Structure:
Resolutions have 4 parts:
- an opening phrase: That this General Synod,
- a statement of the action you wish the General Synod to take
- a description of the action to be taken (refer to a committee, write a letter, set up a task force, etc.)
- a timeline for action, if applicable
You are advised to include with your resolution(s) a brief explanation of its intent (Background). You may not however, include “whereas” clauses in the resolution itself. This is so that the actual action being requested may be readily addressed by the Synod.
Process
All resolutions will be reviewed by the Resolutions Committee to ensure that they are in order. They must:
- Deal with a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the General Synod.
- Be clear, unambiguous, accurate, and capable of performance.
- Be of a national rather than local nature.
- Not be calculated to be a source of embarrassment to the Church.
If adoption of your resolution entails the spending of money, please alert the Resolutions Committee to this fact, and identify the source of funds, if possible. Resolutions that entail expenditures will be considered by the Expenditures Committee before being presented to Synod.
The Resolutions Committee will group together similar resolutions and may ask you to make changes to clarify your resolution, or to consult with people addressing the same issue, in order to frame one resolution.
As there are often many resolutions, the Resolutions Committee (a Sessional Committee of the Synod) will place them in priority according to their source in this order:
A from within the General Synod itself – Standing Committees, Councils and Commissions;
B from ecclesiastical provinces and dioceses;
C from members of General Synod.
Priority on the agenda will be given to those resolutions that are included in the Convening Circular.
Although resolutions have the priority noted previously, they may come up for debate in relation to similar items on the agenda.
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