This page provides a brief overview of the procedure followed by General Synod meetings. Please contact the General Synod Office for further information.
The General Synod Meeting
The Primus, or another member appointed by the Standing Committee, chairs the annual meeting of the three houses of the Synod - Bishops, Clergy and Laity.
The General Synod reaches decisions through a number of procedures. General policy matters can be settled by a simple vote.
In matters of greater complexity, the Synod can break into its separate houses, although this is very unusual. When it does divide, the houses of Clergy and Laity are chaired by elected prolocutors.
There is a separate, set procedure for matters that affect Canon Law.
- First, the motion has to be passed by a simple majority of each of the three houses of the Synod.
- Second, it is referred to each diocese for consultation and comment.
- Third, it returns to Synod the following year when it will need to be passed by a two-thirds majority, with each house voting separately.
Voting
Most voting is carried out by a show of hands. Coloured cards are issued to members to assist in the counting of votes.
Procedure
Clergy, laity and bishops all sit together throughout the sessions. The Chair sits facing them, alongside the legal assessor and the Secretary General. The assessor advises the Chair on points of procedure.
Members who want to speak during a debate should stand up and wait to be called by the Chair. All remarks should be addressed to the Chair, with the usual preface: "Primus (or Chair), Members of Synod".
Speakers should identify themselves and their diocese. Movers of motions are generally allowed to speak for 10 minutes, while other speakers are limited to five minutes. No one other than the proposer of a motion, who may speak in response to points made, is allowed to speak twice in the same debate, except to raise a point of order.
How to get Matters on the Synod Agenda
The formal agenda for the Synod is prepared by the Standing Committee.
Any member of Synod can propose a motion by notifying the Standing Committee by a set date before the Synod meeting. The deadline for these notifications is given in the papers sent out in late March or early April to convene the Synod. The Standing Committee then decides whether to include the proposed motion.
Members can also use Rule 10 of the Synod's Rules of Order to propose a motion. Proposers need to give the Secretary General written notice of such a motion, normally before the start of the Synod meeting. The written notice should be signed by the motion's mover and seconder and by 12 other members of Synod who are present at the meeting. Motions are presented in the form "That this Synod..." It is important that the motion sets out clearly what the proposer intends. Assistance in this is normally available.
The mover is then allowed two minutes to address Synod on why it should consider the motion. If two thirds of those present vote in favour of hearing the motion, it can proceed to be debated.
Motions involving financial expenditure cannot be heard unless they are printed in the Synod agenda, alongside the observations of the board or committee within whose budget the expenditure would fall.
Proposers are encouraged to build support for their motions before bringing them to the General Synod. They can do this by bringing them to their diocesan synod or by discussing them with the convener of the relevant board or committee.
Another way of getting the General Synod to consider a matter is to put a question to a board convener during the proceedings. This is a good way of raising an issue without the formality and precision of a specific motion. Where possible, questions should be written and submitted to the Secretary General well in advance of Synod.
