.a). They also serve as the board for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (Canon III, Article II) and the Executive Office of the General Convention (Canon IV.1.a).
The Executive Council is composed of 20 members elected by the General Convention (four bishops, four priests or deacons, and 12 lay persons) and 18 members elected by the Provincial Synods (one clergy and one lay person per province). The Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies serve ex officio as Chair and Vice-Chair of Executive Council. Also serving, ex officio, but with no vote, are the Secretary and Treasurer of the General Convention, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Chief Legal Officer of the Executive Council. (Canon IV.1.d).
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Diocesan administrators – a reminder that the deadline for dioceses to certify parochial reports for their diocese is May 1.
Filing for your diocesan report will open May 2 using the same login link and credentials.
Please contact the General Convention Office at [email protected] or 212-716-6159 with any questions.
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Registration is open
Registration is available for Bishops, Deputies, Alternates, ECW Deputies and Alternates, and visitors.
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Schedule for the 80th General Convention
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Housing Deadline for Diocesan Facilitators
A reminder for Diocesan Facilitators that the Housing Bureau report cut-off is 5:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, May 10. After that time, any not submitted in a report will be lost. Reports with a one-night guarantee need to be emailed to [email protected].
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Exhibitors at General Convention
Some spaces are still available to register to exhibit at General Convention. Please visit episcopalgc.fernexpo.com/2022/ for more information and to register. Discounted rates may be available to groups affiliated with The Episcopal Church and for other nonprofit organizations.
Questions about exhibits?
If you are an exhibitor at General Convention, please Fern Exhibitions at [email protected] or call Marlene at 502-552-3857. Fern Exposition has been designated to manage registration, logistics, and oversight of the exhibit area.
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COVID-19 Policies
The Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements requires all attendees to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 or to have submitted a medical exemption and the wearing of masks in all meetings and indoor spaces. All attendees must pre-register first and then, starting in May, emails will be sent to pre-registered individuals to submit their proof of vaccination or medical exemption.
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Deputy Changes
If a Deputy resigns and is being replaced by an alternate and/or an alternate Deputy is being appointed, you must certify this with the Secretary of the House of Deputies (Canon I.1.1.a) which is facilitated by the General Convention Office by using this form. In most cases, this process is done by the diocesan bishop or secretary of your diocesan convention, but please check your diocesan canons first as the rules vary across The Episcopal Church.
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Photo: Mary Frances Schjonberg for Episcopal News Service |
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Resolutions and Memorials for the 80th General Convention
All currently filed Resolutions and Memorials are posted on the Virtual Binder. Click here for more information about General Convention Resolutions, Memorials, and how to search for either on the Virtual Binder.
If you do not see a resolution listed, it is likely that the resolution is still being processed. Submitting a resolution through the online form does not automatically make it appear on the Virtual Binder. It must be vetted first to ensure that it meets the standards outlined in the Canons, formatting by the standards outlined by the Secretary of the House of Deputies, and then referred to a Legislative Committee by the Presiding Officers of both Houses.
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PB&F Hearing on the Budget on May 5
The Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance (PB&F) welcomes feedback from all Episcopalians on the 2023-2024 Episcopal Church budget as received from Executive Council. Click here for a copy of the budget.
PB&F is holding an online hearing on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. EDT. Please note: The link for the PB&F hearing is different other hearings as PB&F is not a Legislative Committee. Those who want to attend to observe or to testify must register at least two business days in advance.
Click here for more about the PB&F and the budget process.
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Legislative Committee Hearings
Legislative Hearings, which allow anyone to register in advance to testify on resolutions being considered for the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, began on February 17. All Episcopalians and members of the public are welcome to register to observe or testify at any of these meetings.
Note that requests to observe or testify must be received at least 2-business days in advance in order to be processed.
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Photo: Mary Frances Schjonberg for Episcopal News Service |
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Please see the Legislative Committee Calendar on the Virtual Binder for a list of all currently scheduled meetings. New hearings are being added as they are scheduled.
There are two types of meetings:
- Deliberations are committee meetings that members of the public may register to observe but not speak.
- Hearings are committee meetings to hear testimony about resolutions being considered that members of the public may register to observe or to testify.
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Secretariat Office Hours
Questions about Resolutions, Memorials, or something else related to the life and work of your Legislative Committee? The Secretariat is hosting open office hours via Zoom every Wednesday from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST through May 18. (Please note that this is a change in the last date this will be offered.)
Drop-in at any time – there is no need to register in advance.
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The Executive Office of the General Convention |
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Useful Links
News for Bishops and Deputies
Resources on The Archives of The Episcopal Church
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