SUMMER 200513 Third Month 2005
alem Quarterly Meeting met 13 Third Month 2005, at Woodstown Meetinghouse. After a brief period of silent worship, Clerk Michael Gibson convened the meeting. He shared a reading with us from George Fox’s pastoral letter #227 as we settled into a brief worship. He then welcomed all and reviewed the agenda.
The minutes of the last Quarterly meeting were approved as they appeared in the Salem Quarter News without correction. It was noted that decisions made by Meeting today would be minuted and approved in session. [Asst. Clerk’s note: Actions minuted and approved in session will appear in italicized paragraphs.]
Patti Burns (Woodstown) presented a report from the Friends School. The second grade is participating in an AFSC fundraiser for tsunami victims. The Lower and Middle School Science Fair was held in the meetinghouse, which visitors felt “lent a spiritual air to the process.” The annual musical is to be held at the Appel Farm in Elmer in April. A math night presentation of the “Everyday Math” series is scheduled. Some students participated in a field trip to Seabrook to talk with some survivors of the WWII Japanese interment camp that existed there. There is a book fair soon as well as the Annual Auction. At the Board Appreciation Dinner, the Dot Kramme Award was given to Mike Ayars. Meeting thanked Patti for the report and accepted it with appreciation.
Mike Ayars (Woodstown) reported that the Friends Home construction is well under way. The cottages may begin being filled soon on a rental basis until the common areas are complete. The streets are being named in honor of the monthly meetings. He noted a special thanks to the capital campaign contributions from Salem and Woodstown Monthly Meetings. Now that the community is changing from a residential/nursing facility to a more vibrant community, the name will become The Village to reflect that change. Mike noted some observations about the dedication of the staff and the importance of the people involved there. Meeting thanked Mike and accepted the report with appreciation.
As the new clerk of the Steering committee, Tom Etherington (Mullica Hill) announced some upcoming programs. “An Insider’s Guide to the Bible,” with Tony Prete is scheduled to begin on 17 Fourth Month at Woodstown Monthly Meeting. This is a six-session program open to all. Also, Seaville Monthly Meeting has a Quakerism 101 program scheduled. Meeting accepted the report with thanks.
Bob Horvay (Mickelton) cautioned meetings regarding the location of record books. Recently, a member of Mickelton had a house fire and meeting record books dating back to the 1950s were lost.
Mike Ayars (Woodstown) presented a report from the Finance Committee. They have begun with a clean sheet of paper and a simplified process. They have reviewed changes in line items and discussed monthly meeting covenants to Salem Quarterly Meeting, some of which may need to be adjusted next year. They are adjusting the timing of the budget presentation; the 2006-2007 budget will be ready for the fall quarterly meeting. Meeting accepted the report and thanked Mike and the Finance Committee for their ongoing labor with appreciation for the new more reader-friendly format. Meeting also advised that having the treasurer in attendance at quarterly meeting more often might be beneficial for the purpose of comparing quarterly meeting planning and treasurer execution.
The Finance Committee recommended that Quarterly Meeting unite with a finance minute as presented by Mickleton Monthly Meeting. This represents a clarification of policy, not a change.
Meeting approved uniting with the Mickleton minute regarding the authority of the treasurer to distribute funds from Monthly Meetings as cash flow dictates.
Friends reviewed the 2005-2006 proposed budget as presented by the Finance committee. At their request, the Finance Committee will offer reports of fund balances so that Friends are continually aware of what funds are available. Meeting noted that the 2005-2006 budget proposal is only marginally increased over 2004-2005.
Meeting approved the 2005-2006 budget as it appeared in column three of the budget report with the redistribution of funds on the “Donations” and “Outreach and other” line items. The $400 line item for “Donations” is to be increased to $500, thereby reducing the “Outreach” line item to $300.
A question was raised regarding the availability of funds for an ad in the book at the Friends School at Mullica Hill’s Annual Auction. Meeting approved passing the hat at today’s session of Quarterly Meeting to obtain funds to finance an ad for the Friends School auction. The ad size will be reflective of the amount collected and the generosity of the Friends School.
Debra Lenik (Woodstown), daughter of Frank Lenik and a student at Westtown, is participating in a “Bridges to Community” project this August with a group from Uwchlan Monthly Meeting of Downingtown, PA. They will be building schools, replacing home roofs, and working on soil conservation and sustainable agricultural projects in a rural community in Nicaragua. The total cost of the trip is $1,800. She has some funds from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and has asked her home meeting as well. She offered that individual contributions from those who felt led to donate funds would be appreciated. Contributions may be sent to Woodstown Monthly Meeting, PO Box 13, Woodstown, N.J. 08098-0013. Deadline for contributions is 6/11/05.
Meeting asked that a report be made to the Steering Committee from the Finance Committee regarding the availability of funds. The Steering Committee is authorized to make a contribution to Debra’s travel expenses from these funds.
On behalf of the Nominating Committee, Peggy Warner (Mullica Hill) presented the nominations for the Quarter positions of Clerk: Sondra Ball; Treasurer; Dianne Herland Sloane; and committee positions each expiring in 2008 for Trustees: G. Woodard Gross, Jerry E. Haines Jr., and Curt Lefferts; PYM Nominating: Gloria Horvay and Robert Horvay; Education Fund: Tacie Trull; Quarter Liason with Friends School at MH: Lori Talbot; Friends Village of Woodstown Board of Managers: Elizabeth Crane, Frank Crane, Suzanne Culver, Trish DeCinque, and Walter Pierson; Finance: Burt Doremus, Ben Ford, Robert Horvay, and as ex officio, the Steering Committee treasurer; Child Safety: Sandra Peth, Dan Zehner, and Julia Zinader. Vacancies remain on PYM Nominating and Salem Quarter Auditors. New to the Coordinators Steering committee are Dana Houghton, George Houghton, Nora Iwanaga, Diane Metz, Lizabeth Shay, and Julia Zinader. Each is appointed by his or her monthly meeting.
The Quarter acknowledges the need for the clerk, assistant clerk, treasurer, and assistant treasurer’s presence at Quarterly Meeting and asks that they each consider regular attendance as Friends are uncomfortable when their officers are absent, due to the infrequency of our business meetings.
Meeting approved the nominations as presented by the Nominating Committee. The nominations of Sandra Peth and Burt Doremus are dependent upon the acceptance of those individuals. The nominations for the remaining vacancies may be expected at the June Quarterly Meeting.
Meeting approved the treasurer of the Steering Committee to serve as an ex officio member of the Finance Committee.
Meeting minuted its appreciation of the Nominating Committee for all their work. They are a driving force behind our work.
The clerk read a letter from Lisa Garrison, clerk of the Religious Education committee in Greenwich Monthly Meeting regarding a field trip to the Abel Nicholson house in Elsinboro, NJ. She was interested to know Friends’ responses to two possible dates.
Mario Cavallini (Mickleton) presented a report from the Worship & Ministry Committee. They discussed the activities at various monthly meetings, the possibility of a request for a clearness committee, the possible reinstatement of a military draft, and the program for Quarterly Meeting. Meeting accepted the report with gratitude for Mario and the work of the committee.
The clerk made an announcement regarding the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Middle School and Young Friends program, as well as some general announcements regarding the upcoming Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Annual Sessions.
The Trustees’ report highlighted the roof replacement at the Lower Alloways Creek (LAC) meetinghouse; the sign replacement at the Cedar Hill cemetery; lawn care at the LAC meetinghouse, Cedar Hill cemetery, and the Port Elizabeth cemetery; and repairs to the privy at LAC. Meeting accepted the report with appreciation for the Trustees and those who work with them.
At the close of Meeting, Friends expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the outgoing clerk, Michael Gibson. Their thoughts were expressed in the following minute:
Rebecca Shapiro, assistant clerkFriends have a deep appreciation for Michael’s three-year effort, sharing with us his tremendous patience. His humble manner and ability to truly listen have benefited us greatly. His exceptional diplomacy has been utilized on many occasions. His words have spoken to us through the silence, touching our hearts and souls. May our love and gratitude be with him as he moves forward.
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