What does the Nominations Committee do?
The Nominations Committee, a bishop-appointed group of no fewer than five members, identifies potential nominees for diocesan office, reviews skills and experience for the best match with open positions, and produces a slate of candidates for each open position (by Canon a minimum of two persons for each position, except that only one candidate is required when an incumbent Diocesan Council member stands for re-election; convention officers may also have one candidate). In developing this slate of candidates, the Committee:
- Gives due consideration to the value of diversity;
- Strives for balance between experienced and new voices;
- Works to match the skills and experience of nominees with the job description, skill set and experience required for each governing body;
Supports current members who wish to run for a second term, if eligible.
This slate is developed through several methods:
- Any person eligible to run (see eligibility notes below) may self-nominate;
- Any person in the Diocese may recommend someone else who is eligible to run, having confirmed that person is willing to stand for election; and
- Committee members contact regional ministry leadership and diocesan commission leadership to request recommendations.
If you have someone in mind, check with them to see if they are interested and then forward their name and contact information to the Committee. If you talk with someone prior to providing a name to the committee, let them know that no one is automatically nominated by the Committee. If a person you recommend, or a person who self-nominates, is not selected by the Committee to be on the slate of candidates, they will be notified and have the option to arrange to be nominated from the floor at the convention.
Who is eligible to stand for election?
Clerical nominees:
- Must be canonically resident in our diocese.
- May be, but not limited to rectors, vicars, deacons, retired or non-parochial priests.
- Licensed clergy who are canonically resident in another diocese or who belong to a different denomination (such as Lutheran clergy serving in an Episcopal congregation)
are not eligible.
Lay nominees:
- Must be adult communicants in good standing in a congregation of our diocese.
According to our diocesan canons, a communicant is a baptized person who is faithful in corporate worship and who has received the Sacrament of Holy Communion in this church at least three times during the preceding 12 months. Communicants 16 years of age and older are considered adult communicants. A Communicant in Good Standing is a communicant who is a recorded contributor to the support of the church with money or with personal service as determined by the rector or vicar of the congregation.
If I have a proposed nominee, how do I get that information to the Committee?
You may send information by email to the Nominations Committee, nominations@ecww.org.
Is there a deadline for nominations?
While there is no specific deadline for nominations as candidates may be nominated from the floor, the work of the Nominations Committee is complete and a report prepared following the 45-day canonical deadline for other convention reports, which in 2026 is September 8. The deadline for submission of the nominee statement and picture is September 21.
Nomination form for all open diocesan leadership positions
Commission on Ministry
- 1 three-year lay position
- 1 three-year deacon position
The primary canonical responsibility of the Commission on Ministry (COM) is to assist the Bishop in matters related to discernment and selection of persons for ministry; in the guidance and pastoral care of postulants and candidates for Holy Orders; and in matters pertaining to lifelong learning. The Commission does this by facilitating the process for authentic individual discernment in community, by listening to the Holy Spirit and the sacred in each person, and by helping discerners grow spiritually as they identify their place in building the Kingdom of God. Members of the COM represent all orders of ministry laid out in the Catechism. Members are appointed for three-year terms by the Bishop, with terms beginning after diocesan convention. The work of our diocesan COM is done through periodic meetings as well as two in-depth retreats for those in process for holy orders. High value is placed on authenticity and integrity; listening and communication skills; intentional work focused on anti-racism skills, equity and inclusion; and compassionate understanding.
Diocesan Council – Regional positions
- Be Attitudes – (three-year)
- Peninsula – (three-year)
- Sno-Isle – (three-year)
- At-large – (three-year, lay position)
- At-large – (three-year, clergy position)
Between Diocesan Conventions the Diocesan Council oversees the budget and program goals of the Diocese, carrying out the priorities adopted by Convention. The Council develops a proposed budget to be ratified by the next Convention, and monitors income and reviews/recommends changes to the current year budget as needed. Members assume and accept the role of public relations and good will toward individuals and congregations facilitating connectedness within the Diocese. Members attend the Diocesan Convention as voting members during their terms of office. Members also accept assignments, work on committees and task groups, and attend regional, committee, and commission meetings as necessary. The Council meets 10-12 times a year by Zoom, usually Thursday afternoon; plus one to two Saturday governing bodies retreats each year. Members serve three-year terms.
Standing Committee
- 1 four-year lay position
- 1 four-year clergy position
The Standing Committee serves as a council of advice for the bishop on all matters, including decisions related to the sale, encumbrance, or disposal of real property throughout the diocese. Other diocesan responsibilities include interviews and consent or withholding consent of persons seeking ordination to the diaconate or priesthood. In addition, the Standing Committee has judicial responsibilities in cases of clergy misconduct including clergy or complainants who do not accept the adjudication of the bishop. National and international responsibilities include giving or withholding consent to election of bishops within the wider Episcopal Church. The Standing Committee places high value on prayerful deliberation as well as a strong commitment to working in a supportive way with our bishop. If you enjoy working collaboratively on important decisions in the church and have a broad view of what it means to be an Episcopalian, then the Standing Committee might be of interest to you. The Standing Committee meets monthly by Zoom, usually on the second Wednesday of the month from 4-6pm. Members serve four-year terms.
Nomination Form Available Here
The General Convention, the bicameral governing body of the Episcopal Church, is held every three years. It is comprised of the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 active and retired bishops participating, and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay deputies elected from all dioceses and three regional areas of the Church. The 82nd General Convention is scheduled to meet in Phoenix, Arizona in July 2027. Each diocese is entitled to seat eight representatives in the House of Deputies, four clergy and four lay. These deputies must be elected not less than twelve months before the next meeting of General Convention, and, as we don’t hold our diocesan convention until the fall of each year, we must elect our deputies even earlier.
The General Convention is a legislative body—some say the largest in the world—and it should not be surprising that it acts in large part like the Congress of the United States as many of its drafters were the same as those who designed the U.S. Constitution. It acts together to enact legislation and frequently seems submerged in paperwork (though folks are working to reduce the load). Much of its work is actually done in committees before the legislation reaches the floor and committee assignments are avidly sought, for this is where legislation can best be influenced, amended or even cancelled. Our diocese has been blessed over the years with many committee assignments.
Although the deputies are expected to vote independently (and, by rule of the House, every deputy is required to be seated and voting), the deputation gets much out of caucusing and open discussion, both at the time of convention, and before. There will be a number of meetings prior to the General Convention in 2027 where issues can and will be raised and, once the official convention publication is out, specific items of legislation discussed. It is expected that all elected deputies and alternates will attend and participate.Our diocese sets aside money in the diocesan budget to provide funds for all eight deputies and two alternates (one in each order) to attend the General Convention. Although funding is provided, it is not always adequate to cover all costs and those elected should anticipate some individual cost for attending the 2027 General Convention.
Nominations will take place at the 2026 Diocesan Convention, just prior to the first ballot. The process is as follows:
1. Each person to be nominated must have a sponsor prepared to make the nomination on the floor of Convention, as well as a “seconder.” No speeches will be allowed; the name will simply be placed in nomination by the sponsors.
2. Each person to be nominated should complete a nomination form by September 21, 2026, so that biographical information and photo may be communicated prior to the Convention.
3. Information regarding nominees will be published with other material prior to the Convention.
4. If information on a nominee is not received in time for publication in the official nominations report, the person may still be nominated, however no information will be distributed.
5. No promotional materials may be distributed at the convention sites.
6. Deputies and alternates to General Convention will be elected pursuant to Article XII of the Constitution of the Diocese of Olympia.
7. Positions to be filled: 2 lay alternates