Outreach & Communications
PYM Explained
This book explains how Philadelphia Yearly Meeting functions as a community of Friends, meetings, and ministries. It describes Sessions, the warp and weft framework, governance, staff roles, collaboratives, programs, grants, and the many ways meetings stay connected across four states.
PYM Explained supports the many ways Friends and meetings take part in the work of weaving our community together. If you notice a typo or formatting issue, please email communication@pym.org. Your care helps us strengthen this shared resource; if there is an error, please keep using this publication while we work toward future updates. Each message is read and appreciated.
Bucks Quarter “Welcome to Meeting” Cards
Bucks Quarterly Meeting “Welcome to Meeting” cards: Example
For more information about these cards, which are tailored for each meeting, please reach out to the Bucks QM Coordinator, Wendy Kane: quakersbucks@gmail.com
Resources Shared at Outreach Thread Gathering
Resources Shared by Panelists at the October 21, 2023 Thread Gathering Focused on Outreach & Communications:
- Guide to Panel Speakers and Topics
- Welcome Self-Assessment Plan for Meetings, Joshua Ponter (Haddonfield)
- Follow Up with Newcomers, Brad Sheeks (Newtown)
- Welcoming Families with Children and Youth, Sallie Jones (Birmingham)
- Opening Exercises FAQ – How to use these programs to welcome and include newcomers, Irene Oleksiw (Downingtown)
- Membership Development Granting Group Advices and Queries, Guinevere Janes (PYM Member at Large)
- Growing Our Meetings — slides from June 2022 PYM Workshop, Irene Oleksiw (Downingtown)
- Digital Presence – 2020 slide presentation on website development and more, Ilona Miller (Downingtown)
- Outreach Initiative Card – a worksheet for meetings considering growth and change through outreach
Digital Presence
Digital Presence — a PDF of the slides from an excellent 2020 presentation by Ilona Miller. Covers websites and more!
Guidance for Virtual Gatherings
Virtual Gatherings
- Guidance for Meetings (.pdf) by Emily Provance, New York YM
Addressing the many parts of being a meeting community — worship, fellowship, business, youth — with thoughts on hybrid community and queries for discernment. - Hybrid Meetings – handbook, resources, and videos curated by Richmond Shreve (Newtown Meeting)
- Friendly Zoom Security Tutorial by Mary Klein, Western Friend
- Retreating in Place: How I Made a Virtual Retreat a Real Retreat (.pdf) by Barbara “Shulamith” Clearbridge (Swarthmore Meeting)





