Quarter minutes

1. The clerk, Ed Solenberger opened the meeting for worship for business and introduced visiting Friends: Arthur :Larrabbee, PYM General Secretary; Francis Brown, Uwchlan MM; Viv Hawkins, Central Phila. MM; and Marie Ryan, coordinator for CALN Quarter

2. Minutes of USQM meeting for worship for business of Sixth Month 17, 2007, were approved with the addition of the notation that Ed Solenberger served as clerk of the meeting and dates of Fall Gathering are Sept. 14-16, 2007

3. Friends shared joys and concerns. Campbell Plowden noted that Ken Osborne, a former inmate who had visited with us at Fall Gathering two years ago, fled to Mexico and died in June of a terminal illness. A moment of silence was held. A Friend noted his concern that PYM may not be doing enough about criminal justice concerns since the Clemency Project is no longer active.Wade Wright reported that Greenwood Friends School is recovering from a complicated personnel problem. Bob Lentz has replaced Sheila Lunger as head of school. State College Friends School completed a two-year search for a new head and has hired Jodie Althouse who has been on the job since July. Peter Wade Naylor has been born to Dillon Wright Naylor and husband, Justin. Olivia Ott introduced her granddaughter Krystaleigh Faith Ott daughter of Ellis Ott and Micki Stover. Martin Melville became a grandfather on May 21; her name is Madison Ann Carver. Claudia Wilson's daughter is studying at University of Dundee, Scotland. Joan McCoy of North Branch is going to live with her son in California as she deals with her medical challenges.

4. Larry Mutti presented the Treasurer's Report for fiscal year 2006-2007 The treasurer noted that it would be very helpful to receive Monthly Meeting donations before the end of June for bookkeeping purposes. Larry clarified Minute 18 from minutes of Sixth Month 2007 that USQ does not regularly contribute money for the staff position held by Wade Wright. Arthur Larrabee spoke of his delight that USQM has a staff person and that, if way opens, sharing the cost of the regional coordinator would be very welcome by the Yearly Meeting. One Friend mentioned that any contribution would indicate our appreciation for Wade's work. The Treasurer noted a $643 surplus for the USQM this year. Another Friend noted that individual monthly meetings may also give. Another Friend noted that the USQM had made such contributions in the past. Arthur suggested that money that MMs give to PYM for staff contributions come through the Quarter. State College, North Branch, Pennsdale and Huntingdon MMs have already given donations in the past independent of USQM. Friends agreed to ask Meetings to send the money through USQM so Friends are aware of what is being done. Friends agreed to a $500 donation from USQM to PYM for the services of the Field Secretary. The clerk will send a request to each Monthly Meeting to include this issue as an agenda item and to send any contributions through USQM.

5. Drue Magee, of Millville MM, has been recommended by the Quarterly Oversight Committee to fulfill this role. Drue had considerable experience with budget and finance work..Friends approved this nomination and gave deep thanks to Larry for his work these past years.

6. A report on PYM Finances was given. Proposals to make funding for Friends' concerns more flexible were approved at RYM. YM now has to define its priorities for ministry and a proposal was passed to form an independent committee to thresh the concept of what we want our YM to be doing. We are invited to participate in that process so that our priorities are reflected.

7. The General Secretary noted that PYM decided to hold a peace conference a year from now, a conference which will take considerable energy and resources. The conference idea was presented to RYM by Francis Brown, who was present with us.

8. One World Camp Report: It was held again at Laurelville State Park near Somerset. It was a week-long camp for teens campers; eight teens were involved. Approved policies and procedures were conveyed by QOC and there was a good ratio of adults to teens. The camp was substantially paid for by the campers with the help of a $1000 grant from the Chase Fund. More details on the expenses are available from Larry Mutti. Gratitude was expressed to Margy Frysinger for her work helping Joanie and to Larry for his work with the finances

9. The cases being followed up by the Clemency Project Working Group are still pending and no new cases are being taken on. Arthur Clark has expressed his affection and appreciation of USQM Friends. Campbell Plowden reported that due to staff shortages, Huntingdon prison has been able to host the AVP projects needed. AVP work is again being considerd at Muncy Prison. Anyone interested in participating should contact Campbell.

10. Meeting reports: Lewisburg Meeting is in transition, has lost some families but has some new members . Huntingdon Meeting has reopened its doors after a summer hiatus while Larry and Ginny Mutti were traveling in India. They would welcome the support of visiting Friends. Millville MM has had both challenges and joys with the difficulties of Greenwood Friends School. The Spritual Formation program has helped strengthen the Meeting. Pennsdale is holding its own and now has a handicapped ramp. Sterling Meeting resumes meetings for worship tomorrow. North Branch/ Forty Fort Branch had meetings for worship at the Austin home numerous times during the summer . They have resumend meetings for worship at Wyoming Seminary Lower School in Forty Fort. Wellsboro is renting space from the Disciples of Christ Church though attendance has fallen off during the summer months. State College has many wonderful meetings for worship but many that could be deeper. There is an average of 40-45 persons at worship; there were particular budget struggles this year as income has been down. Worship and ministry has been struggling trying to pull something together that seems to be missing right now. Foxdale is a joy but weighty Friends continue to be lost. One Friend noted that there is an identity questions as they deal with budget items: who are Friends and how should projects reflect that answer. They want to engage Friends in discussion on these issues. Journey's End Camphad a good summer with visiting helpers from Monteverdi and the scholarship money provided by North Branch Friends. Towanda Meeting is only meeting once a month on the first First Day. A Friend from Lewisburg noted that as they begin the process of considering their problems they are addressing the question of how God is working in their meeting, how Truth is prospering with them.

11. Spiritual Formation: This year's opening retreat will take place at St.Gabriel's in Clark Summit. Millville Meeting has a group of Friends who will be participating and others in the Quarter are invited.

12. Caring for Friends at the End of Life workshop will be held Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at State College MM. The Friends Hospice group will be putting it on, teaching attenders how to visit and how to pay attention to the elderly as they are dying.

13. The Peace Center in Wilkes-Barre, on Monday. Oct 15 at 7 pm at King's College will host the brother of the Unibomber, David Kazinski, who will speak on the death penalty.

14. The meeting closed with a period of silent worship.

In attendance were Larry Mutti, of Huntingdon MM; Garry Wamser, Fred Kressler, Anne Foulke and Wade Wright, of Millville MM; Therese Miller of Lewisburg MM; Margy Frysinger, Olivia and Krystaleigh Ott, Andrei Israel, Jessica Arends, Claudia Wilson, Martin Melville, Bob and Rene Crauder, and Campbell Plowden of State College MM; Michele Sands, Beverly and Wally Williams, and Ralph and Kristin Curtis of North Branch MM; Lynn Graham and Brynn Hammerstrom of Wellsboro MM; Francis Brown of Uwchlan Meeting; Viv Hawkins of Central Philadelphia MM; and Arthur Larrabee, PYM General Secretary.

Respectfully submitted by Jane Keller, serving as recording clerk for Olivia Ott

Ed Solenberger, Clerk

Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting for worship for business

July 17, 2007 at Rickett’s Glen

The Meeting began at 1:25 p.m. with silent worship.

1. Friends thanked North Branch MM Friends for hosting the meeting.

2. The minutes of March 18, 2007, were accepted with one correction: in the report on Towanda Meeting, the name of Bob Wood needs to be changed to Larry Wood, whose non-profit company is Wizzy Digital http://www.wizzydigital.org/

3. Friends offered joys and concerns: North Branch noted the wonderful memorial meeting for Paul McCoy and asked Friends to hold his wife Joan In the Light as she is now undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. Her mother has recently moved to a nursing home. Barb Farley asked for prayers for her upcoming oral surgery. Jan Robinson has had knee surgery again. Millville Friends reported that Shirley Wenner is still recovering from her car accident and she and husband Dick need our prayers. Wade’s daughter Dillon and her husband Justin are moving back to Millville as soon as her baby arrives sometime in July. Pennsdale reports that Pat Martin has lost her husband Tom to a virulent cancer. Thanks were expressed for the beautiful day and weekend for camping and for the presence of Young Friends at the camping weekend and at the meeting for worship and meeting for business.

4. The Treasurer’s report was presented and approved. Monthly Meeting Treasurers are encouraged to send in their covenants for this year. Covenants are still needed from North Branch and Millville.

5. There is an urgent need for a Treasurer for the Quarter. Friends are asked to seek out someone in their Meeting who might be willing to take on this job. A simple job description was recently e-mailed to Friends throughout the Quarter. Wade Wright can be contacted for that description.

6. Wade reported on PYM’s financial situation. The financial reports are clear and open to all. There is a good pool of funds, much of which is given out by the various granting groups. PYM faces these challenges: a change in the structure of PYM operations, decreases in membership, the difficulty of engaging people in YM work. In addition, our contributions are not increasing as much as our costs. Many funds are designated giving little flexibility and PYM properties are expensive to maintain. Three proposals are being considered: 1) let the various funds pay their own management costs instead of paying those costs out of the General Fund ((thus freeing up $271,000 per year), 2) adopt a three-year budget cycle to facilitate long-range planning, 3) give power to financial stewardship groups so they can move money around among various committee and programs. Margaret Wood emphasized that we need to see ourselves as a partner with PYM.

7. Fall Gathering will take place at Camp Crystal Lake on Sept. 14-17. Friends are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for community building and fun. Campbell Plowden will offer a workshop on the Ecology of the Rain Forest as well as activities from the Alternative to Violence program. Jane Keller will offer a workshop on prayer based on her recent studies in spiritual direction. Several other workshops are anticipated but not yet confirmed, possibly on Elder Care, Spirituality through the Creative Arts, Right Sharing of World Resources, etc. Wade will research whether or not the camp is handicapped accessible.

8. The Clemency Project remains on hold because Arthur Clark has had some health problems including severe arthritis and chronic anemia.

9. Towanda Meeting Friends reported they are meeting only on the first First Day of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Friends’ homes or in Ulster Library; the Quarter offered its support to Friends there, if needed. Funds from the former Barclay Friends School will fund an award at an upcoming conference in Athens being led by Brooks-Eldredge Martin to recognize professionals in early learning/ childhood education.

10. North Branch reported that Sterling and Forty Fort meetings have a summer schedule for meetings for worship and picnics together almost weekly. Weavre Cooper has developed a website at northbranch.quaker.org. Plans are still in the works for a Meetinghouse. The Sterling worship group is looking for a way to revitalize adult discussion on First Day. Friends recommended seeking resources from PYM.

11. Millville Meeting reported that they recently held a garden tour to benefit Greenwoods Friends School. A weekly peace vigil continues at the central fountain in Bloomsburg at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Worship and Ministry committee and the First Day school committee have convened to focus on nurturing the spiritual lives of children.

12. The Spiritual Formation program will run again this year and the first retreat will be held in October at St. Gabriel’s monastery. Wade Wright has the details.

13. State College Meeting is dealing with a budget crunch and the loss of several key members who have moved away, but new faces are showing up at the meetings for business.

14. Wade reported that four Friends from Elklands came to the Memorial Day weekend canoe trip. He visited the meetinghouse on June 10, but no one was there.

15. Ed Solenberger reported on the process of choosing the general secretary for PYM which he participated in. Ed noted that he felt well used and that Quaker process was followed with good results. Friends thanked Ed for the many hours he devoted to that process.

16. Jane was thanked for taking the minutes of this meeting in the absence of Olivia Ott.

17. We are seeking a site for the March 2008 Quarterly Meeting. Lewisburg, Towanda and Huntingdon Meetings should be contacted as possible sites.

18. Friends were asked to take responsibility for alerting people without e-mail to the content of various e-mailings and upcoming events.

19. It was noted that the meeting for worship for business to be held at Crystal Lake should revisit the issue of how USQ supports the field secretary financially. In light of budget difficulties at PYM, we might consider increasing our donation to that position.

20. Residential Yearly Meeting will be held July 26-30 at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Friends need to register by June 27 for a discounted rate.

21. The Meeting closed with silent worship at 3:20 p.m.

Attending were Mick Myers, Drue Magee, Anne Foulke. Ed Solenberger, and Wade Wright from Millville MM; Weavre Cooper, Tommy Cooper, Danica Cooper, Beverly and Wally Williams, and Barbara Farley from North Branch MM; Michele Sands from Sterling MM; Margaret Wood, Rosie Wood from Towanda MM, and Jane and Bill Keller from Pennsdale, MM.

Respectfully submitted by Jane Keller, serving as recording clerk for Olivia Ott

Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting for Worship for Business March 18, 2007 held at Millville Monthly Meeting

1. The Meeting began with silent worship.

2. The Minutes from 9/16/06 Meeting for Business held at Crystal Lake Camps were distributed and approved with the following correction. In section 4. the straw bale house event was 'rained on' not 'rained out'. The Peace Vigil in State College is held from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm every Saturday.

3. Arthur Clark has given his car away but is returning to work. Dick and Shirley Wenner of Millville were in a serious motor vehicle accident and are at Geisinger Medical Center. Scott McGrail Peasley of State College has been seriously ill with cardiac issues and complications and is now at a Rehab facility in Danville. Dave Kinsey of Pennsdale passed away.

4. Larry Mutti provided the Treasurer's report. Larry reported that some registration checks for Camp Crystal Lake were lost, some checks have been reissued but not all. Friends are asked to check that their check was cashed and if not are asked to send another check if they find their check was not cashed. Wade sent out a letter to attenders. Larry will send a follow up letter. Income has still exceeded. expenses.

Larry would welcome another friend to serve as Treasurer. Our accounts have not been audited since he has Treasurer. We seek finding someone to audit our accounts. We ask that each Monthly Meeting consider if someone at their MM could audit USQM accounts. Wade will call each MMs Treasurers as well. We hope this could be done in a volunteer capacity. Is there someone in PYM who could assist us in this. Wade will check with Cathy Riley at PYM. It was suggested that we have a term for Treasurer and thus prevent this job from becoming overwhelming for one individual.

5. Review of Quarterly Coordinator job Description. A revised job description was distributed dated October 2006. The Quarterly Organizing Committee has approved this draft. At CCL QM it was suggested that the Coordinator visit each MM twice a year. If Coordinator does not meet the recommendations the QOC will address this. An addition under section 2. A. sixth point was made. It should read :

* work with the QOC to ensure that all USQM requirements for support and safety policies are followed for the Young Friends.

It was discussed that Wade is to support the Quarter but cannot 'do' all the suggested activities without Quarter support and individuals participation.

Friends approved the Coordinator job description with the above addition.

6. We discussed creating a Quarter-wide e-newsletter. Wade does not want to take on doing a Newsletter. He wishes to have contact people/liason from MMs to get news from. The physical assembling of a newsletter is not the difficult part. Getting up to date current information is the challenge. There was discussion about the need for another newsletter. MM newsletters are not currently posted on the USQM web site. Reports from MMs are included in QM minutes. The just approved Coordinator Job description does ask for a Quarterly e-newsletter. Wade would like one friend from each MM to act as a liason to communicate Meeting news to wade. Beth Higginson will be liason for Wellsboro. Jane Keller will be liason for Pennsdale MM. Wade will be liason for Millville for now. We will revisit this at Junes QM and see how this is doing.

7. Bryn Hammerstrom did check if Pemberton Funds could be used for QM travels. The funding board would consider this request but we are reminded that Pemberton funds will now also go towards two Yearly Meeting sessions annually.

8. Reports from MMs

- Wellsboro has a minute of concern reguarding PYM placing no trespassing signs at 4th and Arch St., homeless people were evicted. Fencing was enlarged and security guards have been hired. There are some homeless individuals who have been at 4th and Arch for years. These decisions were made by processes of decision making but perhaps without consideration of Quaker principles. There has been many individuals with great concerns on both sides of this. There is fear among some staff at PYM. There is concern that we need to address our outreach and support of homeless individuals at 4th and Arch. The working group is The Poverty Working Group. The Wellsboro minute was not available and QM asks that Wellsboro bring this Minute to our June Meeting, perhaps with more time for more seasoning. PYM has been invited to serve one meal a month to the homeless. Some friends are concerned about opening up 4th and Arch for this. USQM minutes we hold this concern and those concerned with this matter in the Light. Wade will post the Minute on USQM web site.

- Wellsboro minuted that they returned their insurance dividend check sent to them from PYM and suggests that other MMs and entities return their dividend checks to PYM as well as this could be used to assist PYM budget shortfall. USQM approves sending the QM dividend check back to PYM. The Treasurer will send a check to PYM of $61.00. Wellsboro is sending care packages to.

- Huntingdon has been asked by Juniata College to have Juniata College listed as a certificate holder on their insurance policy. Bryn Hammerstrom suggests that Huntingdon contact Don Martin. Bryn will send this information to Wade to be posted on the USQM web site. Huntingdon has not been meeting due to this matter as they now have no space.

- Millville Woship and Ministry is asking its Meeting for direction it wishes W & M to pursue. This has led to whorship sharing and queries and they are forming a 'state of the meeting' statement.

- North Branch is working on a Meeting newsletter communication web site. A joy for North Branch is they have 2 young friends who have become members.

-State College reports that Laurie Perman and Tom Ryan will be moving to Pendel Hill. Grace and Doug Miller have moved to the Lancaster area, they have been Meeting Recorders. The Recording Clerk is also moving. State College has suffered several break-ins and items including a computer have been stolen. Locks are being changed.

- Towanda Meeting has lost 2 members and the Meeting has decided to meet monthly in friends homes. Bob Wood can set up a computer system for schools at a very reduced cost. He developed these skills after doing this work in South Africa. Bob's web site is wizzydigital.com or .org.

-Elklands gained 4 new members.

- Larry Mutti reported that the QOC supports Joanie Maughmer seeking PYM grant funds for One World Camp. Margie Frysinger and Larry Mutti will support Joanie in planning this year's camp. FAPs need to have child abuse clearance and criminal background check clearances, the Quarter will pay these costs. The Quarter needs to have copies of these clearances on record for each FAP. There is concern that plans need to be set and followed. Last year the Camp changed their plans mid-camp and this cannot ever happen again. The QOC has spent a great deal of time on this and a schedule of planning deadlines has been developed. The Camp must follow these guidelines and planning will be closely monitored and supervised. And if deadlines are not met, the Camp may not go forward and this needs to be communicated as soon as possible to families.

- The Clemency project is on hold at present.

-Pennsdale MM's minute presented at CCL "On Not Having Enemies" was considered. It was suggested that the Minute is too long. We will ask Pennsdale to revisit this Minute and to 'distill' the Minute and present this to us at Junes Meeting and consider disseminating this in broader Quaker publishings.

- Millville is considering a trip to the U.N. and stay at 15th Street MM in New York City. Please contact Wade if interested in this trip.

- Sat. April 14th Harrisburg MM is holding a workshop on 'Fueling Our Future'. There is also a rally at the State Capital planned.

Please give any ideas for Camp Crystal Lake to Jane Keller or Ed Solenberger. Volunteers and helpers are needed.

Next QM will be June 17, 2007 at Ricketts Glen. Wade asks that we schedule locations for our upcoming QMs, we have set dates but not locations. This will be addressed by the QOC and reported at June QM.

Thomas Swain responded that he feels vitality and sharing at our QM today. Gratitude was expressed that Tom attended our Meeting today.

The Meeting closed at 3:30pm with silence and gratitude.

Attendence: Ginny Mutti, Larry Mutti, Wellsboro; Thomas Swain, Concord; Rejena Girton, Anne Foulke, Susan Rockwood, Lennae Winterstein, Wade Wright, Angela Solenberger, Ed Solenberger; Brian Windwalker, North Branche; Karen Frock, Jane Keller, Pennsdale; Mary Hutchins, Olivia Ott, Elwood Way, Emily Way, State College; Bryn Hammerstrom, Wellsboro.

Respectfully submitted,

Olivia Ott, Recording Clerk oottcnm@aol.com

Ed Solenberger, Clerk.

Meeting for Worship with a concern for the business of Upper Susquehanna Quarter

Held on September 16, 2006 at Camp Crystal Lake

The Meeting began at 1:30 pm with silent worship.

1. Minutes of USQ meeting for worship for business of June 18, 2006, held at Ricketts Glen and hosted by North Branch MM, were approved with the following corrections: In Minute #5, the correct spelling is Cy Merriweather- DeVries . Also in that minute, the Young Friends were Marissa Plowden, Laurel Leighty, and Dylan Maughmer. In minute #6, LeAnn's last name is Mazurak,

2. The Treasurer's report from Larry Mutti was approved with gratitude to Larry for his work. It included the One World Camp cash flow record and Quarterly Meeting accounts from July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006. A Friend noted that a contribution for the Field Secretary by Pennsdale MM was not listed because it was sent directly to PYM instead of through USQ It was established that there is no consistency in PYM in how it receives money from Monthly Meetings. PYM hopes that MMs will go through their own Treasurers. If USQ needs to know about contributions from the Quarter, we can ask PYM for a report by contacting Kathy Reilly.

The Treasurer noted that we try to make special Quarter programs self-sustaining but are not always successful. He also asked that Friends apply for and complete background clearances so they can serve as FAPs. USQ has agreed to pay the fees for those clearances. Our insurance policy says annual renewals for clearances are not necessary; one time is enough. Those clearances should be filed with the QOC.

3. Reports were given on Quarter-wide activities: Joanie Maughmer reported on One World Camp. Pictures and a journal written by Katy Cleary were shared with the group. There were eleven campers and four adults. They hope to hold the camp again next year at Laurel State Park. Because the costs of the event exceeded the income for it, there was a deficit of $570. USQ decided to approve payment to Joanie Maughmer in the amount of that deficit. Larry Mutti agreed to meet with Joanie to help her apply for a grant for next year's camp. QOC Friends expressed discomfort because none of the clearances, permission slips or agenda details were received prior to the group's departure as was requested by the QOC on behalf of USQ. Friends agreed to support One World Camp again next year providing that all USQ guidelines are met; if not, the QOC reserves the right to cancel the event.

4. The Regional staff's report on USQ events was circulated. Margaret Wood reported on the Franklin Institute sleepover done with CALN quarter. The children wrote and published an epistle after that event. It was reported that Christie Duncan-Tesmer did a great job of making Quakerism accessible to the children. Carol Endy spoke of the rained-out straw bale house event and noted that sustainable agriculture became the theme; they weeded an onion patch and drove draft horses. Friends hope the building of the straw bale house will be a continuing activity for the Quarter. Fred Kressler spoke about the Memorial Day canoe trip, which lasted 2 nights; Friends camped on the land of a former Methodist minister. All ages and all experience levels are welcome at next year's event..

Brynn Hammerstrom noted that many Friends are doing peace witnesses. (See minute #6 for details).

5. The Regional staff job description was shared; we hope to have it finalized at the QOC meeting on October 22, 2006, at 1 p.m. at Pennsdale Meeting. All are welcome to attend. Suggestions, corrections etc. can be sent to clerk of the QOC at keller@lycoming.edu A Friend mentioned that a job description is needed for us to complete an evaluation. He asked that all consider this job description carefully. A Wellsboro Friend mentioned that he wants regional staff to visit his Meeting. One Friend noted that there is a fine line between that staff work and personal work, but clarified that the first priority for regional staff is work for the Quarter. Work for PYM is always secondary; the Quarter itself determines Regional Staff tasks. One Friend suggested the present job description is too wide-ranging and specific goals should be defined each year. Our staff has recently begun making monthly reports. One Friend suggested that a QM agenda item be a revisitation of regional staff work. Friends discussed ways to receive input on this work from the Monthly Meetings. One possibility was to ask Monthly Meeting Friends to come with requests and concerns to each Quarterly Meeting or e-mail them to the clerk; we can then prioritize and QOC can work it out with staff. Another suggested that QOC bring specific points to discuss at QM. Suggestion: each MM have an adult discussion on what the priorities are for the staff in preparation for Fall Gathering of USQ. Suggestion for evaluating : does staff work sustain you and enrich the Quarter? Other Friend says we do not see enough of our staff. Right now, the most important service is presence in Monthly Meetings. Both Elklands and Huntington feel isolated and would like to see more of other Friends and of Wade Wright. Two visits to each Meeting each year by staff were suggested. QOC will emphasize visitation as a priority. Carpooling and traveling with Wade were suggested to Friends as a means of intervisitation. Brynn Hammerstrom will contact Carol Walz at PYM to see if funds are available for travel.

6. Reports from Monthly Meetings:

Millville: Friends there have begun a carbon neutral initiative; the amount of carbon used is calculated and then contributions are made to alternative fuel suppliers and those who buy up carbon offsets. Millville MM website has detailed information. A peace rally is held every Fourth day at 5:30 in front of the Bloomsburg town fountain.

Other vigils: Towanda MM members have been vigiling at Binghamton court house 4:30 to 5:30 every Friday. Williamsport is the site of a vigil every first Monday at Lycoming County Court House from noon to 1 p.m.; Pax Christi has a vigil in Elmira , NY; State College holds a vigil every Saturday at the campus main gate from 1 to 2 p.m. AFSC's Eyes Wide Open memorial is coming to Williamsport (Oct. 13, 14) and Millville in October. Bruce Birchard will also be coming there on11/2.

State College: the Friends School is starting the second year of a head search, working with a search consultant; Friends are continuing the AVP program at Huntingdon prison Campbell Plowden is working on coordinating AVP in both PA and NJ. Friendly Gatherings at the Meeting are continuing to encourage fellowship; query topics are invited.

Towanda: two of the adult members, Clark and Jane Mueller, will be moving to Boston.

7. Report on the Clemency Project:

The following Minute of appreciation for Arthur Clark was approved by USQ with enthusiasm:

Pennsdale Monthly Meeting and the Working Group of the Clemency Project of Upper Susquehanna Quarter asks that a minute of appreciation be forwarded to Interim Meeting to honor the work of Arthur Clark, executive director of the Clemency Project. Arthur Clark has dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice for those incarcerated in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. In addition to his many years working on criminal justice concerns for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, he has worked tirelessly in the last eight years to reactivate the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and Parole to consider commutation for some of the 4100 prisoners who are now serving life sentences with no hope of parole. Often without remuneration of any kind, Arthur Clark has met with dozens of prisoners, Department of Corrections officials, and prominent individuals in the field of criminal justice to bring forward solutions to restore commutation. His reputation for honesty, selflessness and loving concern for all has brought him the respect and admiration of everyone he contacts. Now in his 90th year, Arthur continues to serve as an example of what is the best in us, a dedication to the welfare of others built on a passionate belief in justice, in the existence of "that of God" in everyone, and in the Light that is his Guide. We ask that this minute of appreciation also include Mary Clark, his loving helpmeet, intellectual and life companion, and support through all his efforts.

We ask that Friends at Interim Meeting approve this minute and present it to Arthur W. Clark at a regular meeting for worship for business.

The clerk of the working group of the Clemency Project reported that the political situation is more than discouraging and Arthur is slowing down due to pain in his knees.

8. Two minutes from Residential Meeting of PYM were reported, one calling for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon and one approving same sex marriage. An article on the ceasefire minute was printed in the religion section of the Wellsboro Gazette. On Oct 28 at 4th and Arch Streets, a called PYM meeting will be held to discuss the wars in Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine and the U.S. role in the Middle East in regards to being the largest purveyor of arms to that area.

USQM calendar was approved and distributed:

QOC Oct. 22, 2006

QM Dec. 17, 2006-Pennsdale Sing Potluck (QOC at 3 p.m.)

QOC Feb. 18, 2007

QM March 18, 2007

QOC May 20, 2007

QM June 17, 2007

QOC August 19, 2007

QM Sept. 15, 2007 Crystal Lake

QOC October 21, 2007

QOC Dec. 16, 2007 Pennsdale Sing Potluck

QOC Feb. 17, 2008

QM March 16, 2008

QOC May 18, 2008

QM June 15, 2008

QOC August 17, 2008

QM Sept. 20, 2008

QOC October 19, 2008

QOC Dec. 14, 2008 Pennsdale Sing Potluck

All are invited to QOC meetings. Locations of QM to be determined. Any Monthly Meeting wanting to host a Quarterly Meeting gathering should let someone on the QOC know.

9. Thomas Swain, new clerk of PYM, will be going to Palestine with a group from National Council of Churches in October.

10. Pennsdale Monthly Meeting sent forward a minute for Friends' consideration entitled "On Not Having Enemies." It reads as follows:

There are so many conflicts in the world, so many hatreds that lead to wars without end, so much destruction of human life that it is difficult to know how to respond and to respond before an individual conflict seems to have mutated into something worse. We find ourselves breathless and frustrated at the inability to make a difference to the growing violence in our world.

However there is a different kind of response we can make to all the hatreds, conflicts, and wars wherever they are and at whatever time. Such a response is based on an interpersonal and international truth we humans all too often fail to recognize-that it is a conscious choice to have enemies and a similarly conscious choice not to have enemies. Certainly there are those who do not like us, personally or nationally, and certainly not everyone wishes us well. Even granted that, though, we make conscious choices to divide our world into camps of friends and camps of enemies, treating each according to the choice, which normally is a prejudgement. And of course by so acting we create a self-fulfilling prophesy-our choice to have enemies creates those enemies, a process which builds on itself to our great peril. This is a process which must stop.

There is a better, more holistic, healthier way to be in our interpersonal lives and international relations. We can choose not to have others as enemies. This does not mean a naïve refusal to look at reality. On the contrary, it means to look squarely at our own choices, motives, and actions, at the way we are dividing the world up arbitrarily and prejudicially, at the ways we are harming ourselves and others by such choices, at our responsibility in the conflicts, hatreds, and wars. It means taking the other seriously as a person or a nation and not as a member of a class, "friend or enemy". It means claiming wrongs where we perceive them, but it also means admitting wrongs where we have done them, and most of all it means working from the outset toward reconciliation.

Recognizing such truths, we call upon one another as Friends to recognize in ourselves-in our values and testimonies-the human and spiritual power not to have enemies any longer. And we, as Friends who recognize the validity and necessity of such a choice, call upon our fellow countrywomen and countrymen, upon our political leaders, and upon our neighbors in other lands to stop making the choice to have enemies. We call upon our brothers and sisters everywhere to resolve not to have enemies any longer.

Pennsdale Monthly Meeting united behind this minute at Meeting for Business on 27 Eighth Month 2006 and recommend the following actions.

1. In order for the minute to be considered by other Friends in other meetings, it is referred to the Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting.

2. Following that, a referral should be made to other quarterly meetings and to the Peace and Concerns Standing Committee of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

3. Following wider acceptance among Friends, a referral should be made to the General Secretary and Clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting with the end of dissemination to U. S. Government officials, major area newspapers, and other yearly meetings and peace churches.

Friends discussed the minute noting that we need to differentiate between opponents and enemies. Divisions in the world are more complex than friends and enemies. An electronic version will be put on the website, and should be sent to each Meeting. This minute will be considered by the Monthly meetings and the result of that consideration will be brought to Quarterly Meeting in March 2007.

11. The meeting closed with a period of grateful silence.

Attending were Brynn Hammerstrom, of Wellsboro MM; Joan Broadfield, Chester MM; Mel and Carol Endy, Garry Wamser, Fred Kressler, Sue Walker-Moyer, Anne Foulke, of Millville Meeting; Larry and Ginny Mutti, of Huntingdon Meeting; Margy Frysinger, Joanie Maughmer, Campbell Plowden and Betsy Gamble of State College Meeting; Dottie and Ed Rexer of Elkland Meeting, and Jane Keller, Pennsdale Meeing

Respectfully submitted by Jane Keller, serving as Recording Clerk for Olivia Ott

The Treasurer's report was distributed but the Treasurer, Larry Mutti was not able to attend to clarify the report. Income exceeded expenses by $1000.00. Camp Crystal Lake shortfall was $400.00 which is encouraging considering a small attendance. The report was accepted as submitted

Jane Keller reported for the Quarter Organizing Committee. The Committee has met over the past several months with the concern for the USQM Young Friends Program. The process of discernment for the YFs Program included meetings with a professional consultant hired by PYM. Jane presented the following report.

(* Ed insert QOC report) The report was developed with input from USQM, St College and PYM YFs handbooks and YFs Programs. The USQM website has a copy of the most recent st College YFs Program handbook which is hoped will be a beginning point to develop a revised handbook. The QOC hopes a Committee will be formed of committed, interested friends who will work on developing a Quarter Childrens Program including a strong YFs Program. One friend asked that the older YFs help mentor the Younger YFs as a way to develop a new group of YFs in the future. One friend described a monthly Teen Night she was involved with in Bucks Quarter. The YFs present today are interested in a USQM YFs Program soon. Safe programs are essential and background checks for FAPs are required. The YFs present were not old enough to participate in USQ YFs program in the past and so are very new to events and the handbook guidelines. YFs value the relationships they develop by YF events usually with other YFs but also with younger YFs as well as with older friends. Types of events were discussed, there is interest in events which include things such as community service and cultural experiences during YFs weekends. Some high schools require community service hours and this could be part of service weekends. YFs were asked if they feared any possible guidelines. YFs present expressed they hope One World YFs program meets again this summer. The QOC has agreed the guidelines submitted in the distributed report must be in place before the USQ YFs can schedule an event. State College YFs handbook can serve as an interim guide. A Quarterly Youth Committee of adults and YFs was formed including: Margaret Wood, Kate Cleary, Joanie Maughmer, Laurel Mueller, Steve Wood, John Stitzer, Laura Leyde and it is hoped others will join this committee. Margaret will set up a Yahoo bulletin board as a way to facilitate discussion for this committee, please give email addresses to Margaret Wood. One YF wants to be involved but will be at boarding school. The committee can also arrange teleconferences through PYM/AFSC. Margaret will write an announcement about this forming committee and will send this toWade who will send out as a Quarterwide email. Interested YFs and adults should reply to Margaret so she will only be sending info to YFs who wish to be included in this committee work. Pennsdale MM is a central location in the Quarter and is available as a meeting site. One YF says that we need to send planned event announcements to YFs so announcements about events can be made at Monthly Meetings. YFs hope things will be organized soon so the summer One World event can take place. A first Meeting date for the Quarterly Youth Committee was planned for Friday, April 7, 2006 at 7pm at Pennsdale. There was further discussion about holding an overnight as a first meeting but this was not planned.

The Meeting minutes support for all the Young Friends attendance today.

Reports from Monthly Meetings. Dorothy Rexer reported from Elklands and announces that they are expecting 4 new members and 2 transfers of memberships which will increase their number of 5 current members. Ginny reported Huntingdon Meeting welcomed a new member who will be attending when she can as she is moving out of the area. Ginny has taught their First Day by herself for years.

Margaret Wood reported for Towanda MM. Voices in the Woods program on veterans experience in Vietnam was very successful. Wade shared that Millville has new attenders. Millville has endorced Global Warming concerns. Jane Keller and Karen Frock reported that Pennsdale is doing fine. They have several new grandchildren. The Meeting had a successful Community Carol sing in December. The QOC and Pennsdale plan next year to have the Quarterwide carol sing. The Meeting oversaw a Marriage and the couple has since had a baby and the Meeting held a Welcoming Meeting for the baby, which was wonderful for the Meeting. Tom Ryan and Yuri Campbell reported for State College. Things continue to move along in St College. The First Day program has been doing A Godly Play this year. There are 11 YFs and FAPs attending a first North American Conference on Racial Justice and Equality within the Religious Society of Friends at Burlington Conference Center. Tom reported the secret trick to get onto St College's web site. The password is 'enter' the user name is 'Friend', click on the Meetinghouse picture to get to the sign in screen. YF John Stitzer and 4 other YFs from BYM are planning a trip to Ramallah Meeting in July and are seeking funds for their trip. Wade reported that the last time he attended Sterling Worship Group and 25 were in attendence. A couple has committed to helping run Journey's End Camp for a year. Bryn Hammerstrom sends word from Wellsboro that things are going well.

Meetings seeking a new Meetinghouse or change in location. North Branch and Sterling are looking for a new location in earnest. They have formed a budget and individuals are committing funds to this

Report on Clemency project. Karen Frock reported. The Project is alive and well. 2 cases are in the preparation phase and 3 are in process. Arthur Clark has had health concerns. A new ruling on the unanimous vote necessary for Pardons Board has been found unconstitutional but while this is good news this is being appealed. The Clemency Project is working closely with The PA Prison Board.

The John Jay College of Law is evaluating the recidivism rate of previously paroled prisoners.

Joys and Concerns. Wade asked for us to hold Friends involved with PYM in the light. Theirs has been difficult and stressful work recently. An Interim General Secretary is to be reported. Several friends shared joy in our YFs and adults interested in energizing a YF and Youth Program. Friends shared joy in attending meeting today at St College.

The Meeting minutes appreciation for Therese Miller's work with the USQM QOC over the past months.

Announcements

Upcoming Quarter activities:

4/2/06 Franklin Institute sleepover. Over 30 are registered including some USQM YFs

USQM Memorial Day Canoe trip, see USQ web site for details

4/9/06 St College 9:45am the director of MAR AFSC will be speaking

6/18/06 USQM at North Branch at Ricketts Glen, the camping facility is closed so this is not planned as an overnight but there may be lodging available at Red Rock facility may be available. Laurel Meuller will look into this and let Wade know. Worship at 11am, Potluck followed by Meeting for Worship for Business at 1:30pm. Go to the farthest Pavilion on the right.

7/25-30/06 PYM at De Salle's College

9/15-17/06 USQM at Camp Crystal Lake. It is hoped that the Quarter Youth Committee will plan YF events. Several workshops are planned.

In attendance:

Laurel Meuller, Dottie Rexer, Elklands MM; Ginny Mutti, Huntingdon MM; Anne Foulke, Ed Solenberger, Wade Wright, Millville MM; Karen Frock, Jane Keller, Pennsdale; Kat Alden, Devin Cleary, Katy Cleary, Bob Crauder, Phil Furnas, Margy Frysinger, Mary Hutchins, Laura Leyde, Dylan Maughmer, Joanie Maughmer, Doug Miller, Olivia Ott, Marissa Plowden, Yuri Plowden, Tom Ryan, Mardy Shaw, Mark Shaw, Kaleb Shissler, John Stitzer, Mary Thom, Dean Tuttle, Claudia Wilson, State College; Margaret Wood, Max Wood, Towanda MM; Ryan Smith, Wellsboro MM.

Respectfully submitted Olivia Ott, Recording Clerk

Ed Solenberger, Clerk

Quarterly Meeting of Upper Susquehanna Quarter Sixth Month 18, 2006, at 1:30 p.m.

Rickett's Glen State Park (hosted by North Branch MM)

1. The meeting opened with silent worship.

2. Minutes of Quarterly Meeting of Third Month 19, 2006, were approved.

3. Treasurer's Report was read by Ed Solenberger in the absence of Larry Mutti, who apologized for his absence. An updated list of income and expenses was distributed. The Quarter seems to be in good shape financially; a better report will be available following One World Camp, completion of receipts from the canoe weekend, and receipt of covenants for this year.

4. Friends minuted approval of Larry's suggestion that the Quarter underwrite the expense of background checks for Friendly Adult Presences at Quarter events. The cost was estimated at $20 per person.

5. Young Friends Committee: Wade reported that a group of Friends met at Pennsdale in Fourth Month, including Margaret Wood, Katie Kleary (sp?). Joanie Maughmer, Ed Solenberger, Laurel Mueller, Jane Keller, Wade Wright and three Young Friends??? (names) Those present agreed to use the guidelines for Young Friends gatherings that the QOC proposed and the Quarter agreed to in Third Month. Another meeting was scheduled but the date did not work and it was not rescheduled. There has been no activity on the Young Friends' website. Wade is still actively seeking adults with energy to participate in a Quarter-wide Youth Committee. He will be meeting with Cy Merryweather ???? DeVries in State College on Monday.

6. A weekend workcamp on Environmental Sustainability is being organized by Wade, sponsored by Millville MM and USQ and uniting with CALN Quarter on July 15-16, at the farm of Chris Lent and Amanda Birk, who are building a straw bale energy efficient home. Hollister Knowlton, of PYM's Environmental Working Group will offer a workshop. A program for Middle School Young Friends will also be offered. Wade is working on that with Le Ann????? from College Misericordia

7. One World Camp is being held from June 18-25. Joanie Maughmer organized the camp which will include a trip to Laurel State Park and Assateaque. Joanie has agreed to abide by all YF guidelines. Clearances for FAPs were applied for but not yet received. Signed agreements for YFs were promised but not yet received. Jane Keller, clerk of QOC, contacted the insurance company to make sure USQ was covered for the event even in the absence of the above. Friends thanked Jane for her work..

8. Wade reported that the family canoe weekend went well with 11-12 persons participating. The trip took place on the West Branch and several newcomers asked to return next year. Friends endorsed holding the camp again next year.

9. Fall Gathering will be held Ninth Month 15-17. Workshops will include the Making New Friends Project and Deepening and Strengthening our Meetings as faith communities. Leaders from PYM will be coming to help with both of those. Sunny Rehler will be offering a workshop in Qi-Gong. We are also considering having a workshop to discuss the Young Friends program, depending upon interest. Friends suggested inviting Young Friends from Yearly Meeting, CALN and other Quarters. Wade was hopeful that Younger Friends from the Franklin Institute trip and the Religious Shareshop event might come. Friends agreed to go ahead with Crystal Lake even if a Young Friends program did not materialize. The Talent Show was mentioned as an option for Saturday evening.

10. Reports from Monthly Meetings: Larry Mutti welcomes visitors to Huntingdon Meeting but asks that during the summer months, Friends call first since Meetings tend not to happen if the Muttis are out of town.

Millville: Wade reported that Marianna Wood, as a member of the Climate Action Network, has suggested that Millville MM become carbon neutral. i.e each family evaluates how much carbon it uses and subsidizes something that takes carbon out of the air. Wade will post the details on the USQ website.

North Branch: Jan Robinson reported that the Meeting accepted a budget this year to include a Meetinghouse, that they are investigating properties and loans, and applying to be incorporated so they are in a position to move quickly if a property is found. North Branch has three new members. Since the Day School is closed for the summer, they will meet at private homes or Journey's End on various First Days.

Journey's End is looking for male campers age 7-12 for its late July session and for a camp nurse.

Fundraiser for North Branch Meetinghouse: they are collecting recipes for a Quaker Pot Luck cookbook. Please send recipes to Marnetta Bradford. Her e-mail is marnetta@epix.net. Her home address is 93 Armstrong Drive, Shavertown, PA 18708.

State College: hosted the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit (displaying the boots and shoes of those who have died in Iraq), which then moved on to the Penn State campus, and the regional director of the mid-Atlantic region of AFSC came there to speak..

Wellsboro has found a new location for Meeting for worship at a nearby church. Details are available on the USQ website.

11. Friends discussed actions for peace. Millville MM sponsors a peace vigil every Fourth Day at the Bloomsburg town fountain from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Pennsdale MM is in its fifth year of sponsoring a peace vigil on the first Monday of every month in downtown Williamsport (noon to 1 p.m. across from the federal building). Lewisburg has a vigil every Saturday at noon at the Post Office.

12. At the request of Langley Hill MM, home meeting of Tom Fox, North Branch sent a letter of request to Pres. Bush and their Congresspersons asking for disclosure of names and charges of those incarcerated as a result of the conflict in Iraq and for visitation by Red Cross and Red Crescent. Lauri Perman wrote a eulogy to Tom Fox that was read at his memorial service and was widely distributed and tributes to Tom appeared in two Williamsport papers. Two Greenwoods Friend School parents donated $1000 to the school for peace education in memory of Tom Fox.

13. North Branch send the following minute, adopted at their meeting for business on 14 May 2006, to Friends General Conference and asked that it be considered at our Quarterly Meeting at Fall Gathering: " North Branch Friends Meeting requests that FGC discontinue the so-called Indian Sweat Lodge ceremony until a solution can be found that will please both Friends and Native Americans. While Friends understand that the original intent was to broaden religious experience and to expand our cultural understanding of other people, such good intentions do not, and should not, obscure the objections expressed by some Native Americans. Given the history of white-indigenous relations, opposing the continued appropriation of native culture should be the primary concern of all Friends."

14. Arthur Clark, now 89, continues his tireless work for the Clemency Project. One of our candidates was denied commutation by the Pardons Board in both November and on appeal in February, but both decisions had only one opposing vote (the Attorney General's). A recent federal court decision makes a case that those who were given life sentences before a unanimous vote of the Pardons Board was required for commutation should still only require a majority vote for commutation. The outcome of that decision could very positively impact our work. An application for another inmate will be filed soon and the caseload includes several worthy applicants.

15. Joys and Concerns: Letitia Weber expressed her gratitude to everyone who is faithful to the Quarter and works so hard on behalf of our community. Anne Foulke reported that the Columbia Garden Club is holding garden days sponsored by Millville MM and Greenwoods Friends School on June 24-25. Thom Jeavons successfully underwent heart surgery on June 17. Kat Alden invites those interested to join her at a 24-hour retreat for Quaker women which is held each summer and has been held for the past five years. Barb Farley reported that her grandson recently graduated fro Harvard University and that readings in Hindi, Yiddish and Muslim were given there.

16. Friends were asked to encourage their Meeting Friends and others to attend Residential Yearly Meeting on July 25-30 at DeSales University. Web registration is available and children are "basically free."

17. Friends were also asked to attend and encourage others to join us for Fall Gathering on Sept. 15-17, and to register for the Environmental WorkCamp on July 14-16.

18. The meeting closed with worship at 3 p.m. The clerk expressed his gratitude to North Branch MM for hosting Friends and to all for attending.

Respectfully submitted by Jane Keller, substituting for Olivia Ott, recording clerk

Attenders included Anne Foulke, Letitia Weber, Paul Loomis, and Wade Wright, from Millville MM; Mary Hutchins, Kat Alden and Bill Torretti from State College MM; Jane and Bill Keller from Pennsdale MM; Barbara Farley, Kathleen Klynoot, Jan Robinson, Brain Windwalker and Beverly and Wally Williams from North Branch MM, and Ed Solenberger, clerk of USQ

Meeting for Worship with a concern for the business of Upper Susquehanna Quarter held on March 19, 2006 at State College Monthly Meeting

The Meeting began at 1:30pm with silent worship.

Minutes from USQM Meeting for Business of 9/17/05 were distributed and approved as distributed.

Jane Keller reported for the Quarter Organizing Committee(QOC). The Committee has met over the past several months with the concern for the USQM Young Friends Program. The process of discernment for the YFs Program included meetings with a professional consultant hired by PYM. Jane presented the following report.

Friends agreed that it is essential that more adults be involved as FAPs and leaders, not only for the good of the YFs but also for building community in the Quarter.

Friends reached the following agreements and decisions:

o The Quarter will not sponsor any overnight or multiple-day youth activities until it has a clear structure for training, planning, pre-program oversight, program implementation, and post-program evaluation and accountability

o In advance of any youth program date, the QOC will review the details of the program to make sure everything is in order.

o In order for any future YF overnight program to proceed, a USQM Youth Committee (QYC) must be formed, and must develop and submit to QOC for approval the following:

o Program Participation Guidelines

o Safety Policy (including procedures for obtaining background clearances)

o As interim documents, the newly formed QYC may accept and implement as written the current USQM YF Handbook (as participation guidelines) and the SCFM Background Check Policy (as safety policy)

Friends agreed upon the following Overnight Program Requirements:

o The following will be required 4 weeks in advance of any overnight or multiple-day YF event sponsored by USQM QOC:

o Program participation guidelines and adequate training for Leaders

o Program participation guidelines for YFs and FAPs

o Program agenda

o Meeting space confirmation

o Safety measures & emergency plans

o Leader and FAP commitments and background clearances

o Plan for orientation of YFs and FAPs

o Travel arrangements

o Post-program evaluation guidelines

o The following will be required prior to commencement of event:

o Signed parental permissions and releases

o Signed youth commitments to adhere to program guidelines

o Physical presence of adequate number of Leaders/FAPs

ß FAP:YF ratio = 1:6

ß Minimum 3 FAPs in attendance

ß FAP must be 21 or older, with at least 2 FAPs over 30

Friends agreed that, for the time being, the joint sessions between the QOC and SCMM Ad Hoc Committee, would be laid down. State College Friends agreed to return to join the QOC in discussion of the job description of the Regional Staff at the October QOC meeting. Friends enthusiastically thanked Margy and Doug for their participation and the dedication and love they have contributed to these efforts. Therese thanked us for allowing her to lead us through this process. Friends reiterated their gratitude to her.

The report was developed from the QOC minutes. The USQM website has a copy of the most recent St. College YFs Program handbook which is hoped will be a beginning point to develop a revised handbook. The QOC hopes a Committee will be formed of committed, interested friends who will work on developing a Quarter Children's Program including a strong YFs Program. One friend asked that the older YFs help mentor the Younger YFs as a way to develop a new group of YFs in the future. One friend described a monthly Teen Night she was involved with in Bucks Quarter. The YFs present today are interested in a USQM YFs Program soon. Safe programs are essential and background checks for FAPs are required. The YFs present were not old enough to participate in USQ YFs program in the past and so are very new to events and the handbook guidelines. YFs value the relationships they develop by YF events usually with other YFs but also with younger YFs as well as with older friends. Types of events were discussed. There is interest in events that include things such as community service and cultural experiences during YFs weekends. Some high schools require community service hours and this could be part of service weekends. YFs were asked if they feared any possible guidelines. YFs present expressed they hope One World YFs program meets again this summer. The QOC has agreed the guidelines submitted in the distributed report must be in place before the USQ YFs can schedule an event. State College YFs handbook can serve as an interim guide. A Quarterly Youth Committee of adults and YFs was formed including: Margaret Wood, Kate Cleary, Joanie Maughmer, Laurel Mueller, Steve Wood, John Stitzer, Laura Leyde and it is hoped others will join this committee.

Margaret will set up a Yahoo bulletin board as a way to facilitate discussion for this committee, please give email addresses to Margaret Wood. One YF wants to be involved but will be at boarding school. The committee can also arrange teleconferences through PYM/AFSC. Margaret will write an announcement about this forming committee and will send this toWade who will send out as a Quarterwide email. Interested YFs and adults should reply to Margaret so she will only be sending info to YFs who wish to be included in this committee work. Pennsdale MM is a central location in the Quarter and is available as a meeting site. One YF says that we need to send planned event announcements to YFs so announcements about events can be made at Monthly Meetings. YFs hope things will be organized soon so the summer One World event can take place. A first Meeting date for the Quarterly Youth Committee was planned for Friday, April 7, 2006 at 7pm at Pennsdale. There was further discussion about holding an overnight as a first meeting but this was not planned.

The Meeting minutes support for all the Young Friends attendance today.

Margaret Wood reported for Towanda MM. Voices in the Woods program on veterans' experience in Vietnam was very successful.

Wade shared that Millville has new attenders. Millville has endorsed Global Warming concerns.

Jane Keller and Karen Frock reported that Pennsdale is doing fine. They have several new grandchildren. The Meeting had a successful Community Carol sing in December. The QOC and Pennsdale plan next year to have the Quarterwide carol sing. The Meeting oversaw a Marriage and the couple has since had a baby and the Meeting held a Welcoming Meeting for the baby, which was wonderful for the Meeting.

Tom Ryan and Yuri Campbell reported for State College. Things continue to move along in St College. The First Day program has been doing A Godly Play this year. There are 11 YFs and FAPs attending a first North American Conference on Racial Justice and Equality within the Religious Society of Friends at Burlington Conference Center. Tom reported the secret trick to get onto St College's web site. The password is 'enter' the user name is 'Friend', click on the Meetinghouse picture to get to the sign in screen. YF John Stitzer and 4 other YFs from BYM are planning a trip to Ramallah Meeting in July and are seeking funds for their trip.

Wade reported that the last time he attended Sterling Worship Group and 25 were in attendance. A couple has committed to helping run Journey's End Camp for a year.

Bryn Hammerstrom sends word from Wellsboro that things are going well.

Meetings seeking a new Meetinghouse or change in location. North Branch and Sterling are looking for a new location in earnest. They have formed a budget and individuals are committing funds to this.

Report on Clemency project. Karen Frock reported. The Project is alive and well. 2 cases are in the preparation phase and 3 are in process. Arthur Clark has had health concerns. Also, of note, "A federal court has ruled that the unanimous vote necessary for commutation by the Pardons Board is unconstitutional for any court cases that were decided before the 1997 state referendum (which dictated the present procedure of the Board)." The Clemency Project is working closely with The PA Prison Board on this. The John Jay College of Law is considering a research project to evaluate the recidivism rate of previously paroled lifers.

Joys and Concerns. Wade asked for us to hold Friends involved with PYM in the light. Theirs has been difficult and stressful work recently. An Interim General Secretary is to be selected by April. Several friends shared joy in our YFs and adults interested in energizing a YF and Youth Program. Friends shared joy in attending meeting today at St College.

The Meeting minutes appreciation for Therese Miller's work with the USQM QOC over the past months.

Announcements

Upcoming Quarter activities:

4/2/06 Franklin Institute sleepover. Over 30 are registered including some USQM YFs.

USQM Memorial Day Canoe trip, see USQ web site for details.

4/9/06 St College 9:45am the director of MAR AFSC will be speaking.

6/18/06 Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting hosted by North Branch at Ricketts Glen.

The camping facility is closed so this is not planned as an overnight but there may be lodging available at Red Rock facility may be available. Laurel Meuller will look into this and

let Wade know. The agenda will be: Worship at 11am, followed by a potluck meal, with the Meeting for Worship for Business at 1:30pm. Go to the farthest Pavilion on the right.

7/25-30/06 Residential Philadelphia Yearly Meeting at De Salle's College.

9/15-17/06 Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting at Camp Crystal Lake. It is hoped that the Quarter Youth Committee will plan YF events. Several workshops are planned.

In attendance:

Respectfully submitted Olivia Ott, Recording Clerk

Ed Solenberger, Clerk

___________________________________________________________________________________

Meeting of the Quarterly Organizing Committee of the Upper Susquehanna Quarter held on March 4, 2006

Gathered at Pennsdale Meeting

Attending: Margy Frysinger, Doug Miller, Therese Miller (serving as clerk), Jane Keller, Larry Mutti, Tom Ryan, Ed Solenberger, and Brian Windwalker.

The Meeting opened with a period of silent worship.

Therese distributed a summary of a report prepared for PYM by Kimberly Day-Lewis, a gifted attorney and Friend, who had been retained to assist USQM in our current efforts to resolve issues and concerns regarding Young Friends programming. Therese noted that she and Gretchen Castle had earlier shared this report with Margy and Jane. Subsequently Therese and Margy shared the same with Joanie, and Therese and Jane likewise shared the information with Wade. All in attendance expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Therese for her dedication and expertise which has enabled us to work through this challenging time.

Friends reviewed and considered the findings and recommendations contained in the report. Many subjects were discussed, including the following:

o The need to clearly define the differences, and the different requirements for, Young Friends events and USQM family events.

o The previously developed Young Friends' Handbook, which has detailed guidelines for many of the issues related to YF gatherings.

o The previously developed background check policy already in place at SCMM. Friends discussed at length the requirement for state background checks for FAPs and YF program leaders.

o Guidelines for FAP participation.

o Possible requirements for first aid and readiness for possible medical emergencies.

o The meetings that Therese has scheduled with Wade and Joanie for conflict coaching, and possible mediation.

o The hope and intention that a committee could be gathered to direct the Young Friends' programs. That effort will be initiated at the next Quarterly Meeting on March 19. Friends agreed that it is essential that more adults be involved as FAPs and leaders, not only for the good of the YFs but also for building community in the Quarter.

Friends reached the following agreements and decisions:

o In advance of any youth program date, the QOC will review the details of the program to make sure everything is in order.

o Wade and Joanie should have at least one session with a conflict coach (Therese) to assist each of them to:

o Determine the value of their relationship,

o Become clear about the stresses between them, and

o Determine what s/he wants to do about the breach in their relationship

o Wade and Joanie are strongly encouraged, after the conflict coaching sessions, to meet together with the assistance of a facilitator/mediator in order to do everything they can to ensure their ability to work together productively on USQM youth programming activities.

o In order for any future YF overnight program to proceed, a USQM Youth Committee (QYC) must be formed, and must develop and submit to QOC for approval the following:

o Program Participation Guidelines

o Safety Policy (including procedures for obtaining background clearances)

o As interim documents, the newly formed QYC may accept and implement as written the current USQM YF Handbook (as participation guidelines) and the SCFM Background Check Policy (as safety policy)

Friends agreed upon the following Overnight Program Requirements:

o The following will be required 4 weeks in advance of any overnight or multiple-day YF event sponsored by USQM QOC:

o Program participation guidelines and adequate training for Leaders

o Program participation guidelines for YFs and FAPs

o Program agenda

o Meeting space confirmation

o Safety measures & emergency plans

o Leader and FAP commitments and background clearances

o Plan for orientation of YFs and FAPs

o Travel arrangements

o Post-program evaluation guidelines

o The following will be required prior to commencement of event:

o Signed parental permissions and releases

o Signed youth commitments to adhere to program guidelines

o Physical presence of adequate number of Leaders/FAPs

FAP:YF ratio = 1:6

Minimum 3 FAPs in attendance

FAP must be 21 or older, with at least 2 FAPs over 30

The following Friends agreed to undertake the following actions:

o Margy will email SCFM BGC policy to Ed, Tom and Jane

o Ed & Tom will develop a draft background check policy for Mar-19 quarterly meeting

o Larry will determine Guide-1 requirements for medical readiness and training of leaders and FAPs

o Jane will develop a draft Child Safety Policy for May QOC meeting

o SCMM Ad Hoc Committee on RFS will join QOC in October to revisit the RFS job description

The next QOC meeting is set for May 21, 2006, at Pennsdale, at 1 p.m. following worship and pot-luck. The agenda will include further work on YF program guidelines and a draft of a USQM Safety Policy. The QOC looks forward to receiving input from a Quarterly Youth Committee in advance of this meeting.

The meeting ended at 3:00 with a period of silent worship.

Minutes respectfully submitted by: Jane Keller and Therese Miller

Upper Susquehana Quarterly Meeting Meeting for Worship for Business

Held at Crystal Lake Camp, 9/17/05

Present: Ginny Mutti, Larry Mutti, Huntingdon; Jim Dalton, Anne Foulke, Fred Kressler, Ed Solenberger, Wade Wright, Millville; Bev Williams, Wally Williams, Brian Windwalker, North Branch; Rickie Gross, Jane Keller, Pennsdale; Joanie Maughmer, Doug Miller, Lauri Perman, Campbell Plowden, Sunny Rehler, Tom Ryan, Claudia Wilson, State College; Margaret Wood, Towanda; Branin Boyd, Wellsboro; Hollister Knowlton, Chestnut Hill MM.

Minutes from the USQM Meeting for Business of 6/19/05 were approved as distributed.

Treasurer's report. Larry Mutti (Huntingdon) presented a condensed annual report . Total income $15,278.63, total expenses $14,760.34. As in past years, most of our events cost more than registration fees generate, but our budget covers events costs overall. The Meeting very gratefully accepted the Treasurer's Report and thanks Larry for his work. The Treasurer asks that someone might consider accepting the position of Treasurer in the future as Larry has not planned to be Treasurer in perpetuity.

Discernment regarding Regional Secretary position. Towanda Meeting feels a regional Secretary is vital to its wellbeing and our Quarter and their Meeting. Towanda members are willing to support a Regional Secretary, contributing $25.00 per year per member above their current support of the Quarter. Pennsdale enthusiastically supports supporting a Regional Secretary for USQM, however funds are "tight". In discussion between Pennsdale and PYM Gretchen Castle, Clerk PYM, Gretchen has said there has been confusion about future funding for Regional Secretary staff, she anticipates Quarterly Meetings might be expected to increase contribution to PYM in the range of $1,000.00 not the amount of 50% of the Regional staff salary as has been mentioned. Millville MM has held a threshing session and feels our Quarter badly needs a Regional Staff position. The Meeting feels PYM support should remain at 50% or more of the cost. Millville plans to increase their support to USQM as our portion of funding Regional Secretary, but this is not certain. Millville feels accountability of the Regional Secretary belongs to the Quarter. Millville feels support from the Regional Secretary and PYM First Day support are tangible support from PYM for their Meeting. USQM Quarterly Organizing Committee is to provide oversight for Regional Secretary but there is not representation from all MMs on the QOC and it would be better if all Meetings were represented at the QOC. State College Meeting Interim Clerk Doug Miller provided the following written report from an ad hoc meeting about Regional staff. (*) State College strongly values the support a Regional Secretary brings to the smaller USQM Meetings. 40% of SCMM budget goes to covenant support of PYM, BYM and USQM, the Meeting has recently made a huge step in hiring a Meeting Secretary. State College was not able to meet their budget this past year, which is the first time in 20 years. PYM asked SCFM and Millville to increase their Meeting's covenant to PYM by 10-15%. State College admits negligence in participation and response to a QOC survey request of Regional Staff. Partly this lack of response is attributed to a feeling that the job description is not what SCMM would like the Regional Secretary job description to be.

Meetings expressed that we consider the Regional Secretary position separately from Wade Wright as an individual and his service.

Millville provides spiritual support to Wade.

QOC has been concerned about our Young Friends program for several years. Wade's job description changed when he began due to a variety of circumstances and the position was made full-time including more work at PYM.

A few individuals in USQM put a huge amount of time into QM events and frequently events are then cancelled as attendance at events is low. This is a concern and not just Wade's responsibility but an issue for all of USQM.

Huntingdon affirms it needs support from Regional Secretary. Visitation is vital to Huntingdon MM to provide a connection between Huntingdon and other MMs, the Quarter and PYM. Huntingdon feels USQM Young Friends program needs support from a Regional Secretary as well as any youth program Huntingdon would have. Huntingdon needs help with another Quakerism 101 Program and for their Meeting's discernment and individual discernment process. One example is Huntingdon membership is now really the Mutti family and Edna Eisenhart and this is felt to not be satisfactory for issues such as a clearness process for new members or perhaps a wedding.

North Branch needs a Regional Secretary. North Branch, as well as all MMs, expressed our distance from PYM and other MMs as a primary reason we need an ongoing Regional Secretary. Much of North Branch's budget goes towards QM and PYM covenants. Many at North Branch feel the Regional Secretary is the only real support they receive from PYM. If North Branch will need to increase financial support of a Regional Secretary, their covenant to PYM would likely have to be reduced. North Branch and Sterling Worship Group, on paper, is one Meeting but in reality they are 40 miles apart and separate.

At a Standing Committee Meeting at PYM this summer, the Yearly Meeting recognizes USQM's unique need for a Regional Secretary and it is felt PYM wants to continue support for USQM to have a Regional Secretary.

It was expressed that it seems as if the Regional Staff financial support is somewhat singled out from our support of PYM overall and this doesn't seem right. Areas farthest from PYM seem to be asked to fund Regional Staff at a higher level than Meetings closer to PYM and this seems to be the opposite of practices of other churches and also of other MMs ability to provide support within PYM. Meetings closer to PYM have more endowment funds than outlying Meetings. The Standing Committee is moving away from a percentage for MM support of Regional staff but needs to figure out how to fund all PYM programs and Regional staff. Regional staff in all PYM Quarters is funded differently and each Regional staff position is different.

The QOC will continue discernment of our Regional Secretary job description. The QOC will next meet at Pennsdale October 16, as always this meeting is emailed to the entire Quarter.

Quarter Young Friends Program. Joanne Maughmer read a letter from a counselor of several years of One World Camp, the letter expressed how beneficial the camp is to campers and to this counselor. Joanne has participated in One World Camp for seven years and has run the Camp for 2 years. This year the Camp had to move to Wellsboro one week prior to the Camp. Joannie was supported by Wellsboro MM to make this move possible. 15 campers 14-18 years of age attended the first week of Camp. They camped, went cliff jumping, had a solo sit at the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. They did cooking and crafts together, played 'wink', held council each evening to discuss the day and any problems that might have arrived. By the 4th day the group becomes a 'family' and the closeness is felt by the kids and adults. Some campers are getting older and will be moving beyond the Camp. The second week was attended by 7 younger campers. The campers did service to the owner of the farm where they camped, who did not charge One World to be there, by helping clean junk out of a barn on the property. Wade was involved in the Camp for the entire time. Joanne is working on next years Camp, this years Camp was support by funding from PYM Grant Funds. One World Camp is outreach as some campers are non-friends. Joanne read another letter from a Young Friend. YFs look forward to the next years Camp soon after the Camp. This friend feels the community and experience that happens at the Camp is very spiritual.

Ski Denton is tentatively planned. The Memorial Day weekend canoe trip is ongoing. Wade is pursuing a summer's work camp in the south for next summer.

Hopefully friends can meet later this weekend to continue discussion of YF programs.

Meetings seeking a new Meetinghouse or change of location. North Branch plans are somewhat on hold, they feel PYMs support is changing and seemingly more supportive of MMs needing a new space. Wellsboro meets in Mansfield at a church, this is satisfactory but also has challenges, but plans for a new meetinghouse is also on hold. Towanda is not presently pursuing a new space. North Branch is making a relationship with Quaker cartoonist Signe Wilkinson and they are working on a cartoon for the Meeting. Contact Wallyw@sunlink.net for more information on this.

Report from The Clemency Project. Jane Keller submitted a written report as follows. (*) Despite the seemingly hopelessness of the project, the Clemency Working group is far from giving up. The Project continues to seek funding for this work.

The following minute was approved.

"Upper Susquehanna minutes continuing support for all of the work of the Clemency Project." Arthur Clark finds our support invaluable. Many experienced 'non-Quaker' professionals are committed to the Project. Lifers in Pennsylvania feel they will never experience life again outside of prison and they feel hopeless. The Working group has lost members and would happily welcome others joining the group.

Reports from Monthly Meetings.

Wellsboro is doing well and the same.

Towanda has brought The Vietnam Story Project to the community and are planning to sponsor this again and are seeking funding for this and are working on other issues about this. The event was attended by a widely diverse group of people from the community.

State College reports that The State College Friends School will be having a 25th Anniversary celebration next Sunday. The Head of the School, Larry Boggess has submitted his resignation for the end of the school year. A search committee is looking for a new Head of School and anyone with a suggestion for this group is encouraged to contact Campbell Plowden. There has been some hurtful communication at Foxdale this year and asks we hold Friends at Foxdale in the Light. Religious Education at State College has 2 new coordinators and is a strong program.

North Branch has lost members. The Merrills and the Quicks have moved out of the state. USQM sends our regards to both the Quicks and Merrills.

Millville reports on ongoing involvement with Greenwood Friends School, it is fully enrolled in their new spaces. Ongoing Peace vigils are held on Wednesdays in the town center. There are ongoing challenges with the meetings youth programs.

Pennsdale is going on pretty well. Midweek Meeting for Worship is held on Wednesday evenings. They are continuing Peace vigils weekly.

Huntingdon did not meet during August due to members traveling during that month. It will be hard to generate momentum for First Day School. One member's son has had a very serious swimming accident and needs full care and this has affected the strength of the Meeting.

Anne Foulke reported that Elklands has new attenders. It meets through October.

Lewisburg is doing fine, Therese Miller has been away on Sabbatical and this has taken some energy from the group but 16 often attend Meeting.

USQM website has current information about where each of our Meetings are meeting and the times. Next Saturday, Lewisburg will be having a table at a Peace Fair and they need someone to help with the event.

Announcements

Hollister Knowlton announced building plans at Friends Center including plans for Friends Center to be fuelled by geothermal energy and become a 'Living Machine' and plans to be an environmentally sustainable site and is fundraising for these renovations. Philadelphia is supporting the project.

October 2 there will be an event at Julian Woods on the First 'Living Machine' community building.

Seven Wispers Retreat on October 16 was announced, brochures are available.

A Peace event is being held in Wilkes Barre-Scranton. Bev Williams is the Chair of Wilkes Barre Peace Center.

A former prisoner is here and will be sharing his experience with AVP this afternoon.

Quarterly Meeting for Signing will be 12/11/05 at Pennsdale.

The Meeting settled in closing silence at 3:35pm.

Respectfully submitted.

Ed Solenberger, Clerk

Olivia Ott, Recording Clerk

State College Friends Meeting Report to Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting

The Meeting was asked to consider the following questions:

1. What does our meeting need or want from our regional staff?

2. What level of financial support can our meeting provide over and above current PYM covenants?

After discussion and reflection, State College Friends Meeting has the following response to the questions.

1. State College Friends Meeting is not able to provide a significant portion of salary for the USQ Regional Staff position without extreme harm to the budget of the meeting. At the most, the meeting would have difficulty coming up with more than a few thousand dollars.

2. While we see positive aspects in terms of strengthening the quarter from the work of this position, State College Friends Meeting feels that if the position were to continue we believe the job description should be different from the current one.

This meeting sees the important aspects of the job to be:

a. Working with the children of the meetings and strengthening the young friends program.

b. Bringing the quarter together through communication and events.

c. Strengthening the smaller meetings in the quarter through visitation.

3. If the Regional Staff position is to continue, this meeting requests clarity about the job description, with procedures for making future changes in the job description. Before the meeting could consider approval of the position, State College Friends Meeting would want to know the final job description and the procedures to be used by the Quarterly Oversight Organizing Committee to respond to requests or concerns from any meetings of the quarter.

4. The Quarterly Meeting should be aware that there are Friends among State College Friends Meeting who would not wish to see the position continue as it currently exists.

State College Friends Meeting, Sixth Month, 19, 2005

Present: Ed Sollenberger, Larry Mutti, Ginny Mutti, Bev Williams, Wally Williams, Jan Robinson, Branin Boyd, Joan McCoy, Anne Foulke, Martin Mellville, Campbell Plowden, Dean Tuttle, Shirley Tuttle, Doug Meaker, Robin Meaker, H. Alan Weisel, Marjorie H. Weisel, Mary A. Thom, Dick Taber, Angela Sollenberger, Mary Hutchins.

Regrets: Olivia Ott, Jane Keller. Wade Wright (presently at the opening day of the USQ-sponsored One World Camp, being held in Wellsboro)

Meeting for Business opened with a period of worshipful silence.

The minutes from Quarterly Meeting of 3/20/05 were corrected to read that North Branch Monthly Meeting had been offered $15,000 in a conditional grant by the PYM Meeting House Trust Fund.

Copies of the Minutes from Pennsdale and Millville Meetings brought to the Quarter on 3/20 will be attached.

Minutes were approved as corrected.

Treasurer's report: Larry Mutti presented a cash flow report for the year to date. He noted that there are several lines for which further income is anticipated. Thus the current budget-year "shortfall" is likely to be eliminated when the books close for the year.

Friends requested that the balance at the beginning of the year as well as the current balance be shown on future reports.

The report was accepted with a number of corrections.

Doug Meaker, of Support and Outreach Committee of PYM, was on hand to lead us through discussion of funding issues relative to Regional Staff. Regional staff is supported through PYM Support and Outreach in many Quarters of PYM, currently with a large number of different kinds of funding arrangements and formulas. Such staff is paid by PYM, as PYM staff, at an average annual cost to PYM of $50,000. Upper Susquehanna Quarter at present provides little support directly for Wade Wright's salary, far less than that provided by other Quarters. Doug shared with us a table that illustrates a number of funding alternatives in regard to future funding of Regional Staff. Some Quarters pay the entire sum of the Field Staff. Most make earmarked contributions to PYM in support of their Regional Staff. Chester Quarter currently has no staff; Haverford Quarter and Philadelphia Quarters have staff that work on a one day/week basis.

Doug indicated that no changes will be made relative to staff funding to be effective prior to July of 2006.

We in Upper Susquehanna Quarter need to engage in serious dialogue within our meetings, in anticipation of a Quarter-wide discussion at Quarterly Meeting at Camp Crystal Lake. We need to share much more clearly with each other our Meeting giving patterns to PYM. We might ask of Cathy Reilly some statistics that would show the PYM covenant and contribution patterns toward YM Regional Staff.

In addition to consideration of the funding side of the coordinator position, we also need to discuss more directly the Quarter's needs and expectations of Regional Staff. Ed will circulate our current job description for our Regional Staff so that we can come to our next Quarterly Meeting well-informed. We will also circulate widely Ed's list of possible tasks performed by field staff.

Each Meeting is asked to come to CCL having given consideration to the following questions:

"What doe our Meeting need or want from our Regional Staff?"

"What level of financial support can our Meeting provide over and above current PYM covenants?"

We would hope to find some level of congruence among our Meetings, knowing that we may need an additional threshing session to resolve some outstanding issues.

Quarterly Meeting and Family Camping Weekend at Camp Crystal Lake is coming up in September over the weekend of 9/16-18/05. Circulars, including registration forms, have already been sent out. Registration information can also be found at USQM.org. Please remind members and attenders to participate in this event .

Reports from Meetings:

North Branch: A grant of $15,000 is available to North Branch Meeting from the PYM Meeting House Trust Fund on the condition that they find within a year a lending institution willing to provide a mortgage, and a 3-year anticipated operating budget. North Branch is daunted by this task and has contemplated hiring a fund-raising professional. They ask whether others in the Quarter may have need for fund-raising.

North Branch is compiling a cook book to be used as a fund raiser. Friends are invited to contribute recipes. These can be sent to Wally Williams by e-mail - WallyW@sunlink.net.

Huntingdon: New Meeting space is now a top priority with Juniata College having decided to charge the Meeting for use of the lounge we have been using on First Days.

State College: Has had Memorial Services for two Friends this past year. The Meeting had 8 High School students graduate this spring. Tom Ryan has developed a directory of Friends in State College Meeting willing to provide services- a Friendly Yellow Pages.

Millville: Also graduated a number of high schoolers (5). Adult discussion has been fruitful and vigorous.

Wellsboro: The Meeting is settling into the Canoe Camp Church of the Disciples of Christ (their new location). Find them in Mansfield.

Pennsdale: Continues to have a small but vigorous Meeting for Worship. They have mid-week worship on Wednesday evenings. They continue to lead a once/month Peace vigil in Williamsport on first Mondays.

We discussed Meeting House needs a little more broadly. We might find it worthwhile to talk to Phil Furnas, retired architect and member of State College Friends Meeting.

Youth Program:

The Godly Play program, initially planned for Greenwood Friends School, was cancelled for lack of registration.

Young Friends Camp, under the leadership of Joanie Maughmer, is up and running in a new venue near Wellsboro. This is possibly partly by way of $3000 in funding from the Chase Fund to which Joanie has submitted a grant. Thanks to Larry Mutti for assistance with the grant.

Adult leadership is needed in support of an assortment of Young and Younger Friends activities at Camp Crystal Lake. Consider prayerfully what you can offer and be in touch with Wade, sooner rather than later.

Joys and Concerns: Martin Mellville pointed to two major events in his family's lives - his certication as a Master Forester, and Judy's acquisition of Eutaw House, in Potter's Mills. He also called attention to the "Friendly Yellow Pages", a creation of Tom Ryan, to facilitate Friends serving Friends in State College.

Thank You to State College Friends Meeting for hosting us so well for Quarterly Meeting.

__________________________________ _________________________________

Ed Sollenberger, Clerk Larry Mutti, Acting Recording Clerk

Meeting for Business, 3/20/05

Meeting for Business began at 1:05pm with a moment of silence. We met under the care of Lewisburg Meeting at St. Paul’s Church of Christ in West Milton, Pa.

Robert Taylor was introduced. He is a member of the Meeting House Trust Fund from PYM. He introduced us to a book on Care of Quaker Meeting Houses. North Branch has made a formal request to the PYM Meeting House Trust Fund to pursue purchasing a property for a meeting home. Robert brought a list of queries that Carol Waltz developed with the Trust Fund for our consideration after her visit with us at September USQM. North Branch has met for 48 years and meets at a seminary school. Sterling Worship meets 40 miles from North Branch. North Branch feels ready for a building of their own, but concerns of finances have prevented them from proceeding. The Trust Fund has limited resources, their largest grant in the past was $25,000. The group feels financial support must come from local f/Friends as well. Lewisburg is meeting at St Paul’s Church for the past 6 months as they were unable to afford rent at their prior location. Lewisburg has been meeting for 50 years and wants a meeting home. A meeting house can be crucial to a meeting’s wellbeing. Huntingdon has been meeting for 25 years and has met in 9 different locations, membership has fluctuated over the years, 15 at meeting, including children, is a good attendance. It is hard to have an ongoing public presence without a space to meet. It is harder to grow larger without growing larger. Huntingdon has some funds established for a meeting house. They are aware that the space needed must be able to generate some income, such as an apartment. Each group described difficulty with maintaining a First Day program at a non-permanent space; functions beyond actual meeting for Worship are very limited as spaces are used by host facilities for their own functions. Robert announced that $15,000 has been granted to North Branch for the next year as seed money for a meeting house, North Branch is asked to continue the process of determining a broad base of support to maintain and sustain a building acquisition. Wellsboro has had to move out of the school they were in for years. They are struggling with finding a location to meet. They are also interesting in pursuing funding resources for acquiring a building. The Trust Fund would consider granting funds before actual funds or location was in place locally. It is difficult to determine if there is sustainable steady income in many cases to assume mortgage payments. Has any one ever created an inexpensive small practical meeting house design that could be reproduced? Could a small meeting borrow from PYM directly? The building needs to have a ‘soul’ vs just a bare shelter. It was suggested that our 4 meetings searching for homes begin to share their ideas, visions and experiences as they move forward. Robert will take our idea of a reproducible design back to the Trust Fund. We are excited that these meetings are energized looking towards growth. Established meetings in the Quarter might be able to help our growing meetings.

The minutes of Quarterly Meeting of 9/18/04, held at Camp Crystal Lakes, were approved with the correction of the spelling of Bill Thom’s name.

PYM will be having a Meeting on Regional Secretaries on 4/30/05. As of 2006 PYM will not be funding Regional Secretaries 100%. Each Quarter pays for their Regional Secretary differently. Each Regional Secretary has different job responsibilities, copies of job functions of PYM Regional Staff were distributed. Pennsdale has sent $500.00 towards USQM Regional Secretary each of the past 2 years, North Branch has sent $200.00 as well, which does not appear to be reflected in the document from PYM on Quarter’s support of Regional Secretaries. There continues to be tension about the large amount of our individual Meeting’s budget which is sent as covenant to PYM. Wellsboro, though at a great distance from PYM, feels very connected in all ways to PYM. It was brought up that this is a beginning process and we need to not assume we are being forced to support Regional Secretaries. Ed Solenberger and Brian Windwalker hope to be able to attend, Jan Robinson, Jane Keller, if someone can give her a ride, plan to attend this 4/30/05 Meeting. Therese Miller can attend if needed.

Larry Mutti presented the Treasure’s Report. Our bottom line is ‘ok’ at about $4,000. Our annual budget is about $12,000. Our biggest costs for the year have taken place; Camp Crystal Lake and the Ski Weekend. The Ski weekend lost money due to low registration. Several Meeting covenants are still pending. We are in good shape to cover our up coming expenses. The Quarter does not actually have a budget setting process, in the past we have not felt a formal budgeting process was necessary but in light of our possible need to increase Regional Secretary funding, we may need to develop a Budget and process to develop a budget. We agreed that we do not yet need to have a Budget but anticipate we will need one in the future Bob Crauder volunteered to work with Larry an begin to evaluate our need for a budget.

Jane Keller reported for the Clemency Project. We have 4 cases to bring before the Pardens Board. One case was shot down by 1 vote. The Clemency project asks for a Minute of support from USQM. The Meeting approved the following Minute: “Friends approved a minute in support of the continued work of the Clemency Project and the request of the Working Group to apply for grant funding from the Bequests and Shoemaker Funds of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.”

Young Friends activities. Millville may be presenting a ‘Godly Play’, but we learned this event may be cancelled.

Pennsdale MM presented a Minute about deplorable conditions of health care in Muncy Prison and throughout Pennsylvania, being administered by a contracted company Prison Health Care, Inc. The Minute was approved and Ed will send to PYM for hoped approval by Interim Meeting and to be sent to PA legislature.

A Minute was presented from Millville MM asking for a called PYM session to be held at Millvill on Friends Education and support. PYM Clerk Gretchen Kitchen supports PYM sessions being held at locations outside of the Philadelphia area. The Minute was approved.

Report from Greenwood Friends School, Greenwood requested a large amount of funding from PYM. It was hoped that this initiative would begin a discussion of funding support for schools under Meeting’s care. Greenwood’s addition has been completed despite cost estimates much higher than anticipated. Donations from the community helped finish the project. Greenwood, recently went through a yearlong PAPAS certifying process and have not yet heard the final report, but were told that Greenwood truly is a Quaker school following its defined mission. There is an opening for a teacher at Greenwood. Greenwood would like to come talk with MMs and share their stories and joy.

A Minute and resource packet from Merion Meeting was distributed on Mayors for Peace for Nuclear Disarmament and a Nuclear Free World by 2020. F/friends are asked to share this with Mayors in cities near their Meetings. We approve endorcing our support for this project. Ed will relay this to PYM.

Joys and concern. Martha Robinson, a founding member of North Branch MM, passed away. Mary Clark has come through cardiac surgery at age 88 years. Iiona Ballreich’s son has had a serious swimming accident which is weighing on Huntingdon Meeting. Millville expresses great joy to have Sheila Lunger as their Head of School. Libby Marsh expresses joy for our stamina and enthusiasm. It is a joy to have Libby Marsh with us today.

Thank-you to Lewisburg MM for hosting us today.

Upcoming USQM events:

QM June 19, 2005 at State College. Camp Crystal Lake September 16-18, 2005. Memorial Day Canoe trip is planned for May 28-30, 2005. One World Environmental Camp will be held June 26 to July 1, 2005.

Attendance: Robert Taylor, Abington, MM; Libby Marsh, Green Street MM; Larry Mutti, Huntingdon MM; Gerald Cooke, Janet Jones, Ben Marsh, Therese Miller Lewisburg MM; Betty Doan, Foster Doan, Anne Foulke, Ed Solenberger, Millville MM; Bev Hart, Pauline Jordan, Tony Kearney, Jan Robinson, Beverly Williams, Brian Windwalker, North Branch MM; Jane Keller, Pennsdale; Bob Crauder, Renee Crauder, Mary Hutchins, Olivia Ott, State College MM; Steve Olshewsky MM, Swarthmore; Branin Boyd, Beth Higginson, Wellsboro MM.

Ed Solenberger, Clerk

Olivia Ott, Recording Clerk

Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting—Meeting for Business, 9/18/04

Meeting for Business was held at Camp Crystal Lake as part of the Quarter-wide family retreat. Those in attendance included Ed Solenberger, Larry Mutti, Arthur Clark, Angela Solenberger, Jane Keller, Wade Wright, Campbell Plowden, Brian Windwalker, Branin Boyd, Ralph Curtis, Herb Quick, Fred Kressler, Lauri Perman, Beverly and Wallace Williams, Johanna Mutti, Anne Foulke, Gwen Quick, Ilona Ballreich, Marianna Wood, Margaret Wood, Bryn Hammarstrom.

The minutes of Quarterly Meeting of 6/27, held at Greenwood Friends School, were approved.

Friends considered the minute of Burlington Friends Meeting regarding the role of Quarterly Meetings and their relationship to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. The Burlington minute has been considered at Pennsdale and State College Meetings. North Branch and Huntingdon Meetings have not addressed the minute. Friends are not in unity regarding the need for and role of Quarters in an era of rapid and easy communication. Numerous Friends expressed the feeling that the Burlington minute tries to speak to multiple issues and not in a well-integrated and compelling way. Perhaps one model is not appropriate to all Quarters in PYM. There is agreement among us that PYM refers to many things: an organization, all of us as members, an annual session, and that PYM includes and employs a staff who are not to be seen as "the" Yearly Meeting. We need to focus on clarity of communication. While we agree that it is very important for Friends to avoid a "we-they" mentality, we don't believe this can be accomplished by an organizational or semantic resolution. In our region the Quarter provides an important social link to other Meetings that helps facilitate our lives as Quakers.

We find that the Burlington minute is of a length and divergence as a minute that we cannot unite with it in its entirety. We sense that individual Quarters need to discover for themselves their proper relationship with Yearly Meeting. In all Quarters we must strive to avoid a sense of separation with the Yearly Meeting and its consequent "we-they" mentality.

Friends were in agreement that we condense the sentiments captured above, and communicate this sense back to Burlington.

Quarterly Meeting at Millville on 6/27 had considered a minute from Millville Friends Meeting regarding support for Friends Schools and in particular for Greenwood Friends School. Work continues on revisions to that minute and the proposal that PYM hold an adjourned Meeting of PYM to address this minute, perhaps to be held in the region of the Quarter. No further action on the part of the Quarter is appropriate at this time.

Arthur Clark reported on the work of the Clemency Project. He started by expressing appreciation for the support of the Quarter in the ongoing work of the Project. Arthur provided an update on the status of interviews with several inmates potentially appropriate for release under the guidelines of the Clemency Project. He notes that the number of persons held under life sentences has spiraled upward in the State. The need for an effective Clemency program at the State level has never been greater. At the same time, our ability to identify and support persons who might be released remains an enormous challenge. Arthur appealed for more persons from the Monthly Meetings in our Quarter to help in the work of the Project. He noted the need for additional professional services by the Project who would be assigned well-defined tasks on particular cases. He also urged us to work with others in the faith community to apply political pressure on Gov. Rendell.

Currently the work of the Clemency Project does not require many meetings. Most of the committee work has been accomplished by phone call and e-mail.

Jane Keller brought to the Quarter a minute on behalf of the Clemency Project Working Group urging the repeal of mandatory minimum drug sentences and returning to judges a discretionary role in the assignment of sentences. Upper Susquehanna Friends united in support of this minute and asked the Clerk to forward this minute to the other Quarters in PYM and to Interim Meeting for their consideration and adoption, and communicate this minute to appropriate State and Federal officials. A copy of this minute is attached (needs to be edited).

Wade spoke on the youth program. He strongly endorsed the program run this past summer for Middle School age children by Joannie Maughmer of State College Meeting and noted that she will be working with her own Meeting and the Quarter to put this summer program on a stronger footing. The Youth program for teenage Young Friends is presently weak and needs more adult volunteers. Several events had been proposed at Camp Crystal a year ago, but these events were not well-subscribed by Young Friends in this age group over the past year. Wade will contact Meetings and invite them to each organize an event for the Quarter during the coming year. Growth in this program will require nurture and patience, but a core of interest exists. Lauri Perman noted that State College Young Friends have an active and organized Young Friends group that has monthly events on the Saturday preceding the first Sunday of each month.

Friends agreed to meet over breakfast on Sunday morning to brainstorm and plan family and Young Friends activities for the coming year.

Larry providing an accounting of income and expenses associated with USQ programs. A cleaned up version is attached. Since there is uncertainy regarding the financial strength of the Quarter we agreed to hold until March a Quarterly Meeting decision regarding continuing financial support for Greenwood Friends School.

The Quarter endorsed the continuation of One World Camp and the Quarter's role in support of the camp.

Lauri brought a minute to us from State College Friends Meeting expressing support for Shirley, Roger and Mary Way. The minute is attached. Quarterly Meeting united in support of this minute.

Arthur offered a minute regarding the treatment of individuals in Abu Ghraib prison. While there was universal support for the concept expressed in this minute we could not adopt the minute largely because we are not clear to whom we are communicating or what we hope for this minute to achieve.

Wade sought the Quarter's support for his leading to carry Trauma Awareness to the public. This project explores the experience of unresolved or unprocessed Trauma as an impediment to creative problem-solving and goes beyond to explore the impact of trauma on the political landscape. He asked the Quarter to release him in to do this work in our communities, and hoped for the endorsement of the Quarter and the involvement of other Friends from the Quarter in propelling this project forward. QM urged Wade to visit individual Monthly Meetings prior to the next Meeting for Business of the Quarter to present this project and build Quarter-wide support. We agreed that in the interim Wade should feel free to use the brochure to describe his project to others and to identify the project as a USQM-supported project. We also urged Wade to discuss with QOC how his work with this project might affect his other responsibilities in the Quarter. QOC meets next in Pennsdale on Oct. 17. All are welcome.

Schedule for upcoming Quarterly Meetings:

Dec 12, 2004 Meeting for singing, Pennsdale

March 20 2005 Lewisburg

June 19, 2005 State College

Sept. 16-18 2005 Crystal Lake Camp

Dec. 11, 2005 Pennsdale

March 19, 2006 Huntingdon

June 18. 2006 North Branch (at Rickett's Glen)

Sept. 15-17, 2006 Crystal Lake Camp

AVP has had its first session at Muncy prison. Call Ann Ward or Wade Wright if you would like to be involved in this effort.

USQM Friends are invited to a Fall Festival at Margaret Woods', October 10, 2004 in Towanda. Maragaret Wood has volunteered her house and barn as a camping site for all in the Quarter. Please let her know if you intend to come. Towanda Monthly Meeting will be happening at the Wood house on Oct. 11.

Guide One, the PYM insurer, has been a leader in the development of guidelines for proper relation between religious education leaders and their students. They are urging all Meetings to develop clear policies to address potential sexual and child abuse issues and can offer help in the construction of those guidelines. They are offering a workshop through PYM that all Meetings may participate in, whether or not they are covered by Guide One. That meeting is Oct. 9, 9:30-12:30 at Arch Street Meeting.

Pennsdale Meeting heartily endorses the work of Wade in the Quarter and is making a donation to PYM in support of Wade's work. Pennsdale urges other Meetings to consider making this same kind of show of support through contributions to PYM. North Branch Meeting has taken a similar action.

A Memorial Service is being held for Bill Thom, recently a resident of Foxdale Village, to be held at Foxdale under the care of State College Friends Meeting, on October 16.

Wellsboro Meeting currently struggles over the issue of location. They have left Comstock School and are looking for a new "home". Their interim solution is to meet in individual Friends' homes.

Towanda Meeting has been hosting storytelling sessions, "Voices from Vietnam", that have helped many persons in their region explore our relationship with these countries in the post-Vietnam era. The events have been attended by many across the political spectrum, underscoring the need for the kind of program Wade offers in trauma awareness.

Ed Solenberger, Clerk

Larry Mutti, acting Recording Clerk

Upper Susquehanna Quarterly Meeting for Worship for Business

June 27, 2004 Elklands Monthly Meeting

1. The Meeting began with silent Worship at 2:00pm.

2. Treasurer's Report. Larry Mutti gave a verbal report. There are good balances in our accounts but we will not be able to cover the costs of Camp Crystal Lake until the registration fee checks are deposited. Larry is still working on the year's end report and will try to send a report to be attached to these Minutes.

3. Ed Solenberger reported that he has been in communication with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and they are continuing to be under the weight of requests for support for Friend's Schools.

4. Greenwood Friends School building is progressing and the new spaces should be ready for the new school year.

5. There was discussion about the possibly of having an 'adjourned' Yearly Meeting session held in our area. The suggestion for this was brought forth by f/Friends who are not present today. It was suggested that we would be better prepared to address this matter if those f/Friends would present this to Quarterly Meeting, perhaps at Camp Crystal Lake.

6. USQM Communications Task Force has met. The best communication comes from face to face discussion and f/Friends are encouraged to visit other Meetings for Worship. Towanda MM invites f/Friends to visit at their Meeting October 8-10, 2004 and enjoy Fall Festival activities in the community that weekend. All are welcome to stay at Margaret and Steve Woods' home. There is the discussion about creating a searchable Quarter-wide database of members and hospitality available in Monthly Meetings. Steve Wood has volunteered to help work on this. There was approval to ask Steve to work with USQM Communications Task Force in creating this Database. It is suggested that we consider paying Steve for his work on this. We approved Wade requesting PYM grant funding for this. Carol Walz will be giving a Workshop at Camp Crystal Lake on PYM Funds and how to apply for such funds.

7. Reports from Monthly Meetings. The Barkley Friends School has been laid down but the Board is still in existence. The Board has scholarship funds to support f/Friends children from Meetings that supported Barkley School. Lewisburg continues to search for a space to meet. They are holding together well during this time. They will meet about this issue next First Day after Meeting. North Branch Meeting is also looking for a space to meet. Part of the discussion involves whether Sterling Worship is ready to be a separate entity. The Merrills have moved to Oregon. Bev and Wally Williams's son Charlie had a serious motor vehicle accident in Arizona and they have traveled there a lot recently. Charlie is doing well. Huntington MM is waiting on word from Juniata College on whether they will be evicted or not. The group pays nearly $1,000.00 per year for insurance to meet at Juniata College. Huntington would welcome more inte-rmeeting visitation. Friends can apply to the Pemberton Fund at PYM to cover costs for inter-meeting visitation. Millville Meeting supported the marriage of Dillon Wright's Wedding. Elklands invites North Branch to meet with them as they meet during the summer months. Pennsdale Meeting. Karen Frock recently released a final TV documentary of a 1938 Rafting Trip on the Susquehanna called "The Last Raft". This will be shown on Public TV in September. The community celebration for the Premier showing became a time for healing for families who experienced loss of family members when the Raft wrecked. Wednesday eve Worship at Pennsdale has attendance of about ten people. Life is 'quiet' in State College. Many Foxdale members are aging and having health issues. Friends are having Clearness Committees more often for issues in their own lives. A new same sex marriage minute is on the agenda at State College. There continues to be a Peace Vigil on Saturdays at 1:30pm at Penn State's main Gate, the corner of Allen and College. Pennsdale has a Peace vigil the first Monday of each Month from 5:00pm to 6:00 pm on Third Street across from the Federal Building.

8. Representation on the Quarter Organizing Committee. No one recently is attending from Wellsboro, Towanda, Sterling and Elklands. The QOC next meets July 18 at Pennsdale at 1:00pm. Join them for Worship at 11:00am, Jane Keller provides lunch and just asks to know if you are coming so she can prepare enough lunch.

9. USQM 2003-2004 Spiritual Formation Program closing retreat was held. 2004-5 Program will be forming in October and f/Friends are encouraged to join the Program.

10. The Minutes from the 3/21/04 Meeting for Business were approved.

11. Young Friends have had adventurous plans and some of these events have had to be cancelled due to busy schedules and lack of participants. The Younger Friends Camp was held this week at One World Environmental Camps. Joannie Maughmer led the Camp this year