Explanation

This Resolution would direct planners for the 82nd and following General Conventions to follow the existing 1988 guidelines for scheduling General Conventions, refining the time frames to fit within existing public-school summer schedules.

The Covid pandemic caused a shortening of the 80th General Convention from the originally planned ten days to four, with no time allotted for legislative hearings during those four days; all legislative-committee hearings were held online in the two months before opening.  The 81st is scheduled for six days, but with minimal hearing time other than a single three-hour slot the day before opening, again relying almost exclusively on preconvention online hearings. 

Many of the necessary online legislative-committee hearings are held during the working day.  This diminishes the voices of those who (a) are not able to sporadically take off work to attend, (b) may not have sufficient computer or smartphone facilities to enable access, and (c) may not have available or reliable internet connections.   Those of us who are privileged to be able to participate in the months before Convention aren't able to appreciate the plight of those less privileged, and whose voices will not be heard before the opening gavel.  When legislative hearings, or final legislative hearings, are held on-site before or during General Convention, everyone who can be present can participate in the legislative process.

The reliance on preconvention online hearings has led to draconian rules-of-order proposals that would require all D-Resolutions proposed later than three months before Convention to pass special hurdles to allow their consideration.  Such a rule is deemed necessary in order to force online LC review before arrival at Convention.  This is the opposite of openness and transparency.

Allowing time for complying with the Guidelines for Convention length will foster better deliberative consideration of legislation and allow for the collegiality that was so sadly missing in Baltimore and is likewise reduced in Louisville.  The House of Bishops meets often between Conventions; Deputies only have a triennial Convention in which to meet and work together.  Let's use the full time when we are on-site to do our work.

 

Resolution Number:              1988-A150
Title:                                        Approve Guidelines and Policies Relating to Meetings of General Convention
Legislative Action Taken:      Concurred As Amended

Final Text:

Resolved, That this 69th General Convention approve the guidelines as listed below as an estimate of the needs of the General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements give close attention to the ways that the mission strategy of the Episcopal Church would be furthered by attendance in the cities and dioceses that they are considering; and be it further

Resolved, That there be, as far as possible, a continuance in the policy of offering to the General Convention a wide choice of appropriate locations, bearing in mind costs, logistical considerations, and accessibility, and be it further

Resolved, That careful scrutiny be given to the Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action policies of all suppliers of services to the General Convention, including hotels, meeting areas and technological equipment. (Project Equality, of which the Episcopal Church is a member, is equipped to monitor EEO and AA policies.)

 

GUIDELINES

DATES

Eleven days between June 15 and October 15. Convention opens on a day selected by the Committee with various committee (possibly 10) meetings for four days prior to Convention.

ATTENDANCE

15,000 (possible to go as high as 25,000+)

HOTELS

2,500 hotel rooms (1/2 doubles), 100 suites

EXHIBITS

100,000 square feet to include area for restaurant within exhibit floor

MEETING ROOMS

900 persons set tailored schoolroom daily
80,000-100,000 sq. ft. (includes 2500 gallery theater set up or bleachers)
500 persons set tailored schoolroom daily
15,000-18,000 sq. ft. (includes 500 gallery theater set up or bleachers)
250 persons set tailored schoolroom, daily
15,000-18,000 sq. ft. (includes 700 gallery theater set up or bleachers)
35-50 various sized committee meeting rooms accommodate 10-50 plus visitors
8,000-12,000 persons for an opening worship service daily worship room (10,000-20,000 sq. ft.)

OFFICE SPACE

press room, with interview area (two large areas)
six offices
computer room (600+ sq. ft.)
print shop (3,000+ sq. ft.)
secretariat of 30 people (2,500+ sq. ft.)
secretariat of 15 people (1,200+ sq. ft.)
registration area (15 counters "L" shaped)
VIP lounge area
volunteer/staff office area
large area to accommodate 400 persons daily with space
for 12 staff desks and four information counters

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

3,000-6,000 persons mid-week social function 100
various meal functions of 100 to 400
fast day is observed one day sometime midweek