The Diocese of Springfield Canons
As Amended, Adopted, and Codified, to and including Amendments Adopted by the Regular Synod of 1995.
I THE SYNOD
Canon
- Of the Clerical Members of the Synod
- Of the Lay Members of the Synod
- Of the Duties of the Secretary and the Treasurer
- Of the Business of the Synod
- Of Rules of Order
Of the Clerical Members of the Synod
Section 1.
Within one week before the meeting of every Synod of this Diocese, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall prepare or cause to be prepared a list or roll call of the Clergy of the Church canonically resident in this Diocese; annexing the names of their respective Cures; and such list shall be certified by the Ecclesiastical Authority, and shall be evidence of the regular admission of the Members of the Clergy to the rights and privileges of the Synod as provided in the Canons and Constitution of the Diocese.
Section 2.
The right of any Member of the Clergy of this Diocese to a seat in the Synod shall, if disputed or claimed, be determined according to the provisions of Article V of the Constitution, by the Synod itself; whether the name of the Member of the Clergy be inserted in the list, or omitted.
Of the Lay Members of the Synod
The appointment of a Lay Delegate to the Synod of this Diocese shall be certified in writing by the Rector or Minister of the Parish or Mission of which he is the representative, or in his absence, or when there is no Rector or Minister, by one of the Wardens. Every certificate of the appointment of a Lay Delegate shall show upon its face that the appointment has been made in pursuance of all the requirements of the Canons, and shall certify that the Delegate has the qualifications required by Article V of the Constitution.
Of the Duties of the Secretary and the Treasurer
Section 1.
In addition to the Constitutional provisions, it is hereby made the duty of the Secretary to transmit annually to the Presiding Bishop, the Custodian of the Archives of the Church, the Secretary of the House of Bishops, the Secretary of the last House of Clerical and Lay Deputies of the General Convention, the Registrar of Ordinations and other Chief Officers of the General Church a copy of the Journal of the Synod. He shall also transmit to each General Convention a certificate of the appointment of Clerical and Lay Deputies, and do such other acts as may be from time to time required of him by authority of the General Convention or the Diocesan Synod.
Section 2.
The Secretary shall, within thirty days after the Regular Synod shall have adjourned sine die , furnish to the Treasurer a certified statement of all accounts allowed by the Synod, and the Treasurer shall pay the same. He shall examine and certify to the Treasurer the bills for printing and other expenses of the Journal, and of any other official work which may be committed to him. All other claims and accounts except those ordered and allowed by the Synod, or by officers especially entrusted with the same, shall be duly allowed and certified during the recess of the Synod by the Treasurer.
Section 3.
In addition to the Constitutional provisions, the Treasurer shall maintain proper accounting records in which shall be entered accounts and statements in detail of all moneys received and disbursed by the Treasurer. All funds received by the Treasurer shall be deposited in a bank or trust company approved by the Department of Finance, and checks or drafts against such funds shall be signed and countersigned by persons duly authorized by the Department of Finance. The Secretary's journals and records, and the Treasurer's books shall be at all times open to the inspection of the Bishop and the Standing Committee of the Diocese. Before the opening of each Regular Synod, the Treasurer shall prepare a list, and hand the same to the Secretary, of all Parishes and Missions delinquent in the full payment of pledges, assessments or other charges imposed by the order of the Synod. The names of the delinquent Parishes and Missions shall be read by the Secretary in the prescribed order of business of the Synod.
Section 4.
The accounts of the Treasurer of the Diocese shall be closed as of the 31st day of December of each year. The Treasurer of the Diocese shall have a sufficient sum allowed to him for such assistance as he may require in his work. He shall also give bond for the faithful performance of his duty in such sum as the Synod shall require.
Section 5.
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer of the Diocese, each year immediately following the Synod, but no later than October 31st, to submit to the Wardens of each Parish and each Organized Mission a statement of the assessments and other charges imposed by the Synod for the ensuing year.
Of the Business of the Synod
Section 1.
During the Synod there shall be a celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Section 2.
At the opening of each Regular Synod the Bishop shall take the chair, call the Synod to order and, the existence of a constitutional quorum having been determined, declare the Synod organized for business. The order of business shall be as fixed in Section 3 below. The President of the Synod may vary the order of business but may not make substantial omissions without the consent of the Synod. The Bishop's Address to the Synod shall be at a time fixed by the Bishop.
Section 3.
Order of Business
1. The announcement by the President of appointments to the Continuing Committees of the Synod.
2. The election of a Secretary of the Diocese and the appointment of an Assistant Secretary.
3. Disposition of issues pertaining to the seating of delegates.
a. A contested right, or claim to a seat as a Member of the Clergy shall be referred to the Committee on Privilege, who shall meet, review and immediately report their recommendations thereon to the Synod for resolution.
b. All certificates of lay delegates laid aside as irregular and defective by the Committee on Credentials shall be reported to the Synod and referred to the Committee on Privilege, who shall meet, review and immediately report their recommendations thereon to the Synod for resolution.
c. The names of Parishes and Missions listed by the Treasurer as delinquent in the payment of pledges, assessments or other charges imposed by the Synod shall be reported to the Synod for action on the seating of their lay delegates.
4. The appointment of Inspectors of Elections -- one Member of the Clergy and one member of the laity for the clerical votes, and one Member of the Clergy and one member of the laity for the lay votes, severally, for the election of all officers requiring a ballot.
5. Report of the Treasurer of the Diocese.
6. Report of the Department of Finance on the proposed budget and action thereon.
7. Reports of Continuing and Special Committees and action thereon.
8. Elections.
9. Offering of all Resolutions, Reports, and other matters for legislative action.
10. Report of the Trustees of the Diocesan Endowment Fund.
11. Reports of the Departments created by Canon 33, Section 6, not having previously reported, in the order set forth in that Section.
12. Reports of the Departments created by Canon 33, Section 7, in the order set forth in that Section.
13. Report of the Secretary.
14. Report of the Standing Committee.
15. Report of the Commission on Ministry.
16. Report of the Chancellor.
17. Report of the Historiographer.
18. Miscellaneous business.
19. Adjournment.
Section 4.
Should the business of the Synod require more than one day, the order of business on the second and subsequent days after divine service shall be as follows:
a. Calling of the roll of clergy and lay delegates.
b. Receiving the certificates of lay delegates not formerly presented.
c. Completion of business under consideration at the time of adjournment on the preceding day.
d. Consideration of the order of business as set forth in Section 3 above from the point which had been arrived at before adjournment on the previous day.
Section 5.
The Continuing Committees of the Synod are the following:
a. Credentials -- consisting of one clerical and two lay members.
b. Dispatch of Business -- consisting of one clerical and one lay member.
c. Organization and Admission of Congregations -- consisting of one clerical and two lay members.
d. Privilege -- consisting of one clerical and two lay members.
e. Legislation -- consisting of at least two clerical and two lay members.
f. Church Pension Fund -- consisting of two clerical members and one lay member.
g. Resolutions -- consisting of two clerical and two lay members.
Members of the Continuing Committees shall be appointed by the Ecclesiastical Authority and shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Referral of matters to the Continuing Committees may be made by the President or by resolution of the Synod.
Of Rules of Order
The Synod may adopt Rules of Order, general or special. General rules, once adopted, shall continue in effect until amended or repealed. Except when in conflict with the Constitution, Canons, or Rules of Order adopted pursuant to this Canon, the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the procedure to be followed.