Interim Meeting - October 8, 2011
Interim Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2011
9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Arch Street Meetinghouse
1. Opening worship. Friends gathered at the appointed hour and settled into worship. Ministry centered on a Friend's query related to the meaning of membership.
2. Welcome. Acting Clerk Jada Jackson, Trenton MM and Burlington Meetinghouse Worship Group, asked those at the Clerk's table to introduce themselves. Alternate Clerks were Dana Kester-McCabe (Wicomico River MM), Steve Olshevski (Radnor MM), and Sallie Jones (Birmingham MM). Recording clerk was Jane Keller (Pennsdale MM). Visitors were also recognized. Staff members in attendance were Christie Duncan-Tessmer, Wade Wright, Jill Tafoya, Tricia Coscia, Jennie Sheeks, Martin Reber, and Arthur Larrabee, General Secretary.
3. The Meeting approved some amendments to the agenda.
4. General Secretary's Report. Arthur Larrabee opened with information about “Occupy Philadelphia,” going on in the city this week. It was described as a social change project identified with “Occupy Wall Street” but with its own character; its concerns include systemic change, economic injustice but also war and ecocide. It is committed to a strategy of non-violence. The AFSC has been supportive of the movement and has encouraged its staff members to participate providing they are non-violent and lift up the dignity of all individuals. Friends Center was approved as a place of hospitality and respite for those participating in “Occupy Philadelphia” by the Friends Center board. The protesters are presently using the facility. Friends were encouraged to offer support as way opened. PYM staff members are asked to help the movement in Friends Center on personal time, as PYM has not officially united with the movement. There will be a meeting for worship in the manner of Friends at Dilworth Plaza on Sunday by “Occupy Philadelphia.” Training in offering hospitality and guidance will be given at 2 p.m. today and 2:45 p.m. the next day at Friends Center. In response to how to share this information quickly given the short timing, Arthur agreed to use the Interim Meeting email list to send out information about this event later today. A Friend noted that the mayor of Philadelphia had spoken with members of movement and that the police have recognized the non-violent nature of the event and have agreed to try to maintain that practice.
The General Secretary then proceeded with his planned report, which was focused on goals he will be working with for the year, including the Meeting Relations Program, the Communication Plan, Adult Young Friends, Friends Center space, the FY2013 Budget Process, and the Arch Street Preservation Trust. He and Christie Duncan-Tessmer met with Adult Young Friends this week. Martin Reber, Director of Communications and Meeting Relations, has been charged with improving communications. A portion of PYM's Friends Center space has been rented to realize a savings of about $30,000 annually. Arthur is working with the Financial Stewardship Committee in designing a budget process for the next fiscal year. Work is now underway for the incorporation of the Arch Street Preservation Trust.
Arthur has also developed a draft mission statement which he works with: “It is the mission of PYM to be a vital and growing faith community of Quaker meetings and their members who support and strengthen each other in Quaker faith and practice and witness.” To find a statement that works for us as a community, we need to hear from many people. Arthur is open to receiving comments: alarrabee@pym.org or 215-241-7210.
5. Deep appreciation for the flexibility, quick response and level of discernment by staff and the members of Peace and Concerns SC in response to “Occupy Philadelphia” was minuted.
6. Children's Program. Peter Lane of the Education Standing Committee introduced the children of Junior Interim Meeting. They requested that they be allowed to raise their own funds for their program and ministry of helping the hungry and homeless, recognizing that this plan is an exception to our current practice. Junior Interim Meeting requested approval of the following minute:
Children's Priority is "God’s big idea for us is to make the world a better place and share our Quaker Faith by treating ALL as our brothers and sisters. We will do this by raising money and helping those who are hungry and homeless."
We know that the Yearly Meeting's policy requires that any fundraising done by organizations within the Yearly Meeting be done to benefit the Annual Fund.
Because of the Children's Priority, we ask Interim Meeting to allow an exception to this policy, so that we can "do it ourselves". The money we raise will be used by us to directly benefit the hungry and homeless.
The above minute was enthusiastically approved.
Today they will be learning the methods of fundraising from our Director of Development, Jennie Sheeks, and will practice with present Friends at the rise of meeting. Friends approved allowing the Junior Interim Meeting to solicit funds at the rise of meeting today, and Friends were asked to stay after Interim Meeting to help with this effort.
7. Annual Fund Report. Richard Morse, Clerk of the Development Services Working Group, and Jennie Sheeks, Director of Development, gave a brief report about the Annual Fund. Jennie pointed out that automatic deductions from checking accounts can be done at both the monthly and yearly meeting levels through the online donation website. For example, a monthly meeting member can sign up for a regular contribution to their monthly meeting. This service will be available at the beginning of the new year. It was noted that 6,892 Friends did not give financially to the Annual Fund this year. However, Jennie noted that increased or additional covenant contributions and direct gifts to the Annual Fund have been generously given this year. A Friend reminded us that a gift to PYM is a gift of faith.
8. Financial Stewardship Report. Andrew Anderson, clerk of the Financial Stewardship Committee, asked for the prayers of the community. The committee met three times in September. The committee received from this body the charge to think up to 36 months ahead in crafting the budget this year. The Clerks of Standing Committees sit on the Financial Stewardship Committee. Andrew pointed out that the Spirit is raising us as children of the Light in this work; we need to explicitly recognize that this is a sacred work. The committee is under the weight of being in respectful relationship with the leadings of Friends. The anticipated budget gap for next year is between $275,000-300,000 to balance, not just sustain, the budget. There will be regular, specific reports as this work unfolds.
9. Report of the General Secretary Oversight and Evaluation Committee: was given by its clerk Jada Jackson. As is the pattern all staff were asked to leave the room. The report, as given, was received. Arthur was greeted with excitement and appreciation upon his return to the meeting.
10. Consent Agenda:
a. Nominating Committee Recommendations were approved as presented. New appointments include Robert Dockhorn (Green Street MM) to the FGC Central Committee; Lance Billingsley (Camden MM) to FCNL and John Hunt to General Services SC. Reappointments included Jada Jackson (Trenton MM & Burlington MHWG) to the FGC Central Committee and Jack Mahon (Woodstown MM) to Financial Stewardship. The only resignation was Ed Dreby (Mt. Holly MM) from FCNL.
b. Friends approved the June 12, 2011 Minutes as presented. A Young Adult Friend asked that “Young Adult Friends”, be referred to simply as “Friends” in our minutes. This will be brought to the Recording Clerks and the PYM Clerk for consideration.
c. Friends approved the following minute and the donation acceptance request brought by the Peace and Concerns Standing Committee:
PYM accepts the gift of $11,843 in memory of Mario Cavallini that is to be restricted for use by the Fund for Sufferings as requested by the donor.
The meeting briefly settled and shared its gratitude and deep appreciation for Mario's ministry and the donation.
11. PYM Discernment and Planning Process. Sallie Jones, clerk of the Ad-hoc Planning Process Proposal Group, introduced the members of the group who were present. Their recommendations were presented and discussed. As minuted at Sessions, the ad-hoc group was appointed by the Clerk to continue the work from Annual Sessions and serve as a bridge between Annual Sessions and Interim Meeting and the future of this work.
A discussion ensued with some focus on the hiring of an outside consultant and the need for deeply invested Friends to be appointed to the committee. Friends were grateful for the simplicity and clarity of the presentation and for the work that was done. Three recommendations were brought for consideration:
a. The first recommendation to form a long range planning group was approved. Carol Wicker (Makefield MM) raised that we need to worship together and find our way instead of planning. Another Friend noted that worship and planning are not mutually exclusive-- the process should be worshipful and spirit-led but should also use all the resources that are available to us. Friend Wicker requested to be minuted as standing aside.
b. The second recommendation: That Nominating Committee brings names for a Long-Range Planning Group to Interim Meeting in November 2011. That this group consists of 8-12 members (not including ex officio members) and reports to Interim Meeting from time to time. That this group will take up the work of developing a discernment and planning process and a first iteration of a strategic plan for our Yearly Meeting. This recommendation was approved.
c. The third recommendation, that Interim Meeting forwards the Ad-hoc Planning Process Proposal Group document (as presented in the IM mailing and attached) to the Long Range Planning Group as a starting point for their work. This recommendation was also approved.
The ad hoc committee was thanked for its work and released.
12. Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting Minute concerning a Sabbath Year. A minute from Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting dated June 28, 2011, was read by its clerk Rose Ketterer. The minute stated:
Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting supports the idea of a Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Sabbath year of reflection and discernment with the provisos that careful consideration be given to all financial implications, especially the work of standing committees and the effect on staff lives, and that Monthly Meetings be urged to full participation.
The minute was received.
13. PYM Priorities. Mark Myers, London Grove MM, clerk of the committee presented a minute and request for approval for three recommendations:
a. To extend the PYM Priorities to cover the period 2009-2014, that is a five-year period in place of the initial 3-year period (2009-2012). This recommendation was approved.
b. The Priorities Process Committee also recommended that the work of the committee be set aside until the year of 2013 when work should be restarted, if necessary, to recommend new or confirm existing priorities. This recommendation was approved. At that time the long range strategy work of the currently considered Discernment and Planning Group will be available to inform the future priorities process work.
c. The current Priorities Process Committee members be released from their service and a new committee be appointed as part of a future restarting, if necessary. This recommendation was approved.
Friends thanked the committee for it work and the committee members were released.
14. War Tax Resistance. As required under our War Tax Resistance Policy for staff, Priscilla Adams (Haddonfield MM) Haddonfield Peace Coordinator, wrote a letter of her ministry. In it she states her call to ministry and asks that we continue with our updated War Tax Resistance policy, enabling staff members to withhold payment of taxes that would be spent on war-related activities. Friends received the letter.
15. Annual Sessions. Ken Park (Providence MM), clerk of the Sessions Planning Group, presented information about Annual Sessions 2012: The theme will be “Living the Holy Experiment: Who Are We Now.” The site will be Arch Street Meetinghouse. Ken noted that additional meeting sites nearby may be needed. Concerns about air conditioning the West Room were raised.
16. Unrestricted Grant. The Clerk announced that The Shoemaker Fund received a gift to PYM of $20,000 as a one-time unrestricted grant to be used at the discretion of the General Secretary. Arthur noted that it was an unsolicited gift. The body approved accepting the gift with gratitude.
17. Meeting closed with silent worship at 1:15 p.m. Out of worship Friends expressed gratitude to and for our staff.
Jada Jackson, Clerk
Jane C. Keller, Recording Clerk
