1. a) Advocacy.----1) The role of an advocate or counsel for a grievant or a respondent shall be to help resolve allegations of misconduct or unsatisfactory performance. Ways in which this may be done include but are not limited to listening carefully, examining relevant documents, enlisting others to provide emotional support, offering advice, participating in supervisory conversations to which the respondent/grievant is invited when any of the actions in ¶¶ 313, 410, 418, 448, 451, 452.3, 453.4-5, 454, 457-459, 704.4, or 2623-2627 is under discussion, cautioning against undue pressure, raising questions to clarify facts or process, seeking the appropriate response to grievances found to be true, encouraging adherence to Church law on the part of all who are involved in any administrative, supervisory, or judicial process which may result in a change in conference relation for the respondent.
2) The advocate shall be the choice of the grievant/respondent who shall indicate that in writing to the superintendent. If there is a civil or criminal matter involved in the grievance, both parties may also have legal counsel present. If either party fails to obtain an advocate, the superintendent shall strongly encourage getting one and may assist in doing so.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21521-MN-454-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference