As the forthcoming General Synod will be the first of a new triennium it might be helpful for members (particularly new members) to be aware of important dates and deadlines if they wish to propose items for discussion when the Synod meets in Dublin.

Standing Committee Elections:
In the lead up to General Synod, members of the Synod will be invited to elect members of the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee consists of two clergy and two lay representatives from each diocese, the Archbishops and Bishops, the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod and a number of co–opted representatives. It is a particularly important committee that meets about 6 times a year.

Members of General Synod will receive letters from the Honorary Secretaries seeking nominations in towards the end of March/early April. Nominations must be received by Thursday 19 April 2012. Where the nominations are contested, the Honorary Secretaries will send out ballot papers which must be returned by Thursday 3 May 2012. The results of the election will be announced on the first day of the General Synod (10 May 2012).

Bills:
A Bill is a piece of proposed legislation which, if passed, will become a statute and part of the law of the Church of Ireland. Draft Bills should be sent to the Honorary Secretaries at Church House, Rathmines, Dublin 6 by Thursday 29 March 2012 so that it can be sent out to members of the Synod. Members wishing to propose Bills can consult the legislation committee (through the Synod office) for advice.

A late Bill can be sent to the Honorary Secretaries up to 3 May 2012 (one week before the first day of the General Synod). The Bills Committee will examine all proposed Bills (including late Bills) for legal and drafting issues and report their conclusions to General Synod on the first day.

Motions:
Notice of a motion must be sent to the Honorary Secretaries at Church House, Rathmines, Dublin 6 by Tuesday 10 April 2012 (one month before the opening day of the General Synod) for sending out with Synod papers. Motions may also be proposed during Synod under Standing Order 31(d).

The Synod website: www.synod.ireland.anglican.org gives templates on how a motion may be moved.

Requests for Information:
Under Standing Order 51, any member of General Synod can ask for information concerning the work of a committee, the Synod or the Representative Church Body.

Questions can be submitted in advance (before Thursday 3 May 2012) in which case it will be printed on the Synod Agenda to the Synod Office or during the General Synod to the Honorary Secretaries. One days notice must be given. The Chairperson of the Committee or the Chief Officer of the Representative Church Body (or another person) is required to answer the request at 2pm on each day of the session or as soon as possible thereafter.

Forms for seeking questions are available from the Synod Office or downloadable from the General Synod website at www.synod.ireland.anglican.org

Petitions:
Under Standing Order 65, any member or members of the Church of Ireland who are at least 18 years old may make a petition to the General Synod. This must be sent to the Honorary Secretaries not later than Thursday 3 May 2012. The petition shall be presented to the General Synod by a member and shall be referred to the Petitions Committee, which will consider it and report its findings to the Synod.

Forms for petitions are available from the Synod Office or downloadable from the General Synod website at www.synod.ireland.anglican.org