ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be:
Section 1. To develop, train, and support a network of Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers within the Episcopal Church.
Section 2. To identify, initiate, support, communicate and celebrate the ecumenical activity at the level of the diocese and the congregation.
Section 3. To communicate with and for the Presiding Bishop’s Deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and others engaged in ecumenical and interreligious work on the churchwide staff.
Section 4. To advocate the commitment of the resources of this church to the goal of one Eucharistic fellowship following the mandates of the General Convention.
Section 5. To encourage liaison and collaboration with other entities of the Church engaged in ecumenical work.
Section 6. To foster dialogue with non-Christian faith traditions leading to deeper understanding and strengthened mutual regard and respect, and sharing in God’s call for justice and peace.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer from each diocese is a member of EDEIO, and may attend annual meetings with voice and vote in all business of EDEIO.
Section 2. Members of a diocese who serve the ecumenical and interreligious movement in recognized and appropriate capacities may be invited to attend meetings and have a voice without vote.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
Section 1. There shall be an annual meeting of EDEIO, the date to be chosen by the Executive Committee. At least two (2) months notice must be given of the time and place of such meeting.
Section 2. Additional meetings may be called by a two -thirds vote of the Executive Committee. Section 3. A quorum for a national meeting shall be members present from two thirds of the dioceses registered for the meeting.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS
Section 1. The chief officer of the EDEIO shall be a national President who shall be elected at EDEIO’s Annual Meeting in the year following each General Convention of the Episcopal Church. The President shall serve a three-year term, and shall be eligible for a second three-year term. The President must be a member of EDEIO at the time of the election.
Section 2. There shall also be a Vice President, elected in like manner for a three-year term at the Annual Meeting in the year following the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, and the Vice President shall be eligible for a second three-year term. The Vice President must a member of EDEIO at the time of the election. In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall fill the unexpired term.
Section 3. The President shall appoint a Secretary.
Section 4. A Financial Officer shall be appointed by the President of EDEIO to serve on the Executive Committee. The Financial Officer shall be bonded and is authorized to establish financial procedures and expend funds in accordance with the budget approved by the Executive Committee. The President of EDEIO may also appoint an Associate Financial Officer.
ARTICLE VI. PROVINCIAL COORDINATORS
Section 1. The Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers of each Province of the Episcopal Church shall elect a Provincial Coordinator.
Section 2. The Provincial Coordinator shall be elected for a two (2) year term, and, if re-elected, may serve two (2) consecutive two-year terms.
The Vice President of EDEIO shall conduct elections for all provincial coordinators. The Officers of EDEIO, in consultation with the sitting Provincial Coordinator and the members in the Province, shall nominate an individual to fill the position. Ordinarily, the Provincial Coordinator will be geographically resident in the Province, but this shall not be a binding requirement. It is permissible that multiple provinces may be served by a single coordinator.
Provinces 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 elect in odd numbered years, Provinces 2, 4, 6, and 8 in even numbered years.
This process must be completed no later than forty five days before the Annual Meeting of EDEIO.
Section 3. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Provincial Coordinator, or should the respective Province be unable to elect a successor for the unexpired term, the President of EDEIO shall appoint a successor to serve until a successor shall be elected by that Province.
ARTICLE VII. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. There shall be an Executive Committee of EDEIO composed of the President; the Vice President; the Secretary; the Financial Officer; the Provincial Coordinators; the appointed Members at Large, if any (the President of EDEIO may appoint not more than three members of the Executive Committee at large). In addition, the immediate Past President of EDEIO (for one year following term completion), and the Presiding Bishop’s Deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs ex officio shall be considered members of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Sitting with the Executive Committee, with voice, but no vote, may be other liaison representatives as recognized by the Executive Committee of EDEIO (e.g. Graymoor, Lutheran Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Network, Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers, United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training, Consortium for Evangelical Networks for Unity, etc.).
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall have at least one meeting annually, in addition to the Annual Meeting of EDEIO.
Section 4. A majority of the Officers of EDEIO or the Presiding Bishop’s Deputy may call a special meeting of the Executive Committee of EDEIO with thirty (30) days notice.
Section 5. All business may be conducted by electronic means.
ARTICLE VIII. NATIONAL ELECTIONS
Section 1. It shall be the privilege of every member of EDEIO to nominate other members of EDEIO for the office of President or Vice President.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall annually appoint a Nominating Committee, of not fewer than three (3) members and not more than five (5) members, whose task shall be to solicit and receive nominations for elective offices from the membership of EDEIO, to validate the eligibility of persons so nominated, and to publish the names and biographies of the nominees to the membership of EDEIO not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
Section 3. Two (2) letters of endorsement shall accompany the nomination of the candidates for any office. At least one such letter must be from a member of EDEIO. All nominations must be submitted to the Nominating Committee at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting. No nominations will be accepted from the floor except in the case of a vacant slate.
Section 4. Contested elections of the President and Vice President shall be determined by written ballot and shall require a simple majority of qualified electors present and voting.
Section 5. The election for President shall be conducted by the Vice President unless the Vice President is a candidate, in which case a past president of EDEIO shall preside over the election.
The election for Vice President shall be conducted by the President.
ARTICLE IX. FINANCES
Section 1. Regular financial reporting shall be made to the Executive Committee at its periodic meetings, and to general membership at the Annual Meeting by the Financial Officer. This shall include a budget and a balance sheet. There shall be a financial review at least every two years; this report shall be furnished to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may charge the Financial Officer with raising additional funds for the work of the association.
Section 2. In the event of the dissolution of EDEIO, all assets and resources will revert to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America for use in funding ecumenical or interreligious endeavors.
ARTICLE X. COMMITTEE/TASK FORCE APPOINTMENTS
Section 1. Any member of EDEIO may be appointed by the president of EDEIO to any committee or task force which reports to EDEIO. Such appointments shall be ratified by the Executive Committee of EDEIO.
ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY RULES
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the business meetings of EDEIO unless there are any special rules of order the group may otherwise adopt.
ARTICLE XII. CHANGE IN BYLAWS
Section 1. Bylaws may be changed at any Annual Meeting of EDEIO, provided at least thirty (30) days’ notice be given, in writing by postal or electronic means, for any such proposal, and with the concurrence of two thirds of those present and voting.
Revisions to February 8, 2017, approved at annual meeting on May 3, 2017
The name of this organization shall be Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be:
Section 1. To develop, train, and support a network of Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers within the Episcopal Church.
Section 2. To identify, initiate, support, communicate and celebrate the ecumenical activity at the level of the diocese and the congregation.
Section 3. To communicate with and for the Presiding Bishop’s Deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs and others engaged in ecumenical and interreligious work on the churchwide staff.
Section 4. To advocate the commitment of the resources of this church to the goal of one Eucharistic fellowship following the mandates of the General Convention.
Section 5. To encourage liaison and collaboration with other entities of the Church engaged in ecumenical work.
Section 6. To foster dialogue with non-Christian faith traditions leading to deeper understanding and strengthened mutual regard and respect, and sharing in God’s call for justice and peace.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer from each diocese is a member of EDEIO, and may attend annual meetings with voice and vote in all business of EDEIO.
Section 2. Members of a diocese who serve the ecumenical and interreligious movement in recognized and appropriate capacities may be invited to attend meetings and have a voice without vote.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
Section 1. There shall be an annual meeting of EDEIO, the date to be chosen by the Executive Committee. At least two (2) months notice must be given of the time and place of such meeting.
Section 2. Additional meetings may be called by a two -thirds vote of the Executive Committee. Section 3. A quorum for a national meeting shall be members present from two thirds of the dioceses registered for the meeting.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS
Section 1. The chief officer of the EDEIO shall be a national President who shall be elected at EDEIO’s Annual Meeting in the year following each General Convention of the Episcopal Church. The President shall serve a three-year term, and shall be eligible for a second three-year term. The President must be a member of EDEIO at the time of the election.
Section 2. There shall also be a Vice President, elected in like manner for a three-year term at the Annual Meeting in the year following the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, and the Vice President shall be eligible for a second three-year term. The Vice President must a member of EDEIO at the time of the election. In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall fill the unexpired term.
Section 3. The President shall appoint a Secretary.
Section 4. A Financial Officer shall be appointed by the President of EDEIO to serve on the Executive Committee. The Financial Officer shall be bonded and is authorized to establish financial procedures and expend funds in accordance with the budget approved by the Executive Committee. The President of EDEIO may also appoint an Associate Financial Officer.
ARTICLE VI. PROVINCIAL COORDINATORS
Section 1. The Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers of each Province of the Episcopal Church shall elect a Provincial Coordinator.
Section 2. The Provincial Coordinator shall be elected for a two (2) year term, and, if re-elected, may serve two (2) consecutive two-year terms.
The Vice President of EDEIO shall conduct elections for all provincial coordinators. The Officers of EDEIO, in consultation with the sitting Provincial Coordinator and the members in the Province, shall nominate an individual to fill the position. Ordinarily, the Provincial Coordinator will be geographically resident in the Province, but this shall not be a binding requirement. It is permissible that multiple provinces may be served by a single coordinator.
Provinces 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 elect in odd numbered years, Provinces 2, 4, 6, and 8 in even numbered years.
This process must be completed no later than forty five days before the Annual Meeting of EDEIO.
Section 3. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Provincial Coordinator, or should the respective Province be unable to elect a successor for the unexpired term, the President of EDEIO shall appoint a successor to serve until a successor shall be elected by that Province.
ARTICLE VII. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. There shall be an Executive Committee of EDEIO composed of the President; the Vice President; the Secretary; the Financial Officer; the Provincial Coordinators; the appointed Members at Large, if any (the President of EDEIO may appoint not more than three members of the Executive Committee at large). In addition, the immediate Past President of EDEIO (for one year following term completion), and the Presiding Bishop’s Deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs ex officio shall be considered members of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Sitting with the Executive Committee, with voice, but no vote, may be other liaison representatives as recognized by the Executive Committee of EDEIO (e.g. Graymoor, Lutheran Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Network, Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers, United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training, Consortium for Evangelical Networks for Unity, etc.).
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall have at least one meeting annually, in addition to the Annual Meeting of EDEIO.
Section 4. A majority of the Officers of EDEIO or the Presiding Bishop’s Deputy may call a special meeting of the Executive Committee of EDEIO with thirty (30) days notice.
Section 5. All business may be conducted by electronic means.
ARTICLE VIII. NATIONAL ELECTIONS
Section 1. It shall be the privilege of every member of EDEIO to nominate other members of EDEIO for the office of President or Vice President.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall annually appoint a Nominating Committee, of not fewer than three (3) members and not more than five (5) members, whose task shall be to solicit and receive nominations for elective offices from the membership of EDEIO, to validate the eligibility of persons so nominated, and to publish the names and biographies of the nominees to the membership of EDEIO not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
Section 3. Two (2) letters of endorsement shall accompany the nomination of the candidates for any office. At least one such letter must be from a member of EDEIO. All nominations must be submitted to the Nominating Committee at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting. No nominations will be accepted from the floor except in the case of a vacant slate.
Section 4. Contested elections of the President and Vice President shall be determined by written ballot and shall require a simple majority of qualified electors present and voting.
Section 5. The election for President shall be conducted by the Vice President unless the Vice President is a candidate, in which case a past president of EDEIO shall preside over the election.
The election for Vice President shall be conducted by the President.
ARTICLE IX. FINANCES
Section 1. Regular financial reporting shall be made to the Executive Committee at its periodic meetings, and to general membership at the Annual Meeting by the Financial Officer. This shall include a budget and a balance sheet. There shall be a financial review at least every two years; this report shall be furnished to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may charge the Financial Officer with raising additional funds for the work of the association.
Section 2. In the event of the dissolution of EDEIO, all assets and resources will revert to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America for use in funding ecumenical or interreligious endeavors.
ARTICLE X. COMMITTEE/TASK FORCE APPOINTMENTS
Section 1. Any member of EDEIO may be appointed by the president of EDEIO to any committee or task force which reports to EDEIO. Such appointments shall be ratified by the Executive Committee of EDEIO.
ARTICLE XI. PARLIAMENTARY RULES
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the business meetings of EDEIO unless there are any special rules of order the group may otherwise adopt.
ARTICLE XII. CHANGE IN BYLAWS
Section 1. Bylaws may be changed at any Annual Meeting of EDEIO, provided at least thirty (30) days’ notice be given, in writing by postal or electronic means, for any such proposal, and with the concurrence of two thirds of those present and voting.
Revisions to February 8, 2017, approved at annual meeting on May 3, 2017