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Submitting Diocesan Convention Resolutions

Send Resolutions by e-mail to:
Laura Chase, Chair
Resolutions Committee
LAURACHASE@aol.com.
Please send the resolution in the body of the e-mail.

For information or with questions, e-mail Laura Chase or call her at 802-483-2995.

Deadline: September 1, 2009

Resolutions should call for specific action and state clearly who or what group should be responsible. For Example: if what the proposer wants is a report on the action taken by implementation of the resolution, that needs to be stated clearly and specifically in the resolution. Questions to consider when writing a resolution include:

• Does this resolution amend an existing position or policy of the Diocese of Vermont?
• Does this resolution offer a new position or policy?
• What action, if any, may be required because of this resolution and by whom? (e. g.. the Bishop, Diocesan Council, a Commission or Committee)
• Are there any budget implications if this resolution is adopted?
• Does this resolution require a canonical or constitutional change?

The Form for Writing Resolutions

I. Title: Each resolution should have a brief descriptive title that highlights the area of concern Ex. "Establish a Fun Day Task Force"
II. Preamble: Unless it is absolutely necessary, please eliminate the preamble. If you absolutely must use a preamble, each clause, written as a separate paragraph, begins with the word "Whereas" underlined or printed in italics and followed by a comma. The preamble should never contain a period. Each of its paragraphs should close with a semicolon followed by the word "and".
III. The form of a Resolution: The word "Resolved" is underlined or printed in italics and is followed by a comma and the word "That" which begins with a capital "T." Each resolved paragraph should close with a semicolon (followed by the word "and") or a period. A resolving paragraph should not contain a period within its structure.
In a resolution containing several resolving paragraphs, each paragraph is separated by "therefore be it" and "be it further" phrases that end a clause. These phrases are not to be used at the beginning of a "Resolved" clause.
IV. A Resolution must require specific action: In other words, the Resolution should be phrased in such a way that it will result in some action by the Diocesan Convention, Diocesan Council, the Diocese or some other diocesan body or person.
V.. Explanation: In order to avoid lengthy "Whereas" clauses, a separate paragraph entitled"Explanation" follows the resolution. This is where the presenter can provide the rational for the resolution, background clarification or reasons for the resolution.
VI. Proposer: At the end of the resolution the proposer or proposers need to sign their signatures and identify who/what body they represent.

For formatting examples, see the resolutions adopted by the 2008 Diocesan Convention here.