The Council of Advice is a canonical committee that advises the Bishop in Charge in carrying out those responsibilities in the Convocation. 

The Convocation’s canons call specifically for a “Council of Advice” to be elected at the Convocation’s annual Convention. The Council consists of four clergy canonically resident in the Convocation and four laity who are active members of one of the Convocation’s parishes or missions. Both clergy and laity are elected for a two-year term, or for the remainder of a resigned member’s two-year term. Council members are eligible for one re-election. Members must first stand down for at least one year before seeking re-election. At the first meeting of a new Council, the members elect a Council President, Vice President, and the Council’s Recording Secretary.

The Council of Advice is responsible to:

• advise and support the Bishop on all important matters of policy.
• care for the Bishop and hold them accountable for total health.
• prepare the annual budget for the Convocation, and oversee expenditures.
• raise funds.
• award grants.
• serve as voice and ears of the Convocation.
• represent the Convocation on the parish level.
• represent the members of the Convocation in our meetings.
• pray for the Convocation.
• seek God’s will and mission in all that we do.

• gives consent to the election and consecration of Episcopal bishops.
• certifies that candidates have met all canonical requirements for ordination to the diaconate and the priesthood.
• gives permission with the Bishop for congregations to take on debt and sell property.
• approves changes to congregational bylaws and statutes. 

The Rules of Order of the Council of Advice may be found here.
The Constitution and Canons of the Convocation may be found here.