Search Committee: Assessing Proposals

It is important to understand that a person proposed for nomination is not actually a nominee until the search committee has assessed the proposal according to both the constitutional requirements and the local requirements in the form of memorandum (diocesan profile).

The task of assessment can be broken down into two parts:

(a) gathering the information upon which to base the assessment, and
(b) making the assessment.

Applicants will supply information about themselves, obviously. However, the search committee may need information from other sources as well. For example, references will be needed to confirm whether the person is "known and recognized within the person's community as being a person of integrity and moral stature" (Constitution, s. 6.02(d)) or "has those qualities and abilities of leadership experience and learning that will enable that person to fulfil the duties of a chief pastor in the Church of God" (Constitution, s. 6.02(e)). The search committee will adopt a process for gathering all this external information.   

When it comes to assessing proposals, the search committee will assess according to both the constitutional and local requirements. The committee may reject any proposed person, as long as the reason for rejecting relates to the criteria.  

The committee is free to adopt any procedure it thinks appropriate. It can decide for itself whether its decisions will be made by a simple majority or otherwise. The committee does not have to be unanimous in its decision. If the committee has concerns or questions, it can adopt a policy to give any proposed person a chance to speak or have someone else speak to that question or concern. 

If the committee decides not to nominate a person who has been proposed, Prov. canon 9.10(e) requires the committee to inform the person who put that name forward. However, there is no requirement for the committee to say anything further regarding its final decision. In fact, the canons require the committee to be very careful about confidentiality. All aspects of the deliberations are to be kept confidential. Until a person has consented to be nominated, even the fact that he or she is considering or being considered for nomination must be held in confidence.  

When the assessment is completed, the committee must obtain the written confirmation that the persons to be nominated consent to their nomination. The end result will be a list of persons the committee intends to nominate. These are the nominiees.