Ordinance of the Evangelical Synod of the Canton of Thurgau on the Duties and Activities of the Ombudsman's Office - Responsibilities

1. The Ombudsperson Office mediates when employees or authority members of a church community or the regional church, or church members request it due to disagreements or fundamental questions.

2. The mediation by the Ombudsperson Office does not cover activities of

a. the Synod and its bodies;

b. the church community assemblies and their bodies;

c. the Church Council acting as an appeal authority;

d. the Appeal and Complaint Commission; municipal and cantonal authorities in the preparation, enactment, amendment, revocation, or approval of generally binding ordinances, regulations, or orders.

1. The Synod elects the holder of the Ombudsperson’s office and two substitutes for a term of four years.

2. The substitutes serve only if the holder of the Ombudsperson’s office has a conflict of interest in a matter or is unable to fulfill their duties in a timely manner.

1. The synod regulates the compensation for the ombuds office, its deputies, and the appointed staff, as well as the contact point for sexual boundary violations.

1. The Ombudsman Office is independent and neutral.

1. The Ombuds Office may be contacted in writing by parties with a factual or legal interest, specifying their request and the reasons for it. The submission shall be brought to the attention of the opposing party.

2. The submission must be addressed to the Ombuds Office.

1. The Ombuds Office conducts oral hearings of the parties involved and gives them the opportunity to respond to the statements of the opposing party. The hearing is recorded in writing.

2. The Ombuds Office is authorized to request documents from the parties, conduct site inspections, and demand official reports.

3. The mediation services of the Ombuds Office are free of charge.

1. The ombudsman's office issues recommendations to the parties involved in written form, within the shortest possible period, for the resolution and management of disagreements and for addressing fundamental issues.

2. It does not hold any directive or decision-making authority.

1. The competent authorities are not permitted to issue contestable decisions during the duration of the ongoing proceedings before the Ombudsman, except in cases of extreme urgency.

2. If a contestable decision is present, the parties have the right to pursue legal remedies.

3. If an appeal has been lodged against a contestable decision, the Ombudsman may not proceed with a request for mediation.

1. The Ombudsman is required to maintain confidentiality regarding its observations towards authorities and private individuals.

2. The duty of confidentiality lapses if

a. the affected persons and authorities agree;

b. significant public or private interests justify the disclosure of information.

1. The Ombudsman Office annually reports to the Church Council for the purpose of the accountability report to the Synod about its activities.

1. The Protestant Regional Church operates a contact point for sexual boundary violations. The Church Council appoints two persons of different genders as the holders of the contact point. These individuals must report to the Church Council annually.

2. The contact point within the Church Council for the holder of the contact point is the Presidium or, if applicable, the Vice-Presidium.

1. This regulation shall come into effect on a date to be determined by the church council.