Attend debates during Synod meetings (twice a year, each last-ing 4 or 5 days). This is not compulsory, but people who do not go are failing in their primary responsibility to repre-sent their dioceses.

Worship together each day in a rich variety of ways.

Vote: Decisions at Synod are always taken by voting. Some-times this is a show of hands; sometimes an electronic count. Usually a simple majority will do; sometimes a two-thirds majority is required; sometimes the Synod votes as a whole; sometimes it splits into Houses (Bishops, Clergy, Laity). Members vote according to individual conscience - though some groupings in the Synod meet to discuss issues together. But members do not represent their electorate if they do not vote. With the introduction of electronic voting in February 2008 it is now possible to see who voted – as well as how they voted. Check it out! (http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas)

Speak: widely held to be the important part, but not everyone who wants to speak can be called. Some members have opinions on every subject; others only stand to speak if they have a particular contribution to make. But it‟s the majority who listen carefully to the debate and then vote who actu-ally take the decisions.

Keep in touch with the electorate: the wider church has the right to know what goes on at General Synod – and members should be closely aware of the issues facing their particular constituency.

Caroline Spencer