Motions, Debate and Discussion

Motions, Debate and Discussion: Decisions at Synod are usually made by means of motions.

• Per the Constitution and Canons, notice will be given of any motions which are coming before Synod. Motions received after the deadline will require a 66% majority to reach the floor for debate and voting.
• Motions are considered in accordance with the Rules of Order.
• In order to bring a motion to Synod, it needs to be in writing, with a stated mover and seconder who will be in attendance at Synod. A motion form is attached to the bottom of this page.
• In most cases, motions will ask Synod Council or some other group to review an existing policy or procedure or perhaps establish a new one. Rather than having one specific block of time on Synod Agenda it is anticipated that the various motions will be slotted into the Agenda over the period of the Synod.
• Member’s Concerns allow people to share any particular concern that they have in relation to the Church’s life and work. These concerns should be in the form of motions for Synod to consider. There will not be time at Synod to enter into any major debate on a motion relating to a Member’s Concern, but it will serve to give Synod Council some direction in terms of situations to be looked at over the following two years.
• Consistent with Canons of the diocese, in order that motions may be circulated by means of the website to all representatives and as part of the Convening Circular, they must be received by Secretary of Synod by e-mail (Synod2023@ontario.anglican.ca) Canada Post or hand delivery at the diocesan center no later than Monday 17, April 2023. In drafting your motion, please include the name of the mover and seconder, the wording of your motion and a brief explanation of the purpose of the motion or what you hope it will accomplish and any implications or impacts that need to be considered. A template for motions can be found in Attachment I. These motions will then be forwarded to the Resolutions Committee for review and Synod Council for recommendation to be included in the Agenda.
• For motions not received by the April 17 cut-off, it will still be possible for you to present a motion while Synod is in session. In such situations your motion will need to be in writing and should be delivered to the Secretary of Synod. Any proposed motion that is brought forward in this way will require a vote of 66% majority of Synod in order to be placed on the floor for consideration. Further explanation on this procedure will be provided during the early stages of the Synod.
• Speaking at Synod is by means of microphones located in the room.