Subject: Motion to Give First Reading to an Amendment to the Declaration of Principles

Moved By: Chancellor David P. Jones, Q.C.
Seconded By: Canon Dr. Randall Fairey  

Be it resolved that this General Synod:  

Give First Reading to amend section 11 of the Declaration of Principles to add paragraph f) as follows:

11 f)     The Handbook Committee may make such corrections and alterations to the Declaration of Principles, Constitution, and Canons  as it considers necessary, provided that such corrections and changes relate only to matters of form and not to matters of substance and provided that any such correction or alteration shall be reported to the next following meeting of General Synod and may be set aside by a majority of those members present and voting.

Source: Handbook Concerns Committee

Submitted By: Governance Working Group           

Does this motion contain within it any financial implications?      Yes     No

If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications?   Yes    No

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND

In preparing the Handbook after the last General Synod, the Handbook Committee discovered a number of typographical and formatting errors as well as some provisions needing clarification.

It would be helpful if the Handbook Committee were empowered to make such non-substantive changes to the Declaration of Principles, Constitution and Canons provided they must be reported to the next session of General Synod which can set the changes aside by a majority of those members present and voting.

PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION (A)

Section 11 a) ii) of the Declaration of Principles requires an amendment to the Declaration of Principles to be approved by a two-thirds majority in each Order voting at two successive sessions of General Synod. 

Note: This type of amendment to the Declaration of Principles must also be referred to all diocesan and provincial synods for consideration (not consent) after first approval by General Synod.