Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Interim Meeting
26 September 2002

Minute # 1. Worship and Opening Exercises

The meeting settled into worship at the appointed hour of 6:00 p.m. at Arch Street Meetinghouse, Philadelphia, PA.

The clerk, Chris Mahon (Woodstown), introduced herself and asked those at the clerk’s table to introduce themselves - Chris Nicholson (Germantown), alternate clerk, and Susan White (Princeton), recording clerk.

The clerk then welcomed the following new members, alternates and visitors:
New representatives: Bob Horvay (Mickleton), Ellen Kadransky (Lansdowne), Brenda Macaluso (London Grove), Tom Macaluso (London Grove), Beth Taylor (Plumstead), and Martin Kelley (Atlantic City). Substitutes: Nancy Donaldson (Willistown), Ed Dunlop (Willistown), Ted Taylor (Trenton), and Susan Vargo, (Lehigh Valley). Guests: David Geliebter (Arch Street), Ruth Johnson (Camden De), Laurence Sigmond (Germantown), Rita Varley (Central Philadelphia), George Willoughby (Central Philadelphia), and Gail Woodbury (Germantown).

The clerk reminded Friends that mentors are available to help new representatives learn about how Interim Meeting functions. Connie Blood at the registration table has the information for new members about this program.

Minute # 2. Continuing Business

A. Report of the Evaluation Working Group on the Standing Committee on Education
Chris Nicholson as alternate clerk of Interim Meeting clerks the Evaluation Working Group, and he presented their Report on the Standing Committee on Education, which had been distributed with the agenda for this Interim Meeting.. Friends were reminded that The Evaluation Working Group was established by Interim Meeting in the fall of 1997 to evaluate the newly established standing committees within the new structure of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. The Peace and Concerns Standing Committee had been evaluated in the fall of 2000 and the spring of 2001, and the Worship and Care Standing Committee in the spring and fall of 2001.

The Education Standing Committee has now been evaluated in the spring of 2002, and the report tonight is based on that evaluation. The Evaluation Working Group relied on a thorough reading of their minutes and annual reports, and also talked at length with past and present committee members, and the clerks of working groups under their care. Constituent bodies have evolved in the new structure, and now include: Religious Education Concerns Group, the Education Concerns Group, Friends Schools Working Group, Public Education Working Group, Education Newsletter Working Group, Friends Children in Friends Schools Project Group, and Friends Professional Education Network, all of which report directly to the Education Standing Committee.

The Education Standing Committee:
was reported to function well. The committee works well together, shares responsibilities as best it can, has an agenda for its meetings and excellent minutes. The business of the committee is carried out by seven staff members who report regularly to the committee. The Education Standing Committee is commended for its efficiency, its oversight of the staff and normal business, and its leadership as problems and issues related to education arise.

Improvements suggested for the work of the Education Standing Committee were "similar to problems of other Standing Committees":

1. The Standing Committee needs to get and keep members with strong administrative skills, and the ability to see the larger picture.

2. The Standing Committee should perhaps be enlarged since the present ten member size does not seem adequate for its work; the addition of perhaps five more members should be considered.

3. The Standing Committee should consider having co-clerks and / or alternate clerks to share responsibilities with the clerk, who under the present structure carries an inordinately heavy load.

4. The Standing Committee’s contact relationship with Monthly and Quarterly Meetings needs to be improved.

A Friend raised a question about the appropriateness of using the Working Group standard of serving as a conduit of projects from Monthly and Quarterly Meetings for several service groups under the care of the Education Standing Committee. In the second to last paragraph, the Evaluation Report does note that some bodies are really "service groups which provide support and care for specific staff, and which are not outgrowths of new projects coming from monthly meetings and are fairly stable." After all, the Friend noted, for some groups here their job is service. For instance, to keep the schools open and running and funded. Arlene Kelly, clerk of the Yearly Meeting, noted that the Committee to Evaluate the Structure of the Yearly Meeting is looking into the special case of "service groups" rather than "working groups", and how they fit into the Standing Committee structure. Their report including this issue will be made toYearly Meeting in session in the spring/summer of 2003.

Chris Nicholson also noted that Joe Wray (Medford) has now joined the Evaluation Working Group.

B. Thom Jeavons' Annual Evaluation
The clerks of Yearly Meeting, of Interim Meeting, and of the Personnel Services Group make up the evaluation team for Thom Jeavons' annual evaluation.. Arlene Kelly, as clerk of Yearly Meeting, presented the report on his work for the last year. The evaluation group sought input from some thirty individual staff members and from a representative sample of individuals from various parts of the Yearly Meeting. The evaluation group found that the inputs were consistent in naming strengths and in suggesting areas for further work. The evaluation group summarized this input and shared it with Thom In preparing the annual evaluation report, the group met twice with him. The first meeting covered the year in retrospect; the second, the year ahead.

The committee noted the difficult task Thom has in balancing the four aspects of his job:

1. Planning, coordination, and general supervision of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting staff.
2. Taking the lead in maintaining effective communication with Meetings and members from throughout the Yearly Meeting.
3. Active support for fund raising for the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.
4. Representing Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in public venues, including interpreting its mission to the world.

Thom suggested several goals for the coming year, and the evaluation group agreed to help him work on achieving them. Goals are:

1. Work with PYMN staff to revise and renew a collective vision of their work
2. Establish a more intense pattern of visits to Monthly Meetings
3. Update policies and procedures for the Yearly Meeting staff, and also processes and procedures for Standing Committees and Working Groups.
4. Carry out enhanced pattern of visits to Monthly Meetings.
Thom and the evaluation group also agreed on several areas of special focus for his work in the coming year.

Special focus will be on:
1. Providing leadership to the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting staff.
2. Working according to priorities established by Yearly Meeting in session and by Interim Meeting.
3. Making real the decisions made by Yearly Meeting in session and by Interim Meeting.

The evaluation group pointed to the great strength Thom brings to his work through his spiritual grounding, his ability to be very articulate, and his commitment to meeting with Meetings and individual Friends. He provided a focus for Friends after the troubling events in the world last fall, and was faithful and consistent in attending to his duties in this his seventh year as the General Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

Several members of Interim Meeting spoke of the need for all of us as members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to support Thom in his work so that he can best serve as our General Secretary, and made the following suggestions. Thom’s three reports to Interim Meeting this year on the need to set priorities began on a somewhat dull and cautious note, but by the third installment had evolved into light-filled and clear evidence of the Spirit working among us. We need to document our procedures and policies, so that all of us, volunteer and staff, can go about our work in a rightly ordered fashion. We also need to lift up the goals in Thom’s report, and work to help him achieve them. We are blessed by his presence as the leader of our staff.

C. Representatives to Events of the Friends World Committee on Consultation.
Arlene Kelly as clerk of Yearly Meeting, Chris Mahon as clerk of Interim Meeting, and Howard Cell as clerk of the Peace and Concerns Standing Committee serve as a naming committee for representatives of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to gatherings of the Friends World Committee on Consultation.

Arlene reported that representatives of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to the Friends World Committee on Consultation 21^st Triennial Meeting to be held at King’s College, Aukland, New Zealand, January 16-25, 2004 will be: Stephen Angell (Kendal), Elizabeth Gates (Lancaster), Phil Gilbert (London Grove), Amy Parker-Gutierrez (Hockessin), and Elizabeth Thomas (Woodbury).

Arlene further reported that representatives to “Peace Witness in a Time of Crisis: A Friends Consultation”, the FWCC Section of the Americas Conference to be held at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, on January 17-20, 2003, will be Young Friends, those aged 18 to 30 years: Lara Hayad Hamdan ( Old Haverford), Angelina Conti (Providence), Laura Smoot (Haddonfield), Jonathan Ogle (Concord), Christopher Segel (Germantown), and Benjamin Waxman (Chestnut Hill). Older Friends who will represent PYM at this conference will be: Joseph DiGarbo (Lancaster), Carlos Moreno (Abington), and Susan Campbell (Merion).

Arlene noted that there may be some spaces for other Friends who wish to attend this conference. She suggested that interested Friends make their interest known as soon as possible to the FWCC, Section of the Americas, Office at Friends Center, 1506 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 USA (215)241-7250, Fax 241-7285 Email: Americas@fwcc.quaker.org

A Friend asked how funding support for the Young Friends is progressing. Arlene noted that now that we have the names of those who will attend, we will look for funding sources. We should also think about non-monetary ways in which support can be offered, such as inviting them to attend gatherings at our Meetings on their return to talk about their experiences. Arlene also offered up that for all of us, holding all our representatives and others attending both of these conferences in the Light in our thoughts and prayers is an important kind of support as well.

C. Setting Priorities for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in the Future

Interim Meeting turned to the question, "How can we establish a mechanism to set and review priorities in the future?" This continues the discussion we began at the July session of Interim Meeting.

The clerk suggested that we try to keep a grasp on the spiritual basis that we had in July. Could a smaller group, perhaps 20 Friends, meet in two or three sessions and then come back to Interim Meeting to give us a smaller range of possibilities, though not an answer? They would be advised to meet prayerfully, being informed by our discussions in July on the setting of priorities for the Yearly Meeting. The clerk suggested that Friends could volunteer to be members of this group, and she would then ask others to participate as she is led to give the group balance. She reminded Friends that this is the process which was used to gather the Friends who brought back to us the Peace Well Proposal. The clerk asked Interim Meeting for clearness to do that again.

A Friend asked if there is a place in this proposal for the group to gather information and input. Minutes would be important. It would also be important to hear the voices of many Friends, including those who had not spoken before.

A Friend asked Interim Meeting to unite with the clerk's suggestion.

Jackie Bowers (Falls), clerk of the Financial Stewardship Committee, reminded Friends who will become part of the group to consider the budget process. That is, to remember that timelines for change in priorities may be longer than they might think. If a change in priorities require a major shift in staffing and funding, the implementation may have to be phased in to fit within budget constraints.

The clerk reminded Friends that we have a working set of priorities in place for the present time, so that a new plan need not be created on an emergency schedule. We did ask the Group Evaluating Yearly Meeting Structure to consider addressing the process of visioning for the Yearly Meeting.

Thom Jeavons made a plea that we remember that the PYM staff needs to feel like we are supporting their work through creating a strong set of priorities for the future.

The clerk suggested that the group would think about the mechanism: "How can we have a valid process for setting priorities with integrity and spirituality"? The group should prayerfully sort through the possibilities lifted up by Friends in July and otherwise for future priorities for the work of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

Friends approved the Clerk's Proposal. Friends were invited to sign up on the sheet provided on the clerk's table, or to email Chris to express their interest in being part of the group.

Minute # 3. Business of Standing Committees.

A. Education Standing Committee
Deborah Lyons (West Chester), clerk of the Education Standing Committee, reported on several matters for that committee:

1. Volunteers are needed to be a Friendly Adult Presence at events for middle school and Young Friends. There are clearness forms to become a Friendly Adult Presence, and background checks are carried out. There is a critical need for more Friendly Adult Presence volunteers at the present time.

2. Gretchen Castle is the new staff person supporting Religious Education until Marty Smith position is replaced.

3. A Tuition Aid Workshop will be held on November 9, 2002 at the Arch Street Meetinghouse. A flyer announcing the workshop was provided for Interim Meeting tonight, and representatives were asked to take it back to their Meetings to encourage attendance.

4. Friends Professional Education Network is a group that is organizing courses to help teachers to qualify for continuing Pennsylvania State Certification.

5. The Friends Children in Friends Schools Group provided support to 385 children last year; the number this year is 427 children. The amount of support is $1100 for each child. There are funds to provide this support this year, and probably for next year. Beyond that, continuing to provide this support will require additional funding.

6. The New Directory of Friends in Education, which is a new publication, has been completed by Tom Hoopes' office. Another publication that is almost ready is an updated Standards for Friends School.

A Friend asked why the Tuition Aid Conference is being held, if there are not significant changes in the programs. The answer is that not all Meetings are practiced at going through the Tuition Aid process with their members, and there is an end date for applications that must be met.

B. Peace and Concerns Standing Committee
Pat Finley (Old Haverford), reported for the Peace and Concerns Standing Committee since the clerk Howard Cell is in England. The Standing Committee is working on the Peace Well proposal sent to it by Interim Meeting.

(1) Lyle Jenks, the PYM Representative to the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund, reported that there is a new video, Compelled by Conscience, which explains the work of the Peace Tax Fund. The length is 15 minutes, and the video is available from the Yearly Meeting Library to loan to Monthly Meetings and Quarterly Meetings. It is also available for purchase. A member of the War Tax Concerns and Support working group is available to come out and lead a discussion on the Peace Tax Fund. Lyle also reported that a new booklet, Congress Shall Make No Law, deals with religious freedom issues for a number of faith based communities. The working group hopes to make this booklet available to each Meeting within PYM, for their peace committee or contact.

C. Worship and Care Standing Committee
Jim Morrissey (Reading), Co-Clerk of the Worship and Care Standing Committee, reported that there has been tension between the Standing Committee and its working groups. The Standing Committee has scheduled meetings with the working groups, and there has been a considerable clearing of the air. The most recent meeting has been with the Care and Counsel Working Group. In other matters, the Worship and Care Standing Committee has accepted a Family Counsel Guide publication. This may required a working group to be formed to be responsible for it, or it may just be a publication of the Standing Committee.


Minute # 4. Nominating Committee.
Rich Ailes, clerk of the Nominating Committee, reported the following nominations:

Nominations

Meeting

Quarter

Panel Year

General Services Standing Committee

*Richard Morse

Harrisburg

Caln

2005

Peace & Concerns Standing Committee

*Joseph Hohenstein

Frankford

Philadelphia

2005

Friends Center Board

Vinton Deming

Central Philadelphia

Philadelphia

2004

Friends General Conference Central Committee

Solesbury Bucks 2005

*Margaret Hart	Central Philadelphia	Philadelphia	2005
*Laura Melly	Central Philadelphia	Philadelphia	2005
*Edy Nolan	Princeton	Burlington	2005
*Stuart Wisse	Solesbury	Bucks	2005
*PatriciaWisse	Solesbury	Bucks	2005

Group Evaluating Yearly Meeting Structure

George School Committee

Westtown School General Committee

Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia

National Council of Churches

Quaker Information Center

* = first term

Resignations

Group Evaluating Yearly Meeting Structure

Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches

Friends approved the nominations presented, and accepted the resignations.

Current Count for Standing Committees including the above
Education = 13  General Services = 15  Peace & Concerns = 13
Support & Outreach = 17  Worship & Care = 14  Financial Stewardship = 7+ 9 Standing Committee Representatives)


Minute # 5. General Secretary’s Report

In the General Secretary’s Report for September 26, 2002, Thom focused on three areas: the opportunities and commitments arising after 9/11; the setting of priorities for the work of the Yearly Meeting by Interim Meeting in July; and goals and objectives which Thom set with his review committee. (These are reported in Item 2.B above.)

Efforts to promote peace and justice takes several forms in the General Secretary’s work. These include continuing work for the Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse, making Friends opposition to war and preparation to war visible, and supporting Philadelphia Yearly Meeting staff who are facilitating and supporting peace witness in our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings.

Thom reported that “considerable energy is emerging among staff and volunteers for working with our new priorities.” Some of the Directors have begun to work with PYM staff to explore what implementing these priorities can and should mean in practical terms. Thom will be meeting with each of the five Standing Committees to explore how priorities can be brought into their work. Thom concluded discussion of the new priorities by stating that “we need to recognize that taking these priorities seriously calls for changes in our usual ways of doing business.”

Finally, Thom stated that “in the hope of getting a deeper feel for where we are as an extended community of Friends, he will spend as much time as possible in the Meetings.” He will also spend time in the retirement communities, and with individual Friends. Thom is exploring organizational alternatives for staff, and pointed to the importance of new initiatives such as the Making New Friends project. Thom offered a hopeful reference to escaping from the chaos of the world. We must pay close attention to, and move into, the order that will emerge if we are following after the Spirit.

On current matters in the world, Thom also reported that he had been in Washington today working with Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, who has organized an intense program begun this week called “With ‘Prayer and Faxing’: Opposition to a U.S. Rush to War with Iraq”. In this work, U.S. religious leaders are leading a "season of peacemaking" -- including prayer, faxing, phoning and visits to Capitol Hill and local Congressional offices to raise opposition to preemptive military action against Iraq. Three to five leaders of major religious bodies go with Bob each day to meet with members of Congress, and attend various events against the possibility of war.

Thom said that phone calls, email and fax work best for constituents to communicate with representatives and senators in Congress. Input coming into Congress at this point is running between 5 to 1 from more conservative states, to 10 to 1 from more liberal states, in both cases against going to war with Iraq. Thom said that he was moved by the deeply religious tone of discussion with several of those representing us and their staff members. He reminded Friends of how important it is not to demonize those with whom we disagree. These are highly intelligent people of good conscience, struggling to find the correct path.

Minute # 6. Clerk's business

Chris announced that the large banners which hang around Friends Center which say "There is no way to Peace - Peace is the Way" can be ordered through the Yearly Meeting for Monthly and Quarterly Meetings. The cost is $200 each. A minimum order to the company which makes them is twenty banners. At present seven banners have been requested, so that thirteen more requests are needed before the new order can be placed. A Friend asked whether existing banners could be recycled for use by Monthly and Quarterly Meetings. The answer was no, since these are the property of the Yearly Meeting and of the American Friends Service Committee, and will continue to be used by them as way opens.

The clerk reported that she had received correspondence from an assistant to George W. Bush. This letter on "Conflict in the Middle East" was dated August 7, and was in reply to a letter she sent to him last spring on behalf of Interim Meeting.

Minute # 7. Minutes of 25 July 2002

Friends approved the Minutes of Interim Meeting for 25 July 2002 as written.

Minute # 8. Announcements and Adjournment.

Friends were reminded of future dates set for Interim Meeting in the coming months: November 21, January 23, February 27, April 24, and June 26. Friends agreed that no additional sessions of Interim Meeting seem warranted at this time.

Pat Reifsnyder (Germantown), who represents PYM on the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia, reported that since 9/11, about half of their work is focused on peacemaking.

Anne Moore (Valley) announced that she will be a delegate and George Willoughby (Central Philadelphia) will be an advisor for the Nonviolent Peaceforce Convening Conference in Surajkund, near Delhi, India from November 29 – December 3. This will officially launch the Nonviolent Peaceforce as an international, unarmed and civilian standing peace force that will enter areas of civil or international conflict to protect lives and property and thereby create space for local groups to seek peaceful resolution.

Carolyn Schodt (Chestnut Hill), reported on a witness that took place at the Liberty Bell this afternoon. Four women were present to have their heads partially shaved as a visible sign of protest against violence in the Middle East and the world, and against the preparation for war. Among them were Libby Marsh (Green Street) and Lillian Willoughby (Central Philadelphia).

Robin Meaker (Quakertown) reported that the Doylestown Intelligencer newspaper had an article on the Plumstead Meeting becoming the first new Quaker Meeting in Bucks County in fifty years. The clerk noted that Plumstead was represented tonight at Interim Meeting for the first time, and welcomed both the Meeting and Beth Taylor, clerk of Plumstead and the new representative

Friends settled into worship and adjourned near the hour of 9 p.m. We shall meet again, God willing, on 21 November 2002.


Chris Mahon, Clerk
Susan White, Recording Clerk

Last modified: 1/2/03 1:44 PM