Behind the scenes

We now have only 11 days until our deputation starts leaving for Columbus. In order to provide some perspective on the inner workings of General Convention, Ken Beck, a member of Dispatch of Business provided this reflection on his work and history with the General Convention.

Ken Beck, House of Deputies Dispatch of Business Staff

While not an elected Deputy, I do have the privilege of representing our Diocese in a different way. This will be my ninth General Convention as the staff coordinator for the House of Deputies Committee on Dispatch of Business. There are many things to be done in nine days, and each deserves due consideration. Dispatch is responsible for making that happen.

It's important that everyone trust the legislative process. If we can't trust the process, we can't trust the result, and that hurts all of us. In Dispatch we like to say "We don't do content; we just do process." That's our job in Dispatch, to maintain the integrity of the process.

My primary duty is preparing calendars for the House of Deputies and its daily agenda. Since any resolution must be adopted by both Houses deliberating separately and requires a committee hearing and report, it's my job to ensure that each is procedurally "ready" for the House and, working with members of Dispatch, that the printed text is accurate.

During the day we continue to process committee reports for calendars. We also draft and propose special orders of business for events to occur at specific times and special rules of debate for high-profile issues. Changes often occur late in the day, so later drafts are emailed to to the Chair of Dispatch for discussion with the officers in the early morning, when documents are finalized so they can be printed for the House.

When I started this job in 1982 we did it all by hand using forms, pens and typewriters. We compiled a procedure manual so each of the dozens of people in the "paper chase" completed each step consistently. We now use a computer network, which saves paper and time, but the process remains the same. We work constantly with the president, vice-president and secretary of the House and the legislative committees so that the Convention can complete all its work.

I'm not the only one who has represented Spokane in the administrative part of General Convention. Anne Franke West, Willie Storey, Gloria Lund, Margaret Rehberg and Sandy Robison have also served in the Secretariat. Our Diocese has made great contributions to our church's General Convention, and I'm honored to be part of that ministry.

Presiding Bishop interview videos online

For those of you with a high speed internet connection or the paitence to wait for the download, you can now view 5 minute video interviews for the nominees for Presiding Bishop on the Episcopal Church's website here.