Equal Opportunities
The Equal
Opportunities Committee was formed in 1994 to:
a) develop detailed
equal opportunities policies
b) have oversight of
training programmes in equal opportunities
c) monitor the
implementation of the equal opportunities policy
d) report every 2
years to the General Assembly on the implementation of the policy.
Committee Members
Convener: Revd
Wilf Bahadur
Secretary: Revd
Derek Hopkins
Mr Derek Estill, Revd
Kate Gartside, Mr Alan Hart, Ms Michelle Marcano (staff link), Revd Susan
Macbeth, Dr Ruth Shepherd
1.1 Since we last
reported to Assembly we have updated our leaflet incorporating some of the
suggestions we had received from different people. We are seeking, as we say on
the leaflet, to create an inclusive vision, through practical action,
transforming the Law to love. We are very thankful to the Graphics Team for
producing the new leaflet for us with its graphics depicting the areas of our
responsibility. The outside of the leaflet can also serve as an A4 poster. This
leaflet is available in alternative formats.
1.2 Monitoring
Part of our remit is to
monitor where we are as a church in accordance with our policy. Monitoring
regularly does enable us to measure changes in the life of our church. Thanks to
all those who have completed monitoring forms for us over the past 2 years. The
results from the 4 yearly monitoring of churches show that: 1) as expected
perhaps, many of our churches have been able to improve their disabled access
and facilities and 2) that we are, if only by a small degree, becoming a more
multiracial church.
1.3 Policy Review
We are currently
undertaking a total review of our Equal Opportunities Policy in the light of
current and proposed changes in the law. Our proposals are currently being
considered by the Moderators, after which we will present the proposal to
Mission Council in October.
1.4 Committee Changes
This year our Convener
Wilf Bahadur ends his term of office and will be replaced by Ms Morag Mclintoch.
Derek Estill and Alan Hart also end their appointments. We thank them all for
their dedicated and loyal service to the committee. Alan Hart has agreed to be a
co–opted member of the committee until December 2006 in order to help with our
policy revision work.
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