General Conference (Methodism)  The General Conference, in many Methodist denominations, is the denomination's top legislative body for all matters. With regard to the membership of the General Conference of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection, the 2014 "Discipline", states: The General Conference of the Evangelical Wesleyan Church meets every four years and is "composed of the bishops and an equal number of ministerial and lay delegates to be elected by the annual conferences". It is the top legislative body in the Church.  ¶200 of "The Book of Discipline" of the Free Methodist Church states that "The general conferences are the governing bodies of the Free Methodist Church. Each general conference shall consist of at least one annual conference or may, when necessary, make alternative provision for caring for annual conference functions as provided for in ¶220.2." The "Book of Discipline" and constitution of the United Methodist connection define the composition of the General Conference as no less than 600 and no more 1,000 delegates, half laity and half clergy. These delegates are elected by the Annual Conferences and several other specialized bodies within the structure of The United Methodist Church. The General Conference meets on a quadrennial basis, that is, once every four years. Special sessions may be called by the Council of Bishops. Petitions are assigned to legislative committees based on their content. Legislative committees elect committee leadership and then break into subcommittees to review and refine legislation. Subcommittees bring petitions before the entire committee with the recommendation to reject, adopt, or adopt as amended. During consideration by the entire committee, additional amendments may be made. Then, the entire committee votes to recommend to the General Conference (the almost 1000 delegates) what action should be taken on the legislation. No action is final until taken by the General Conference in plenary session. Church and Society 1: This committee will receive all petitions and resolutions relating to the work and concerns of the Board of Church and Society and the Social Principles, with the exception of paragraphs in The Book of Discipline dealing with the nurturing community and the social community. Church and Society 2: All petitions and resolutions relating to the nurturing community and the social community sections of the Social Principles will be referred to this committee. Conferences: This committee shall receive all petitions and resolutions relating to the composition and activities of the General, jurisdictional, annual, provisional, missionary and district conferences. Discipleship: All petitions and resolutions relating to the work and concerns of the Board of Discipleship shall be referred to this committee.