The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Constitution and Canons
Article IV.
Quorum of the Council.
One-third of the members of the Clerical order and one-half of the members of the Lay
order shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special
meeting of the Council, but a smaller number may adjourn any such meeting.
Article V.
Methods of Voting in the Council.
In all matters that may come before any meeting of the Council the clergy and laity
shall deliberate in one body and a majority of those voting shall be necessary for a
decision, except where the vote is by orders, in which case there must be a concurrence
of majorities in each order; but, before a vote is taken upon any matter, five members
may, by request, require the vote to be taken by orders. In a vote by orders each Clerical
Delegate and each Lay Delegate shall be entitled to one vote.
Article VI.
The Bishops, Officers and Committees of the Diocese.
In addition to the Bishop of the Diocese, there may be a Bishop Coadjutor, Bishops
Suffragan, Assistant Bishops, or any combination thereof, upon the conditions and
pursuant to the authority contained in the Canons of the General Convention.
In addition to the Bishop, or Bishops, the officers of the Diocese shall consist of a
Secretary, Treasurer, Chancellor, and a Registrar.
For the conduct of the affairs of the Diocese, there shall be a Standing Committee and an
Executive Board, together with such other officers, committees, departments, and boards
as the Council may deem desirable.
Article VII.
Election of a Bishop.
The election of a Bishop shall be made at a regular meeting of the Council, or at a special
meeting of the Council called for that purpose. The vote shall be by ballot and by orders
and a concurrent majority of the votes cast by each order shall be necessary to a choice.
Article VIII.
The Bishop as President of the Council.
Section 1. The Bishop shall preside at all meetings of the Council and exercise all
the ordinary duties of a presiding officer. He may call a special meeting of the Council
at whatever time and place he may think necessary; and whenever requested by the
Standing Committee, it shall be his duty to call a special meeting to be held at the time
and place selected by the Standing Committee.
Section 2. The Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, shall preside at any meeting of the
Council from which the Bishop is absent, or whenever the Bishop may request him to preside.
Section 3. The ranking active Suffragan Bishop, if there be one, shall preside at any
meeting of the Council if he is requested to do so by the Bishop, or in the absence of the
Bishop, by the Bishop Coadjutor; or if declared or serving as the Ecclesiastical Authority
pursuant to Article IX of the Constitution.
Section 4. A retired Bishop or an Assistant Bishop of this Diocese may preside at any
meeting of the Council at the request of the presiding officer.
The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council 283