David Woeller advised NEC of security measures introduced by the National Office Operations Group (NOOG) at Church House regarding staff name-tag identification and visitor/guest registration in the lobby.
NEC May 1993 Meeting
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That the dates proposed for the May, 1993 meeting of the National Executive Council in Montreal be confirmed from MONDAY, MAY 3rd at 5:00 p.m. to FRIDAY, MAY 7th at 4:00 p.m. CARRIED # 06-11-92.
Notes
The location for this meeting is Manoir D'Youville, Chateauguay, Quebec (approximately half an hour from Montreal).
That this National Executive Council adopt the following policy on sexual assault and harassment:
We affirm the belief that every human person is made in the image of the Creator God, is a sexual being and, regardless of gender or age, is entitled to equal dignity, respect and bodily integrity.
We further affirm that children, adolescents and the infirm elderly who are most vulnerable must be protected.
"There is universal agreement that respect, reverence and mutuality are necessary in all human relationships. This agreement about the fundamentals of human relations, including sexual relations, leads to a firm judgement and condemnation of sexual abuse and exploitation ...
... Sexual abuse is self-gratification by exploitation. It makes an impersonal object of the other person, abusing both the person and sexuality itself. Abuse occurs in a wide range of sexual activities: always in rape and child molestation, usually in adultery and prostitution and sometimes even in marriage. Sexual abuse also occurs in the socially subtle aspects of sexism and in sexual harassment of employees in the workplace. The Church must be clear about these violations of sexual intimacy. It must be explicit in its teaching about these particular aberrations of sexual relations, aggressively proactive about its social policy and action touching on these areas, and forthright in dealing with violations in its own community." (Lambeth Conference Report, 1988)
The National Office of the Anglican Church of Canada undertakes to ensure that all activities, work and pronouncements with which it is engaged uphold the values of love, truth and justice and are demonstrably free from violence, coercion, and discrimination because of gender.
"It is our policy that sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sexual abuse of any kind, whether to adult, adolescent or child, male or female, by or to any staff person, contract employee or volunteer, will not be tolerated."
We will actively try to prevent such occurrences and deal with any accusations promptly, seriously and systematically, where appropriate, in co-operation with proper authorities.
Particularly in relationships of trust where power, authority and confidentiality are a dynamic, the greatest of care will be expected to be exercised to avoid taking advantage of trust, or abusing power and the responsibility of authority.
At all times an ethic of mutual respect, responsibility and caring, as well as modelling wholeness and healthy sexuality in relationships, will be the goal. We will practice, advocate and educate to that end.
Because national staff and volunteers work and deal with people in and from a variety of ecclesiastical and civil jurisdictions, both within and outside of Canada, attention will be paid to the needs of differing situations, where possible,
Motion to table
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That the above motion be tabled pending incorporation of a preamble which will include revisions to the first two paragraphs. CARRIED #31-11-92
That this National Executive Council approves the appointment of the Doctrine Sub-Committee, the Worship Committee, the Education Sub-Committee, and the Hymn Book Task Force by the Doctrine and Worship Committee. CARRIED 36-11-92