Constitution of the Diocese

Article I: Bounds of the Diocese

The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane comprises that part of the State of Washington lying east of the summit of the Cascade Mountains, with the exception of Klickitat County, and that part of the State of Idaho lying north of the Salmon River.

Article II: Acceding to the Constitution of The Church

The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Spokane accedes to the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and recognizes the authority of its General Convention. For ease of reference, they may be cited in this Constitution and the Diocese’s Canons as the General Canons and civil law, The Episcopal Church, and the General Convention respectively.

Article III: Ecclesiastical Authority

Section 1.

The authority of the Diocese is vested in and shall be exercised by the Bishop, the Convention, and Standing Committee of this Diocese, in accordance with the General Canons.

Section 2.

As Ordinary, the Bishop of the Diocese is the Ecclesiastical Authority and has jurisdiction in all ecclesiastical matters except those reserved to other authority. The Bishop shall resolve controversies between the Rectors of two or more Parishes; between a Parish or its Vestry, and its Rector; or between persons adversely claiming to be members of the Vestry of a Parish. Consistent with the General Canons, the Bishop has appellate jurisdiction over the proceedings of all religious or benevolent organizations within the Diocese.

Section 3.

If three physicians licensed in Washington or Idaho certify to the Presiding Bishop that the Diocesan Bishop is incapable of exercising authority, that authority shall be exercised by the Bishop Coadjutor, if any, or the Bishop Suffragan, if any, or the Standing Committee in that order, in accordance with the General Canons.

Article IV: Annual Convention

Section 1.

The Diocese shall gather annually in Convention at the time and place set by the previous Annual Convention. If no time and place have been set by Convention, the Bishop, with the consent of the Standing Committee, or if there is no bishop, the Standing Committee, shall set a Convention time and place. The Secretary of Convention shall give thirty days notice of the time and place appointed for the next annual Convention to all clergy entitled to seats and to all congregations entitled to representation.

Section 2.

With the consent of the Standing Committee, the Bishop may change the time and place of the Convention. As quickly as possible, the Secretary of Convention shall notify all clergy entitled to a seat and every congregation entitled to representation.

Section 3.

If there is no Bishop, or if the Bishop has been determined to be incapacitated, the Ecclesiastical Authority, as specified in Article III, Section 3, shall determine the time and place of the Convention.

Article V: Special Conventions

Section 1.

The Bishop shall call a special Convention when the Bishop considers it appropriate or when a written application has been made and signed by two-thirds of all the members of the Standing Committee.

Section 2.

At least thirty days prior to the appointed time, the Secretary of the Convention shall send written notice to all clergy entitled to a seat and every congregation entitled to representation in the Convention. The notice shall specify the purpose for which the special Convention is called. At its meeting no other business shall be transacted unless approved by two-thirds of the members voting.

Article VI: Members of Convention

Section 1.

(a) Except as provided in Article XIV, Section 2 (Election of a Bishop) the following members of the clergy shall be entitled to a seat, voice and vote in Convention:

(1) All members of the clergy actually and canonically resident in the Diocese who are actively engaged in the work of the Sacred Ministry as recognized by the Ecclesiastical Authority;

(2) All members of the clergy actually and canonically resident in the Diocese who are recognized by the Ecclesiastical Authority as retired by reason of age or otherwise;

(3) All members of the clergy canonically but not actually resident in the Diocese by reason of being on active duty as a military chaplain or being employed as a chaplain by the Veteran’s Administration, or being a member of a religious order, or serving outside this Diocese by reason of an appointment by the Presiding Bishop.

(b) All members of the clergy entitled to vote in Convention shall attend the sessions of Convention unless excused by the Ecclesiastical Authority.

(1) Members of the clergy canonically resident in the Diocese who are not entitled to vote under sub-section (a) above;

(2) Members of the clergy not canonically resident in the Diocese, but who are actively engaged in the work of the Sacred Ministry in the Diocese under license from the Ecclesiastical Authority.

Section 2.

The parishes and organized missions of the Diocese are entitled to lay representation in Convention based on their average Saturday evening and Sunday attendance as reported in the most recent annual parochial report, in accordance with the following table:
Average Attendance /Number of Delegates

0 – 40	2
41 – 89	3
90 – 134	4
135 – 179	5
180 – 224	6
225 – 269	7
270 – 314	8
315 – 359	9
360 – 404	10
405 – 449	11
450 or more	12

All delegates shall be at least 16 years old and communicants in good standing of the congregations they represent, as defined by the General Canons. Delegates shall be elected at the annual meeting of the congregation by its qualified electors, or by the Vestry or Bishop’s Committee. If there is no election as provided above, the Bishop may appoint delegates.

Section 3.

The Bishop or the Vicar may appoint one delegate from each unorganized mission.

Section 4.

A congregation organized as a parochial mission or chapel that has been received into union with Convention in accordance with Article XV and pertinent canons is entitled to representation as provided in this Article. In any other case, its representation shall be included with that of the parent congregation.

Section 5.

The Registrar, the Chancellor, the Treasurer of the Diocese, the Chair of the Finance Committee, the Executive Officer of the Diocesan Foundation and the President of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese shall be members of Convention ex-officio, without vote, unless that person is otherwise qualified to vote.

Section 6.

When the Bishop has appointed a lay person to be the Pastoral Leader of a congregation without clergy that person shall have seat and voice in the Convention.

Section 7.

A person under ecclesiastical censure or process shall not be seated in Convention.

Article VII: Officers of Convention

Section 1.

The Bishop of the Diocese shall be President of Convention. If there is no Bishop, or none able to act, the President of the Standing Committee, or in the absence of the President, the duly elected Secretary of the Convention shall call the meeting to order, and a President shall be elected from among the Priests of Convention.

Section 2.

(a) At each annual Convention, a Secretary shall be elected. The Secretary shall perform the duties appropriate to that office and other duties specified by Canon or by action of Convention.

(b) With the approval of Convention, the Secretary shall appoint an Assistant Secretary. If the office of Secretary is vacant, the Assistant Secretary shall act as Secretary. If there is no Assistant Secretary, the Secretary of the Standing Committee shall act as Secretary of Convention.

Section 3.

The Treasurer of the Diocesan Corporation shall be ex-officio the Treasurer of Convention and of the Diocese. The Treasurer shall perform the duties specified by Canon or by the action of Convention, and shall report annually to Convention of all monies entrusted to the Treasurer’s care.

Section 4.

The Registrar of the Diocese shall be elected annually by Convention on nomination of the Bishop. The Registrar shall perform the duties specified by Canon or by the action of Convention.

Section 5.

The Chancellor of the Diocese, and any Vice-Chancellors, shall be elected annually by Convention on nomination of the Bishop. They shall be attorneys licensed in either Washington or Idaho and lay communicants in good standing of a congregation of this Diocese. They shall be the legal advisers to the Bishop and Convention, and to all officers and agencies of the Diocese. However, in matters of clergy discipline they shall advise the Bishop only.

Section 6.

The terms of office of the Secretary, the Registrar and the Chancellors begin when elected and terminate when their successors are elected and qualified.

Article VIII: Conduct of Convention

Section 1.

Every Convention shall be opened with a service of public worship. The Holy Eucharist shall be celebrated at least once during any Convention.

Section 2.

Except for a motion to adjourn, a quorum for transaction of business at Convention consists of:

(1) a majority of clergy entitled to vote, less those excused from attending by the Ecclesiastical Authority; and

(2) lay delegates from a majority of congregations entitled to representation.

Section 3.

(a) At Convention sessions, the clergy and laity shall deliberate and vote as one body, except that a majority in each order is required for:

(i) the election of a Bishop or Deputies to the General Convention; and

(ii) final consideration of amendments to this Constitution.

(b) On other matters, on the demand of any four members of the clergy entitled to vote, or of any four lay members representing two or more different congregations, the vote shall be taken by Orders. This provision does not apply to procedural motions, a motion to adjourn to a time certain, nor to amendments to motions before the Convention. When a vote is taken by Orders, a majority of both Orders is necessary for affirmative action.

Article IX: The Standing Committee

Section 1.

(a) There shall be a Standing Committee as provided in the Constitution of The Episcopal Church and the General Canons.

(b) The Standing Committee shall consist of eight members, with one member of the clergy and one lay person elected to a four-year term at each Convention. To be eligible for election, a member of the clergy must be a priest or vocational deacon actually and canonically resident in this Diocese as an ordained person for the three years preceding election. To be eligible for election, a lay person must be an adult communicant in good standing of a congregation in this Diocese for at least three years prior to election.

(c) A member of the Standing Committee may not be elected to two full consecutive terms. However, a person who has filled an unexpired term of less than two years may be re-elected for a full term.

Section 2.

As soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual Convention, the Standing Committee shall meet and elect a president and a secretary from among its members, either clerical or lay. The Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of the Standing Committee. The records shall be open to inspection by the Bishop of the Diocese at any time. The Standing Committee shall give a full report of its actions to each annual Convention.

Section 3.

A majority of the members of the Standing Committee constitute a quorum. A majority of a quorum that has been convened may act unless the Canons require a larger number.

Section 4.

The Standing Committee may fill a vacancy in its membership by majority vote. This appointment expires at the next annual Convention.

Section 5.

The Standing Committee may adopt rules of order to govern its procedures. These rules shall be consistent with the Canons.

Section 6.

In carrying out its duties as to Presentments to the Discipinary Board, the Standing Committee shall comply with Title IV of the General Canons.

Article X: The Diocesan Council

Section 1.

The Convention may provide by Canon for the election of a Diocesan Council to advise and assist the Bishop in the administration of the Diocese. The Canon shall prescribe Diocesan Council’s membership, organization, duties, and powers. The Diocesan Council shall carry out directives of Convention.

Section 2.

The Diocesan Council shall be responsible for submitting all required information and reports, and for complying with all other requirements imposed on nonprofit corporations by the governmental entities.

Article XI: Deputies to General Convention

Section 1.

At the Annual Convention in the second year preceding each regular meeting of the General Convention, Diocesan Convention shall elect clerical and lay deputies, in the number prescribed by the General Canons, to represent this Diocese at the General Convention. Elections shall be by a concurrent majority in each Order, voting separately. Clerical deputies shall be priests or vocational deacons canonically resident in the Diocese. Lay deputies shall be at least 16 years old and communicants in good standing of a congregation of this diocese. Except as provided in Section 6 of this Article, the terms of Deputies begin when they are elected and terminate when their successors are elected and qualified.

Section 2.

The Nominating Committee shall nominate at least twice the number of Deputies to be elected.

Section 3.

(a) On all ballots under this Section, voters may vote for no more than the number of positions remaining to be filled.

(b) Election of Deputies during the first two ballots: On either ballot, all candidates who receive a majority vote in both orders are elected Deputies

(1) The number of candidates from each Order shall be reduced to two more than the number of Deputies remaining to be elected in that Order, if two are available. These nominees shall be determined according to the total number of votes received by each candidate in the second ballot.

(2) The members of each Order shall vote only for candidates from their Order. The number of candidates needed as Deputy in each Order who receive the highest number of votes in their Order are elected; and a majority vote is not required to elect. In case of a tie, another vote shall be taken to resolve the tie.

Section 4.

Following the election of Deputies, the same number of Alternate Deputies shall be elected from each Order in a single separate ballot from among the candidates who were not elected as Deputies. Individuals who withdraw from the election for Deputy may continue as candidates for Alternate Deputy.

(a) In the ballot for Alternate Deputies, voters shall cast no more votes in each Order than the number of Alternate Deputies to be elected from that Order.

(b) Voting for Alternate Deputies is not by Orders, and a majority vote is not required.

Section 5.

If the number of Deputies or Alternates attending General Convention is insufficient to complete the deputation from the Diocese, the Bishop may appoint provisional Deputies having the same qualifications. However, if any elected Deputy or Alternate then appears, the provisional appointment lapses.

Section 6.

If any Deputy ceases to be eligible or resigns the office before its expiration, the Bishop shall then appoint the ranking Alternate Deputy as successor. Any clerical Deputy who accepts a call to ecclesiastical office in another Diocese shall promptly resign as provided in this section.

Article XII: Deputies to the Provincial Synod

The Convention may provide for appropriate representation of the Diocese in the Synod or other representative body of the Province of which it is a part.

Article XIII: Mode of Election

Any election provided for in this Constitution shall be by ballot, unless the Convention dispenses with this requirement by unanimous consent. Except where otherwise specifically provided, a majority of all votes cast is sufficient for election. However, when three or more positions are on one ballot, the Convention may, by unanimous consent given before the vote is taken, declare that the requisite number receiving the ranking pluralities shall be elected. A vote by Orders may be demanded in any election as provided in Article VIII.

Article XIV: Election of a Bishop

Section 1.

The election of a Bishop for this Diocese shall be held during an Annual Convention or by a Special Convention called for that purpose. In either case, sixty days’ written notice of the election shall be sent by the Secretary to every member of the clergy, to the vestry of every parish, and to the Bishop’s Committee of every mission of the Diocese.

Section 2.

Without exception, the election of a Bishop shall be by Orders and by ballot. A member of the clergy may not vote without having been, for the six months preceding the election, both physically and canonically resident in the Diocese. A member of the clergy who has resigned a cure in order to accept another outside the Diocese may not vote. Lay persons may not vote without having been, for the six months immediately preceding the election, adult communicants in good standing of the congregation that they represent. If two-thirds of the eligible voters in each order are present, a concurrent majority voting in each Order, voting separately, shall determine an election. If less than two-thirds of the eligible voters in each Order are present, a candidate must receive two-thirds of the votes of each Order, voting separately, to be elected.

Section 3.

The Convention may, by Canon or by resolution, prescribe the method of nomination for election to the Episcopate. Sufficient opportunity shall also be given for nominations from the floor of Convention.

Section 4.

The election of a Bishop Coadjutor shall be as provided in this Article.

Section 5.

The election of a Bishop Suffragan shall be as provided in this Article. However, the Bishop of the Diocese may withdraw consent for that election at any time before the first ballot is cast.

Article XV: Admission of Parishes and Missions

Section 1.

The Convention shall prescribe by Canon the requirements for a congregation to be recognized as an organized mission or parish in this Diocese and admitted to Convention. The application of these requirements to individual cases is a judicial determination and is reserved to the Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee. An adverse decision may be appealed to the next Annual Convention. If appealed, the motion shall be put in the form, “That the Bishop and the Standing Committee be overruled,” and a two-thirds majority of those present and voting is necessary for adoption. If the Bishop and the Standing Committee are overruled, a motion to admit the congregation as an organized mission or parish shall be in order.

Section 2.

The formation of unorganized missions is vested in the Bishop as Chief Pastor.

Article XVI: Assessments

Section 1.

By canon or resolution, Convention may raise money for Diocesan expenses by assessment of the parishes and missions of the Diocese. Special assessments for purposes not provided for by canon nor included in the adopted budget require the consent of two-thirds of the members present, voting by Orders.

Section 2.

The Convention may impose any penalty for failure to pay assessments that have been imposed under this Constitution and Canons.

Article XVII: The Diocesan Corporations

Section 1.

The Diocese shall be incorporated for legal and secular purposes under the laws of the States of Washington and Idaho by the name and title of “The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane.”

Section 2.

Any amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation must be approved by Convention.

Article XVIII: The Diocesan Foundation

Section 1.

The Church in this Diocese may establish a non-profit Foundation to hold and manage all endowed funds and other gifts to the Diocese of realty and property. These gifts include property collected, bestowed, devised, or provided for the support of the Episcopate and other work of the Church.

Section 2.

The members of the foundation are the elected and ex officio members of the Diocesan Council. The members shall meet within thirty days of the adjournment of the Annual Convention to elect the trustees of the foundation and consider matters referred to them by the trustees. The members of the foundation shall meet at other times at the call of: (i) the Ecclesiastical Authority, (ii) the vice president of the Diocesan Corporation, or (iii) the Board of Trustees of the foundation.

Section 3.

Between the annual meetings of the membership of the Foundation, the Board of Trustees of the Foundation may fill vacancies in its own membership by a majority of the remaining Trustees. Members elected under this subsection serve without restriction until the next Annual Meeting of the members.

Section 4.

The Board of Trustees shall maintain complete written accounts of the Foundation’s assets and activities. These accounts shall include all separate accounts of the diocese, parishes and missions. The Board of Trustees shall make a written report of these accounts to the Annual Convention. That report shall include any proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Foundation.

Section 5.

No portion of the Foundation’s assets or earnings on the assets shall be used for stipend or emolument to any of the Trustees.

Article XIX: Authentication and Preservation of the Constitution

A copy of this Constitution as adopted, and the certificate of adoption, signed and attested by the Bishop and the Secretary of the Convention, and similarly attested copies of all subsequent amendments, shall be maintained by the Registrar of the Diocese.

Article XX: Amendments

Section 1.

The Convention shall provide by Canon for a continuing Committee on Constitution and Canons, and shall prescribe its membership and duties.

Section 2.

Any proposed amendment or repeal of this Constitution shall first be submitted in writing to the Committee on Constitution and Canons, and shall be reported by that Committee to the Convention, with its recommendations.

Section 3.

If approved by the Convention on first reading, a proposed amendment shall be held over for one year and published in the Journal of the Annual Convention. On final consideration by the next annual Convention, the proposed amendment is adopted if approved by a majority of both Orders, voting separately, and concurred in by the Bishop. Any proposed amendment may be amended at its second reading, but only with the concurrence of two-thirds of those present and voting.

Section 4.

Amendments to the Constitution take effect on adjournment of the Convention at which they are finally adopted. However, after final adoption, an amendment shall take effect immediately, if a resolution to do so is approved by a two-thirds vote of the Convention.