Snippets from General Convention for July 9 2012
Snippets for July 9, 2012
By Cherie Wetzel, reporting from the 77th General Convention in Indianapolis
There are four days left before this Convention adjourns and we are still waiting for major resolutions to come out of committee. They, of course, are working overtime. But the truncated Convention, down to 8 days instead of the usual 10 and previously (2000 and before) 12 days. In that time span, the resolution process could take the first 6 days.
This is how it works. The resolutions begin coming to the General Convention office in January prior to the next GC. Anyone can write and submit a resolution, as long as two other people sign it as supporters. We came to this convention with over 600 resolutions in the hopper. All are assigned to legislative committees that deal with the same topic. Some resolutions are combined and some are simply dismissed. But some are given great attention. Read on!
Legislative hearings are held on the most important ones. Those hearings are from 7:00 – 9:00 am, 12:20 – 2:00 during lunch and from 7:00 to 10:00 PM daily. (Read: These people have no life until their committee adjourns.)
The whole committee gathers and those who wish to speak to any aspect of a resolution come. Last Saturday night, the A049 same-sex commitment blessing resolution held the largest public hearing in the largest ballroom at the Marriott. It was estimated that 1200 people came and 70 people testified to the pro or con of the resolution in the hour provided for testimony. Structure committee is also overflowing with people. All have ideas on how to restructure this Church and are anxious to speak to the committee.
After the public hearings, the committee discusses what they have heard. The matter is then turned over to a writing committee, who is responsible for writing a revised draft of the resolution. That is discussed at the next committee meeting until all of the details are “nailed down.” If it is amended, it goes back to the writing committee, and so on. The perfected resolution is then submitted to the Dispatch committee who assigns it to one House or the other for first discussion and vote.
It goes to a House, is entered on the agenda and docket. Copies of the revised resolution are entered on the General Convention website for everyone to download, and the secretariat offices print them up for the House that will hear the resolution. If it passes the first House, it must be entered on the docket for the second House and given a time slot. Then copies are given to that House.
Some resolutions are considered easy decisions and are entered by that House’s dispatch of business committee on a Consent Calendar. Those on today’s consent calendar were announced yesterday so every one could read them. The whole group is then consented to as a lump, no discussion, simple voice vote. There are provisions for moving resolutions off the consent calendar, if needed.
As you can see, we are getting down to the wire for having time to actually discuss the important resolutions yet to come out of their committees.
Tuesday afternoon, the budget will be presented by Program, Budget and Finance committee to a joint meeting of the Deputies and Bishops at 2:00. The chair of PB&F spoke to press last night at 7:00. He said they were nearly done with the whole thing, and had to get it to the printers today by 11:00 AM for tomorrow’s joint meeting. Yes, that meant another late meeting for that committee last night. He also said there would be surprises – and disappointments – in both Houses with the results.
Modeled after the US Congress and their system for bills, this system hasn’t been a problem until the shortened Convention time appeared. With a 6 day Convention looming in the future, some revision of this method is going to have to be accomplished.
The challenges that face this Church in terms of governance are vast. Prayers appreciated!
Cherie Wetzel reporting from Indianapolis
By Cherie Wetzel, reporting from the 77th General Convention in Indianapolis
There are four days left before this Convention adjourns and we are still waiting for major resolutions to come out of committee. They, of course, are working overtime. But the truncated Convention, down to 8 days instead of the usual 10 and previously (2000 and before) 12 days. In that time span, the resolution process could take the first 6 days.
This is how it works. The resolutions begin coming to the General Convention office in January prior to the next GC. Anyone can write and submit a resolution, as long as two other people sign it as supporters. We came to this convention with over 600 resolutions in the hopper. All are assigned to legislative committees that deal with the same topic. Some resolutions are combined and some are simply dismissed. But some are given great attention. Read on!
Legislative hearings are held on the most important ones. Those hearings are from 7:00 – 9:00 am, 12:20 – 2:00 during lunch and from 7:00 to 10:00 PM daily. (Read: These people have no life until their committee adjourns.)
The whole committee gathers and those who wish to speak to any aspect of a resolution come. Last Saturday night, the A049 same-sex commitment blessing resolution held the largest public hearing in the largest ballroom at the Marriott. It was estimated that 1200 people came and 70 people testified to the pro or con of the resolution in the hour provided for testimony. Structure committee is also overflowing with people. All have ideas on how to restructure this Church and are anxious to speak to the committee.
After the public hearings, the committee discusses what they have heard. The matter is then turned over to a writing committee, who is responsible for writing a revised draft of the resolution. That is discussed at the next committee meeting until all of the details are “nailed down.” If it is amended, it goes back to the writing committee, and so on. The perfected resolution is then submitted to the Dispatch committee who assigns it to one House or the other for first discussion and vote.
It goes to a House, is entered on the agenda and docket. Copies of the revised resolution are entered on the General Convention website for everyone to download, and the secretariat offices print them up for the House that will hear the resolution. If it passes the first House, it must be entered on the docket for the second House and given a time slot. Then copies are given to that House.
Some resolutions are considered easy decisions and are entered by that House’s dispatch of business committee on a Consent Calendar. Those on today’s consent calendar were announced yesterday so every one could read them. The whole group is then consented to as a lump, no discussion, simple voice vote. There are provisions for moving resolutions off the consent calendar, if needed.
As you can see, we are getting down to the wire for having time to actually discuss the important resolutions yet to come out of their committees.
Tuesday afternoon, the budget will be presented by Program, Budget and Finance committee to a joint meeting of the Deputies and Bishops at 2:00. The chair of PB&F spoke to press last night at 7:00. He said they were nearly done with the whole thing, and had to get it to the printers today by 11:00 AM for tomorrow’s joint meeting. Yes, that meant another late meeting for that committee last night. He also said there would be surprises – and disappointments – in both Houses with the results.
Modeled after the US Congress and their system for bills, this system hasn’t been a problem until the shortened Convention time appeared. With a 6 day Convention looming in the future, some revision of this method is going to have to be accomplished.
The challenges that face this Church in terms of governance are vast. Prayers appreciated!
Cherie Wetzel reporting from Indianapolis
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