GC45 GS04 Clarifying Who Votes in the Remit Process: Amendment to section F.2.2.4 for Summer 2025

Origin: General Secretary

1. What is the issue? Why is it important?

During the most recent remit process, we identified that the governing body is responsible for the vote. However, the Manual does not clearly specify whether the remit vote is limited to the governing body or if it includes the congregation as well.

Some pastoral charges allowed the full congregation to vote, provided that members of the governing body were also present. As far as we know, this approach did not cause any issues. However, it raises a potential concern: what happens if the congregation votes one way and the governing body votes another?

Clarifying who has the authority to vote in the remit process is essential to prevent conflicts in future remit decisions.

Since the governing body is the designated decision-making authority, the responsibility for voting on a remit should rest solely with them.

2. What is happening now?

Currently, there is no consistent practice regarding who can vote in the remit process—whether it is only the governing body or both the governing body and the congregation.

3. What is the recommendation? 

The General Secretary recommends the following to clarify the process:

F.2.2 Process for All Categories of Remits

If the General Council adopts a resolution to change the Basis of Union, it is responsible for carrying out the following process for a remit. This process applies to all categories of remits.

F.2.2.1 Authorizing

The General Council must authorize the remit. This responsibility may not be fulfilled by the Executive or Sub-Executive of the General Council.

F.2.2.3 Preparing the Remit

The General Secretary of the General Council must

a) prepare the remit and all necessary documents;

b) determine the deadline for regional councils—and for category 3 remits, communities of faith that are pastoral charges—to vote on the remit and reply to the General Secretary; and

c) send the remit and all necessary documents to regional councils—and for category 3 remits, to pastoral charges.

F.2.2.4 Considering the Remit

Regional councils—and, for category 3 remits, communities of faith that are pastoral charges—must consider the remit at a regular meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose. Only the governing body of the community of faith considers and votes on the remit.

FYI: Governing bodies of communities of faith may invite members to share perspectives as part of the discernment process. 

F.2.2.5 Replying to the Remit

Regional councils—and for category 3 remits, communities of faith that are pastoral charges—must reply that they are either in favour or not in favour of the remit. They may not include conditions or comments with their reply.

4. For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council Executive: 

N/A

For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council: 
Please select the appropriate option and provide the key discussion points for items being forwarded to the General Council: 
☑ Agree
☐ Disagree without forwarding to the General Council
☐ Disagree and forwarding to the General Council
☐ Take no action at this time


If you have questions regarding this proposal, please send them to: GCinfo@united-church.ca