Anglican Diocese of Grafton 2018 Synod Synod FOR FIRST TIMERS

Synod for first timers Synod is a formal meeting Standing Orders The Bishop is the President of the Synod Assisted by Chair of Committees Visitors Make sure you sign the roll Synod is a formal meeting. There are rules on who can speak; when they can speak and how long they can speak for. The President of the Synod acts as the Chair and controls the meeting. Everything is to go through the chair. Acknowledgement of the Bishop on entry and exit. The Chair of Committees is the person who takes the Chair when the Synod decides it wants to go into Committee. The Bishop then takes a break. Committee process still involves the whole synod but gives some relaxing of the process of speaking and recording of discussion. It is most typically used when amending the detail of an ordinance. Speaking at synod is granted for a purpose such as being invited to report, speaking to a Bill or a motion, moving a motion or asking a question.

Major elements Worship Presidential Address Reports and Presentations Approval of financial statements and budget Worship includes Synod Eucharist but also Morning and Evening Prayer Presidential Address – Key annual message of Bishop Reports: Many are in the Report Book; Some granted special time for a presentation (e.g. Finances); Some special reports agreed to by the synod Finances: Even if we did nothing else in a Synod, each year we need to have financial statements for the previous year and a budget for the following year approved by the Synod As discussed earlier, Ordinances are the major pieces of legislation for the Diocese. Ordinances make hard and fast rules.

Major elements Elections Ordinances Motions Questions Petitions As discussed earlier, Ordinances are the major pieces of legislation for the Diocese. Ordinances make hard and fast rules. This is an election synod but every synod session has some positions that come up for election (vacancies, Corporate Trustees) Motions, Questions and Petitions I will talk about in more depth shortly.

Elections Nominations in writing Proposer and seconder required Agreement of nominee is required Election held if more than required number nominate

Elections Ballot papers handed out by Synod Secretaries Voting by placing a cross in the box beside the name of the person you are voting for If too many boxes are marked, the vote is informal Completed ballots into locked box

Bills How are Bills for Ordinances handled? Bills considered in stages: Mover/seconder speak to general principles Questions about general principles Debate on general principles As Ordinances create law within the Diocese it is important that it is on the basis of careful preparation and consideration. The only Bills that will be considered are the ones published in the Synod papers. No new Bills can be presented late or during the Synod. The Bills are considered in stages.

Bills How are Bills for Ordinances handled? Bills considered in stages: Vote to approve in general principle Debate in Committee? Vote on Bill to pass (with or without amendment) Bishop’s assent

Motions Call-over of motions Motions with notice in Synod papers Motions invited at various times during synod Motions must have mover and seconder Motion provided in writing and signed Motions put on the business paper for later in synod Call-over of motions Motions can be for several purposes. Some are procedural to enable the proper running of synod. Some are to express a view and/or to create action. Some are motions of thanks. Motions are called for on the opening night and the start of each day. From time to time, there is a call-over of motions. This process sorts out those motions that need the time of synod for presentation and debate from motions that can be voted on without any presentation. In the callover, someone (not the mover or seconder) calls out ‘object’ to signal that they want the motion to be discussed. If no one calls ‘object’ the motion is immediately put to the vote without any discussion.

Motions Amending the motion Ending the debate Motions commence with the mover speaking to the motion (8 mins max.) The seconder may then speak (5 mins max.) Members of synod are invited to speak for or against the motion (5 mins max.) The mover of the motion may be the final speaker (5 mins max.) Motion put to the vote Amending the motion Ending the debate Motions are presented by the mover and then possibly the seconder explaining why their proposition should be supported. The seconder may decline to speak at that time. (Some say that they reserve their right to speak but technically incorrect as they may lose their opportunity to speak). The President may determine to order the speakers ‘for’ or ‘against’ or just to hear one if sufficient of the other has been heard. All speakers must keep to the topic of the motion and not stray from the point. Speakers must clearly speak either ‘for’ or ‘against’ and not just speak ‘about’ the motion. There is the possibility of moving an amendment but this should be prepared in writing (use the form) before speaking and needs a seconder to be valid. Moving an amendment causes the debate on the main motion to cease until the amendment is debated and voted upon. Amendments must be relevant to the original motion and must not reverse its meaning. The President controls the debate and can bring the debate to an end if in her opinion it has sufficient airing. However members of the synod can move without notice “that the question be now put”. If the motion gets a seconder, there will be a vote on this motion without debate. Less common is moving without notice “that the Synod proceed to the next item of business”. If accepted this essentially avoids or postpones a decision.

Speaking Speakers indicate wish to speak by moving to microphone Speaker to wait on President/Chair to invite them to speak Speaker to address the President/Chair to speak to the Synod Introduce yourself by name and parish (or organisation) “Madame President, Chris Nelson Parish of South Grafton, I rise to speak in favour of the motion …” Alternatively Mr Chair/Madame Chair.

Voting on Motions President/Chair calls for those in favour to say “aye” and then those against to say “no”. Where the result of voices is unclear, the President/Chair may ask for a show of hands A division can be used on the request of at least 10 members. A vote by house can be used on the request of at least 5 members. Motions need a majority in each house to be successful. All motions require the Bishop’s assent.

Questions Members of synod have the right to ask questions of the President At least one opportunity per day to ask questions President can choose when to answer the question Question in writing. Best to give advanced notice.

Petitions Refer to Part C of Standing Orders At least one opportunity per day to present petitions Petitions are a way of seeking an action or prohibition Petitions are blunt instruments Many alternatives before a petition is needed. Petition gets presented and goes on the synod record without the benefit of debate and the shared wisdom of the synod. Treat as a ‘last resort’