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SPRING
2001 December 10, 2000
Salem Quarterly Meeting met December 10, 2000, at Salem Meetinghouse. Gloria Horvay, our Clerk, opened the meeting after a brief period of worship, welcomed Friends, and thanked Salem Meeting for hosting.
Gloria reviewed items on the agenda and then the following corrections were approved for the minutes: (1) Clarification concerning the surplus was to be inserted: “It was noted that about $5000 budgeted for 1999-2000 was not spent;” (2) “Correctional Facility” was to replace “Prison;” (3) A substitution was approved for the second paragraph about the Joint Nuclear Reduction and Disarmament Statement:
Mickleton Monthly Meeting forwarded a minute urging the clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting to sign on behalf of Yearly Meeting the 'Joint Nuclear Reduction and Disarmament Statement,' developed and signed by both church and military representatives at a conference at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Mario Cavallini has exchanged e-mail with Arlene Kelly (clerk of Yearly Meeting) and Libby Marsh (clerk of Peace and Concerns Standing Committee), who are considering a way forward. Mario suggested that we hold our minute and let Arlene and Libby take their actions; our meeting agreed with this course.
From the same correspondence, Mario reported that Arlene and Libby have attributed PYM’s lack of followup on our nuclear disarmament minutes to, essentially, bad timing. In the 1999 PYM Residential Yearly Meeting, it was announced that our minutes would be distributed to the monthly meetings for consideration. This has not yet happened. Arlene and Libby said, because PYM was at that time just working out how to process social concern minutes from local meetings. Again, Mario suggested that we give the clerks a chance to sort the matter out, and our meeting agreed.
(4) To the statement concerning requests for Quarter financial assistance for projects (p. 17), the phrase was added: “Although it was not possible in this case ...”
Gloria shared correspondence with Quarter Friends. First, she read a letter from Jean C. Edwards, Assistant Director of Cumberland County Library, conveying thanks for the contribution of the two donated “Quaker” books purchased by the Quarter Outreach Committee funds. Second, she read a letter from Drew Smith, Head of Mullica Hill Friends School expressing gratitude for the $1653.00 donation by the Quarter to the Friends School in honor of John Harkins. She explained that this money left over from two committee budgets was allocated to the school at the June Quarterly Meeting; she presented the contribution to John for the school in June with a minute of appreciation written by George Crispin (on behalf of the Quarter). Drew also conveyed appreciation for the scholarships provided by the Quarter assisting three Quaker children to attend the school. Last, Gloria shared a letter requesting Friends contribute to the Friends School as they are able.
Friends approved a minute of appreciation concerning this morning’s holiday musical presentation by children from the Friends School; Gloria agreed to send a thank you letter to Susan Greenspan, Head of Fine and Performing Arts, with copies to Drew Smith, Head of the School, and Chris Browor, Clerk of the Parents Association and attender at Woodstown Meeting.
Sue Price-Redfern, Assistant Treasurer for the Quarter, presented a finance report (see budget information). She noted that copies have been sent to all Monthly Meetings and Clerks of Quarter Committees. She explained that last year we underspent the Coordinator Budget; thus, we have a surplus which PYM will credit to our Coordinator Budget for this year. Friends decided that if a Monthly Meeting can not pay the full amount of its pledged covenant, the money from their contribution will first pay the Quarter then PYM (which complies with the directions from PYM). The Quarter Finance Committee recommends instituting a new financial guideline, allocating about 50% of any surplus to a new trust fund at the fiduciary (within the control of the Quarter with minimal management fees) designated for long-term stewardship of Quarter properties. This was approved with the provision that the Quarter revisit the purpose and use of this fund on a yearly basis. Sue also reported that the Finance Committee is developing a budget policy for unexpected projects. Friends approved the budget as presented for FY 2001.
Gloria read the Quarter Trustees Report, submitted by George Crispin, Clerk of the Trustees. She expressed appreciation for the informative report which summarized the recent activities in caring for the Quarter properties as well as the efforts of the new committee to preserve and utilize the Alloways Creek Meetinghouse.
Peggy Warner, Clerk of the Quarter Nominating Committee, announced their next meeting has been scheduled for January 6, 2001.
Gloria encouraged Friends to attend the March Quarterly Meeting which will be held March 11 at Woodstown Meetinghouse.
Jack Mahon, Clerk of the Quarter Steering Committee, reported that the yearly evaluation of our Coordinator, Phil Anthony, is nearing completion. He explained that this year the Sub-Committee visited Monthly Meetings and utilized a dialogue approach to solicit feedback concerning Phil’s performance and program suggestions. Jack announced his decision to step down from the Steering Committee and that Mario had been appointed the new Clerk of the Committee; Friends approved a minute of appreciation for Jack’s long excellent service as Clerk of this hardworking and important Quarter Committee.
Gloria noted that the Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee met every Friday prior to the Quarterly Meeting and reminded Friends that it was always an open session rather than a business meeting. She expressed appreciation to Peggy for leading a reflective spiritual discussion of Bill Taber’s presentation about the “Four Doors to Worship” pamphlet.
Gloria reported that although the Steering Committee members had obtained input from their Meetings concerning the Salem Quarter Retreat, the Steering Committee decided to discuss the retreat at the Quarterly meeting. Friends discussed whether to have a retreat this year, and if so, the length, format, and location of the retreat. The Quarter Worship and Ministry Committee recommended organizing a briefer version, possibly a Friday evening and Saturday program with Friends sleeping at home. The suggestion was made that if the retreat was held at a Meetinghouse, that local Friends host individuals and/or families who travel a significant distance; Friends acknowledged that this might increase fellowship opportunities. Friends approved the suggested simpler retreat for this year and encouraged Friends to volunteer to assist with the development of the retreat.
Biz Thomas, member of Woodbury Meeting, shared information about Camp Darkwaters, a longstanding Quaker camp. She stated that a financial settlement is expected in January affirming the camp’s new non-profit status and Quaker leadership; a full-time Camp Director assumes his position in June. The camp hopes to operate year round with summer camp programs and as a Quaker center for special retreats and programs. She encouraged interested Friends to assist with workdays being planned for the summer. She distributed pledge cards and submitted a fundraising letter to the Quarter.
Lois Dinshah provided a written report concerning her participation with Roshan at the “Prison to Community Conference” which was held in October in New Orleans. She emphasized their appreciation for the $625.00 financial assistance and support provided by the Quarter; she encouraged Friends to read the full report printed in the next Friendly Justice issue. She also shared the exciting news that PYM used funds to send her a new computer with software programs for the printing of the newsletter; she understands that if she continues to publish the newsletter for the next three years, the computer will belong to her.
Friends approved considering an annual donation to both the Friends School and the Friends Home to reflect the support from the Quarter.
Chris Mahon invited Friends to participate in a square dance scheduled at Woodstown Meetinghouse in April; flyers are forthcoming with details. Friends commended this fun intergenerational activity for the Quarter.
Phil Anthony, Quarter Coordinator, announced the formation of a new committee at the Friends School whose purpose is to improve the communication and connections between Quakers in the community and the school. Friends suggested that the Friends School: (1) add more Quaker books to its library; (2) consider allowing its bus to provide transportation for local Quakers who would like to contribute a Quaker presence at the school; (3) enlist the assistance of Friends in the Quarter for school fundraisers; and (4) invite Friends in the Quarter to special programs, especially to hear guest speakers.
Gloria conveyed that Mario reported that Arlene Kelly, Clerk of PYM, has some concerns about signing the “Joint Nuclear Reduction and Disarmament Statement,” namely due to a sentence in the statement which implies that war is acceptable under certain circumstances. Arlene had additional concerns about who speaks for the Yearly Meeting; thus, our Meeting agreed to withdraw our request that the Clerk of PYM sign this statement. Although the two nuclear disarmament minutes were approved for distribution at Residential Yearly Meeting in July 1999, to our knowledge, they have not been distributed. After a brief consideration of our mailing them to Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, it was decided to ask if they could be included in the monthly Clerk’s packet distributed by PYM. Chris Mahon, Clerk of Interim Meeting, noted that it is helpful for minutes such as these to list specific actions requested of Meetings when they are distributed. Accordingly, Friends agreed to ask Mario to distill his minute further and include suggestions for specific actions to be taken.
Gloria asked Friends to discern the meaning of the Quaker term “under the care of the Meeting.” Friends shared their beliefs that it indicated that “the Meeting runs the organization” such that the “board is accountable to and should be appointed by the Meeting.” Discussion ensued about our responsibilities concerning the Friends Home which is under the care of the Quarter. Friends supported the position that nominations made by the Quarter should be accepted by the Friends Home. Gloria agreed to contact the Clerk of the Friends Home Board of Managers to request an annual report during our next Business Meeting to share information about the Home with Friends, and to discuss Quarter appointment(s) to the Board.
George announced that Friends from Woodbury Meeting are scheduled to travel to England in March to participate in weeklong activities honoring Quakers and facilitating a global spiritual community as an outcome of the Millennium Celebration this past summer. Friends approved adding the Quarter signature on a traveling minute for this exciting Quaker project.
Gloria concluded the meeting with a brief period of worship.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Cox Crispin
Assistant ClerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM
