Proposed By-Law Amendment regarding Invited Guests
Resolution text
Resolved, the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, meeting January 22-25, 2021, adopts the following Bylaws amendments to better reflect the presence of invited guests to Executive Council meetings. The changes proposed are as follows:
In Article III, remove Sec. 7 Seat and Voice and place it instead in Article VI, after Sec. 6 Open Meetings, and before Sec. 7 Meetings by Electronic Means; in new location, edit as follows:
Sec. 7 Seat and Voice
Seat and voice shall be granted to the individuals filling the following positions: the Vice-President of the House of Deputies; persons invited by Executive Council who represent TEC partnerships across the worldwide Church (i.e. the Anglican Church in Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), and such invitations shall be reviewed at the close of each triennium.
• a representative appointed by the Anglican Church of Canada
• a representative appointed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;
• a representative appointed by the Moravian Church’s Northern or Southern Provinces.
Sec. 7 8 Meetings by Electronic Means
(a) The Chair of Council, or Chair of a Council Committee, may conduct a meeting of Council or such
Committee, as the case may be, by telephonic or other electronic means, provided that:
i. The means of communication used allow all members participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time and give each member the ability to participate in the discussion and voting; and
ii. Interpretation services are provided so that any member who is not fluent in English can speak, understand the deliberations, and participate effectively.
(b) A member’s participation from a remote location by telephonic or electronic means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting for the purposes of determining a quorum and for other purposes under these By-laws.
(c) In the event of an Executive Session, it shall be the duty of each member participating by such electronic means to assure that no other person (other than an authorized interpreter) is present with the member during such Session, and that other appropriate steps are taken at that member’s location to protect the confidentiality of the Executive Session.
(d) Whenever a physical meeting of the Council has been scheduled, any member may attend that meeting by telephonic or other electronic means, subject to the following conditions:
(1) The member must show good cause for not attending the meeting in person (for example, quarantine, visa problems, natural disasters); and
(2) The member must provide notice of their intention to participate remotely, said notice to be given to the Secretary not less than two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting date. If exigent circumstances would not allow for the two weeks’ notice, acceptance of the notice may be granted at the discretion of the Presiding Officers.
Sec. 8 9 Executive Session
(a) The Council may enter into Executive Session by motion and a two-thirds vote of the members present. Such motion shall include the purpose of the Executive Session and identify special invitees or employees and staff as may be necessary to remain.
(b) Members and others present may not divulge anything that occurs during the Executive Session.
(c) The Council may authorize the disclosure of specified information from the Executive Session.
(d) No action may be adopted during Executive Session.
(e) Confidential minutes may be taken and maintained by the Secretary.
Explanation
The current location of this section falls under “membership” and may cause confusion. Secondly, the narrow list of Churches who may be invited, per the current Bylaws may not adequately reflect the breadth of relationships outside of TEC.