|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends convened, after worship and hymn singing, at the appointed time on First-day morning, Seventh Month 22, 2001. Clerk was Arlene Kelly, Recording Clerk Stephan de la Veaux. Meeting settled into open worship.
There are two major items of unfinished business: consideration of the outgoing epistle and consideration of the incorporation bylaws. Other items may arise, as the Spirit moves.
- Minute 36: Outgoing Epistle
Sandra Ball, clerk of the Epistle Committee, read the proposed outgoing epistle. Clerk asked for comments and suggestions. Several were offered and accepted. Meeting approved the outgoing epistle. Clerk and Meeting thanked the Epistle Committee for capturing the sense of this Residential Meeting.
- Minute 37: Consideration of Proposed Incorporation Bylaws
Arthur Larrabee and Samuel Swansen, General Counsel of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, presented the proposed bylaws for incorporation. The working group for included Darlington Hoopes, Jr., Irving Hollingshead, Jr., Susan Garrison, and Charles Lane.
The working group determined that, as far as bylaws are concerned, less is more. These are very simple bylaws and stress the existing practice of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. These proposed bylaws were reviewed by Interim Meeting and sent on to Yearly Meeting for its considerations.
Arthur Larrabee then read the bylaws, making a few emendations along the way and explaining the purpose and meaning of each article and paragraph. He made special note of Article V, paragraph 2 "Liability Protection," which addresses personal liability concerning the payment of taxes pursuant to Federal, State and local law. IRS laws make the Treasurer, or that person with responsibilities equivalent to that of a Treasurer, personally liable for the payment of all relevant taxes. This liability exists regardless of the incorporation status of the non-profit organization.
Clerk asked for questions of clarification and information. Several examples expressing the meaning of Article V, paragraph 2 were given. A Friend asked about membership. Does the definition of membership assume adult membership only? The answer was that membership in Yearly Meeting is based on how the Monthly Meetings define their membership, even if membership is defined differently from Monthly Meeting to Monthly Meeting.
We have several clerks in Yearly Meeting; do we need to include them all in the bylaws? Discussion followed. A Friend from Nominating Committee noted that current practice is to publish the Yearly Meeting officers in the Yearbook. Meeting approved of the use of the term "Other Clerks" in Article IV, paragraph 2, as well as using the plural in "Recording Clerks."
Concerning Article VI: Is 90 days adequate notification time? Do we need more specificity than just "the substance of the proposed action"?
Arthur explained that Article VI was written to preserve the movement of the Spirit among us. Several Friends were uncomfortable with the 90 days notification; it may not be sufficient at certain times of the year. Meetings are widely dispersed and times of Monthly Meetings irregular. Meeting approved to change the notification time from 90 to 120 days.
A Friend spoke a word of caution. We should always plan for the worst case, not just the expected. Are proposed changes of the bylaws to be done where we would expect it; i.e., at Yearly Meeting? She recommended some lengthening and smoothing of the bylaws. Friends expressed satisfaction with the revised wording of Article VI. There was discussion about which body can approve changes to the bylaws: Interim Meeting, Yearly Meeting in session or called Yearly Meeting? Arthur Larrabee stressed that Yearly Meeting as a whole needs to be called for such changes.
Clerk asked for each article to be approved separately.
- Article I: Approved as is
- Article II: Approved as is
- Article III: Approved as amended
- Article IV: Approved as amended
- Article V: Not approved at this time
- Article VI: Approved as amended
All bylaws except Article V were approved by Meeting. Article V will be considered separately by Yearly Meeting, possibly earlier than Third Month 2002. Clerk will consult with Samuel Swansen on timing of application of the articles of incorporation and the subsequent resolution and approval of Article V. Friends thanked the bylaws working group for their efforts on behalf of Meeting.
Meeting minutes were read and corrected. Meeting closed with silence, purposing to meet again, God willing, Third Month 2002.
Stephan de la Veaux, recording clerk
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM