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Environmental Policy and Statement of Principles
Preamble
Our growing knowledge of our place in the universe and of the earth's limited resources, their inequitable distribution to the world's poor, and the widespread destruction of the environment compels the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth to respect and heal the earth, live sustainably and to support just, sustainable social and economic development in the world.

Policy
In accordance with our call to mend and to preserve the integrity of creation by the right use of natural resources, it will be the policy of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth to make every effort to conduct its activities as responsible stewards of the environment, while continuing to meet the needs of those whom we serve.

The Congregation is committed to seek new and better ways to meet environmental challenges and minimize waste and pollution through conservation, recycling, reduction and reuse procurement programs. It is its policy to manage its operations in a manner demonstrably protective of human health and the environment and the preservation and enhancement of green space.

Principles
To carry out this policy, the Congregation will use these principles to make consistent, measurable progress in its effort to respect and protect the earth for all peoples and future generations.

1.	We will reduce and make continual progress toward eliminating the release of any substance that may cause environmental damage to the air, water, or the earth, or persons.
2.	We will make sustainable use of renewable natural resources. We will conserve nonrenewable natural resources through efficient use and careful planning.
3.	We will reduce and where possible eliminate waste through source reduction and recycling. All waste will be handled and disposed of through safe and responsible methods.
4.	We will conserve energy and improve the energy efficiency of our internal operations. We will make every effort to use environmentally safe and sustainable energy sources.
5.	We will strive to minimize the environmental, health and safety risks to our employees and the communities in which we operate through safe technologies, facilities and operating procedures, and by being prepared for emergencies.
6.	We will reduce and where possible eliminate the use of products that cause environmental damage or health or safety hazards.
7.	We will make property decisions with ecological consciousness
8.	We will conduct education and training programs in implementing these principles. We will conduct an annual self-evaluation of our progress in implementing our environmental policy.

April 6, 2004

Josephine's Place

Josephine's Place, a Center For Women, is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ.

A WOMAN'S Space: an expression of the hopes and commitments of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth to promote the empowerment of women.

MISSION STATEMENT: JOSEPHINE'S PLACE
The mission of Josephine's Place is to provide space that will facilitate the empowerment of women. It is based on:

	building a trust that promotes a freedom to be open and honest.
	promoting an environment in which women are to be respected; to have quiet and where they can be understood.
	providing a space that will be reflective of the needs of women as they themselves have expressed them.

Please visit our website at www.josephinesplace.org

MEMBERSHIP - Web Shopping

DO YOU USE THE INTERNET TO SHOP?

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To The Charity Of Your Choice!

We hope the charity of your choice is the SISTERS OF CHARITY.

How to do this?
Log on to: GreaterGood.com.

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   Use the "Cause Name:" Box partway down the page

   Enter the name Sisters of Charity

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   Select Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth

Our Seal

Seal of the New Jersey Sisters of Charity
The symbolic PELICAN forms the main emblem in the
Community seal, representative at once of the spirit of sacrifice
and love for others, indicated by the Pelican's feeding its
young from its own substance: This symbol was adopted by
the Community after its formal incorporation and grant of its
charter by the State of New Jersey.

The significance of the number of birds in the nest recalls the
Seven Founders of the Community in 1859. Beneath the nest is the year; the lettering about the rim of the seal, Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, New Jersey. Above the Pelican, in a scroll, the Community motto, Deus est Caritas (God is Love).

From The New Jersey Sisters of Charity by Sister Mary Agnes Sharkey, New York, 1933, Volume III, page 29.

POLICY CONCERNING SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR

SISTERS OF CHARITY OF SAINT ELIZABETH

POLICY CONCERNING SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR AND OTHER VULNERABLE PERSONS

INTRODUCTION

The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth call themselves to embody the Gospel values of justice and charity in all they do and say, both as individuals and as a congregation. They value the God-given dignity of each person in all circumstances. They likewise recognize that all persons, including their own members, are gifted and, at the same time, limited. The Congregation acknowledges that, at times, members act in a manner inconsistent with the Congregation’s stated values.

Therefore, the Congregation will take seriously and respond immediately in a responsible and compassionate manner to any complaint, allegation, or suspicion that a member of the congregation has engaged in inappropriate behavior resulting in sexual abuse of a minor or other vulnerable person.

Abuse is a breach in the respect owed to each person; it violates the trust accorded an adult, a minister, and a member of a religious congregation and it can have severe and detrimental effects on all involved. Likewise, false or incorrect allegations can have similar severe and detrimental effects.

This policy describes, in a general way, the procedures which will be followed to arrive at the truth of a complaint, allegation, or suspicion. The application of these procedures expresses a judgment neither of guilt nor innocence, but indicates the serious nature of such cases and strives to protect the rights of all involved.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. When used in this document, sexual abuse shall include the infliction of physical or psychological injury or the causing of the deterioration of a minor and/or other vulnerable person resulting from sexual abuse. Sexual abuse occurs when a minor or vulnerable person is used sexually by an adult or someone with some kind of power over the individual. Categories of sexual abuse include but are not limited to: incest, pedophilia, exhibitionism, molestation, exploitation, statutory rape, rape, child prostitution and child pornography.

B. A minor is any person below the age of majority as designated by the State in which the alleged abuse occurred. Other vulnerable persons would include, but not be limited to, any person beyond the age of majority who, because of impairment of mental or physical function or emotional status is unable to recognize and /or report abuse, neglect, or exploitation without assistance.

C. By member is meant any professed member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. A complaint, allegation, or suspicion involving a former member, a novice, or a candidate may also, given the circumstances, activate the policy and procedures herein.

REVIEW BOARD

It shall be the policy of the congregation to establish a Review Board to address any complaint, allegation, or suspicion of sexual misconduct by a member or other person to whom this policy may pertain. This Review Board, appointed by the General Superior and her Council, will include members of the congregation, a pastoral counselor, legal counsel, a mental health professional, and any other person(s) deemed appropriate. If conflicts of interest exist, a substitute(s) will be appointed.

COMPLAINANT AND ACCUSED RELIGIOUS

The Congregation’s response to an allegation of sexual misconduct by a member reflects our belief in the inherent value of the human person, the image of God.

In both civil and canon law, a person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. However, the presumption of innocence does not preclude the Congregation from taking prudent action before the matter is concluded.

COMPLAINANT

The complainant of sexual misconduct by a member will be treated with respect, openness, and empathy, will be assured of a prompt response, and will be informed of the specific procedures which will be followed in the investigation of the case. In addition, the person bringing the accusation will be apprised of the Congregation’s commitment to confidentiality regarding all parties, within the parameter of this policy.

If the allegation involves alleged sexual abuse of a present minor, the Congregation is required to report it to the appropriate state child protective agency. In any case where the complainant is a minor, the Congregation will keep the parent(s) or guardian(s) apprised throughout the entire procedure.

ACCUSED MEMBER

A member or another person to whom this policy may pertain will be treated with the same respect, openness, and empathy afforded the complainant. The General Superior or her delegate will inform the member of the accusation and of the specific procedures to be followed in the investigation of the case. She also will be apprised of the Congregation’s commitment to confidentiality and, if the complainant is a present minor, the accused will be informed of the Congregation’s intent to report, or the prior reporting, of the allegation to the appropriate state child protective agency as required by law.

The Congregation will offer to the accused member legal counsel (civil and / or canonical) as well as psychological and / or spiritual counseling.

The Congregation will place the accused member on ministry leave pending the outcome of an investigation unless particular circumstances make it clearly unnecessary.

In cases involving rumor, especially when the accuser retreats into anonymity, the case may be dismissed as poorly founded. However, depending upon the circumstances in any given case, the situation may be monitored.

When an allegation is made against a religious of another congregation who works in an institution sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, her / his religious congregation handles the allegation according to its policies and procedures. However, this does not negate the requirement of the person responsible for the institution to report to the state child protective agency allegations involving a present minor and to activate the institution’s own policy for handling an employee so charged.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTERNAL / EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION

The Congregation will release appropriate levels of information on a timely basis, both internally and externally, honoring the values of justice and charity.

All communication, both internal and external, will respect the rights of all involved.

Original promulgation: 1994

Revised: 1999

Revised: 2002

Revised: 2005

Revised: 2006

Revised: 2008

POLICY CONCERNING SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND EXPLOITATION

SISTERS OF CHARITY OF SAINT ELIZABETH The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth are firmly committed to the principle that the sexual harassment and exploitation of vulnerable individuals, those in situations where there is a power differential and/or imbalance, by members in any work place will not be tolerated. Any complaint, allegation or suspicion that a member has engaged in behavior constituting sexual harassment or exploitation of a vulnerable person will be taken seriously and investigated promptly in a responsible and compassionate manner. DEFINITION OF TERMS
A.	"Member" is any professed member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. A complaint, allegation or suspicion involving a former member, novice or candidate, during the period when she was a member, novice of candidate, may be processed in accordance with procedures herein if warranted by the circumstances.
B.	"Vulnerable person" is any adult who is in an employment or academic relationship with a member who has power or authority over the individual.
C.	"Sexual harassment" may be unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
	a.	Submission to such conduct is made whether explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or well being, or
	b.	Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or
	c.	Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
D.	"Sexual exploitation" consists of inappropriate sexual conduct or contact between a member who is a pastoral care giver and an adult who is the recipient of the member’s pastoral care.
PROCESSING COMPLAINTS A complaint, allegation or suspicion concerning an act of sexual harassment or exploitation by a member shall be submitted to the personnel Officer, Director of Human Resources or appropriate administrator of the institution in which the member works or holds a position or office. Such complaint, allegation or suspicion shall be processed in accordance with the procedures established by the institution for the handling of discrimination complaints. If procedures are unavailable for the processing of such matters, the vulnerable person may submit the complaint, allegation or suspicion of sexual harassment or exploitation by a member directly to the General Superior of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth for appropriate referral to the Sisters of Charity Review Board. These complaints, allegations or suspicions of sexual harassment or exploitation by a member shall be processed in accordance with the procedures that govern member sexual misconduct. DISSEMINATION The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth shall disseminate this Policy on Sexual Harassment and Exploitation to all members who are to become familiar with its provisions and who shall be responsible for reporting suspected acts of sexual harassment or exploitation to the appropriate authorities. Approved: February 13, 2006