Delegates to the
Diocesan Convention are a major link between the parish, the Vestry and the Diocese. The
Diocesan Convention is to the Diocese what the annual meeting is to Saint Mark’s.
Delegates vote at Convention on behalf of the parish on resolutions that may affect
the governance of the Diocese and also elect members of the governing bodies of the
Diocese. Delegates/alternates are elected to a two-year term. Saint Mark’s
currently has twelve delegates and twelve alternates.
It is important that delegates be knowledgeable of
the issues that will be decided at the Convention and cognizant of how they will impact
the parish. It is expected that delegates and alternates attend regional Ministry
meetings (generally one is held in the winter, one in the spring, and one in the fall),
and the Pre-Convention gatherings (generally held in the spring). It is also
recommended that delegates attend Saint Mark’s Vestry meetings (generally the fourth
Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:30) if there are pertinent issues being discussed.
These interactions with others in the Diocese and
with our own Vestry help prepare delegates to represent Saint Mark’s at the Diocesan
Convention, which is held around the end of October.
Convention sits for two full days, Friday and
Saturday, and the location varies. Saint Mark’s does not subsidize delegate
expenses. Both days are full with activities beginning around 7:30 a.m. each
morning. On Friday, business usually ends around 5:00 p.m., followed by an optional
social hour, banquet and program. On Saturday, there is a short service at the end
of the business around 5:00 p.m.
If for some reason a delegate is unable to attend
Convention, an alternate will be chosen. For the sake of continuity at the
Convention, the delegate should arrange to be replaced for the whole two-day period, if
possible. Of course, if an emergency arises after a delegate has registered and
begun to participate, an alternate would serve for the remainder of the Convention.
Alternate Delegate to Diocesan Convention
All of the above also pertains to alternate delegates with the exception of the Diocesan
Convention. An alternate should be ready to step in as a delegate at any time. For
this reason, it is a good idea, particularly for new delegates, to attend the Diocesan
Convention as an observer. |
