Episcopal Diocese of Albany - The Rules of Order for the Diocesan Convention

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Rule 1B: Election of a Bishop Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan

When the election of a Bishop Coadjutor or a Bishop Suffragan, is required, the following Rules of Order and procedures are prescribed:

Section 1: Time and Place Of Election

(a) The election shall be held at the Annual Meeting of the Convention in the Cathedral of All Saints unless the Bishop Diocesan, in the exercise of discretion or at the request of the Standing Committee, shall call a special meeting of the Convention, to be held at a different date or place, for the purpose of holding such election.
(b) Notice of such election shall be given by the Bishop Diocesan at least ninety days prior to the date fixed for the holding of such election.

Section 2: Nominations

(a) Nominations of candidates for the office to be filled at such election shall be made and seconded only by the Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese, or by Lay Deputies duly elected to the Convention at which such election will be held.
(b) Nominations shall be made and seconded in writing on a form prescribed by the Canon on Nominations.
(c) Nominations shall be filed with the Secretary of the Diocese at least sixty days before the date fixed for the holding of such election.
(d) Upon receipt of such nominations, the Secretary of the Diocese shall forthwith determine whether the persons making and seconding such nominations were eligible to do so. If the Secretary shall determine that such persons are ineligible, the nominations shall be returned to them with a written statement by the Secretary of the Diocese, setting forth the reasons for the determination. If the Secretary of the Diocese shall determine that such persons were eligible, the Secretary shall expeditiously deliver such nominations to the Secretary of the Standing Committee.

Section 3: Review by Standing Committee

Upon receipt of such nominations, the Standing Committee shall make such inquiries as it shall deem appropriate. If the Standing Committee shall initially determine that the nominee meets the eligibility requirements of age and ordination, it shall expeditiously transmit copies of such nominations and of any relevant biographical data to the qualified members of the Convention at which the election will be held. The inquiries made by the Standing Committee shall include, but not be limited to, the nominee's physical and mental health and may require nominees to answer relevant questions and furnish relevant information. The Standing Committee shall, in the interests of an informed election, disseminate all information so obtained to the members of the Convention at which the election will be held.

Section 4: Nominations from the floor

Further nominations may be made and seconded from the floor of the Convention by eligible members thereof.

Section 5: Nominating Speeches

Time limits on nominating speeches shall be fixed by the Presiding Officer before any nominations are presented to the Convention. After voting begins, no speeches in support of or against any nominee shall be made.

Section 6: Vote by Orders

Voting in the election shall be a Vote by Orders and concurrence of a majority of each order shall be required to elect.

Section 7: Conflict of Interest

(a) If the Secretary of the Diocese is a nominee for election, the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary with respect to the election shall be discharged by a person appointed by the Bishop with the advice of the Standing Committee.
(b) If a member of the Standing Committee is a nominee for election, such member shall not be present at, or take any part in, the proceedings and deliberations of the Standing Committee.

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