ARTICLE V
Standing CommitteeSECTION 1. Members.
The Annual Convention shall elect a Standing Committee which shall consist of twelve members: six clergy persons, two of whom may be deacons, and six laypersons. Each member so elected shall serve a term of three years and shall not be eligible for reelection until the lapse of one year from completion of such term.
No member of the Standing Committee shall be eligible to serve concurrently on the Ecclesiatical Trial Court or the Finance Committee.
SECTION 2. Officers.
The Standing Committee shall meet within one week after the adjournment of the Annual Convention and shall choose a President from among the presybter members and a Secretary. Immediate notice of the selections shall be given to the Bishop. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Committee, and all books and papers in the Committee's hands relative to the Church shall be subject to the examination of the Bishop and of any Convention.
SECTION 3. Duties and Powers.
The Standing Committee shall perform the following functions:
A. Be the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese when there is no Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor or when both are incapable of acting.
B. Fill all vacancies that may occur during the recess of Annual Convention, in its own body, or in any Committee appointed to sit during the recess of Annual Convention.
C. Fill all vacancies in such offices as are held by annual election, unless otherwise provided for.
D. Perform such other duties as are directed by any Convention or defined by Canon.
E. Exercise and enjoy all the power, authority, and duties conferred upon Standing Committees by the Constitution and National Canons of this Church as modified by amendment from time to time.