C045 Amend Article I Section 4 - first reading
This resolution is a continuation of the “stepping-stone” history that the General Convention Official Youth Presence has been living out since its inception. In 1982, Resolution 1982-B045 was introduced to the House of Bishops proposing the motion of inviting a “Youth Presence” to come and be a part of General Convention. While this was a large step forward in bringing Youth to Convention, this resolution was vague in that lacked necessary structure and protocol for the Youth Presence to operate under. Specifically, there was no limit on how many Youth could participate and the Youth could not address Convention until they were individually recognized. In 1985, a resolution was passed that provided structure for the Youth Presence by providing funding for two Youth from each Province to come and be present at General Convention. In 1994, a resolution was passed that finally allowed the Youth Presence to be on the floor of the House of Deputies and to speak on the floor in reference to resolutions. In 2000, a resolution was passed that inserted the General Convention Official Youth Presence into the House of Deputies Rules of Order. This resolution is the latest to directly affect the structure and /or responsibilities of the Official Youth Presence. It amended the Rules of Order to ensure the placement of the Official Youth Presence within the body of the House of Deputies with the responsibilities of seat and voice. This resolution will amend the Constitution by inserting a paragraph into Article I Section 4 that grants seat and voice to two youth from each Province. Because the Youth Presence is currently only authorized in the Rules of Order, a simple vote in the House of Deputies could remove them at any time.
Explanation
This resolution is a continuation of the “stepping-stone” history that the General Convention Official Youth Presence has been living out since its inception. In 1982, Resolution 1982-B045 was introduced to the House of Bishops proposing the motion of inviting a “Youth Presence” to come and be a part of General Convention. While this was a large step forward in bringing Youth to Convention, this resolution was vague in that lacked necessary structure and protocol for the Youth Presence to operate under. Specifically, there was no limit on how many Youth could participate and the Youth could not address Convention until they were individually recognized. In 1985, a resolution was passed that provided structure for the Youth Presence by providing funding for two Youth from each Province to come and be present at General Convention. In 1994, a resolution was passed that finally allowed the Youth Presence to be on the floor of the House of Deputies and to speak on the floor in reference to resolutions. In 2000, a resolution was passed that inserted the General Convention Official Youth Presence into the House of Deputies Rules of Order. This resolution is the latest to directly affect the structure and /or responsibilities of the Official Youth Presence. It amended the Rules of Order to ensure the placement of the Official Youth Presence within the body of the House of Deputies with the responsibilities of seat and voice. This resolution will amend the Constitution by inserting a paragraph into Article I Section 4 that grants seat and voice to two youth from each Province. Because the Youth Presence is currently only authorized in the Rules of Order, a simple vote in the House of Deputies could remove them at any time.