That subsections 1 and 2 of Section 38 of the Constitution be repealed and the following substituted therefore:
"The General Secretary of the General Synod shall prepare a written report in summary form of all matters considered and dealt with by the National Executive Council since the last regular session of Synod, which shall be sent to each member of the General Synod not less than thirty days prior to each regular session of Synod and presented by him to the session of General Synod." CARRIED in both Houses.
That in part 1 of Subsection 3 of Rule 9A (Courtesies of the House) (Handbook, p.56) the words, "or the Executive Council," be struck out so that said Rule will read:
"3. During a Session of the Synod, the following shall be entitled to sit in the House at all times, and subject to these Rules of Order, participate in any discussion without the right to vote;
(a) The General Secretary of the Synod;
(b) The General Treasurer of the Synod." CARRIED in both Houses.
Archbishop Peers read a memorandum from the General Secretary stating that the General Secretary would be celebrating his 65th birthday in 1987 and was therefore submitting his resignation to become effective during the latter part of 1987.
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That this National Executive Council undertake the following action:
1. Receive and deal with the resignation of the General Secretary.
2. Appoint a Search Committee with the following terms of reference:
(a) To review the position description of the General Secretary and make any necessary changes.
(b) To advertise the position in appropriate newspapers and periodicals.
(c) To receive applications, obtain references, arrange interviews and make a short list.
(d) To make a recommendation or recommendations to the National Executive Council of a suitable candidate or candidates, along with additional information about the candidate or candidates.
3. Decide the time for the appointment of a new General Secretary. CARRIED #71-11-86
That a second task force be struck by the National Executive Council to review both the constitutional and administrative documents that presently exist concerning the General Secretary and to draft a full job description of the position of General Secretary which would - among other things -
a) clearly describe the relationships among the General Secretary, the Executive Director of Program, and the Treasurer;
b) outline the salary ranges of the General Secretary and clearly establish the process for and frequency of salary reviews;
c) describe the relationship and function that the General Secretary has as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of General Synod with reference to the Primate and to the national staff;
d) distinguish the difference between:
i. the General Secretary;
ii. the Senior Provincial Metropolitan's functions as the Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada in the event of the death or incapacity of the Primate;
iii. the Prolocutor's function as the "Deputy" Chair of General Synod;
e) investigate the merit of establishing a definite term of office for senior executive positions;
f) outline clearly and with greater specificity both the authority and the accountability of the General Secretary;
g) describe the parameters of the position of General Secretary so that this ministry could be equally, though not identically, served by either a cleric or a lay person;
and report back to the National Executive Council no later than March 1989. CARRIED #28-05-87
The Primate referred to the Constitution which states that the General Secretary shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee.
One of the issues involved has to do with the question of a body of this size making an appointment, and because of that a Search Committee was appointed. In other places (House of Bishops) if a situation involves specific names of persons that part of the meeting has been held "In Camera". The Council was asked for its opinion as to how it wished to proceed.
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That this be an In Camera session. CARRIED #21-05-87
Notes
Moved by: Rt. Rev. J.F.S. Conlin
Seconded by: Rt. Rev. W.H. Jones
That the staff people to remain be Pamela Bird as a resource person and Lorraine Perch as Secretary to the National Executive Council. CARRIED #22-05-87
Moved by: Ven. A.R. Reed
Seconded by: Rt. Rev. H.J.P. Allan
That the person designated as functioning with the press be requested to remain. CARRIED #23-05-87
That appreciation be expressed to the General Secretary of General Synod, with special gratitude for the way in which he had done everything possible to begin to pilot us through this transition period. CARRIED
That this General Synod expresses its deep thanksgiving to Archdeacon E.S. Light for his ten years of devoted service as General Secretary of General Synod. CARRIED WITH APPLAUSE
That the General Secretary shall be Assistant to the Primate in the Primate's capacity as President of the Synod and chief executive officer and the national staff, and in the absence of the Primate shall act as co-ordinator of the National staff. CARRIED in both Houses.