The 98th Annual Diocesan Convention is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, November 14-15, 2008, at the Hilton Seattle Airport. The convention will convene at 8:30 AM on Friday, November 14 and conclude mid-afternoon on Saturday, November 15. Fall Pre-Convention issue forums and briefing sessions are scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2008, at locations to be announced later this summer.

FALL PRE-CONVENTION GATHERINGS:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2008

HOTEL

Room rates at the Hilton Seattle Airport located at 17620 International Blvd, Seattle will be $110 single/double. Parking will be at 50% of the published rate for overnight and/or day-use parking. To make reservations call the national reservation line at 1-800-HILTONS and ask for the group rate for the Diocese of Olympia, or click here.

Spring Regional Gatherings: Regional Ministry areas will meet to discuss the budget and other local and diocesan issues. It is important as a convention member to take advantage of this opportunity to meet in this small group setting. A list of meetings is available here.

CERTIFICATION OF DELEGATES

Certification of new and continuing lay delegates should be submitted to the Convention Office as soon as possible after election so that the appropriate persons receive Convention notices. Please send listings and/or changes in your delegation to the attention of Dede Moore at the diocesan offices.

RESOLUTIONS

The 2008 canonical deadline for submitting Convention resolutions is September 30. The form for proposed resolutions is outlined here. Constitution and Canons Proposed Changes: The 2008 canonical deadline for submitting proposed changes to the diocesan Constitution and Canons is September 30. Proposed Budget Amendments: The 2008 canonical deadline for submitting proposed amendments to the 2009 diocesan operating budget is September 30. Budget amendments must be submitted in resolution form to both the Budget and Finance Committee of Diocesan Council and the Resolutions Committee of Convention.

NOMINATIONS

A list of positions to be filled by election at this year’s Convention, along with a nomination form, is posted here. General Convention Nominations: Due to a resignation, the 2008 Convention will elect 1 (one) clergy alternate to join the deputation attending the 2009 General Convention in Anaheim, California. The overview of this position, along with the nomination form, is posted here. Your assistance is asked to ensure that there are a number of qualified candidates for the various offices, and I urge you to consider running yourself. The 2008 canonical deadline for submitting nominations is September 30. Information on nominees will be posted here in October.

DOCUMENTS

Delegate/Alternate job description (08/A/2)
2008 Convention Timetable (08/A/3)
Regional Ministry meeting information (08/A/4)
2008 Convention Guide (08/A/5)
2008 Nomination overview – short form (08/B/1)
2008 Diocesan Nomination Form (08/B/2)
2008 Candidacy form for General Convention (08/B/3)
Diocesan Offices – list and description (08/B/4)
General Convention – overview of deputation responsibilities (08/B/5)
2009 Preliminary Budget information (08/C/1)
Guidelines for Convention Resolutions (08/D/1)

Please read all posted documents and print only those that you will need for discussions/votes at the convention. Keep this material together, and bring it with you to regional meetings and to the Convention. Help us to avoid unnecessary duplication!

If you have any questions regarding Convention preparation, please be in touch with John Schaeffer, secretary of convention, at 425-255-7232, jgs1929@aol.com; or Dede Moore, bishop’s executive for governance, at the Diocesan House 206-325-4200 or 800-488-4978, ext. 2022; dmoore@ecww.org.