The deadline for nominations for the special task force that will present recommendations on restructuring the Episcopal Church to the 2015 General Convention is Thursday.
If this task force is to represent the church in all its diversity, it is essential that there be an abundance of qualified nominees from the typically underrepresented demographic groups that help make up our church. We emphasize the word abundance. Putting together a task force like this one isn’t so much a matter of finding the 20-24 “best” people as it is putting together the “best” possible group. So, if you are trying to make sure your viewpoint is heard, don’t pin your hopes on a few particular people who may end up not being chosen because there are already too many men, or clergy, or people from a certain province on the roster. Give Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, President of the House of Deputies, a wide range of people to choose from.
The application is here.
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Anne, I think the PB and PHoD probably have some sense of what sort of experts they would like on the panel, but getting beyond “the usual suspects” means turning up some folks who are unknown to them. Also, note that while one can nominate one’s self, one can also nominate others.
My hope is that if “the best commttee” doesn’t present itself through a self-promoted application process, the Presiding Bishop ad PHoD would also utlize some additional proactive measures for identifying the voices necessary to this task.