Who are we and what is our charge?

The Council of Advice is effectively the Vestry of the Convocation, advising the Bishop-in-Charge and carrying out the responsibilities in the Convocation in a similar way that a Vestry functions in a parish and in relation to its rector.

At the 2003 Annual Convention, the Convocation Canons were amended to permit the Council of Advice to function as a Standing Committee, thereby bringing the Convocation closer, in this respect, to acting like an established diocese in the Episcopal Church.

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 organized missions. Both clergy and laity are elected at the annual Convention for a two-year term, or the remaining residue of a resigned member's two-year term, and are eligible for one re-election before standing down for at least one year.

At the first meeting of the new Council, the members elect the President and the Recording Secretary of the Council.

The Council of Advice traditionally meets four times a year: winter, spring (early summer), before Convention and immediately after Convention. There may also be telephone conferences in between these face-to-face meetings. The meetings take place at various locations within the Convocation.

Duties:

1. to advise and support the Bishop on all important matters of policy.
2. to care for the Bishop and hold him accountable for his total health.
3. to prepare the annual budget for the Convocation.
4. to raise funds.
5. to award grants.
6. to certify that candidates have met all canonical requirements for ordination to the diaconate or priesthood.
7. to be the voice and ears of the Convocation.
8. to represent the Convocation on the parish level.
9. to represent the members of the Convocation in our meetings.
10. to pray for the Convocation.
11. to seek God's will and mission in all we do.

Council of Advice, 2008-2009	Term
The Rev. John Beach (Geneva)	2010
The Rev. Dr. Bill Franklin (Rome), President	2009 (not eligible for re-election)
The Rev. Clair Ullmann (Munich)	2010
The Rev. Dr. Michael Vono (Rome)	2009
Ms. Betsy Blackwell (Paris)	2009
Ms. Janet Day-Strehlow (Munich), Secretary	2010
Ms. Tiffany Israel (Clermont-Ferrand)	2009
Ms. Helena Mbele-Mbong (Geneva)	2010

Ex Officio	Position
Mr. Richard Cole	Secretary of Convention
Ms. Andrea Manchée D'Agosto	Treasurer
Ms. Cindy D'Alimonte	Chair, Strategic Implementation Committee
Ms. Vicky Millet	Administrator

Photo: Vicky, Michael+, Helena, John+, +Pierre, Clair+, Bill+, Betsy, Janet and Tiffany.

OUR PRIORITIES FOR 2009-2011
(as defined during the Mutual Ministry Review)

FOR BISHOP Pierre Whalon

• to prioritize roles and tasks
• to develop, clarify and teach best practices for congregational health
• to become more present as a teacher and fellow pilgrim to all congregations

FOR COUNCIL OF ADVICE

• to implement
  • orientation and community building with each new Council of Advice, and
  • "checking-in" at each meeting
• to ensure greater transparency of what Council of Advice does through image transformation and communication.

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