Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Governance and Operations

Mandate

Board governance and board development. Legal services, litigation and other legal matters. Copyright, trademark and intellectual property matters. Human Resources: approval of policies & Employee Handbook; compensation of officers; ministry review with Officers. Communications: branding; public relations & corporate image; website and other media. Information Technology Physical Plant, Facilities, Construction, Leases, Policies Archives Parochial Report per Canon I.6.1

Executive Council Bylaws - Section 3.b

b) (i) There shall be a Joint Standing Committee on Governance and Operations, which shall be responsible for reporting to the Council and the Society and recommending action on all governance, operational, administrative, or other such matters assigned to it from time to time by the Council, or the Society, or the Chair of the Council.  (ii) The Chief Legal Officer shall report both in writing and in person to the Committee on Governance and Operations at each meeting of Executive Council about pending and anticipated legal matters including the legal work in support of significant transactions and donations, the status of litigation (including threatened litigation) in which The Episcopal Church is, or may be, a party (including upcoming decisions needed by The Episcopal Church and legal options of various courses of action in any such litigation), and any important regulatory, tax, property (including intellectual property), or insurance coverage matters that may affect The Episcopal Church’s budget, financial soundness, operations or reputation for integrity.  Where appropriate, the Chief Legal Officer will identify upcoming significant legal decisions, and The Episcopal Church’s legal options and likely results in connections with such decisions.  Appropriate portions of the reports shall be sealed in order to protect the attorney client privilege, but such reports shall be a part of the permanent record of the meeting.  Appropriate portions of the in-person briefing may be held in executive session in order to protect the attorney client privilege with respect to pending or threatened litigation, or where otherwise necessary to maintain the privilege.