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How to submit legislation for the 2010 Annual Council

Resolutions and amendments to the Constitution and Canons may be presented by convocations or diocesan departments and commissions or any lay delegate or clergy member.

Resolutions, except for canon or constitution changes, may be submitted any time before Council recesses on the first legislative day. Thereafter, a resolution must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote of approval of its introduction to Council. To be published on the diocesan website before Council or to be included in the next mailing, a Resolution on any matter must be e-mailed (MS Word attachment preferred) to council@episcopalatlanta.org by Oct. 7, 2010.

Amendments to the diocesan constitution or canons must be submitted to the Council Standing Committee on Constitution and Canons no later than Oct. 12, 2010. Send them to the Council Secretary, The Rev. Herschel R. Atkinson, 509 Rhodes Drive, Elberton, GA, 30635-2006 or by e-mail MS Word attachment to olsmaj@comcast.net. Send a copy to council@episcopalatlanta.org.

A resolution, except for constitution or canon changes, that has not been received by Oct. 7, 2010, will not be published on the diocesan website or in a mailing to delegates and members. It must be introduced before recess of the first legislative day of Council. Prepare 600 copies of the resolution and deliver them on the first day of Council to Mrs. Janet Patterson, chair of the Annual Council Committee, for distribution.  

Formats

Please be guided by the formats below. Please do not use "whereas" clauses.  Instead, include an “explanation” that focuses attention of the Council on the substance of the resolution.

A Model Resolution

Resolved, that resolutions submitted to any Council shall not include a preamble (“whereas” clauses); and be it further

Resolved, that any resolution or proposed Constitution or Canon change shall be followed by an explanation of the matter to be acted on by the Council.

EXPLANATION

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised recommends that reasons for a motion not be in the motion or in a preamble, but be included in an attached explanation. This makes it clear that only the substance of the resolution is being acted on. A statement of the effect of the resolution can be included.

A Model Canonical Change of Some Complexity

Resolved, that Section 1 of Canon 23 Of Church Debt be amended to read as follows:

            Section 1. No long term indebtedness shall be incurred by an Aided Parish or congregation without the prior approval of (a)both the Bishop and the Board of Officers, or (b) the Bishop and Department of Finance Committee.

EXPLANATION

Words to be deleted are lined through. Words to be added are underlined (or in italics if desired). The explanation should show the intent of and the effect of the proposed amendment. This format is followed also for proposed amendments to the Constitution or the Council Rules of Order.