Opening/Closing Date: July 13, 2023 to December 31, 2023
Description
This committee has two vacancies and is seeking people from the prairie provinces, Southwestern Ontario, Eastern Ontario or Quebec who are familiar with dispute resolution and the various complaint processes of the church. This call will remain open, subject to any other updates, until the vacancies are filled.
Mandate
The Response Committee determines the best process to follow for concerns raised about ministry personnel. It ensures that there are trained and supported reviewers, investigators, consultants, conflict resolution facilitators, and people with other expertise as required.
Membership
The Response Committee consists of up to 10 members who reflect the broad diversity of The United Church of Canada, with particular attention to its equity commitments and the presence of both lay people and ministry personnel from across the geography of the church.
To honour the separation of responsibilities assigned to regional councils and those assigned to the Office of Vocation, members of Office of Vocation committees and boards will not be serving on a body of the regional council with decision-making responsibilities that relate to or affect pastoral relations or pastoral relationships.
Member Skills and Experience
We are seeking people who are able to process information, discern a way forward, and take legal advice where appropriate. Members should be familiar with dispute resolution and the various complaint processes of the church.
Helpful experience includes having served on pastoral relations or sexual misconduct prevention and response committees. An understanding of accessibility assessment is helpful. People who are fluent in French or other languages in addition to English would be an asset to this committee.
At this time, the committee is in particular need of members from the prairie provinces, Southwestern Ontario, Eastern Ontario, or Quebec. People who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming and men would assist in broadening the gender diversity of this committee. Retired ministry personnel also bring a needed and valued perspective to these processes.
Expectations and Term
The committee meets at least monthly by video-conference call and in person as necessary. Scheduling is set according to the availability of members. At present the committee meets on Thursday afternoons (ET). The committee sometimes deals with emergent matters between regularly scheduled meetings. The term of this appointment is until the rise of the 45th General Council (July 2025), with the possibility of reappointment for a second three-year term.
For more information about this volunteer opportunity, please see the complete description, below.
To Express Interest
To apply for this vacancy, please express interest or nominate someone.
All submissions will be acknowledged by e-mail. If you do not receive acknowledgement, please contact Member Engagement. Incomplete or late submissions cannot be considered.
For further information or assistance in expressing interest or nominating someone, please contact:
Member Engagement
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-3781, ext. 2211
E-mail:
Downloads
- 44-20 Response Committee.pdf (175.13 KB) (PDF)