Whereas, The 66th General Convention, in its resolution D-149, has called the attention of the Executive Council to "the lack of communication and direct contact between the Executive Council and the several dioceses"; and
Whereas, General Convention Resolution D-149 commends to Executive Council a program of regular visitation to the jurisdictions by elected members of Executive Council; and
Whereas, There is no budget that would encourage extensive travel by Council members; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Executive Council adopt the following suggestions for better two-way communication between the Council and various jurisdictions:
- Those members of Executive Council living in each province are urged to contact their provincial president regarding their willingness to provide written reports after each Executive Council meeting, the same to be given the widest possible distribution by the province. The Council believes that the cost of such reports should be borne by the province and that the form should be determined by the Council members in consultation with the province president.
- Council members are also urged to be available to report on Council matters at diocesan conventions and the Executive Council strongly urges each diocesan bishop to include such reports on convention agendas. If reports cannot be made in person they should be made in writing to the Convention. Council members are expected to inform each bishop in their province of their availability to do this. Inasmuch as the Council has no budget for such travel, the Council encourages diocesan bishops to defray travel and other costs of such reporting. Such reports, if made in person, would further give the delegates an opportunity to make their views known to Council members.
- Similar reports are also urged at provincial meetings by Council members. The Executive Council recommends that this procedure be presented and reviewed regularly by the Presiding Bishop with the provincial presidents.
- Council members are also urged to make occasional reports in various parishes, large and small, to aid in two-way communications, and also to such other church-related meetings as they may attend.
- The Executive Council recognizes that as planning goes forward for the Louisiana Convention in 1982, members of the Council will assume even more important leadership and communications roles. The budget is expected to provide expenses of such planned visits by Council members in connection with the next General Convention.
