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Convention FAQ

Convention Information & Registration

What is Convention?

  • Convention is the annual meeting of the Diocese. The Convention elects certain officers, ratifies a budget, sets assessment levels for financing the operation of the Diocese, admits congregations as missions or parishes (and may suspend them), votes upon resolutions, elects General Convention deputies and alternates, hears the bishop’s annual address, and conducts such other business as the Convention may determine. In addition, the meeting of Convention provides an opportunity for worship, information sharing by exhibitors and others, networking, and fellowship.

 

Where do I find information about Convention?

  • Information regarding the Convention can be found on the website as well as in the Across the Diocese and Clergy Newsletters. Starting in September, a separate Convention Newsletter will be sent to Convention members. These communications will be updated as refined information becomes available.

 

Who can attend Convention?

  • All are welcome to attend as long as you are registered (see registration question)! The business sessions have special participation rules: convention members will have seat, voice, and vote; visitors can attend the business sessions as observers only.

 

What is there to do besides business at Convention?

  • There will be exhibits by many organizations associated with our diocese and The Episcopal Church throughout both days of the Convention. These are open to visitors and members to browse at any time. On Friday there will be three workshop sessions on various topics of interest to all and open to registered participants. Visitors and members can register for Convention using this form. There will be a plenary address on Friday afternoon, evening prayer and dinner on Friday evening, and a Holy Eucharist on Saturday morning.
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Is there a dress code/attire for Convention?

  • There is no dress code for Convention. Clergy persons do not need to wear collars for the workshops and general sessions. Clergy will be asked to wear vestments during the Holy Eucharist, for which a vesting room will be provided.

 

How do I register, how much does it cost, and what does the fee include?

  • Registration is $125 per person before September 18, 2026. After that date, the registration increases to $150 per person. The registration deadline is October 8.
  • The fee is applicable to Convention members and visitors.
  • The fee includes access to workshops, the plenary address and all business sessions. It also covers lunches on Friday and Saturday and a light continental breakfast Saturday morning. If you would like to join us for a community dinner Friday evening, seats can be reserved for $60/ticket.
  • We know this is an increase from prior years, for example the comparable fee in 2024 was $79. Across our Province VIII, 2-day convention fees range from $96 to $300. Costs have increased substantially since the COVID pandemic, and our fees have not kept pace. Even with the increase in fees, congregation assessments paid to the Diocese will continue to cover a majority of the costs of Convention. 
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What is the schedule for Convention?

  • Convention check-in will be available starting at 8:30 am on Friday and 7:30 am on Saturday.
  • Exhibits will be open for browsing throughout the two days in Grand Ballroom 1 along with tables and chairs available for visiting. This room will also be where you will find snacks, drinks, lunches, and Saturday breakfast. 
  • Friday October 23 will include three 70-minute workshop sessions, held in nearby meeting rooms. In the afternoon, we will organize for business and take part in the plenary session. The day will conclude with evening prayer and dinner. There will be plenty of breaks during which you can explore the exhibits, catch up with friends, and meet new friends.
  • Saturday October 24 will begin with Holy Eucharist and Rite of Healing. After a break to reconfigure the room, we will continue with Convention business. There will be plenty of breaks during which you can explore the exhibits, catch up with friends, and meet new friends.
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Why are we meeting for two days?

  • Given the size and complexity of our Diocese, the official business of Convention can fill an entire day. The number of resolutions under consideration and time needed to debate those also impacts how much time is needed for us to gather.
  • In addition, we are eager to gather together as a community to worship, build relationships, and learn from each other. The 2025 hybrid format for Convention left many folks yearning to gather together in one place. We encourage everyone in the diocese, Convention members and visitors, to come and experience the richness of talents and charisms we have in our Diocese of Olympia.
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How to: Resolutions & Nominations

How do I submit a resolution?

  • The first thing to know is that resolutions must be submitted by 45 days prior to Convention. This year that deadline is September 8. Information about the kinds of resolutions and who to submit them can be found on the Convention website resolutions page. 

 

What positions are open for election and how do I submit a nomination?

  • Elections will take place to fill open positions on the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and the Commission on Ministry. There are also two lay alternate positions open for our deputation to General Convention. Position descriptions and a link to the nomination forms can be found on the Convention website nominations page.
  • If you wish biographical information to be included in the Convention materials, please submit nomination materials by September 8. Nominations can also be made from the floor during Convention, but written biographical information will not then be available to voters. 
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What is the Bishop’s Cross Award, and how do I nominate someone for it?

  • Since 1953, Bishop’s Cross Awards have been given each year to people whose lives embody the spirit of Christ. If you know of such a person deserving of this award, talk with your church office or leadership about submitting a Nomination. Awardees are chosen by the Bishop after prayerful consideration and the presentations are made during the Diocesan Convention. Nominations must be submitted by September 20 using this form. Please contact Michael Seewer with questions or for more information.

 

Who do I ask…?

Children & Youth

Will childcare be available?

  • Yes, we have dedicated a room(s) nearby, for childcare for infants up to five years old on both Friday and Saturday. Pre-registration is highly recommended to guarantee space. We are grateful to the nursery workers at St. Columba’s, Kent, for providing care for our youngest children.
  • On Saturday there will be activities for children 6 years and older with our wonderful team from Camp Huston. More details coming soon. 

 

Will there be youth activities?

  • Yes! Please encourage your youth to come and see what Convention is all about. Camp Huston will provide trained staff to lead youth activities on Saturday after the Eucharist. All are encouraged to join us for the Eucharist Saturday morning where Saint Mark’s Cathedral Choir School will be leading our music. In addition, any person over the age of 16 years is eligible to volunteer at Convention.

 

Volunteers!

Can I volunteer to help?

  • Yes please! It takes a village to raise a Convention, and while members of the Office of the Bishop primarily staff Convention, they always welcome additional volunteer help to put on this important event. We will need volunteers to help at the registration desk as well as help on the convention floor. More details will be provided to the volunteers as we get closer to the date.
  • Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer. People who volunteer 6 hours or more during Convention will receive complimentary Convention registration. Questions? Contact our People Care team leader Matt Koski.
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Accessibility

Will the Convention be live-streamed and/or recorded?

  • TBD. We are looking into the cost of recording and/or livestreaming the business sessions of the Convention. Once that is determined, we will update this list and the Convention website with the appropriate information.

 

Will Spanish translation be available?

  • Yes. Convention materials are being translated into Spanish and as they become available will be posted to the Convention website. In addition, live Spanish translation will be available during the Convention. Please indicate this need when registering and when you check in.

 

Will captioning be available for those who need this type of assistance?

  • Yes, captioning in English will be available using CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation). If you desire this, please indicate that when registering.

 

Will ASL translation be available real-time during Convention?

  • Yes. If you desire this, please indicate it when registering.

 

Voting

Do voters need a personal wireless device in order to vote?

  • Yes. Except where unanimous consent by voice is appropriate, all voting on official convention matters will be done on personal wireless devices, such as cell phones. At check-in you will be able to configure your device with the voting software. The team is working to ensure that the wireless bandwidth at the hotel will be sufficient for our purposes.

 

Do Convention members need to attend in person to vote?

  • Yes. We will use personal devices to accomplish most voting, however all voters will be required to be present to vote. 

 

Lodging & Transportation

Do I make my own hotel reservations and who do I contact?

  • Yes, each attendee will need to make their own hotel reservations. Please use the link or the toll-free number below. Room rates are $149-$159 per night. If you have questions about the hotel or your room reservation, please contact The DoubleTree directly. Diocesan staff can not make changes to your hotel reservations. You have until September 22 to make your reservations using the group rate. Note: There is another Hilton and another DoubleTree hotel near the airport, so make sure to pick the correct one.
  • Online reservations: https://book.passkey.com/go/DioceseofOlympia2026 
  • Telephone reservations: (800) 222-TREE or (800) 222-8733 and reference the group name: Diocese of Olympia
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How do I find the Convention hotel?

 

Where can I park and is there a fee for parking?

  • Whether you are staying at the hotel or coming for the day, hotel parking is self-park for $33 per day. The parking fee is not included in the registration fee or hotel room rate.

 

Can I take the train and how do I get from the train station to the hotel?

  • You can take the Link Light Rail Train. Take the 1 Line to the SeaTac Airport stop. From there you can either walk (it’s about a 15 minute walk to the hotel), or take one of the hotel courtesy shuttles. 
  • Hotel Airport Shuttle – runs every 20 minutes, leaving the hotel at the top of the hour and every 20 minutes thereafter. The courtesy shuttle pickup area is on the 3rd floor of the SeaTac Airport Parking garage. From the airport baggage claim, take the elevator to the 4th floor. Once on the 4th floor, go across the skybridge to the parking garage. Once in the garage, take the elevators one floor down to the 3rd floor. Look for the Doubletree Shuttle that has the number 1 on the right side of the windshield. There is another small Doubletree nearby that also has a shuttle, so ours has the number 1 to eliminate confusion.
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Which train stations in the surrounding areas have good parking?

  • On the North side: Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, and Northgate
  • On the South side: Federal Way and Angle Lake
  • On the East side: Redmond Technologies and Marymoore Village
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