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F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions

Registration and Personal Profile
Q: How do I register?
A: You can register online by completing the Initial Registration Form.  A User Name and password will be e-mailed to you to access the CDO On Line System.  Be sure to download the Long Registration Form (as a worksheet) and the Ministry Skills/Experience Manual.  Or, you can request a Registration Kit from CDO for $25.00. See also:

Q: Where can I get a Ministry Skills/Experience Manual?
A: Click here to download the manual in the Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format.  Or, request a copy from CDO.

Q: I’m ordained in another Province in the Anglican Communion. Can I register?
A: If you have the permission and authorization of your bishop and a bishop in the Episcopal Church, you may register with CDO.  See Anglican Clergy Abroad Registration page for details.

Q: I’m an ELCA Lutheran Pastor. Can I register with CDO?
A: If you have the consent and authorization of the bishop of your Synod and a bishop in the Episcopal Church, you may register with CDO.  See ELCA Pastor Registration page for details.

Q: I’m a lay professional working for the Church or have a degree from an Episcopal seminary. Can I register?
A: If you have the consent and authorization of the bishop in whose jurisdiction you live or work, you may register with CDO. See Lay Professional Registration page for details.

Q: How do I update my Profile?
A: You may update online.  Click here to go to Profile Update page that provides instructions and downloadable forms.  Or, request an Update Kit from CDO.

Q: Will you send my Profile to a third party upon request?
A: It is CDO’s policy that a registrant is responsible for sending his/her own Profile.  Any bishop or deployment officer can download your Profile, but the registrants must mail or e-mail the Profile to a Search Committee or employing institution.


Using On Line System
UserName, Password, Troubleshooting
Q: I forgot my password. How do I retrieve it?
A: On the CDO On Line login page, click on “I forgot my password.”  Enter your e-mail address.  The system will look up this address in the CDO user database and email your UserName and a new password to this address.  When all else fails, contact CDO.

Q: Do I need to change my e-mail address? How?
A: If you change your password or your UserName and continue to use an outdated email address, you will have difficulty with the program.  On the Main Menu of the CDO On Line system, click on “Change CDO User Name/Password/Email” to correct your email address.

Q: I clicked on “I forgot my password” and a new one was not e-mailed to me. Why?
A: Occasionally there will be a glitch in the system which prevents auto-emails from being sent.  Call CDO for a new password if you’ve not received an e-mail after several hours.

Q: Do I need to have numbers and letters in my password? Is there a limit?
A: You can use numbers, letters, or both.  There is no limit.

Q: I can’t remember my UserName. What do I do?
A: If you did not change your UserName when you first received it, your UserName is the same as the 8-digit File Number at the top right corner of your Profile.  Or, call CDO.


Q: Why can’t I print my Profile?
A: You may have pop-up blockers enabled on your computer, or through your Internet Service Provider. You may need to disable pop-up blocking.  You might also have to disable your firewall.  Sometimes you can hold down the “Control” key and simultaneously click on “Print Profile” to get the same results. See also:

Q: Why can’t I add skills to my Profile?
A: See “pop-up blocker” message above.

Q: How do I e-mail my Profile as an attachment?
A: Click on the grey button titled “Print Profile” on the homepage of your Profile.  Your Profile will print to the screen.  Click on the disk icon to save it in “My Documents,” and give it a name with .pdf as the extension (e.g. Smith Profile.pdf).  Then attach your Profile doc to an e-mail and send to an interested party. See also:

Q: Why won’t my address and telephone numbers print on my Profile?
A: On both the Address and Contact pages of the web version of your Profile you must click the box that says, “Print on Profile.”  Then you must be sure that the “Address Type” and “Contact Location” are each selected so that the information will print in the appropriate “Work” or “Home” boxes of your Profile.


Positions Open Bulletin
Q: How much is a P.O.B. subscription?
A: All registrants receive free access to the Positions Open Bulletin (P.O.B.) online.  The entire bulletin can be printed in real time, i.e. updated to the minute as soon as changes are made.  If you want a monthly printed P.O.B. mailed, the subscription is $35/year. See P.O.B. page for details.

Q: Our parish’s Position Profile is on the CDO system. How can we see it?
A: Only registrants of the CDO have access to the Positions Open Bulletin online. However, your deployment officer or CDO can email you a copy of the Position Profile.

Q: Do we have to go through our diocese to list a position?
A: Yes.  It is the policy of CDO that we always work through the bishop’s office since we reflect the polity of the Episcopal Church where the bishop exercises oversight in his/her jurisdiction.

Q: Can other positions be listed, e.g. Director of Christian Education, Camp & Conference Director, Youth Director, Chaplain, etc.?
A: Yes.  Any position can be listed with the authorization of the bishop.


Search Process
Finding a clergy or lay leader for your congregation
Q: Do you have any resources to help us with the Search process?
A: Yes.  We have a Search Kit and other helpful publications. See also: