Policy Number:  15

Title:  Immediate Response Team (IRT)

Mindful of the need to respond rapidly and pastorally to any charge of sexual misconduct that might be made against any clergy or layperson in the professional or voluntary employ of the Diocese, any of its congregations, institutions or other agencies, the Diocese will establish an Immediate Response Team (IRT)

The IRT will be appointed by and report directly to the Bishop. It shall consist of three to five persons and will be balanced in terms of orders (clergy/lay), gender, race/ethnicity, and geography. The IRT will be prepared to move rapidly and effectively in response to any charge of sexual misconduct that might be brought forward. The task of this team will be to move quickly to interview both accuser and accused and any other persons who initially appear to have vital information; to see that arrangements are made for the immediate safety and protection of all involved; and to recommend to the Bishop such action as seems warranted; and to carry out such other tasks as the Bishop may assign.

There will be a convener, appointed by the Bishop, initially the Archdeacon/ Canon to the Ordinary, or an otherwise specified member of the Team. The other members of the team will be as listed on the roster attached this document. The convener will notify the other members of the IRT in case of a charge being made and shall be responsible for making arrangements for the assembly of the team at the proper site as soon as possible (24‑72 hours after the initial call to the team members). The Diocese shall reimburse the members of the IRT for any travel, lodging, meals and other expenses that may be incurred in the course their duties.

The convener shall have primary responsibility for arranging appointments with those persons to be interviewed by the team.

The convener shall also be responsible to see that the Chancellor of the Diocese is kept informed of the activities of the IRT.

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TEAM (IRT)

 ROSTER

Ken Owens, Convener     Rapid City SD             605-348-4913

Ms Robyn Opstedahl        Rapid City SD             605-341-4568 (H)

                                                                              605-343-2057 (O)

The Rev. Judy Spruhan    Rosebud SD               605-747-5927

Nancy Wise                      Sioux Falls SD            605-371-2103 (H)

                                                                              605-334-2696 (O)

OTHERS

The Rt. Rev. Creighton L. Robertson, Bishop                              

Chancellor Steven W. Sanford                                                                     

Randy Barnhardt, Diocesan Administrator