Overview How Does the Search Committee Function? Search Committee: Creating the Profile Search Committee: Proposals for Nominations Nominations for Bishop: Forms Nominations for Bishop: Two Provisions Search Committee: Assessing Proposals Search Committee: Info for Members of Synod Who Can Vote at an Electoral Synod? Help Discern Who Should Be The Next Bishop

Diocesan Administrator, the Very Rev. Alex Meek, convened the first meeting the Diocesan Search Committee soon after its creation at the March 18, 2021 Executive Council meeting.  

At its first meeting, the search committee elected a chair (the Rev. Canon Chelsy Bouwman), appointed a secretary (Canon Barbara Burrows), and decided a timeline and procedures for its various tasks, according to Provincial Canon 9.09. This year all meetings will be held virtually.

From that point on, the search committee has four main functions:

  1. Create the "memorandum" or diocesan profile, which includes a set of “local requirements” for candidates based on input from the diocese. These requirements make the difference between anyone who might be qualified to be a bishop, and the person specifically called to this diocese at this time.
  2. Receive proposals of persons who would like to be or are willing to be nominated.
  3. Ensure that the people whose names are put forward meet the canonical requirements and “local requirements.”
  4. Prepare information concerning the candidates which will be communicated to synod delegates.

Throughout the process the Committee maintains a close liaison with the Metropolitan, the Administrator and the Diocesan Chancellor.