58 Annual
Convention
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The 58th Diocesan Convention will be held at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10, 2026. Friday will include a full day of learning with a plenary by Bishop Doug Scharf and four strategic planning sessions for attendees with national leaders. Saturday will include our Diocesan-wide Holy Eucharist and Convention Business Session.
Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center
75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Delegate Information
The Canons of the Diocese require the Bishop to prepare a "Preliminary Roster" for publication not later than 80 days prior to the Annual Convention. Amendments to the Preliminary Roster are permitted up to thirty (30) days prior to Convention. These rosters will be updated as changes are received.
2026 Preliminary Roster Lay Delegates 2026 Preliminary Roster Clergy
For Clergy: All canonically resident clergy in the Diocese of Southwest Florida attend Annual Convention. Active, canonically-resident clergy in this Diocese who cannot attend a scheduled meeting of the Convention immediately shall inform the Bishop and provide the reason for the absence. Clergy canonically resident in this Diocese but who have retired from active service are not required to be present at the meetings of the Convention.
Changes to Lay Delegates/Alternates for Convention
Rectors/Vicars/Priests in Charge or Senior Wardens may make changes to their lay delegates/alternates by using the online link: https://tinyurl.com/2026DelegateCorrection. The 58th Convention will be held at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center in Punta Gorda on October 9 and 10.
Questions? Contact Beth Gentry Gould, Executive Assistant to Canon Norman, bgould@episcopalswfl.org.
For Laity: The Canons make provision for Lay Delegates to be appointed once the time for the Annual Meeting of the Congregation is past:
Canon I.4.c: Lay Delegates and Alternate Delegates who cannot attend a scheduled meeting of the Convention immediately shall inform the member of the clergy in charge of the Congregation and wardens of the Congregation so that a replacement may be selected.
Canon 1.5.a: The selection of Lay Delegates and Alternate Delegates to serve as Members of the Convention shall be made by the Congregation, unless otherwise specified by the bylaws of the Congregation. If the Congregation’s bylaws specify that selection is to be made by Congregational election, the electors must have the qualifications as set forth in Canon VII.
Questions? Email Beth Gentry Gould, Executive Assistant to the Canon to the Ordinary, at bgould@episcopalswfl.org.
Resolutions presented to the 58th Annual Diocesan Convention:
Resolution 2026-1, To Amend Canons II, V, XI, XVI and XVIII of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida
These amendments implement the transition from deaneries to a proposed structure of three (3) regions by updating all relevant sections of the Constitution and Canons to reflect the new regional structure established in Canon XI.
Resolution 2026-2, To Amend Constitution Article XI of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida
Update Constitution Article XI so that a Vice Chancellor is appointed in each region and serves congregations within each of those regions.
Resolution 2026-3, To Amend Canon I of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida
Resolution 2025-4 was passed at the 57th Annual Diocesan Convention to provide for the creation of an official youth presence with seat, voice, and vote, in time for the 59th Annual Convention in 2027. The resolution prescribed two youth representatives from each deanery - modified here to three youth reps from each region and 2 alternates from each region, in anticipation of the proposed change from deaneries to regions.
Resolution 2026-4, To Amend Canon II of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida
This change is to the election of deputies and alternates to General Convention only. Because of the number of positions to be filled, the voting process has needed to be streamlined, while still ensuring that those receiving the highest number of votes are elected.
Resolution 2026-5, To Amend Canon XVIII of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida
These amendments will clarify that the Bishop Diocesan may request the election of a successor Bishop Diocesan in addition to requesting the election of a Bishop Coadjutor or a Bishop Suffragan, and ensure that the Episcopal Election Committee reflects regional representation and processes. The regional structure contemplates the appointment of two (2) appointees in each region, resulting in six (6) appointees.
Resolution 2026-6, To Adopt the Capital Apportionment Policy of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida
The proposed policy would govern the apportionment of funds to maintain Diocesan properties, including DaySpring, USF Chapel Center, St. Bart’s Cemetery, and Smith Center, the cost of which varies annually. Specifically, this policy would:
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establish a transparent capital apportionment calculator, to be made available on the Diocesan website, for churches to estimate and verify their capital apportionments;
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apportion capital on a sliding scale, providing relief for large capital campaigns;
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exclude the maintenance of property held in trust for the Diocese;
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exclude roof, pavement, and HVAC repairs and replacements; and
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ensure sufficient and responsible funding to meet the needs of the Diocese (any funding deficit for large projects would be addressed through separate fundraising efforts).
Resolutions to Convention
Business Session Tips
On-Site Check-In Process
The annual business meeting of the diocese requires a separate check-in process from Friday. We do this to differentiate “members of convention” (lay and clergy voting delegates) from all other attendees.
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Locate the check-in tables in the concourse of the conference center. Tables will be divided alphabetically. You will be handed your name tag and lunch tickets for Saturday. (no additional lunch tickets will be sold or available at the convention.) Your name tag will list your title (delegate, clergy, clergy spouse, visitor, etc.) and, if you are a voting member, will include your voting credentials.
Pages
As you enter Hibiscus Hall, a Floor Manager and Convention Pages will be on hand to direct you to your assigned seating area. We do this to ensure that only those who are entitled to vote are seated on the voting floor of Convention.
Speaking
Once the business meeting has begun, if you wish to speak at an appropriate time, please approach one of the two microphones on the convention floor and wait to be recognized by the chair. First state your name and congregation, and then make your comments, which are limited to three minutes. Then return to your seat. Convention works through the agenda, with scheduled breaks and a lunch period.
Elections
Votes will be taken throughout the day on a variety of issues. For some votes, you will asked to access our online voting system, VPOLL. Instructions to log into VPOLL can be found in the Convention booklet.
Resolutions
Per Diocesan Canon II, Section 4.b., a Resolutions Committee was appointed by Diocesan Council.
The Resolutions Committee is charged with ensuring that proposed resolutions coming before the Convention comply with the requirements of the Constitutions and Canons of The Episcopal Church and this Diocese, are not redundant, and are stated in clear and consistent language. The text of the resolutions and explanations of what they would do are available on the diocesan website and in this convention guidebook. Read the resolutions and the explanations, think about them, ask questions, and determine how you plan to vote.