Budget Committee
Budget Committee members are responsible for preparing and reviewing the annual operating budget of the diocese. Primary work occurs in the spring, with collection and review of budget requests.
No election in 2025.
Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council reviews the budget, Mission Share formula and requests for mission share review, implements convention resolutions and works with the bishop on ministry and mission decisions and directions for the diocese.
Diocesan Council meets six times per year, usually on Saturdays at the Procter Center for in-person meetings. Hybrid participation is possible. Members of Diocesan Council are invited to take part in the annual Joint Governing Bodies’ Retreat, beginning the evening of the second Friday of December and continuing through the following afternoon.
An understanding of budgets, mission, strategic planning and the ministry of the diocese are helpful for members of Diocesan Council.
The following positions on the Diocesan Council will be elected at convention*:
Four (4) lay persons and one (1) clergy to be elected to full three-year terms (Class of 2028)
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee is the council of advice to the bishop. The Standing Committee is required to review and approve requests from congregations to sell or encumber their property, people in the ordination process at several points before ordination, and requests from dioceses to hold elections for bishop and the consecrations of bishops. The Standing Committee also conducts the mutual ministry review with the bishop.
The Standing Committee meets online once a month, during the work week. Members of the Standing Committee take part in the annual Joint Governing Bodies’ Retreat, beginning the evening of the second Friday of December and continuing through the following afternoon.
An understanding of strategic planning, ministry, the needs of the diocese and the wider Episcopal Church are helpful for members of the Standing Committee
One (1) clergy and one (1) lay person to be elected for three-year terms.
Trustees of the Diocese
The Trustees of the Diocese oversee the management of diocesan and certain other investments and property owned by the diocese. The Trustees serve as the board of advisors to the bishop on the administration of the William Cooper Procter Memorial Fund.
The Trustees of the Diocese meet quarterly during the work week in-person in Cincinnati with hybrid participation possible. The Trustees take part in the annual Joint Governing Bodies’ Retreat, beginning the evening of the second Friday of December and continuing through the following afternoon.
An understanding of finance, investment strategy and the strategic use of financial resources are helpful for members of the Trustees of the Diocese.
One (1) person, clergy or lay, to be elected for a five-year term.
Trustees of the Church Foundation
The Trustees of the Church Foundation are responsible for administering loans and funds for church buildings and oversight of some diocesan-owned properties.
Trustees of the Church Foundation meet online quarterly during the work week.
An understanding of finance, building and contracting, and the strategic use of financial resources are helpful for those who serve as Trustees of the Church Foundation.
Bishop White invites Trustees of the Church Foundation to participate in the College for Congregational Development.
One (1) person, clergy or lay, to be elected for a five-year term.*
Regional Disciplinary Board
The Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Southern Ohio, Western New York, and West Virginia have agreed to maintain a joint Disciplinary Board for the purposes of implementing Title IV of the Canons of The Episcopal Church (“Compact”).
The Regional Disciplinary Board (“RDB”) shall consist of thirteen (13) persons, seven (7) of whom are Clergy and six (6) of whom are Laity, and shall constitute a court for purposes of Article IX of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church. Each of the dioceses shall elect one clergy member and one lay member on the RDB. The thirteenth member, a clergy member, shall be nominated by the RDB and subject to the unanimous approval by the bishops of the member dioceses. The RDB meets only when called.
One (1) lay person to be elected to fill an unexpired term to 2027.*
Procter Center Board of Advisors
The Procter Center Board of Advisors oversees the day-to-day operations of the Procter Center and assists the bishop in strategic planning for the Procter Center.
The Procter Center Board of Advisors meet quarterly, in-person at the Procter Center. One of the meetings is an overnight retreat.
An understanding of the activities and ministries of the Procter Center and of the finances and administration of camps or conference centers is helpful for members of the Procter Center Board of Advisors.
One (1) person, clergy or lay, to be elected for a three-year term.
Deputies and Alternates to General Convention
The General Convention is the governing body of the Episcopal Church and sets mission priorities, budget and policies for the succeeding three years. General Convention approves changes to The Episcopal Church’s Constitution and Canons and approves liturgical texts for trial use and changes to the Book of Common Prayer.
The 82nd General Convention will meet in July 2027 in Phoenix, Arizona. Deputies and first alternates will be in-person in Phoenix for 5-8 days when the convention is in session. There will be a large amount of reading and virtual meetings prior to the convention, especially for those who receive assignments to committees.
An understanding of the polity of The Episcopal Church and the breadth of issues facing the whole Episcopal Church is helpful for Deputies to General Convention.
Four (4) clergy deputies and four (4) lay deputies as well as four (4) clergy alternates and four (4) lay alternates to be elected.
Deputies to Province V Synod
The dioceses of the Episcopal Church are grouped into nine provinces. The Diocese of Southern Ohio is a member of Province V. Provinces hold annual meetings, called synods, and dioceses send both clergy and lay deputies to the synod meeting.
This is an opportunity for individuals who have been doing work addressing significant issues that also have an impact on the dioceses throughout Province V, such as Creation Care, Dismantling Racism, Intergenerational Worship, Lay-led Congregations, Migration Ministries and Youth, to connect with others involved in this work. The provincial deputies serve from synod to synod (three years).
No election in 2025.
*This information was corrected after the initial announcement about open offices went out in early June.
