Burlington Quarterly Meeting Of The Religious Society Of Friends
Minutes of Meeting
December 11, 2004
Mount Holly Meetinghouse

ATTENDANCE : From Barnegat : none; from Crosswicks : Maurie and Anne Stevenson, and Harry Williams; from Mount Holly : Marion Blaetz, Fran Campbell (coordinator), Os Cresson, Karen Robbins, and Mary Ellen Stanley; from Little Egg Harbor : Gary Nisley, and Harold Jernigan (clerk); from Princeton : Julia and Arthur Manuel, Joy and Gale Smith, and Susan and Allan White; from Rancocas : Jerry Janney, Joe Jordan, Frank and Judith Smith, and Gene Steelman; from Trenton : Jada Jackson, Ralph and Jean Comfort Hallowell, Norma Saltz, Mimi Scalia, and Allan Willinger.

The meeting opened with a few moments of silence.

The Clerk thanked Mount Holly Meeting for their hospitality. The Clerk also reminded us of the responsibility of each monthly meeting to appoint two representatives to the Quarterly Meeting sessions who are to report back to their meetings. (12.11.04.01)

AGENDA : The agenda was APPROVED . (12.11.04.02)

MINUTES : The minutes of the September meeting were APPROVED as read with the following changes: under “STEERING COMMITTEE,” after “they have a conflict with the date of…” let it read “a visit by the QM Visiting Committee and have asked that it be rescheduled.”; under “PRINCETON ANNUAL REPORT” in the last line, change “nine third-graders” to “nine classes of third-graders”; in the second paragraph from the bottom of page 2 change “Harold's” to “Harold”; in the last paragraph on that page change “he” to “she” in two places. (12.11.04.03)

The Meeting APPROVED the expression of deepest gratitude to Norma Saltz for her long and dedicated service as Recording Clerk of the Quarterly Meeting. (12.11.04.04)

Os Cresson was asked to record the minutes during the present session and he accepted. (12.11.04.05)

TREASURER'S REPORT : The Treasurer noted that his mailing address has changed from Mount Holly (08060) to Lumberton (08048). The Treasurer's Report dated December 11, 2004 is attached to these minutes. The School Fund will have about $20,000 in it next year. It can be used for scholarships to Quaker schools including Quaker colleges. PYM has asked for an increase of 10% in the covenant over last year. The Treasurer has heard from all but one of the monthly meetings agreeing to the increase. It will be $57, 680 next year. The Meeting ACCEPTED this report with expressions of gratitude. (12.11.04.06)

STEERING COMMITTEE : Susan White reported that Harold Jernigan has been suggested for appointment to the Nominating Committee of PYM. The Meeting was asked to persuade another person to serve on the Nominating Committee and Allan White's name was suggested and he accepted. The Meeting APPROVED these two appointments. (12.11.04.07)

A memorial minute for John Satterthwaite was read and APPROVED (attached). The Meeting directed the Clerk to send copies to Makefield Monthly Meeting and to Bucks Quarterly Meeting. (12.11.04.08)

Fran Campbell (Coordinator), acting for the Steering Committee, asked that a financial donation be made in the name of John Satterthwaite to Chandler Hall, specifically for the nursing rehabilitation unit. This facility is no longer under the care of Bucks QM except for the nursing rehabilitation unit. The Meeting APPROVED this donation. (12.11.04.09)

COORDINATOR'S REPORT : Fran Campbell, Coordinator, told us of her activities during the past quarter. Fran clerked meetings with the regional staff, the QM Steering Committee and Oversight Committee, the Tri-Quarter Gathering and PYM Interim Meeting. She attended the Religious Education Conference of PYM and their Safety and Insurance Conference. Fran attended Trenton Meeting for Business and discussed with them funding, a newsletter, and a strategic plan for the meeting. At that meeting she also attended meeting for worship, a discussion of the Patriot Act, and a meeting of the Property and Funds Committee. At Crosswicks Meeting she participated in the Deepening and Strengthening Program and at Mount Holly she attended a joint meeting of the Trustees and the First Day School Committee to talk about safety issues. Fran also prepared the 2005 Burlington QM Coordinator's budget for PYM. (12.11.04.10)

MANSFIELD MEETINGHOUSE REPORT : Several Quaker organizations are planning to use the Mansfield Meetinghouse as an office and it is available for worship and other meetings. Maurie Stevenson said that work has been done on trees, facing benches have been removed and other internal remodeling done, and gutter guards installed. There is new electricity service. The Meeting applied for $33,770 from the Bequests Granting Group of PYM and $15,000 from the D'Olier Foundation. D'Olier granted us $2000 and the Meeting APPROVED asking Harold Jernigan, Clerk, to prepare a grant proposal for the Bequests Granting Group for funds to complete the renovation of the Mansfield Meetinghouse. The Meeting wants to retain about $15,000 in a maintenance fund for the building. (12.11.04.11)

ANNUAL REPORTS : The annual report from Little Egg Harbor MM was read by Gary Nisley (attached). The report from Crosswicks MM was received and will be read at the next meeting. Trenton MM told us they will send in a report next year. (12.11.04.12)

BURLINGTON QM MINUTE TO INTERIM MEETING : Harold Jernigan described the history of this minute that brings the voices of the monthly and quarterly meetings to the attention of Interim Meeting and the Yearly Meeting Advisory Committee. After discussion by the Burlington QM Steering Committee the minute was presented and approved at QM in June and again, with revisions, in September (see minutes of those meetings). The minute was brought up at the October Interim Meeting, then at the meeting of QM Clerks, and again at the November Interim Meeting. Now it is on the agenda for Interim Meeting in January. Some of the suggestions in the minute have already been implemented. It is hoped the recommendations in this minute will help return Quaker governance to its roots in the monthly meetings. Friends are urged to participate in PYM activities, including the Interim Meeting. Copies of the minute are available from the Clerk. (12.11.04.13)

OTHER CONCERNS : Norma Saltz thanked us for the cards sent to her upon the death of her husband. (12.11.04.14)

Jerry Janney spoke to us of a Trenton MM handout on abolishing nuclear weapons. (12.11.04.15)

After a period of silent worship, the meeting adjourned to reconvene on Saturday, March 12 th at Little Egg Harbor Meetinghouse. (12.11.04.16)

Respectfully submitted by Osborn Cresson, serving as Recording Clerk.