February 19, 2021, 12:13 PM

Anne Kessler to Joanna Rudenborg 

Cc: Eve Ahrens, Cherin Marie, [Advocate A], Brenda Dumper, Stewart Ruch

Hi Joanna,

I actually just got off a Zoom call with Amy and another team member, Pete.  We talked for over an hour and I feel like I got a good feel for what GRACE could offer at this time. They told me the same that they did you, that they would not do any kind of Independent Investigation until the legal cases had been completed. They could start an Organizational Assessment and also support us in training programs for our churches going forward.  Aequitask, Lathrop GPM (Katheryn Nash), and RLV (Rebecca Veidlinger) seem to be able to do both at the same time.  I was also concerned that GRACE said it would take 6 months to a year to complete the Organizational Assessment. 

I believe we are getting closer to making a final decision of which firm to go with. We will know more after a second round of interviews that will happen with Bishop Stewart, Father Eirik, and myself at the beginning of next week.  It is looking more and more that GRACE will not be who we ultimately go with, but I want to keep digging into some of their other programs such as their Safeguarding Initiative Prevention.  

We will of course keep you informed as to our progress.

Blessings,

Anne