A045 Reaffirm nd Report on Anti-Racism Training
The Episcopal Church currently requires Anti-Racism “training” for all ordained persons as per Canon Article III.6.5(g) Training and for lay leadership per General Convention Resolution 2000-B049. The Committee is mandated to monitor “compliance of anti-racism legislation (including the one above) passed by General Convention” and to develop “criteria for the credentialing of certified anti-racism trainers” (GC 2012-A161 and GC 2015 A022). Committee members have reported that our Church, at multiple levels, is not in full compliance with the requirement of anti-racism training (canonical or by resolution) and believes that this is due to the lack clear guidelines for certification of lay or ordained persons and the expense in the training offered by qualified trainers. This resolution clarifies what constitutes fulfilment of the Article III.6.5(g) Training regarding anti-racism training and General Convention Resolution 2009-B049 making it easier to follow the spirit of the resolution. The Standing Commission on National Concerns no longer exists, thus the clause referencing it should be stricken. The reporting times of the original resolution have passed or are confusing because this is well beyond the expected timeframe of the resolution’s need. This resolution seeks to clarify the reporting requirement and make clear the reporting times and the recipient of the information. During the 2009 General Convention the funding for the position of Anti-Racism Officer was discontinued and so, too, were church-wide anti-racism ‘Train-the-Trainer programs.” The ability to keep the designated list of certified trainers no longer exists, yet the anti-racism training requirement remained in effect. This resolution seeks to address the lack of budget commensurate to carry out this important work so the resolution is not an unfunded mandate.
Explanation
The Episcopal Church currently requires Anti-Racism “training” for all ordained persons as per Canon Article III.6.5(g) Training and for lay leadership per General Convention Resolution 2000-B049. The Committee is mandated to monitor “compliance of anti-racism legislation (including the one above) passed by General Convention” and to develop “criteria for the credentialing of certified anti-racism trainers” (GC 2012-A161 and GC 2015 A022). Committee members have reported that our Church, at multiple levels, is not in full compliance with the requirement of anti-racism training (canonical or by resolution) and believes that this is due to the lack clear guidelines for certification of lay or ordained persons and the expense in the training offered by qualified trainers. This resolution clarifies what constitutes fulfilment of the Article III.6.5(g) Training regarding anti-racism training and General Convention Resolution 2009-B049 making it easier to follow the spirit of the resolution. The Standing Commission on National Concerns no longer exists, thus the clause referencing it should be stricken. The reporting times of the original resolution have passed or are confusing because this is well beyond the expected timeframe of the resolution’s need. This resolution seeks to clarify the reporting requirement and make clear the reporting times and the recipient of the information. During the 2009 General Convention the funding for the position of Anti-Racism Officer was discontinued and so, too, were church-wide anti-racism ‘Train-the-Trainer programs.” The ability to keep the designated list of certified trainers no longer exists, yet the anti-racism training requirement remained in effect. This resolution seeks to address the lack of budget commensurate to carry out this important work so the resolution is not an unfunded mandate.