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Before our new structure as Catholic Ministry, we used the term Symposium because our members were spread worldwide and met on different dates and times. It may last a week, whereas a general assembly lasts only a few hours.

In Canada, the general assembly, commonly referred to as the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or a members’ meeting, of a private non-profit corporation is governed either federally by the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (CNCA) or by the applicable provincial non-profit statute (such as Ontario’s ONCA or Quebec’s civil code/provincial rules)

• Must be held at least once every 15 months, and no later than 6 months after the corporation’s preceding financial year-end. We have it during a Council meeting between January 1st and February 28.
• Meetings must be held in Canada at the location specified in the by-laws, or outside Canada if all voting members agree.
• Electronic or hybrid meetings are widely permitted if allowed by the by-laws and the statute (Our Case)

Core Business

• Reviewing and approving the annual financial statements.
• Appointing or waiving the appointment of a public accountant/auditor
• Electing directors to the board.
• Approving or amending corporate by-laws (when required)

Voting Rights for only Class “A” Members

• Conducted by members (non-profit corporations without share capital grant voting rights to members as outlined in the articles or by-laws.
• Decisions are made by ordinary resolution (majority vote) or special resolution (usually a 2/3 or 3/4 majority for fundamental changes like by-law or article amendments).

As Catholic:

A council is a binding, legislative assembly of church leaders that can define doctrine and issue strict laws. At the same time, a synod is typically an advisory or consultative gathering of bishops, clergy, and sometimes laity that assists church authorities without issuing independent binding decrees open to all IAoC members.

Councils (especially Ecumenical Councils representing the global Church like Nicaea or the Second Vatican Council) hold supreme legislative and deliberative power. Their decrees on faith and morals bind the universal Church.

Synods (such as the modern Synod of Bishops in the Catholic Church) are generally consultative. They offer counsel, pray, and submit recommendations or reports to a leader (like the Archbishop or a Superintendent Bishop), who retains final decision-making authority.

We use “synod” or “general assembly” as our regular regional, national, or overarching Canadian governing bodies of EMMI.

Our Councils are meetings of all our church partners as affiliates and Associates, who are full members.

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• 2026.10.17 Saturday Synod
• 2026.10.15 Convocation for the Council, 90 days before, which will be Wednesday, January 13, 2027 so the Council date is Saturday, January 16, 2027
• 2026.10.10 Convocation for the Ordinary Synod on 2026.10.17

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