Bucks Quarterly Meeting
Meeting for Business
19 Second Month 2006
Solebury Monthly Meeting (Unapproved Minutes)
Clerk: David Smith
Recording Clerk: David Rose
Opening Worship:
Business Meeting started at 1:15 PM with a period of worship
Roll Call of Meetings
Bristol: 1, Buckingham: 2, Doylestown: 2, Fallsington: 2, Lehigh Valley: 1, Makefield: 3, Middletown: 2, Newtown: 3, Plumstead: 0, Quakertown NJ: 3, Solebury: 3, Southampton: 1, Wrightstown: 1, Yardley: 3,
Minutes of Eleventh Month Meeting
Minutes were approved with the clarification that PYM will do background checks for Child Safety Policy and charge the Meetings their cost.
Clerks Report:
David Smith asked for a “Minute of Appreciation” to Thom Jeavons for the years of service to the PYM. A Friend spoke of the difficulties that Thom faced coming in at a time of major reorganization. Thom has visited each meeting and has given much good spiritual guidance.
A Friend wanted to mention Thom’s involvement with promoting Quakerism in the greater community, such as his involvement with the Philadelphia Council of Churches, National Council of Churches, and work with Ramalla Friends School. Another Friend wished that a general note of appreciation be sent with some specific examples of things that Thom did that we appreciate.
Minute 1
BQM approves the Clerk to compose a letter to be sent to Thom Jeavons expressing the appreciation of Bucks Quarterly Meeting for his years of service as PYM General Secretary.
Coordinator’s Report:
Survey of MM policies regarding property/building usages and graveyard burial pricing structures is available.
Quarterly Meeting Directory is finished, available and being distributed.
Chuck Fager’s Workshop at Buckingham (1/8/06) on militarism was very good. He presented a plan called the “Hundred Years Lambs War” which provided much food for thought.
All Meetings have submitted their Child Safety Policy to the Don Martin Insurance Agency.
During Holly’s visits to Monthly Meetings, she observed that Hospitality is an essential part of the Outreach of a Meeting. Each Meeting needs to devote special care as to how Hospitality is offered to maximize its effectiveness in attracting and maintaining membership.
An “Inreach-Outreach” workshop through the FGC Traveling Ministries Program is being planned. Meetings will be encouraged to send two representatives.
“Quakerism from A-Z” will be held at Makefield Meeting.
Annual Report: Doylestown Monthly Meeting:
Report summarized by Liz Fritch. One issue facing Doylestown MM is the lack of space. The meeting has no desire to move out of Doylestown as they have a long history there. There is no endowment. All monies must come from membership.
Meetinghouse is in active use during the week by a variety of groups. The weekly Peace Vigil at the Courthouse is an important activity supported by the Meeting. “Quakerism in a Nutshell” will be presented again as it has proven successful. In response to a question regarding responses to growth, it was noted that a group that included some of Doylestown MM members recently restarted Plumstead Meeting.
Treasurer’s Report :
Judy Kashoff presented a report explaining the current financial situation. In short, there is nothing unusual to report for this period in the Fiscal Year. There is a new source in the revenue section; income from Quakerphernialia Ads.
Three Monthly Meetings that have not yet provided their Covenant to BQM/PYM: Lehigh Valley, Makefield, and Plumstead. The question was asked if we should adopt a balanced budget with an assumed increase from those meetings. Friends suggested that we return to our Monthly Meeting and request each MM consider a further increase to their Covenant sufficient to cover BQM and PYM’s 4% request. We are presently $3,000 short. Another suggested that our donation to Chandler Hall be reevaluated and possibly used to balance the budget. The question was asked if we have submitted a pledge to PYM. Judy said that PYM asks for information before Meetings are ready. The B&N committee dealt with the issue by providing an increase, but not for the full amount requested. If un-pledged meetings increase their pledge as requested, we will meet our plans but not PYM request. The Meeting was in agreement that the budget process should proceed as usual.
BQM Budget and Nominating Report: (Report attached)
The report presented by Bill Dockhorn. Bill prefaced his remarks with the observation that we need to provide the Monthly Meetings with a better explanation of the need for timely information to make financial decisions.
Bill noted that B&N Committee has gaps in its representation from Monthly Meetings and BQM representation on PYM Nominating Committee.
Budget:
Clerk asked for feedback as to how to proceed with Budget request. It was decided that Bill Dockhorn should submit a request to Monthly Meetings for an increase in their Covenant and include a copy of the proposed budget. In addition, all present are asked to return to their Monthly Meetings and inform them of the need. A Friend observed that tithing is a spiritual practice. Tithing is not just to meet the budget but part of our spiritual practice and should be promoted among Friends. At this member’s previous Meeting, each member and attender was personally contacted. It was noted that support of the larger organizations, PYM and FGC, is important to maintaining Quaker Identity. Publishing of ranges of giving is suggested as a method for increasing contributions. Another suggestion was to investigate electronic deduction as a method to improve giving. Bill Dockhorn will send a letter incorporating the suggestions made with a letter asking for an increase. A Friend asked that work done by Meetings to meet the budget be recognized. A Friend asked that the Annual Appeal from PYM not be forgotten. Another mentioned that a large part of the deficit could be explained by a lack of growth, and could be solved by investing in growth and outreach.
Nominating:
How can we involve Monthly Meeting members in the Quarter?
A committee assignment job description update by the Budget and Nominating Committee is being prepared.
There are two vacancies on the Auditing committee, Robert Atkinson of Doylestown was submitted and approved to fill one of them.
After noting a need for five more members to the PYM Nominating Committee, several nominations came from the floor. Robin Meaker and Will Bowers were suggested, they agreed to serve and were are approved. That leaves three to fill BQM allotment.
PYM Budgeting: Proposal by H. Paul Kester (Complete proposal attached)
Paul Kester presented his suggestions for PYM Budgeting. He observed that the change in administration at PYM is an opportunity to do something unique. “Structures Evaluation Project Report Implementation Committee” gave the expectation when Thom Jeavons started that the new General Secretary would work within the new structure. The experience of Thom Jeavons has led to the creation of a “Transition Project Group” (TPG) that will evaluate current administrative structure. Thom has agreed to meet with the group to tell them of the demands of the position. Paul Kester made a number of suggestions to the current process that PYM Budget and Nomination should consider:
A Friend spoke about the Yearly Meeting TPG of which she is a member. The TPG is forming to prepare a report that will contain many of the suggestions offered. There was some discussion as to whether the proposal under consideration would duplicate the TPG or support its effort. It was decided that B&N should consider the status of the TPG in May and determine at that time if a Minute should be prepared.
Outreach Annual Report: (Report attached) presented by Kellie Schlussel-Edens.
During the past year, business card size information cards were created and are available for distribution. Continued work was done for the Middletown Grange Fair Quaker Tent. George School is being provided with information on Quakers in Bucks County for their publication. Information on Quaker Meetings was placed in numerous local publications throughout the year and the Outreach Committee participated in a number of local festivals. The Outreach Committee has started a long-term project to provide new homebuyers with information about local Quaker Meetings. This project will utilize zip code lists of new homeowners to target the areas where Meetings normally attract members.
Annual Report: Makefield Monthly Meeting: (Report Attached)
Due to last week’s snowstorm, no one from Makefield was asked to read it. Furthermore, Karen Shaudys, of Makefield Meeting suggested we read the report to ourselves to save time.
Annual Report: Quakertown Monthly Meeting. (Report attached)
Report read by Doug Meaker. The Meeting is involved with, and contributes to a number of local charities. The MM also has assisted a number of Friends to pursue Quaker Studies. The report highlighted the challenges that the Meeting is facing as it deals with the impending departure of Doug and Robin Meaker to Pennswood.
Annual Report: United Friends School: (Attached)
Report presented by the Clerk of the Board of Trustees: Steve Hall. “The hand, the heart, the eye…the tools for each to learn and teach” this mission statement of the UFS was presented, with examples given of the way the school is implementing it in the daily curriculum and current activities. The concept of “Multi-Aged Grouping” was explained. The portion of the report that dealt with long range plans, capital development and facility expansion elicited a number of positive comments. A Friend noted that the graduation for UFS is held at Richland MM and is always a wonderful experience to attend.
Community Service Project: Presentation by Phil Getty (Full request attached)
Phil Getty of Newtown MM will be going to New Orleans. Newtown MM, Falls MM and George School support him. This project has been publicized in Quakerphernalia. Phil said that he needs the word spread that there is a need for monies rather then donations of items. A Friend offered reconditioned sewing machines that can be transported by his trailer. George School will be sending twelve students and two adults.
Annual Report: Friends Home and Village: (Report Attached)
Report presented by Will Bowers. Will requested that Friends think first of Friends Home and Village when making plans for retirement. He gave thanks to all who serve on the Board of the Home and Village. Attached to the report is a list of all the members on the Friends Home and Village Committee and their contact information.
Burlington Quarter Minute: (Minute attached)
The Minute was read by Karen Shaudys of Makefield MM, a member of the PYM Quarterly Meeting Project Working Group (QMPWG). The Minute requests support for defining the place of the Quarter in the Yearly Meeting organization. The Working Group will be giving a report at the Annual Session/Residential Yearly Meeting this summer.
Friends were advised that despite all the problems that we have within our Quarter at getting people involved, Bucks Quarter is still one of the most highly functioning Quarters in PYM. Many Quarters are geographically challenged. A statement of purpose would be of benefit to QMPWG; however, it is difficult to create one since each Quarter is so different. She explained the many groups are providing input to the work of the Group.
Other Business and Announcements:
The Clerk noted that in this Quarter there had discussions of the Peace Testimony and Eldering. He requested support for presenting workshops, sponsored by the Quarter, on the Peace Testimony and on Eldering at Annual Sessions/Residential Yearly Meeting. After some discussion the BQ Peace & Concerns Committee was suggested to put together a workshop on the Peace Testimony and fill out the forms for the request. Doug Meaker was interested in continuing the discussion on Eldering.
Close of Worship: Meeting closed with a period of silent worship at 4:30 PM
Next Buck Quarterly Meeting to be held at Yardley MM on 21 Fifth Month 2006.