4. Mr Brian Gaetjens asked -

Synod resolution 35/01 requested the Diocesan Secretariat to consider a further trial, during debates, of projection onto screen of the wordings of motions, ordinance clauses, and proposed amendments.

Has the Secretariat or Standing Committee considered this Synod request, and what was the result of its consideration?

To which the President replied -

I am informed the answer is as follows.

The matter has been considered.

There are several difficulties which arise. They fall into 3 areas, procedural difficulties, resource difficulties and technical difficulties.

Procedural difficulties arise in respect of motions (including amendments) moved during debate. At present, a member who wishes to move a motion during debate writes it out and provides a copy to the President. Debate on the motion proceeds forthwith. If the motion had to be displayed onto a screen, there would be further delay while a word processing operator entered the wording and the text of the motion was checked. There is concern that these additional delays in process would unduly affect the flow of Synod proceedings.

Members of Synod are encouraged to give notice of motions, especially amendments, as early as possible. A new business paper and amendment sheet is provided each day to give members written notice of all known motions.

Resource difficulties arise because the existing personnel and equipment of the Secretariat are already fully utilised in managing the existing business of the Synod. At this session, there are 15 Secretariat staff managing the business of the Synod. It is already beyond the capacity of the staff of the Diocesan Secretary's department to manage the business without other assistance being drawn from other departments of the Secretariat. When overhead projection for motions was last trialed our experience was that a further 3 staff were required, namely, 2 word processing operators, and a third staff member to check, follow debates and arrange for the display on the large screen. Staff limits prevent us from moving this way at this time.

On the technology side, it has been suggested that a number of lap tops be located around the Wesley Theatre for members to type in their own motions. However it is very difficult to control an open system such as this and there is concern that a crash in one lap top, possibly caused by an inexperienced operator, would affect the whole system.

Consideration has been given to a system whereby palm pilots (or equivalent) would be made available to Synod members. Staff would take a palm pilot to any member wanting to move an amendment who would write the motion into the palm pilot. The motion would then be transferred into the lap top which displays it onto the screen when requested by the President. Further thought on this is needed.

While the Secretariat will continue to give thought to the matter, it is not proposed to undertake further trials at this session.