Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Where can I find the most up-to-date information on Convention? The most up-to-date Convention information, including the schedule, delegate information, keynote speaker, and other resources, is available on the diocesan Convention website here.

Q: When and where is convention? Convention will be held online via Zoom on Saturday, October 24. The virtual window opens at 8:00 a.m. with Convention beginning at 9:00 a.m. The day will conclude by 4:00 p.m. The program includes the business session, elections, the Bishop’s address, resolutions and petitions, the keynote presentation, and a lunch break. Lunch will be self-provided. This year’s theme is “Formed to Flourish.”

Q: Who is the keynote speaker? The Right Reverend Justin Holcomb will be our keynote speaker. He will speak about the long covenantal arc of Scripture. His diocese is also a longtime partner with Honduras. More information about Bishop Holcomb is available here.

Voting

Q: How do I get my voting code? Voting codes will be emailed directly to each individual voter. This is why delegate forms must include personal email addresses rather than shared family or church email addresses.

Q: How do I actually cast a ballot? Voting will take place through Jotform. You can access the ballot by scanning the QR code with your phone’s camera or by entering the Bitly link provided during Convention. New this year, there will be one QR code and one link for all ballots. You will simply select the ballot that is currently open.

Q: Can our whole delegation gather in one place and still vote? Yes.Your delegation may gather together in one location. You can have the Zoom meeting on one screen and even pass a single phone from person to person for voting. Each voter must enter their own unique voting code, which ensures that each person’s vote is recorded separately. Voting codes may not be shared, but devices may be shared. Codes belong to people not devices.

Q: What if I have technology problems? Delegates are responsible for having a reliable internet connection and a working electronic device. However, an alternative voting option will be available for those who experience technical difficulties.

Q: Who is eligible to vote? Clergy must be canonically and physically resident, and lay delegates must be registered. Any substitutions must submitted to the diocesan office by October 17. Delegate and substitution forms can be found here and must be emailed to asuncion@norcalepiscopal.org.

Town Hall

Q: When is the town hall, and will it be recorded? Thursday, October 1, starting at 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. via Zoom. It has been recorded and posted here, on Town Hall tab of our Convention page of the diocesan website. Each resolution will be read in full by its proponents and accompanied by an explanation. No votes will be taken at the Town Hall, and the session is open to non-delegates.

Elections and Resolutions

Q: What’s the difference between a resolution and a petition? Resolutions address matters of policy or governance. Petitions concern the status or organizational structure of a parish or mission. This year’s petition proposes changing Trinity Sutter Creek from parish to mission status, which would make different resources available to the congregation.

Q: Why do our resolutions go to General Convention? Any diocese may propose resolutions for consideration by General Convention. General Convention will meet in Phoenix in July 2027. If approved by our Diocesan Convention, four resolutions could be submitted to General Convention this year: one concerning the removal of a prayer associated with Doctrine of Discovery language, and three proposing the addition of Thomas Merton, Josiah Royce, and Howard Thurman to the Episcopal Church’s calendar of saints.

2027 Budget

Q: How is the diocesan budget approved? The budget process begins with the Bishop’s and Board of Trustees’ priorities. Staff then develops the proposed budget with input from diocesan programs, ministries, and commissions. The proposed budget is reviewed by the Budget & Finance Committee, updates made, and then presented to the Board of Trustees for final review and approval.

Q: Why doesn’t my Convocation book have the missional budget in it? You may have downloaded a version released before the Board approved the budget on 9/12/26. The updated Convocation book that includes the missional budget can be found on our website here.

Q: Does a 2% apportionment rate cut mean 2% less revenue? No. The 2% reduction applies to each apportionment rate tier (the ranges decreased from 10–17% to 8–15%). As a result, individual congregations will see an actual reduction of approximately 10–20% in their apportionment payments. To help offset the resulting reduction in diocesan income, discretionary ministry and commission line items were reduced by 10%.

Q: Where do property sales show up in the budget? Property sale proceeds are not included as budgeted operating income. Under Board policy, proceeds from property sales are placed in a Board-designated Missional Fund. For 2027, that fund is supporting Latino ministries. The Antelope property sale had not yet closed as of the June 2026 financials, so those proceeds will appear in the Q3 or Q4 financial statements.

Q: Why is the investment draw higher than last year? The investment draw is calculated using a three-year average investment return, less three-year average inflation, with the annual increase capped at 10%. The increase in the 2027 draw reflects the inclusion of the Noel Porter sale proceeds in the draw base. Those funds were added to unrestricted net assets in

Q: In the missional pie chart, why is there still 1% personnel? Approximately $27,000 of the roughly $800,000–$900,000 in missional funding cannot be directly assigned to a specific program. This includes items such as merit increase allowances, vacation buyouts, and support for some retired clergy. We have shown this amount separately to make the allocation as transparent as possible.

Q: Why is Indigenous ministries a separate line item instead of under CIM? Indigenous Ministries has been funded separately for at least a decade because it is a distinct ministry and program area. If there is continued interest in revisiting how it is structured, that can be considered as part of the 2028 budget process.

Q: Why did some line items change so dramatically? Some of the larger changes reflect changes in funding or program structure rather than significant changes in operations. Disaster & Resilience Response decreased primarily because outside grant funding has expired. Governance increased because the 2027 budget includes both an in-person Convention and General Convention. Pathways decreased as the program has evolved.