ASSEMBLY, COORDINATING COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Territory Assembly is the principal decision-making body of the Territory of the People. Assembly meets every two years at various locations throughout the Territory. Each parish sends its clergy and two lay delegates. Special provision is made for ensuring Indigenous voices.
After Assembly, a Coordinating Council acts as an executive, which meets twice each year to help steer the mission of the Territory between the larger bi-annual Assemblies.
Drawn from the Coordinating Council, an Administration committee meets five times a year and at other times as necessary, often electronically, to support the work of the Territory by developing budgets, monitoring administrative and financial matters, recommending policy, and providing liaison with the Fraser Basin Property Society (This Society holds legal title to real property held in trust for the parishes of the Territory).
Registration as a Society under the BC Societies Act causes us to have five Directors for the Territory of the People Anglican Church. The Bishop, Financial Officer, Clerical and Lay Secretaries, and one Indigenous Person serve as Directors.
UNIQUE GOVERNANCE FEATURES
Given the unique history and evolution of self-understanding of our life together–from the Diocese of Cariboo, through the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior, and finally to the Territory of the People–the Territory operates in a manner similar, though not identical to, other dioceses. Our constitution corresponds with our registration under the BC Societies Act and our territorial Electoral Policy.
What is unique in our new constitution is that special consideration is provided for Indigenous presence and voice in our larger decision-making body, the Territory Assembly, and at all levels of our organizational life. Alongside parish representatives at Assembly, fifteen Indigenous delegates from throughout the Territory have a voice and vote. Pastoral Elders and an Indigenous Council also significantly shape our common life. Participants in formal meetings converse, acknowledge, and participate using a variety of languages. The restoration and retention of traditional Indigenous languages are ongoing.
We organize and act through policy rather than canonical governance. The Policy Manual is a living document and is updated frequently. Territory decisions are rendered through the bodies named above, which operate by consensus decision-making.
Finally, we are part of the Council of the North (CON), with which we covenant to share in ministry on many issues facing the church today. The CON sets standards of stipends and benefits for clergy.
FISCAL SUPPORT
Ministry throughout the Territory is supported and financed through two main channels:
- The Capital Fund provides either grants or loans to parishes for capital projects.
- The Ministry Fund supports ministry projects outside of the day-to-day operations of the church/parishes within the Territory of the People Anglican Church.
Our 2023 budget as approved by Coordinating Council is attached.