In light of resolution 35/99 concerning the provision of a Directory of Lay Synod Members what was the outcome of investigation into the production of this directory?

To which the President replied -

I am advised the answers are as follows -

Resolution 35/99 did not request that the Standing Committee produce a directory of lay Synod members. Rather, it only asked that the Standing Committee investigate the matter.

A report is printed on page 28 of the Standing Committee's Supplementary report to the Synod. In summary, it indicates that the present diocesan data base does not easily allow for the production of a directory of lay Synod members. A new data base is being prepared, and it is hoped that this will allow information about lay Synod representatives to be made available publicly.

In the short term, if a lay Synod directory was to be prepared much staff time would be required. If the information was to be made available electronically, then a special purpose data base would also need to be prepared. The staff time would need to be spent in activities such as collecting information, sending out mailings, addressing privacy concerns, preparing a data base, preparing the directory and posting it out.

Staff time alone (which is an expense to the Secretariat) would cost in the vicinity of several thousand dollars. Then there are the out of pocket expenses such as postage and paper.

In the short term, the Standing Committee considers that it is better to wait for the introduction of the new diocesan data base which it is hoped will allow details about lay Synod members to be included in the Diocesan Year Book and be available electronically.