Annual General Meeting of Pacific Mountain Regional Council
Thursday May 29 - Sunday June 1, 2025
the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo, BC
Some AGM Facts from 'The Manual'
"The first edition of The Manual was issued in 1928, under the authority of the Second General Council (1926). Since then, The Manual has been a valuable resource for members and organized bodies of The United Church of Canada. The Manual consists of the Basis of Union and the bylaws. It is a living, working document that is regularly amended by the General Council and, with respect to the Basis of Union, through the remit process."
Annual Meetings Are Required
The regional council must meet at least annually. The annual meeting may be a meeting of the entire regional council or the executive of the regional council, as determined by the regional council. (The Manual: C.4.1)
Annual Meetings are Organized by Volunteers and Staff
We give thanks for the faithful work of the PMRC regional council executive, general meeting planning teams (these are all volunteer roles), and regional council staff who bring these gatherings into being.
Annual Meetings Celebrate The Call to Ministry
"The service to ordain, commission, or receive persons to the Order of Ministry shall be conducted by the Regional Council." (The Manual: III.13.3)
"The regional council is responsible for celebrating the approval of applicants for candidacy; ordaining and commissioning members of the order of ministry; recognizing designated lay ministers; licensing licensed lay worship leaders; and celebrating admissions and re-admissions." (The Manual: C.2.7)
"The regional council is responsible for celebrating the retirements of ministry personnel." (The Manual: C.2.10)
Attending an Annual General Meeting
"The regional council consists of members of the order of ministry, other ministry personnel, lay members of the United Church, and leaders of associate member ministries, all as set out in sections C.1.1 to C.1.3" (The Manual (united-church.ca/handbooks-and-guidelines).
Members
The Members of the meeting are those who have the right to vote:
- All order of ministry (active, retained or retired);
- Ministry Personnel (including DLM, candidates, diaconal supply, ordained supply) who are under appointment to a community of faith;
- Lay Representatives of communities of faith elected by those communities;
- Others appointed as Members by Regional Council.
Electing Lay Representatives
"Communities of Faith are asked to elect representatives to attend the meeting:
- Those with 100 or fewer members elect 1 Representative;
- Those with 101-200 members elect 2 Representatives;
- Those with 201-300 members elect 3 Representatives.
A wide variety of people voices, identities, ages, life experiences and cultures contributes immeasurably to our discernment together. Seek to elect diverse representation that reflects your community of faith, who are engaged in the life and work of the Church." (The Manual: C.1.2-C.1.2b)
Corresponding Members
"The regional council may include corresponding members as determined by the regional council." (The Manual: C.1.5)
Regional Council Staff, and Visitors
- Regional council staff members attend general meetings to support the logistics of the gathering, the work of the general meeting, and to meet with Members and Corresponding Members
- Visitors are welcome to attend to observe. Space is limited.
Children and Youth Participation
Youth Council
Chinook Winds Pacific Mountain Youth Council is an organized council of Youth membership, of people ages 14-17 years that:
- Supports wider engagement of Youth in the participation of the life of The United Church of Canada beyond their “home” community of faith
- Lifts the gifts of Youth, celebrating Youth wisdom and the spirit that Youth bring to the church and the world
- Provides an opportunity for the voice and knowledge of Youth to shape the experience of The United Church of Canada for all
- Deepens Youth’s leadership skills and faith
- Empowers Youth to work and serve the world as God’s people and disciples of Christ
For more information go to FirstThirdMinistry.ca/youth-council
Children & Young Teens at Annual General Meeting
These programs are for people ages 8-14, and who are not a member of CWPM Youth Council.
Age-specific programs provide a unique opportunity for children and young teens to experience the work, culture, and celebration of ministry that happens during the Pacific Mountain Regional Council Annual General Meetings.
This program is developed and offered by the Pacific Mountain's First Third Ministry Staff and Volunteer network.
Participants will be part of building a welcoming and inclusive community, practice being followers of Jesus, and learn about the governance of The United Church of Canada.
Children & Young Teen at AGM Program continues this region's powerful practice of making space for younger generations in our church.
People aged 8-14 years, from across our Pacific Mountain Region are welcome to register to attend the Children & Young Teen Program.
All adults are invited to encourage and support any Children and Young Teens in your setting to attend.
For more information please contact First Third Ministry Team Lead, Pamela Evans.
Business of the Gathered Council
"The members of a council make decisions on the basis of an understanding of scripture and of the ethos of the United Church; in the light of Christian experience; and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit moving in the discussion during the meeting of such a body. They decide themselves how they will vote in any matter. They are not bound by the opinions, directions, or previous decisions of the body that elected or appointed them." (The Manual: A.2)
Deciding on Meetings
The regional council must decide whether and, if so, how often it will meet regularly between annual meetings as the entire regional council or the executive; the time and place for the annual and other regular meetings, and the procedure for calling annual and other regular meetings; and how it will hold special meetings for urgent business between regular meetings.
Receiving Proposals
"A 'proposal' is a formal request for a council to take action. It is one way that a United Church member may raise an issue that is important to them and ask for the church to take action on it." (The Manual: F.1-F.1.4)
Hearing Reports
"The executive must report its actions to the regional council for information and for inclusion in the minutes of the regional council." (The Manual: C.3.1.4)
Addressing Remits
The General Council may change the Basis of Union only if the change is approved through a remit. A “remit” is a vote by regional councils or by regional councils and communities of faith that are pastoral charges to change the Basis of Union. (The Manual: F.2-F.2.5)
Appointments
"The regional council is responsible for appointing an executive to do the continuing work of the regional council when the regional council is not meeting." (The Manual: C.3.1.1)
"The regional council is responsible for electing members to serve on General Council." (The Manual: C.2.12-C.2.12.d)
