Introductory

1. Interpretation

(1) In these standing orders —

"the 3-year term" means term of 3 years referred to in rule 31 of the Church Representation Rules;

"the Bishop" includes a person in episcopal orders appointed to exercise the functions of the president of the synod under rule 53 of the Church Representation Rules;

"the board of finance" means the Sodor and Man Diocesan Board of Finance;

"financial year" means a year ending on 31st December;

"notice" means a notice in writing, and includes a notice sent by electronic means;

"the synod" means the Sodor and Man Diocesan Synod.

(2) Any period of notice required by these standing orders shall consist of clear days or weeks, not including the date of despatch and the date of the event before which the notice must be delivered.

Officers of synod

2. Vice-presidents

(1) Before the first meeting of the synod after the beginning of the 3-year term, the houses of clergy and laity must each hold a special meeting to elect one of its members to be a vice-president of the synod.

(2) As soon as reasonably practicable after a casual vacancy occurs, the house concerned must hold a special meeting to elect one of its members to be a vice-president of the synod.

(3) A member of the appropriate house appointed by the Bishop shall act as chairman for such a meeting. Whoever so presides shall have a vote in the election.

(4) In case of an equality of votes a further ballot shall be held between the candidates who received the same number of votes; and in case of an equality of votes after a second ballot, the election shall be decided by lot.

3. Secretary

(1) The synod shall appoint a secretary, being either of the clergy or of the laity, who may be either salaried or honorary.

(2) The secretary shall —

(a) be responsible for the administrative arrangements for meetings of the synod;

(b) be in attendance at such meetings;

(c) prepare the draft agenda papers and minutes of the synod;

(d) act as secretary of the standing committee;

(e) keep a roll of the members of the synod constantly up to date; and

(f) perform such other duties as the synod may assign to him or her.

(3) The secretary of the synod may attend meetings of every other committee or body referred to in standing order 75 and may take part in the discussions at such meetings, but shall not have the right to move any motion or amendment or to vote.

4. Assistant secretary

The standing committee may appoint an assistant secretary.

5. Legal adviser

The diocesan registrar, or in the event of his absence or incapacity a person appointed for the purpose by the Bishop —

(a) shall be the legal adviser to the synod, and

(b) when required shall attend the meetings of the synod, the houses of clergy and laity and the standing committee.

6. Terms of appointment

Subject to any statutory provision and to these standing orders, the terms and conditions of service on which officers are appointed shall be determined by the standing committee.

Meetings of synod and houses

7. Convening of meetings of synod

A meeting of the synod shall be held when summoned by the Bishop.

8. Ordinary meetings of synod

The Bishop must summon at least 2 meetings in each year at such times and such places as he may direct after consulting the standing committee.

9. Meetings of synod by request

(1) The Bishop must summon a meeting of the synod if —

(a) the standing committee by resolution so requests, or

(b) he receives a requisition for that purpose signed by not less than 30 members.

(2) A meeting under this standing order shall be held within 8 weeks following the resolution or requisition unless a later date is specified in it.

10. Separate meetings of houses

(1) A meeting of the house of clergy or the house of laity shall be held when summoned by the respective chairman.

(2) The chairman must summon a meeting of the house if —

(a) the standing committee so requests, or

(b) he or she receives a requisition for that purpose signed by not less than one quarter of the members of that house.

(3) A meeting under paragraph (2) must be held within 4 weeks following the request or requisition unless a later date is specified in it.

Notice of meetings of synod

11. Notice of ordinary meetings

The date, time and place of ordinary meetings of the synod, when fixed, shall be announced to members as soon as possible in such manner as the Bishop may approve.

12. Notice of special meeting

(1) In case of sudden emergency or other special circumstances, a meeting may be convened at not less than 5 days' notice.

(2) A notice under this standing order must be in writing, signed by the secretary and sent to every member in such manner as the Bishop may approve.

(3) Only business specified in the notice may be transacted at such a meeting.

Chairmanship

13. Chairmanship of synod

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Bishop shall be chairman at meetings of the synod.

(2) The Bishop may on any occasion nominate one of the vice-presidents or another member to take the chair.

14. Chairmanship of separate meetings of houses

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), each vice-president shall be chairman of the house of which he is a member.

(2) If the chairman of a house is absent from or does not wish to preside at a meeting, a member of the house elected by the members present shall take the chair.

15. General powers of chairman

Subject to these standing orders and the directions of the Bishop, the procedure of the synod and its houses shall be regulated by the respective chairman.

16. Special powers of chairman

Unless the synod otherwise decides, the chairman shall —

(a) adjourn the synod at the hours fixed in accordance with these standing orders;

(b) adjourn the debate on any question at the hour fixed for the commencement of other business in accordance with standing order 20;

(c) close the debate on any motion at the hour appointed in accordance with standing order 20, whether or not there are other members who still desire to speak, and thereupon standing order 53(2) shall apply.