Resolution Number: 2018-A048
Title: Create a Task Force to Update Safe Church Training
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention direct the Executive Council to establish a Task Force pursuant to Canon I.1.2.(o) to create and implement new safe church training materials to be developed during the next triennium to reflect the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth and the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults, such committee to be comprised of at least nine (9) and no more than twelve (12) people who reflect the diversity of The Episcopal Church, which should include youth ministers, those working with vulnerable adults, educators for adults, and those experienced in the prevention of sexual abuse; membership should also include at least three (3) persons from the Task Force to Update Sexual Misconduct Policies appointed in 2015; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church Pension Group be asked to collaborate and coordinate their training program with this effort and to appoint a member to serve on the committee; and be it further

Resolved, That such safe church training materials for the prevention of sexual misconduct include written and web-based training materials that include responsive and multilingual online web-based resources, a modern content management system and a curated resource list, such training to provide Universal Training accessible to all congregants and ministry participants that fosters a culture of safety and inclusion for all people and Specialized Training consisting of discrete modules on topics directly related to ministry roles and functions; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention assign to the Task Force that will oversee the new safe church training materials the following duties: where and how to host training materials that includes a comprehensive list of resources, develop a plan for continued updating of the training materials and the curating of resources, as well as a plan to oversee this work; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention direct the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society [DFMS] to host on its website the Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth and the Model Policies for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults for the prevention of sexual misconduct approved in 2017; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church commits itself to the financial support of the creation, implementation and maintenance of such safe church training materials to advance clergy wellness and reduce liability; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $245,000 for the creation of the safe church training materials described in this resolution and $50,000 for the work of the Task Force.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), pp. 890-891.

Legislative History

Author: Task Force to Update Sexual Misconduct Policies
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Safeguarding and Title IV

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Safeguarding and Title IV presented its Report #4 on Resolution A048 (Establish Committee to Oversee Creation of Training Materials) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A048)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 79th General Convention direct the Executive Council to establish a committee of the Council to oversee the creation and implementation of new safe church training materials to be developed during the next triennium to reflect the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth and the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults, such committee to be comprised of not more than nine (9) people who reflect the diversity of The Episcopal Church, which should include youth ministers, those working with vulnerable adults, educators for adults, and those experienced in the prevention of sexual abuse; membership should also include at least three (3) persons from the Task Force to Update Sexual Misconduct Policies appointed in 2015; and be it further

Resolved, That such safe church training materials for the prevention of sexual misconduct include written and web-based training materials that include responsive and multilingual online web-based resources, a modern content management system and a curated resource list, such training to provide Universal Training accessible to all congregants and ministry participants that fosters a culture of safety and inclusion for all people and Specialized Training consisting of discrete modules on topics directly related to ministry roles and functions; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $50,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 79th General Convention direct the Executive Council to establish a Task Force pursuant to Canon I.1.2.(o) to create and implement new safe church training materials to be developed during the next triennium to reflect the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth and the approved 2017 Model Policies for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults, such committee to be comprised of at least nine (9) and no more than twelve (12) people who reflect the diversity of The Episcopal Church, which should include youth ministers, those working with vulnerable adults, educators for adults, and those experienced in the prevention of sexual abuse; membership should also include at least three (3) persons from the Task Force to Update Sexual Misconduct Policies appointed in 2015; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church Pension Group be asked to collaborate and coordinate their training program with this effort and to appoint a member to serve on the committee; and be it further

Resolved, That such safe church training materials for the prevention of sexual misconduct include written and web-based training materials that include responsive and multilingual online web-based resources, a modern content management system and a curated resource list, such training to provide Universal Training accessible to all congregants and ministry participants that fosters a culture of safety and inclusion for all people and Specialized Training consisting of discrete modules on topics directly related to ministry roles and functions; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention assign to the Task Force that will oversee the new safe church training materials the following duties: where and how to host training materials that includes a comprehensive list of resources, develop a plan for continued updating of the training materials and the curating of resources, as well as a plan to oversee this work; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention direct the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS) to host on its website the Model Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth and the Model Policies for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults for the prevention of sexual misconduct approved in 2017; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church commits itself to the financial support of the creation, implementation and maintenance of such safe church training materials to advance clergy wellness and reduce liability; and be it further

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $245,000 for the creation of the safe church training materials described in this resolution and $50,000 for the work of the Task Force.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #30)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Safeguarding and Title IV presented its Report #1 on HD Message #30 on Resolution A048 (Establish Committee to Oversee Creation of Training Materials) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #153)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 10.

Report Reference:   Task Force to Update Sexual Misconduct Policies, Reports to the 79th General Convention, 2018, pp. 932-978.
Abstract:   The 79th General Convention authorizes a task force to create and implement a new safe church training materials to reflect the 2017 Model Policies, including specialized topics related to ministry roles and a plan to publish, update, and oversee this work.