General Convention Deputy

General Convention Deputy

Missionary Diocese of Navajoland

Position Description and Expectations

Overview of the Role

Clergy and lay individuals elected as General Convention deputies from the Missionary Diocese of Navajoland will serve as representatives to the Episcopal Church’s 82nd General Convention, scheduled for July 2027 in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as any special sessions held before the next election. These deputies help guide the governance of the Church by considering and voting on amendments to the Constitution and Canons, addressing a broad range of resolutions on church life and social justice, adopting a budget for the church’s ministries, and electing key leadership.

Deputies are called to act not as delegates but as individuals charged with voting their consciences. They participate in the House of Deputies, the lay and clergy legislative house of the Episcopal Church’s bicameral governing body, alongside the House of Bishops.

Election and Term

Deputies are elected at the Navajoland Diocesan Convention in June 2025. Four clergy and four lay deputies will be elected, along with one or two alternates in each order. Each deputy serves a three-year term through the next General Convention election cycle. Deputies may serve successive terms if re-elected. In addition to their work at General Convention, deputies also represent Navajoland at the Province VIII Synod.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Preparation Before Convention

Preparation begins the year before the General Convention, with a mix of teleconferences and in-person meetings. The deputation participates in team-building, discusses elections and proposed legislation, and divides focus areas so that each member takes leadership in reviewing particular topics. Deputies are expected to read the Blue Book materials and help inform their fellow members. In some cases, they may be invited to speak to congregations about their work and the issues being addressed at Convention.

Deputies attend three key in-person gatherings before Convention: a spring 2026 meeting (held prior to Diocesan Convention), a fall 2026 overnight retreat (Just testing if this will be needed), and a spring 2027 meeting to finalize preparations.

During General Convention

General Convention is an intensive experience. The 2027 gathering will span 4 to 10 days and include long hours, beginning with legislative committee training before the official start. Deputies are expected to be present throughout the day to listen to debate, vote, attend hearings, and help track legislation. Each Navajoland deputy is assigned specific resolutions and may be asked to testify in committee hearings.

The physical demands of General Convention are significant. Most events take place in large convention centers, which often require substantial walking between legislative sessions, committee meetings, and the exhibit hall. In many cases, deputies must walk long distances between the hotel and convention center each day. The days are long and physically strenuous—especially for those participating in evening caucuses and strategy sessions.

Each day begins with a caucus meeting of the Navajoland deputation—usually early in the morning—to check in on legislation, coordinate responsibilities, and support one another. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and other guests often join these gatherings. Deputies also rotate shifts staffing the Navajoland booth in the Convention Exhibit Hall.

Participation in the Deputies of Color and Indigenous Caucus

In addition to their legislative responsibilities, many deputies of color also participate in the Deputies of Color (DOC) gatherings, which meet late each evening during General Convention. The DOC is an umbrella coalition of deputies who identify with one or more of the four ethnic ministries recognized by the Office of the Presiding Bishop: Indigenous, Latino/Hispanic, Asian American, and African Descent Ministries.

This group plays a critical role in shaping the Church’s legislative agenda. Together, members of the DOC strategize to support resolutions focused on justice, equity, and inclusion. The DOC’s collective voting power—approximately 30% of the total House of Deputies—has helped push forward major social justice initiatives in the Episcopal Church, often in collaboration with groups such as The Consultation and the LGBTQ+ Caucus.

As part of the DOC, the Indigenous Caucus meets to advocate on issues specific to Native communities within the Church. This includes efforts to address the legacy of Indian boarding schools, promote healing and reconciliation, and support federal initiatives like the Truth and Healing Commission. These late-night strategy sessions are emotionally intense, spiritually grounding, and essential to the justice work of General Convention.

After General Convention

Following General Convention, the deputation is responsible for reporting to the Diocese. This includes formal presentations at Diocesan Convention and briefings to local congregations and online. Individual members often speak about specific legislation they tracked and explain how actions taken by the wider Church impact local communities.

Deputies are also tasked with helping track resolutions that require local implementation and follow-up. Additionally, they assist in preparing the next deputation by offering insight, mentorship, and encouragement for new nominees. Some deputies may also be appointed to national church bodies, such as Committees, Commissions, Agencies, and Boards (CCABs).

Time Commitment

The role of a General Convention deputy requires a serious time commitment. In addition to the Convention itself, which lasts up to 10 days, deputies attend three in-person meetings over two years and participate in regular teleconferences. They must prepare thoroughly, read materials in advance, and be available for presentations after the Convention. Despite the significant demands, the role offers immense spiritual and communal rewards and is a powerful way to serve Christ’s Church.

Why It Matters

Serving as a deputy is a sacred calling to leadership, discernment, and advocacy. It is an opportunity to represent the voice of Navajoland in the wider Episcopal Church and to take part in shaping the Church’s future. Deputies pray, debate, worship, laugh, and sometimes cry together. They walk long halls, stay up late in caucuses, and stand with others working for justice, healing, and hope.

Questions or Want to Learn More?

If you’re considering standing for election or want to learn more about the role and expectations, please contact Rev. Cathlena Plummer, the 2024 Chair of the Navajoland Deputation.

Canons of the General Convention

Rules of Order

House of Deputies

III: Deputations

1. Chair of Deputation
2. At least one year before the first legislative session of the General Convention, each Deputation will:
3. designate a Chair; and
4. notify the Secretary of the House of Deputies of the name of the Chair.
5. The Deputation Chair will:
6. serve as the primary contact for House of Deputies communications;
7. certify the Deputation’s votes by orders;

iii.  certify changes in the Deputation during General Convention;

1. perform other duties as directed by the President.
2. Beloved Community Formational Programs and Reporting
3. Formation for Deputies and Alternate Deputies occurs as follows:
4. Racial reconciliation formation programs for Deputies and Alternate Deputies should be taken within three years before the first legislative day of General Convention using faith formation programs sponsored by dioceses, provinces, or The Episcopal Church.
5. No later than four months before the first legislative day of General Convention, and using a form provided by the Secretary, Deputation Chairs will file a single submission reporting the completion status of formation programs by members of their Deputation to the Secretary of the House of Deputies.  Updated submissions may be filed prior to the start of General Convention.

iii.  Deputation Chairs will report in their submissions any circumstances in which Deputies and Alternate Deputies are unable to complete formation programs due to unavailability of language proficient programs, accessibility issues, or other identified barriers.

2. The Secretary of the House of Deputies will compile the submissions from the Deputation Chairs and submit a report to the President of the House of Deputies on completion rates, unavailability of language proficient programs, accessibility issues, or other identified barriers.
3. Certification of Alternate Deputies as Deputies
4. Alternate Deputies may not sit or vote with their Deputations, unless and until certified by the Committee on Credentials as a substitute for a Deputy.
5. The Committee on Credentials will certify Alternate Deputies as Deputies before each session.
6. The procedures for certification will be those determined by the Secretary of the House of Deputies.
7. An Alternate Deputy will serve for one or more legislative sessions as Deputy but only until the Deputy for whom he or she substituted is able to resume their seats.
8. The Committee on Credentials will hear and decide any disputes on certification of Deputies and will report their decision to the House.