Interim Meeting April 24, 2008 Report by Wade Wright

A. Threshing Session: Governance Project Group Report: This report was appreciated in its scope and discernment by the body. They described their work as more a vision than recommendations and encouraged the YM to consider it as a whole, with the large view in mind. We discussed each section in the report, with much thoughtful and insightful information presented. There was conflict but the whole process was fairly civil. Here are some of my impressions:

1. One clerk for IM and YM sessions: some discussion spoke to the difficulty of one person doing both jobs, and that such work has been done by a 30 year old at the FGC level, so it is possible. Could we release a person (pay them) to do this work? Two skill sets needed for the two positions? This structure would build continuity, unity, and a vision of one Yearly Meeting. Treasurer spoke how hard it is to work many financial issues with two clerks.

2. Organization, Structure and Process: Having an agenda committee comprised of YM clerks, alternative clerks and the General Secretary was supported. A committee separate from folks who work with the General Secretary, to evaluate his performance annually seemed accepted.

3. Orientation and Training: Folks pretty much liked the idea that all YM and Committee clerks get leadership training, and that the YM pay particular attention to the orientation of new appointees and to the guidance and nurturance of all participants in its sessions. There was some conflict regarding the proposal that a body of folks (elders? spiritual nurturers, prayerful presences? anchors?) be appointed to pat attention to the spiritual groundedness of our sessions, and to support the Clerk, General Secretary and participants in the leading of the Spirit, reminding us of good order, and to clarify issues when difficulties arise.

4. Culture: IM laughed when it was suggested that the Gen. Sec and Clerk work closely together as partners for the greatest good of the RSOF. (All agreed). We also approved of the suggestion that attention be paid to improving methods of communication across the YM. Web site, snail mail, etc. And that job descriptions be created for all paid and non-paid positions that exist in the YM.

5. 5. Composition: term limits for all positions within YM to insure that many will be called to experience serving the body. And that the appointed members of IM also be seen to be appointed members to annual sessions. (See later proposal). Some fear and paranoia arose here from the members that usually exhibit those feelings: are we creating a tw0-tierd, elitist system? The intent of all of this is to welcome Monthly Meetings to have a designated participant, and to welcome everyone else to the table as well.

6. Practice: Change the IM sessions (which will be henceforth called Continuing sessions) to a Saturday all day session, four times a year, including worship, meeting for worship for business, fellowship over lunch, and children's program. This was applauded by many, realizing that it will make participation by young adults with children more possible.

The Working Group will season the ideas threshed, prepare a report to be sent out to Monthly Meetings and discerned at Annual Sessions.

B. General Secretary's Report

1. Friends Cernter renovation financial closing will happen in 2-3 weeks. It is on track.

2. Stories about our vitality and growth

a) Westtown Meeting has 14 new members.

b) Haverford Meetings Quaker Quest program has brought them new energy. Friends have heard their radio ads on public radio.

c) Yardley MM: has had much membership growth

d) The deep conversation created in our threshing session today was applauded as evidence that we are vital.

e) The author of Amish Grace ___Kraybill, spoke at a meeting in Caln Quarter to a full house. Many new folks are attending peace work as a result.

f) Two George School heads have become convinced Friends.

C. Funding Friends children in Friends Schools proposal: After 20 years of work, an initiative to raise funds to enable the YM to double the amount it gives to families in this situation was brought. After the doubters wondered if such an initiative would harm other fundraising, it became clear that "a rising tide lifts all boats." Development work on all fronts will be enhanced because we have a united and diverse fundraising program.

D. General Fund: we must raise $173,000 in two months. Call Wright Horne if you want to participate in the phonathons to be held on My 20, May 28, June 4 and June 12.

E. Financial Stewardship Committee:

1. Many of the financial structure changes have been initiated or implemented.

2. Looking at our fundraising and development has been put on hold until a new director is hired.

3. A detailed look at property management will wait until the on-going reviews are completed.

4. A process for discontinuing the long-term designations of funds was presented. It seemed thoughtfully spread over several years, beginning with funds under supervision of General Services Standing Committee. This initial work is hoped to teach our YM how to do the work better, so that other Standing Committees can benefit from GS experience in having done this.

5. I had to leave a bit early in order to drive back home and missed the report on how this group is moving forward in creating a process for the YM to determine its priorities for "ministry." Apparently not much progress has been made, but it is on the radar.

F. Budget Process Group: We approved the sending out of the 2008-2009 budget to Monthly Meetings for threshing. It will be up for approval at annual sessions in July.

Interim Meeting February 27, 2008 Report by Wade Wright

Announcements: 1. Living as Friends, Listening Within: A Conference for Young Adult Friends, May 23-26 Richmond, Indiana. Information: Sadie Forsythe sadief@pym.org.

2. Listening Sessions for the Future of Arch Street Meetinghouse: March 16, 1-3 pm, Birmingham MM, West Chester; April 6 1-3 pm, Richland MM, Quakertown, and April 20, 1-3 pm at Moorestown MM, Moorestown NJ.

1. General Secretary's Report:

" Elizabeth Foley, development director, acknowledged and thanked for her faithful service upon her retirement. Wright Horne will be interim development director.

" Arthur listed the unfinished matters before YM and IM. Included: War Tax Policy Review Group, Committee to Re-Visit the Peace Testimony, Interim Meeting Governance Group, Arch Street Project Group The charge of each group was defined and the progress noted. It was significant that he did not mention the charge by YM in session to create a group charged to design a process by which the YM that discern our priorities for "ministry." This was called to his attention after rise of the meeting by Regena Girton and me, and he promised to not overlook it in the future.

" The Beginning greening of Cherry Street was reported. Friends found it mildly ironic that Arthur's office is assaulted by drilling noise and diesel fumes! Only temporarily, we assume!

" Arthur shared some very moving words by youth who attended the recent Middle School Friends Gathering, regarding work they did on receiving a calling by Viv Hawkins.

" 821 youth of the YM got valentine cards from Christie Duncan-Tessmer to invite them to Annual Session.

" March 9: Threshing session on the future of Burlington Meetinghouse.

" Evidence that we are a vital and growing Yearly Meeting:

o Seven meetings in Bucks Quarter are collaborating to support Iraqi refugee families. It is an exciting process for those involved.

o Pat Finley mentioned the new Hope Bulletin, designed to share peace and concerns activities at the monthly meeting level across our YM.

o Solebury Meeting had an outreach event that fed folks pancakes and maple syrup tapped from the cemetery's very productive old maple trees.

o Harrisburg Meeting has a problem: too many youth on First Day to fit in their facilities. Too bad!

o Plymouth Meeting shared the very nice glossy brochure proclaiming the activities planned around its 300th anniversary. Very impressive.

" Arthur will have been our General Secretary for a year next meeting, and he still reports having fun in the job!

2. Support and Outreach Standing Committee report.

" PYM and FGC are offering Quaker Quest, an outreach program initiated five years ago in Britain YM. Harry and Lois Forrest of Medford Meeting are the leadership, and are forming a working group to bring this very successful program to PYM.

" Ecumenical Outreach Change: IM agreed that we should drop our membership and participation in the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia, and that we join the new Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia and the New Jersey Counsel of Churches. Folks have volunteered to serve on these bodies.

3. Interim Meeting Governance Project Group: offered its report, and asked IM to listen, not to respond, but to take it home for careful reflection. This group had done some very good thinking, in my opinion, on how to move the structure of our YM and IM bodies to a new and more effective place. I was inspired. I am sure this report can be obtained and read if folks are interested in learning more. Ask Tom Armstrong or Regena Girton (of Millville MM) about it.

Here is their Preface to the report: I think it speaks for itself, and is worth reading:

The Vision of a Renewed Purpose for Interim Meeting

Remember the time you felt invigorated, refreshed and renewed by your participation in Quaker Business Process? Do you recall the Spirit rise in you and the Still Small Voice within you shout, "Yes, Friend, go forth and do my work?" Do you know the feeling of peace that comes from the faith you have in others to fulfill the responsibilities you have entrusted them with? And, do you sense the purpose for which God has placed you here?

Through its prayerful and deliberate considerations of its charge the Governance Project Group has formed a collective vision to share with you of a vital, energized Yearly Meeting where our purpose is clear, where business is conducted faithfully and transparently in the manner of Friends, where communication between individual and groups flows with intention, where leaders serve and servants lead, yet all are guided by principles we know to be true in a process we know to be effective.

We clearly see Friends gathered in worship with the weight of meaningful considerations lightened by the faithful giving of God's gifts by all who have those gifts to give.

We see young adults choosing to participate because we have provided the opportunity and encouragement to do so. Through this participation, depth and value is added to their lives. It is clear that we seek to understand God's will and do God's work. The young adults become our new leaders and visionaries, guided and held in the Light by our treasured elders and witnessing worshipful Quaker business process modeled consistently. They have studied, learned, and practiced what to do and how to do it.

Our process for business is clear, it is Quaker simple, and it is followed with joy, rigor, and religious zeal. The organization that frames it provides the support that is necessary to maintain a vibrant and growing faith community with vitally relevant business to discern and accomplish. It, too, has clear purpose and direction relative to the business at hand.

Our community is engaged in addressing the true needs of the world. Our organization's foundation is strong and our process is nimble enough to enable our addressing these true needs. Our precious gifts of time and fellowship spent in this Meeting are joyful and well stewarded to this service.

4. Annual Sessions: March sessions will focus on telling our stories about peacemaking, with some young adult musical talent on Saturday night. Arch Street Friends have invited the YM to worship with them on Sunday morning. Everyone should have received a postcard describing the sessions. Work has started on Residential sessions in July.

5. Warren Fund re-designation: IM agreed to re-designate the income from this fund from a focus on criminal justice to allow it to be used to fund the Peace Conference.

6. The clerk spoke at length, and redundantly in my opinion about the decision to alter the charge of the Peace Conference from being interfaith to being ecumenical. Strategically and practically the decision made total sense to me: we will be able to work with the Mennonites and Bretheren, as traditional peace churches, and will hopefully have an impact on the rest of our Christian brothers and sisters by focusing on our own house. We will be enhanced in this reflection by inviting our interfaith brothers and sisters to join us, but the planning will be done by an ecumenical, not interfaith body.

7. Annual Fund: Elizabeth Foley's last report. While on paper, we are $48,400 ahead of last year's goal, in reality two unusual large gifts are the cause. We are really only $4000 ahead of our goal. A phonathon to non-donors in six Meetings is planned for March 10 and March 26.

8. Policy on Access of Records: Chris Dinsmore of Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore received the authority to give or deny permission to reproduce PYM and its constituent Meetings records subject to generally accepted archival practice and law. IM was tutored a little on the world of sharing historical documents archivally digitally. Chris impressed with his knowledge and care of this issue.

Interim Meeting January 24, 2008 Notes by Wade Wright

1. General Secretary's Report:

A. Arthur introduced Michael Gagne, who has been hired to be Sessions coordinator for this year's Yearly Meeting sessions. Michael seemed to have very good energy and a thoughtful presence. He spoke about his excitement for the theme of making peace for this years sessions. We will have the report of the group Revisiting the Peace Testimony, an update on the work of the Peace Gathering folks, and a focus on storytelling regarding our historic work for peace. The program will be multigenerational…It was questioned why we are not going to have worship on Sunday, as that time has been precious to many.

B. Arthur thanked Nancy Gibb, the new Arch Street director for making dinner for IM, and for providing refreshments at break.

C. Evidence that we are a vital and growing Yearly Meeting: Jack Mahon told the story of how his Meeting got newspaper coverage of their efforts to send metal detectors to areas in the world with landmines left in the ground, and having $11,000 donations arrive immediately after the publicity. George Garretson of Chestnut Hill Meeting reported on their recent decision to go ahead with building a new Meetinghouse. Phil Anthony told of rumors of a new worship group starting in Millville, NJ.

D. New staff work: Phil Mullen has been named "Director of Meeting Relations" and will work to build meaningful and supportive connections between the YM structure-committees, working groups and staff-and its constituent monthly and Quarterly Meetings.

2. Peace Conference: Aaron Crosman and Zach Dutton, two young adults, told of the progress of the planning group for this event. It will happen Jan. 13-17, 2009. It has been decided that it will be an ecumenical and not an interfaith conference for what sounded like several very rightly ordered reasons. First of all, the planning group noticed that the makeup of the group was only Christian (Quaker, Brethren and Mennonite) and it felt that expanding it to an interfaith makeup would simply take too much time, if it were possible at all. And that having he conference be clearly Christian in makeup would allow us to have a clear and perhaps powerful voice to other Christian folks in our own country. The title: Hearing God's Call: A Gathering on Peace. The purpose: To strengthen our witness and work for peace in the world by inspiring hope, raising voices, and taking action. It is aiming to gather 600 people, half of whom will come from the peace churches, and half from elsewhere. Interfaith participation will be encouraged and invited.

I must say that one person spoke from the floor with disappointment that the conference was described as being "Christian" based, because some of our membership have trouble with using that language. The young leaders handled her need very directly, and we moved on.

3. Friends Pension Plan: good work has been done by the financial folks to upgrade and update the Pension plan. Many amendments to the initial plan, begun in 1979 were incorporated and some needed changes were made. It seemed like good work to me, and several staff spoke in support of the work.

4. General Services Standing Committee: The Financial Oversight Working Group reminded us of their structure and functioning, and reported on the state of the financial funds that support our work. If anyone would like to see this very thorough and clear report of PYM's financing, please give me a call.

5. Annual Fund: We are doing something right. We are $52,000 ahead of where we were last year. A phonation is being planned for Feb. 19.

6. Annual Audit: came back 100% clean, thanks to the very good work of our financial folks and our treasurer, Tyla Anne Burger.

7. Peace and Concerns: Pat Finley, clerk, invited folks to a gathering planned for February 2, to look at the possibility of organizing service possibilities for young people. I will speak plainly of my response to her presentation: I have constantly wondered whether this standing committee understands its role and function in our YM. It seems to me that the role is not that of the activist, looking for campaigns to organize us into joining, (That was perhaps the Peace Committee's role) but as oversight and discernment help to the YM in deciding what work it is called to do, and structural and financial support for that work. Pat's words included: "I'd like to…" "There is a possibility that we could…" "We should think about…" "We can talk about what you think should happen…" It seemed to me that perhaps she could consider resigning as clerk of Peace and Concerns and should go to work organizing service projects for young people to undertake.

8. The Arch Street Project Group: Alan Crosman reported on their work. Some public threshing sessions are planned for the near future. There are four functions that Arch Street addresses: 1) A gathering place for PYM groups and committees and sessions, 2) a home for the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia, 3) Outreach to the wider community interpreting Quakerism and 4) a rental facility for other groups to use. He pointed out that there is no coordination between the groups that provide these four functions and this fact makes it difficult to manage the facility.

9. Unfinished Business: a listing of project that IM is undertaking but hasn't completed:

A. War Tax Policy Review Group

B. Committee to Revisit the Peace Testimony

C. Interim Meeting Governance Group

D. Arch Street Project Group

10: Nominating Committee report

11. Advisory Committee Report

Interim Meeting Nov. 27, 2007 Report by Wade Wright

1 Discussion of cancelled October Meeting: Our clerk opened the floor to discussion. The October meeting had been cancelled because at the time of preparation for the meeting there were only a few agenda items, and none that the clerk felt couldn't be held over. The discussion was thorough and had several themes: a) we trust the clerk to make this decision, b) over-busy Friends were glad for the extra time in their lives, c) it is too bad that we didn't meet and spend time worshipfully considering a few things well, or just worshipfully, d) important and timely work that should be on today's agenda are not on it because we have too much work tonight. The clerk observed that almost nobody contacted her directly with feedback re the cancellation, and she would like to be in closer personal relationship to the members of the body on issues such as this.

2. Discussion on how we can improve the connections between people and structures in our Yearly Meeting. This was a deep discussion on how we can keep improving the functioning of our community. Very rich and thoughtful. Once again, I personally thought that many of the wishes of folks present regarding a more intimate spiritual ground, with deeper and more compassionate listening between folks in our Meetings could be achieved if all of the folks present were able to participate in a Spiritual Formation program in their Meeting or Quarter.

3. General Secretary's Report: Arthur invites everyone to send him anecdotes and stories as to how we are "a vital and growing Yearly Meeting." He observed that often the words and language we use, and the way we focus on our present reality can determine what our future is. Focus on the negative and the future will be dim. Focus on the positive and it will come to pass. Or better will come..Email these stories with "vital and growing" in the subject line. He will compile and publish them.

He reported on much good and hard work he is doing on restructuring the staff. He is proposing organizing all staff under three Associate Secretaries: 1) Advancement and Communications, 2) Business and Finance and 3) Program and Religious Life. He will present his proposed structure in more detail soon. It will not involve staff cuts. (I heard more from Arthur about this during Regional Staff meeting, and have very good feelings about this work he is doing.)

Christie Duncan-Tessmer made a very thorough presentation of the new Children's RE Webpage. There was unity on how wonderful we felt her efforts have been. It provides huge amounts of resources to our Monthly Meeting children's spiritual life committees. Please check it out at www.pym.org/education/children.

4. Sharing of Religious Service Works-Viv Hawkins. We received endorsements to the traveling ministry letter carried by Viv Hawkins in her work to India and U.S. Friends, and created a new traveling letter for her continued work. Viv's presentation of her work in India was inspiring to all, and many words of praise went to her and Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for the support of this ministry. Again: I realized that Viv started this astounding journey with her participation in PYM's Spiritual Formation Program.

5. PYM Meeting on Worship and Ministry: Dana Kester-McCabe announced the meeting to be held the following Saturday, gathering worship and ministry folks from the Yearly Meeting to thresh the place and future of their group on our YM. (This meeting happened, and gathered about 50 folks from all over the Yearly Meeting. A very powerful energy arose that spoke very clearly about the importance of this work to the YM. A minute will be circulated that states (approx.): "We speak out of the aurhority of the Spirit among us to reaffirm the centrality of Worship and Ministry among us, our Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly Meeting." The group proposes that more than two times a year Worship and Ministry folks (clerks and others) from Monthly Meetings should gather for fellowship and discernment, with attention to the needs of Annual Sessions and the Yearly Meeting as a whole regarding worship and ministry. This will be seasoned by the current group. This gathering was one of the most hopeful events I have encountered in a while in our YM.)

6. Minute concerning ending of torture, submitted by Caln Quarter: After a very frustrating discussion with much wordsmithing, and to this observer, verbiage based on ego needs of the speaker, we accepted this minute decrying torture by our government. Most of the good energy created by this Interim Meeting was depleted from me, at least. This project was turned over to the FCNL network for action.

7 Personnel Changes: 1) Nancy Gibbs was chosen from 58 applicants to directorship of the Arch Street Meeting House. 2) Sadie Forsythe is 70% employee doing Young Adult Friends work. 3) Loretta Lucy Miller is assistant to the Executive Secretary. 4) Burlington Meetinghouse and Conference center will soon have an interim director, as Barbara Hayes has resigned. 5) A job description for Director of Development was presented, as Elizabeth Foley has resigned.

The meeting adjourned at 10:20, after more than four hours of work.

PYM Interim Meeting, May 2007 Report by Wade Wright

The Meeting began with worship and memorial messages about Haley Yarmark, an active Young Friend who recently died after being struck by a car. The Meeting held her and her family in the Light, as well as the youth whose car struck her, who was her friend. We are all reminded that we really only have this present moment of life to cherish.

1. General Secretary's Report: Arthur presented a report aimed at making the Arch Street Meetinghouse property welcoming and hospitable while at the same time being responsible stewards of its use. The report recommended that we find a way to place benches on the grounds outside of the Meeting house for the public to use, and that the decision be made to close the gates of the property in the evening at the same time as the building is closed. The energy behind this proposal is to make our building friendly and welcoming when we are there, and when we are not there to make it clear that the property is not available for use by others.

2. Friends Center renovation: When this building was built in the 1970s no reserve or replacement fund was created. Folks have been working on finding a way to renovate the building since the mid 1990s. At this meeting Friends decided to move forward on the full environmental upgrade of the building, making it completely energy independent, suing geothermal and solar, and making it capture and reuse all of the storm water captured. In order to do so, IM agreed to use Chase Fund monies for three years to pay for the debt financing on the first installment of the loans to being construction. This will take $100,000 per year from Chase. While some folks spoke to the need to use Chase fund money to support the charitable organizations it often funds, and thus "the poor," others spoke of the prophetic witness such a building can provide, thus moving the country toward ending global warming. In along term way, global warming will affect the poor in very large and devastating ways. The discernment was difficult but Friends moved forward.

An open house to experience Philadelphia Center City's first Green Roof will be held on June 14, between 1:00 and 5:30 pm. RSVP Heataher Blakeslee, 215-241-7098, greeninfo@freindscentercorp.org.

3. Thomas Swain, PYM Clerk, on visiting Britain Yearly Meeting: Thomas described his journey to BYM, and presented several travel minutes and endorsements. He spoke of three threshing sessions: a) Quaker Ways of Working/A World Transformed: John Woolman was mentioned as a model on how we can live in the world with God's power influencing us; b) Civil Liberties, the Kingdom and the State: a look at civil liberties in England and the large amount of surveillance going on; and c) Equality and Inclusion, a workshop led by Vanessa Julye and Viv Hawkins of PYM, with several others.

Thomas spoke of the FWCC Triennial to be held in Dublin Ireland this summer. We have 6 slots, with two unfilled. Thomas would like suggestions as to who might be a good participant in this, and the power to appoint folks to these positions. It was granted. The theme of the Triennial is "finding the prophetic voice in our time."

4. The Interim Meeting governance working group is moving forward, addressing matters of structure that will free leadership in the RSOF. It is meeting in Phila. and then intends to take its meetings into regions.

5. Annual Fund: recently much progress has been made. We have $86,485 to raise before June 30 to reach our goal. Folks can make a donation at www.pym.org.

This meeting was ably clerked by Jada Jackson.

Interim Meeting April 2007: Report by Wade Wright

1. General Secretary Report: Arthur Larrabee's written report talked about his gratitude at having been given the opportunity to be asked to do work that is so closely aligned with the things he most enjoys doing: "growing and nurturing community." He used a knitting metaphor, making our YM a more perfect garment. He hopes to encourage all members of the YM to become more interested in each other, to claim each other, individual members and meetings as parts of a larger whole that, when nurtured and energized will sustain us and feed us in new and positive ways we cannot now imagine. He also is committed to helping our membership increase in size.

Things that have been occupying his time:

" Final draft of the 07-08 budget. He had to help find a way to save $80,000

" Friends Center renovation project.

" Interviewing all staff members.

" A previous engagement as Friend in Residence at SEYM. He spoke on "Leadership and Authority in the RSOF."

" Visiting Western QM and Newtown MM. The theme he heard mentioned often was "$$ is all we hear about from YM. Is there more?"

" Attendance at the conference of Religious Leaders of Greater Philadelphia: he had stories of how Quakers are valued by this diverse group of folk.

2. Charging/Listening session with the Interim Meeting Governance Committee: the body shared its ideas and concerns with this group of folks who are charged with "reviewing and taking decisive steps in relations to composition, size and functioning of IM." In my notes: there was worshipful consideration of this topic (more or less) with the usual amount of ego-driven behavior. I was given a leading to suggest that IM empower a small group to experiment with using a disciplined self-evaluation model to help itself in an ongoing way learn from its own behavior. I will write up such a proposal and submit it to the committee and clerk.

3. Financial Stewardship Committee: IM approved of the final mailing to be sent to monthly meetings regarding the 07-08 budget. Much hard work has gone into finding a way to submit a balanced budget. This will be mailed soon. The treasurer and Kathy Riley are available to visit meetings and interpret the financial situation. I have acquired the Powerpoint presentations and paperwork to enable me to do so as well. If any group or Meeting in our Quarter would like such a presentation, please ask.

4. Budget Process Group: Recommendations from this group were seasoned and approved. The changes in the way YM handles its finances are aimed at making budget processes more flexible and responsive to the needs of the present moment. Three areas were addressed: A. How we handle income, focusing on designated fund money management, B. Expenses: property management and personnel cost changes, and C. Budget process: creating a three-year budget process, and charging a budget committee with the ability to allocate funds preferentially in the preparation of the budget.

5. Annual Fund Report: The fund is in better shape, but we have two months to raise $125,509. We are at 74% of our goal. Experimental phonathons have had wonderful results, and more are planned. Friends who have not given to the annual fund can do so electronically at www.pym.org.

6. IM Naming Committee: Jada Jackson and Tom Armstrong were named Clerk and Assistant Clerk, respectively.

March: There was no Interim Meeting as a result of Annual Sessions

Interim Meeting February 22, 2007

Report to USQM by Wade Wright

1. Arthur Larrabee thanked IM folks for their confidence in him, and for appointing him General Secretary. His prayers that he can live up to Friends' confidence in him were paired with the request that we all will find ourselves in the same boat, pulling together on the oars. Mark Myers shared his mixed joy and sadness over ending his work as interim General Secretary. Arthur will start on March 12. Mark was praised for his unifying work for the Yearly Meeting.

2. Lauren Baumann, PYM Young Adult Friends coordinator, and Emily Stewart, Youth Ministries worker for FGC reported about the recent Young Adult Friends conference held at Burlington Conference Center. Over 100 young adult Friends from across the United States and Canada gathered. The weekend conference was organized by youth workers from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Friends General Conference and Pendle Hill and was funded by a grant from Friends Institute of PYM.

This diverse group of young adult Friends represented 20 different Yearly Meetings, including Friends from Friends General Conference, Friends United Meeting and Evangelical Friends International. About 34 conference attendees were from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

To find out more about the conference, go to www.usqm.org/yaf.

3. Yearly Meeting Sessions: Sue Mackler reported that she and Lauren Baumann will be coordinating this year's sessions. The March sessions will be designed to prepare for doing business in July. We will thresh stewardship issues in March, enjoy fellowship, and hear from Joe Volk (FCNL), Mary Lord (AFSC) and Kathy Bergin (The International Peace Center in Ramallah).

4. The Arch Street Futures Discernment: Two reports from Standing Committees were presented. General Services proposed a process by which the Yearly Meeting can thresh, gather data, share ideas and come to clearness regarding how we will move to enhance the use of Arch Street Meetinghouse. Support and Outreach presented a more concrete proposal. IM received both, and suggested that the process proposal be adopted. IM agreed on a process to appoint a naming committee that will create a committee to do this work. All in all, Friends behaved themselves in this discernment, and I had a very positive feeling about the progress being made in Interim Meeting toward functioning in Right Order. Many Friends have strong feelings about this issue: the Yearly Meeting Annual Fund subsidizes the property to the tune of $180,000 per year, and many folks take various positions on what kind of changes, if any, should be undertaken in the way the property functions.

5. Financial Considerations

Budget Shortfalls for 08: Rising fixed costs and lower Annual Fund contributions has put our 2008 budget in a difficult spot. We have raised $188,740 for the General Fund so far this year as opposed to $205,720 this time last year. Fewer donors and fewer gifts. As the budget forms, if this trend is not overcome, we will have to reduce programs sharply and services to Meetings will not be there, or will be severely altered.

Good News: A $50,000 matching gift has been donated, to encourage new donors, and to increase the amount of current donors:

Please help to get the word of this opportunity to Friend in your Meeting, and please make your contribution. I find it particularly shameful that only 1,132 people in our Yearly Meeting have contributed to our Annual Fund. Even $5 would be a help.

Friends can make a donation by going to www.pym.org and click on development.

Budget Process Group: This group has been working for two years to redesign the budget process to make it work better. They meet monthly. The problem is not with the budget, and this group previewed recommendations it will be bringing to April IM:

The problems it sees:

1. General Fund income has been shrinking in the last 12 years. In the past four years it has decreased to 23% of what it was four years ago.

2. Designated funds, $14 Million: use is not legally restricted and needs to be evaluated.

3. There is a lack of flexibility and communication between Standing Committees with regard to the budget process.

These problems are with our financial structures and not the numbers, necessarily. Our money is not working for us effectively in supporting our ministries. More in April. Come to the Saturday sessions in Yearly Meeting to learn more about this.

6. Interim Meeting Governance Committee: A committee of 14 Friends, with representation from each Quarterly Meeting was appointed to "review and take decisive steps in relation to IM's composition, size and functioning." Regena Girton of Millville Meeting is USQM's representative on this group. This committee is charged not to start its work until after the April Interim Meeting, at which time IM members will give input.

Wade Wright was nominated to a position of At-Large membership in Interim Meeting.

7. A minute from Haverford Quarter asking that the "no trespassing" signs be removed from the Arch Street Meetinghouse grounds was referred to General Services Working Group. There were many and varied strong feelings regarding this minute, and the issue of how Quakers deal with homelessness and poverty in our midst.

8. A minute regarding Marriage License process in Pennsylvania was brought by Bucks Quarter. No decision was necessary. The minute: Meetings are strongly advised to provide a signed written statement for persons who have gone through the Clearness Process and who are to be married in Pennsylvania "under the care of the Meeting." The written statement is to indicate that the persons, applying for a Quaker Marriage License have satisfied the requirements of the Religious Society of Friends and that at least one of the party is a member of the RSOF.

9. A report was presented by Evan Draper, Meeting Services specialist on PYM staff, regarding his work He has fielded approx. 30 inquiries per month from Meetings since July. If your Meeting has a question regarding Yearly Meeting services, contact Evan at evand@pym.org, or by phone at 1-800-2200-PYM x7182.

Interim Meeting Jan. 25. 2007 Notes by Wade Wright

Report of the Search Committee for the General Secretary

I am not sure how it would have been possible for this committee to do a more thorough job of collective and corporate discernment with regards to their call. The committee was appointed in July by Interim Meeting, and began their work in earnest in September, after IM had agreed on the job description. The met ten times, including twice on conference calls, spent 45-50 hours in their work, discernment and worship. They reported having extraordinary staff support provided by Lyle Jenks. The recruitment process involved postings in many Quaker journals and publications, mailing to individuals and representatives of Quaker organizations widely, and individual phone calls to many individuals around the country asking for wide publication of the job description. They hired a consultant from Mennonite Health Services Alliance who specialized in hiring of executive positions in religious organizations. This person conducted the initial phone interviews with the initial pool of candidates and presented reports to the search committee on his interviews.

The goal of the committee was to be as inclusive, thorough and transparent as possible. By January 6 they had chosen their final three candidates. Each candidate met with Interim Meeting, PYM clerks and clerks of the Standing Committees in an all day session. In the next week each candidate spent a day in dialogue with staff. Over 100 written feedback forms were collected from folks who attended these sessions, and anyone else who wanted to speak, and each was carefully studied by the committee. They were considered extraordinarily valuable to the work of the committee. Of course, they revealed that PYM is not of one mind in this discernment, and all the input provided a deep challenge in discernment to the committee.

The committee spoke of its wish that Yearly and Interim Meeting approach the relationship with our new General Secretary as a two-way partnership. The GS must take on the job defined by his job description, and the YM must commit to do its part in supporting the work. It should be seen as not unlike a marriage, including loyalty, loving honesty and a respect for differences when conflicts arise. Not a single tennis match, with each participant hitting balls back and forth to each other over the net, but a doubles tennis match with two partners cooperating to play together.

The committee spoke of great gratitude that all of our candidates risked putting themselves forward to offer their talents to us. They needed to make themselves very vulnerable, and exposed themselves to much scrutiny and many comments regarding the appropriateness of their qualifications. Each had impressive skills and visions to offer the Yearly Meeting. The decision was not a slam dunk. The committee received radically different feedback on each candidate from folks who attended the same session.

In the end, the committee focused on the strengths of each candidate as opposed to their take on the current needs of the Yearly Meeting, and discerned that Arthur Larrabee should be our new General Secretary.

The committee proposed some additional recommendations, as was their charge:

" That the Yearly Meeting take seriously the charge of the Process Committee regarding data gathering as to how our structure can be made more responsive to YM needs.

" That IM encourage Arthur to look closely at staff structure with regards to this data.

" That the Yearly Meeting encourage at all levels the nurture and welcoming of our young people, young adults, and families with young children into participation in an integrated way in all facets of our community.

" That the GS position be a year to year commitment undertaken with an expectation of five years of service, with an evaluation at that point to determine if it should be continued (with regular annual reviews).

" That the job begin on April 1, 2007, with February and March being spent with Arthur in consultation with Mark Myers to share knowledge.

" That the Search Committee be laid down, with its individual members available for consulting to Arthur and the YM.

Of course, there were some undercurrents of unhappiness and some conflict regarding this report. I experienced some folks having difficulty letting go of their excitement over hoping the choice would be different. I experienced some folks acting out of the fears they carried regarding how the Yearly Meeting might do under Arthur's leadership, with one Friend going so far as standing and speaking at length about issues going back 30 years in her an Arthur's life, and the life of their Monthly Meeting. My goodness, haven't we learned yet that our greatest challenge is to trust our imperfect ability to discern way forward, and to remember compassion and forgiveness a necessary ingredient in all corporate attempts to discern. I for one am committed to honestly supporting the Yearly Meeting and all the folks involved as we move forward in this new era.

Interim General Secretary Report

Mark Myers reported on the situation of Arch Street Meetinghouse. He described a wonderful working relationship between the YM and Arch Street Meeting. As a conference center, 4000 guests used the facility this past year, with 27 new rental groups utilizing meeting space. As a visitor center, we welcomed 45,000 folks, and Nancy Gibb and over 20 volunteers introduced the public to Quakerism. We have been an active participant in Old City Congregations, Old City Consortium of Museums and the National Heritage Areas Project to actively tell visitors the stories of historic Philadelphia. We played an active role with Once Upon a Nation by developing stories about Quakers. The Coordinator worked with other museums to host the annual William Penn's Welcome Week in November 2006. Sales of literature and merchandise totaled $11,000 for the last fiscal year.

We are currently working with volunteers, staff and web consultants to design and launch a website dedicated to the Arch Street Meeting House. The upgrade of the security and fire system has been completed as well as the installation of fencing along the east side perimeter. Current projects include a revised trash/recycling program as well as the replacement of wall caps along perimeter brick wall.

We are working on building a sustainable financial model for many uses and users of the facility. Even as the revenue from users continues to grow, the contributions that the members of PYM are asked to make to underwrite its operation continue to grow. This is not sustainable. It is important that we actively move forward in the discernment called for by the Arch Street futures studies.

Interim Meeting November 30, 2006-Report by Wade Wright

A. General Secretary Report: Mark Myers listed the list of 17 matters that have concerned Interim Meeting during his year of interim work, and invited everyone in the Yearly Meeting into conversation about these items, or others that you feel should be included. His list:

1. Ministry of Listening and Being Present to Each Other

2. Our Testimonies of Faith and Practice

3. Appointment of Permanent General Secretary

4. Special Called Yearly Meeting-Peace Testimony November 2006

5. Yearly Meeting Arch Street Session, March 2007

6. Yearly Meeting Residential Sessions, July 2007

7. Arch Street Futures Seasoning

    a. Unified vision

    b. Capital feasibility

     c. Organizational structure

8. Greening of Friends Center

9. Feasibility Study of Friends School Endowment

10. PYM Budget process

11. What is our Capital Funding Capacity?

12. Effective Working Relationships of Staff with PYM Standing Committees, Nominating Committee, Quarterly and Monthly Meetings

13. PYM Communications, What, How, and Who?

14. Were do we find our constituent body?

       a. 1% Interim Meeting, 5% Residential YM, 15% Annual Fund Contributors

       b. What are their concerns?

       c. What is the state of our society?

15. Outreach to New Friends and Renewal of PYM Membership

16. Visioning New Roles for Quarterly Meetings

17. PYM's vision for its future as a vital faith community.

Mark: "In my ministry of listening and being present I have visited seven of our thirteen Quarterly Meetings. I have emphasized visitation with Quarterly Meetings as a practical way to meet with Friends across the broad reaches of our Yearly Meeting within the limited timeframe of my service. I have found a vitality and energy in these Quarterly Meetings which suggest concerns that this is no longer a useful organizational form may not be well founded. Indeed, I believe there is a role for new membership growth which can be best served by the Quarterly Meetings. I have shared this vision with many of the Quarters I have visited and have found great receptiveness to this possibility.

B. Search for new General Secretary: Less than 20 applications were received, from very good candidates. Most were from either current or past members of PYM. The committee plans to narrow the list down to 4, and interview these on December 9-10. They will choose two finalists, who will visit and meet with various staff and clerks. By January Interim Meeting they hope to have a candidate to refer. Their hope is that the process will have a maximum amount of transparency, and will gather an appropriate amount of input from the Yearly Meeting, and that the final choice will be rightly ordered.

C. Report of the Process Committee: This committee was constituted to recommend a process for responding to the recommendations contained in the Transition Project Group Report, submitted Sept. 6, 2006. This group identified seven areas of concern, and Interim Meeting agreed with its suggestions that various groups within the Yearly Meeting meet and do an initial self-evaluation to address the issues raised in the Report.

It is hoped that these evaluations would be thorough, and would involve dialogue with whoever was indicated. Reports of their findings would be submitted to the Process Committee and reported to Interim Meeting. The Process committee proposed a set of queries for each group to consider. The thinking that went into the report was very thorough and appreciated by members of Interim Meeting. The seven areas for consideration:

  1. Interim Meeting must assure an adequate human resources role in PYM. This concern was referred to the General Services Standing Committee.

  2. Interim Meeting should provide for a regular review and evaluation process for the General Secretary separate from an on-going support process. This was referred to the existing Evaluation Group for consideration.

  3. Interim Meeting should review how the nominating committee functions and the process by which it is named. Referred to the Nominating Committee.

  4. Interim Meeting should review and take decisive steps in relation to its own composition, size and functioning. Referred to a committee of 6-8 friends appointed by Clerks of IM, PYM, and some others whom I can't remember. (Wade)

  5. Interim Meeting should review and take decisive action in relation to the role of Standing Committees within the PYM structure. Referred to the SCs.

  6. Interim Meeting should review and take steps to clarify the relationship between staff and committees and the relationship among PYM committees. Referred to staff.

  7. Interim Meeting needs to continue to address and clarify the role of Quarters and Quarterly Meeting Staff in the PYM structure.

It was seen that this work likely would not be accomplished in time for March sessions, and that the Process Committee and Clerks would propose a timetable for its completion.

I will say that much of the sentiment of Interim Meeting was that these were very thoughtful proposals, and that a new wind of clarity and cooperation and discernment was blowing through our Yearly Meeting, and Interim Meeting. With that said, I will also share my opinion that there are a handful of Friends that attend Interim Meeting who wallow in mistrust and fear, and who regularly make deliberations on matters such as these take twice as much energy and time. They let their egos get in the way of our good group discernment. They often have not prepared for the meeting and misinterpret facts and the motives of others. They seem to need to obstruct and interrupt process and action which will move us forward. They are unable to trust the good will of others an often fear that subgroups will take undue power away from the body, and themselves.

D. Annual Fund: The Yearly Meeting is seriously behind in its fundraising efforts. In the first place, I feel it is a disgrace that only 15% of our Yearly Meeting membership gives to the Annual Fund. As of 11/30/06 we have raised $84,718. At the same point last year we had raised $95,319. Our goal is $475,000. We will have to cut programs and staff if we are not successful. Consider sending even a small amount if you have never given before!

We heard a report from Lauren Baumann, staff support of Young Adult Friends. It is exciting work and she would not be doing it without Annual Fund support.

Finances for the year 2008 are extremely problematic. Our fixed costs have increased over the past few years but the covenants, the annual fund and the income from investments have not kept up. The General Fund is made up of three parts: Income from investments (19%), the Annual Fund (23%), and Covenants from Monthly Meetings (58%).

E. Called Session on the Peace Testimony: Many good feeling regarding the good work of Centre Meeting, and the support of PYM Staff to gather 300 people for this one day session. One exciting outcome was that the session was able to experience a time when our Yearly Meeting united in understanding that the authority for our testimonies comes from God, and that we are called to be faithful to living in that spirit. The session produced an epistle that can be seen at pym.org. A working group is to be formed to gather the thoughts of folks around the YM with regard to how the peace testimony will be lived in the present moment.

F. Residential Yearly Meeting: will be held July 26-30, 2007 at Rowan University, Glasgow, New Jersey.

G. Worship and Care Standing Committee proposed minute of action: Interim Meeting declined to unite with this minute calling for the clerk of YM to engage the Amish Community in Lancaster County by gathering in worship and listening to each other, that they may be led by God in pursuit of the essence of peace. Concerns about appropriateness of such an effort were raised.

H. Work on Homelessness and Poverty: A very moving report was given on the work done to care for the issue of homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia. Members of this new working group have engaged many other organizations around Arch Street Meetinghouse to work together to share in their work in this area. Interim Meeting was much moved by this presentation, and very grateful for the work being done on our Yearly Meeting's behalf by this group.

October 26, 2006 Interim Meeting Report by Wade Wright

General Secretary's Report: 1. Mark Myers reported that the two groups submitting proposals on the future of Arch Street Meetinghouse have been encouraged to work together to combine their knowledge and talents to move this work forward, and create a common proposal which will be sent to Friends broadly. This work will be shared with and supported by the Support and Outreach and General Services standing committees, under the care of Interim Meeting. We aspire to get to a place of common sense of direction by Spring 2007.

2. Mark and our legal folks visited the IRS in an attempt to streamline our relationship with them regarding our conscientious support of employee tax protestors, in the hope that we could set up an escrow fund to avoid interest and penalty costs involved in the long struggles of this type. The field officer involved was confused and wary initially, warmed up to our problem and the folks presenting it, and concluded that the person who could meet our need in the IRS was actually and computer algorithm, and as such was not accessible to him or to us. It was an interesting exchange for all parties…

3. Annual Fund: this fund provides 21% of our annual General Fund income. We did meet our budget on this line in FY 2005, but were 7% under for FY 2006, translating into a loss of $32,000. There are 47 different working groups or programs in the YM that have annual budgets under $32,000, and this loss affects them directly.

The Annual Fund Goal for FY 2006-2007 is $475,000. As of 10/16/06 Friends have raised $59, 260. On the same date in the previous year Friends had raised $71,984. We are behind schedule.

There likely is an Annual Fund representative in your Meeting who can answer your questions regarding PYM finances, or you can have your Field Secretary do so, via email, phone or personal visit. One of the problems with this effort to support the work of PYM financially is that a very, very small percentage of PYM Friends actually give to the Annual Fund. If twice as many gave even a small amount, we could do much more work in the world.

Rita Varley, the PYM librarian, gave a report regarding how the library serves our YM. It is the largest circulating library of Quaker works in the world, and offers amazing service to our members and to the wider Quaker world. It is supported wholly by the General Fund.

4. PYM Finances: Designated and Restricted Funds and how they work. PYM has $43,228,558 in these funds, in several categories:

A. Designated funds are those for which the YM has determined a specific use for the fund. In June 2006, There are 31 such funds, with a market value of $15, 161,000, producing a cash distribution of $719,321.

B. Restricted funds are those funds for which the donor has restricted the use of the fund. There are 66 such funds, with a market value of $21,202,000. These funds produced $1,076,325 in cash distribution in FY2006.

C. Unrestricted funds have a market value of $6,864,753 and produced $311,166 in cash distribution.

A report was presented that lists all the funds managed by the YM, and how they are distributed…who makes the decisions, where the money goes, etc. It is very enlightening, and easy to understand. Our YM general services staff does incredible work in our service in managing these resources. If you would like to see the report, call Kathy Reilly at PYM or Wade Wright at 570-925-5262, and either of us will send you a copy.

5. General Secretary Search: Warren Witte, clerk of the search committee and Transitions Project Group, announced that the job has been announced widely, and over 35 folks were directly invited to apply for the position, and he expected to get at least seven good candidates. This working group did very thorough work in the creation of the job description of this position, and encourage USQM Friends to read it and consider how we can support whomever is hired to do this work for us. To read the job description, go to this link to PYM.org. They are pushing hard to recommend a candidate by January.

6. Financial Stewardship Committee. Fixed costs of the Yearly Meeting are going up, mostly as a result of increased energy and insurance costs in our society at large. A gap of $150,000 is expected in the FY2006-07 budget. We can cut programs and staff, or come up with a new model for raising funds. The timeline for Meeting covenants is on the PYM website and has been distributed widely. The deadline for Meetings to submit their covenant is January 10, and the budget will be considered in the March 23-25 sessions at Arch Street. How much do we value the work of our Yearly Meeting?

7. Peace and Concerns: We heard a report from Tom Swain and Pat Finley, who recently participated in a World Council of Churches delegation to Lebanon. They met many religious and secular leaders in Lebanon and reported the devastating experiences of seeing bombed areas of south Beirut and southern Lebanon.

8. Interim Meeting's Naming Committee: this agenda item produced some struggle to the body. A procedure to formalize the way this committee is put together, and to create term lengths was presented by the Clerk, Arthur Larrabee. It was my opinion that such a decision to make changes in the governing structure is at a level of organizational dynamics where trust is not as easily found or given. Interim Meeting worked diligently to listen to folks whose power and influence needs were threatened by this proposal, and we moved slowly and painfully to an agreement.

9. Residential Yearly Meeting: Sue Mackler reported on the success of our recent RYM, and the financial situation. I learned that holding RYM costs the General Fund less than holding sessions at Arch Street. I had thought it was the other way around. Sue suggested that the cost to the General Fund is acceptable because the session really serve the YM as a whole, and not just the folks who attend. Sessions in 2007 will likely be held at Rowan University in New Jersey. The dates are July 26-30, 2007. This is a change: Thursday through Monday, with the thought that more folks might be able to attend over the weekend.

10. A minute of religious service for Viv Hawkins was presented and endorsed wholeheartedly by Interim Meeting. Viv has a leading to both travel in support of Indian Quakers and to help Quakers discern leadings and ministries. I was gratified by this because Viv attributes the Spiritual Formation Program as the beginning of this journey for her.

PYM Interim Meeting September 28, 2006. Report to USQM by Wade Wright

I am pleased to report that this month's Interim Meeting was a very productive and positive working session by the very dedicated folks who attend to this business for us. I will try to briefly describe what work was done, or reported on, and some of my reactions to it.

Mark Myers, our General Secretary, reported on our recent Residential Yearly Meeting. By all accounts it was a marvelously successful and valuable event. Over 530 people attended, with one out of five attending for the very first time. We will be having two Yearly Meeting sessions this year, the first at Arch Street on March 23-25, and the second at a location to be determined on a date to be determined. De Sales University unfortunately needed to cancel the reservation we had placed for their campus. Please consider being one of the new attenders this year, if you have never been to YM sessions!

Alden Josey of Centre Meeting and Pat Finley of the Peace and Concerns standing committee presented a stunning report that asked for a called session of YM to be held, focusing on how we as a society can come to a new understanding of what Peace is and how to live in every dimension of Quaker society in the life and power that make it possible. It was agreed to hold such a session, soon, and to empower a working group to spend some time in preparing a White Paper on Re-visioning the Peace Testimony in the 21st Century. Very good energy arose from the Meeting in support of Centre Meeting's initiative.

A delegation will be sent to Lebanon to attend a World Council of Churches delegation which will unite with the Middle East Council of Churches, who has had a similar event in Israel. Four Friends will do this travel in service of our community. The focus of the joint delegation will be to gather to share what has been learned about the regions victims of violence.

The Meeting received the rewritten job description for General Secretary and studied it line by line. There was unity that we have done some very good work on producing a clear and thorough document which will help in this search. It will be a useful means of conveying our YM's expectations to the person who is hired, it will be a practical guide to the General Secretary regarding what work he or she is to do, and it will be a tool for evaluating his or her performance. Attention will be paid to how we intend to offer oversight and support to our new General Secretary by a "process" committee which was appointed by Interim Meeting.

There was more laughter at this Interim Meeting than any in my recent memory. Friends had a good time, and enjoyed each others' presence.

General Services reported that the long awaited Friends Mutual Health Insurance Group has been formed, and the Yearly Meeting agreed to accept with gratitude the hard work of all the Friends who helped birth it. 22 Quaker organizations from all over the U.S. have joined to provide our employees with much better health insurance than we currently have, at a much lower cost. Staff present spoke with gratitude to the Yearly Meeting.

The Homelessness Working Group asked for input from Friends from all over the YM as to how meetings and individuals have addressed homelessness and what they expect to do about it in the future. They are working on a comprehensive plan to address this issue as it impacts the Arch Street Meetinghouse, and the needs of all who come onto the property.

A minute of appreciation for the work of Arthur Clark from Upper Susquehanna Quarter, written eloquently by Jane Keller was approved enthusiastically by Interim Meeting Friends. I had visited Arthur in the hospital earlier in the day. At age 90, still working daily at PYM on the Clemency Project, Arthur was in the hospital because he wanted to have both knees replaced so he could work more effectively for Friends. It turns out that some unknown cause has made his blood low in hemoglobin. His plan is to take care of the blood problem (he is home as of this moment!) and then spend a few months getting new knees, and then getting back to work. God bless you Arthur, we will all hold you in our prayers.

An invitation to the Quarterly Meeting Study Project was made by Doug Meaker. The purpose of this group will be fact finding: they intend to examine the practices of our 13 Quarterly Meetings and try to identify and test what works and what doesn't. If you would like to help this process call Doug at 215-968-1865.

A minute of appreciation for the work of Making New Friends was united upon, and a minute forming a new working group on Meeting Vitality was announced. This working group will "develop, create, and implement tools and methods to help individual Meetings strengthen their presence in the world and to help seekers find their doors, a warm welcome on entrance and continued spiritual encouragement."

There was so much more business that Friends plowed through: Nominating Committee report; Advisory Committee report; accepting last month's minutes; introduction of the Monthly Meeting Services Specialist, Evan Draper; acceptance of recent bequests to YM; report on the progress of the Annual Fund.

All of this business was done with good humor and dedication. The meeting took almost four hours, and I left with a satisfied feeling that our Yearly Meeting is well served by the Friends who work in its behalf, and that we are moving forward strongly in a new way.