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CONSTITUTION OF THE DIOCESE OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN Adopted October 16, 1993
Area Article I -- The Diocese of Northern Michigan embraces all that part of the State of Michigan comprised of the following counties: Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft, collectively known as the Upper Peninsula. This Diocese accepts, recognizes and adopts the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, and acknowledges their authority. Cathedral Article II -- There may be a Cathedral Church in the Diocese of Northern Michigan. The Cathedral Church shall be one of the churches in the Diocese selected for this purpose by the Diocesan convention. No church shall be selected as the Cathedral Church without its consent. Convention Article III -- There shall be an annual convention of the Church in this Diocese, at such time and place as may be designated by the Ecclesiastical Authority. Notice of such Convention shall be sent to each congregation by the Secretary of the Convention at least thirty (30) days previous to the Convention. Special Convention Article IV -- The Ecclesiastical Authority shall have power to call a special Convention, if one is deemed requisite for the good of the Church, provided that no less than thirty (30) days notice be given of the same. The Authority calling the meeting shall determine its location. The Bishop shall Preside Article V -- The Diocesan Bishop shall preside at all meetings of the Convention. In the absence of the Diocesan Bishop, the Bishop Coadjutor, if there is one, shall preside. In case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, or of the absence of the Diocesan Bishop and of the Bishop Coadjutor, the members of the Convention shall elect a President pro tempore from among the members present. At the discretion of the Ecclesiastical Authority, a Bishop of this Church may be invited to preside at meetings of the Diocesan Convention. In all cases, the presider shall have the right to vote. Convention Holy Eucharist Article VI -- At every Convention, Holy Eucharist shall be celebrated. Convention Delegates Article VII -- Every baptized person of the Diocese shall have the right of a seat and a voice in the Convention. Article VIII -- Each Congregation in this Diocese which has or hereafter shall, by its Charter or Articles of Association, expressly accede to the Constitution, Canons, Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of The Episcopal Church in this Diocese, shall be admitted into union, and shall be entitled to send to the Convention as many as four delegates. Each delegate to the Convention shall be an adult communicant in good standing in a Congregation in union with the Convention of this Diocese and/or a member of the clergy canonically resident in the Diocese. Each delegate shall have one vote. A certificate of appointment of the delegates, signed by a Warden or Secretary of the Vestry, shall be presented to the Secretary of the Convention before such delegation shall be deemed to be present at the Convention. Delegates from any Congregation shall be entitled to vote at the same Convention at which the Congregation has been admitted. No person who is under Ecclesiastical censure or process shall be a delegate to the Convention. Delegations from ten (10) Congregations shall constitute a quorum for any Convention, regular or special. Article IX -- Questions of Constitutional amendment, Election of a Bishop, and votes requested by a majority of delegates from 3 Congregations shall require votes by a single ballot resulting in both of the following: (1) A 2/3 majority of all votes cast. (2) A simple majority of all delegations of the diocese present. A majority of delegations shall be determined as follows: Each delegation shall caucus and vote as a unit. A simple majority of the Congregation's delegates shall determine that delegation's vote. In the event the delegation is unable to render a majority opinion, the delegation's vote shall be recorded as a negative vote. All other matters before the Convention shall be by a simple majority vote of all delegates. Standing Committee Article X -- The Standing Committee shall consist of seven (7) members, at least three (3) of which shall be members of the Clergy, and at least three (3) Lay persons, each of whom is an adult communicant in good standing in a Congregation of the Diocese. Each year the same number of members shall be elected for three (3) years as the number whose terms expire that year. At their first meeting, they shall choose one of their members to be President, and another of their members to be Secretary. At all meetings a majority of members shall constitute a quorum. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep faithful record of all their proceedings, and report such proceedings to the Convention at its annual meeting; to preserve the originals of all papers and letters addressed to the committee, to attest to their acts; and to deliver to a successor all books and papers which, by virtue of that office, have been received. The minutes of the committee, and all papers in their hands relative to the Church, shall be subject to the examination of the Bishop and of the Convention. They shall have power to fill vacancies which may occur in their body for the unexpired term. The Standing Committee shall perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese or of the General Convention. Election of a Bishop Article XI -- The election of a Bishop of this Diocese shall be made in an annual Convention or in a special Convention called for that purpose. At least sixty (60) days before the time of the Special Convention, the Secretary of the Standing Committee shall send written notices of the Special Convention, which notice expressly states the purpose of the Special Convention, to every Vestry in the Diocese. The election of a Bishop shall follow the voting procedures identified in Article IX of this Constitution. In the event of a special Convention, each Congregation will determine its own delegation. Secretary of Convention Article XII -- At each Annual Convention a Secretary shall be appointed by the presiding officer. The Secretary shall continue in office until a successor is appointed. The Secretary shall discharge the duties of that office, as may be required by the Convention. In the event of the death, resignation, or removal from office of the Secretary during the interval between the sessions of the Annual Convention, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall have the power to appoint an acting Secretary, to hold office until the following Annual Convention. Treasurer of Convention Article XIII -- A Treasurer of the Diocese shall be elected at each Annual Convention, and shall continue in office until removed from office or a successor is elected pursuant to the Canons of this Diocese. The Treasurer shall discharge the duties of that office and as may be required by the Convention. In the event of the death, resignation, or removal from office of the Treasurer during the interval between the sessions of the Annual Convention, the Diocesan Council shall have the power to appoint an acting Treasurer, to hold office until the following Annual Convention. Amendments Article XIV -- The Constitution may be changed only by amendment. An amendment to the Constitution shall become effective only if it is approved by two successive conventions, according to the voting procedures identified in Article IX of this Constitution.
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