FALL 200512 Sixth Month 2005
alem Quarterly Meeting met 12 Sixth-month 2005, at Mullica Hill MM. After a brief period of worship during which Friends were invited to share joys and celebrations as well as prayer requests, clerk Sondra Ball convened the meeting.
The minutes of the last quarterly meeting were approved as they appeared in the Salem Quarter News with corrections and/or additions. Page seven, paragraph seven, under finance committee, delete "Robert Horvay"; only the phrase "and ex officio, the Steering Committee treasurer" should appear. Page seven, paragraph seven, under Coordinator's Steering Committee, replace "Nora Iwanaga" with "Robert Scott."
Dianne Herland Sloane (Mickleton), Salem Quarter treasurer, presented the treasurer's report, which was accepted (not available for publication at press time). Due to some questions regarding the minute approved last quarter, she asked for approval to transfer funds from the general fund to meet Philadelphia Yearly Meeting covenant and coordinator expenses. It was noted that two monthly meetings have not yet sent in checks to the Quarter this year.
Quarterly Meeting approved transferring money by the treasurer from the general fund to meet PYM covenant and coordinator expenses as allowed by the minute approved last quarter.
A recommendation to increase the mileage allowance for quarter volunteers was discussed. The IRS has a cap regarding allowable mileage reimbursements for nonprofit organization volunteers.
Quarterly Meeting approved setting the reimbursement rate for mileage expenses for volunteers at the allowance set by the IRS for nonprofit organizations.
Mike Ayars (Woodstown) reported that residents of the Friends Village cottages are moving in on a rental basis until the common areas are completed, which should be mid-July. The Assisted Living area is now fully carpeted and awaiting furniture. Addresses and mail delivery are being set up by the post office. Meeting thanked Mike and accepted the report with appreciation.
Patti Burns (Woodstown) presented a report from the Friends School. She recently attended the eighth grade graduation, where she heard speeches from each graduate. The speeches, which she felt were a confirmation of the mission statement of the school, were all centered on themes of family and community, academic challenge, and social conscience and mutual respect. For embodying the principles of social involvement, respect for others and a commitment to academic excellence, Chloe Collins-Young received an Anderson Scholarship from the George School. Meeting thanked Patti for the report and accepted it with appreciation.
Mario Cavallini (Mickelton) presented a report from the Worship & Ministry Committee on their brief meeting. They are considering a change in meeting time and location to better suit the needs of the committee. Meeting accepted the report and encouraged the committee in their efforts.
On behalf of the Nominating Committee, Peggy Warner (Mullica Hill) indicated that Sandra Peth (Mullica Hill) was unable to accept the approved position on the Child Safety committee. The Committee has no recommendations for the vacant position as yet and welcomes suggestions. Judy Scott (Woodbury) was recommended to fill the 2008 panel vacancy on the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Nominating Committee. The position on quarter Trustees held by Curt Lefferts (Salem) needs to be filled since Curt has left the area and is no longer available to serve. The third position on the quarter Auditors remains vacant and the audit should take place this July. Out of the meeting for worship for business, Gloria Horvay (Mickleton) volunteered to serve on the auditing committee, 2008 panel. Meeting accepted the report with gratitude.
Quarterly Meeting approved Judy Scott to fill the vacancy on the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Nominating Committee, 2008 panel, and Gloria Horvay to fill the vacancy on the quarter Auditing Committee, 2008 panel.
Steering Committee clerk Tom Etherington (Mullica Hill) reported on the successes of the Tony Prete program with a request to hold additional sessions in the fall. The Bible Association of Friends in America is seeking a cosponsor and location for its annual lecture. The quarter gifts group will be active in fall. The Steering Committee presented a list of goals for the quarter (see cover). Meeting gratefully accepted this comprehensive report.
Quarterly Meeting accepted the offer by Tony Prete for an additional program in the fall, with arrangements to be coordinated by the Steering Committee.
Quarterly Meeting approved cosponsoring a program with the Bible Association of Friends in America either in 2005 or 2006 as scheduling permits. Woodbury or Mickleton were discussed as possible hosts. Sponsoring was defined as providing our name as cosponsor, a meeting location, and refreshments.
Out of worship, Quarterly Meeting made and approved the following adjustments to the goals, which are ongoing guidelines rather than a measurable checklist, as suggested by the Steering Committee:
- Educate ourselves and others about what it means to be a Quaker.
- Focus on filling the empty spaces on the meetinghouse benches with families and individuals of all ages.
- Encourage closer ties to and wider participation in the larger Quaker community by Salem Quarter monthly meetings and individual Friends.
Phil Anthony presented the only Trustees report, a report from Ruth Hall Brooks (Salem) on the activities at the LAC meetinghouse. The meetinghouse was opened in conjunction with Hancock House and received a number of visitors. As a result of the experience, Ruth had a number of ideas and requests, which were referred to the Trustees for seasoning.
On behalf of the Finance Committee, Bob Horvay (Mickleton) spoke to some budget issues. Currently we are on budget regarding our expenses. While the printing, copying and telephone costs are under budget, they have been offset by computer and insurance costs which are over budget. Our yearly payments to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting for the coordinator program are currently paid up to 43%. Meeting accepted the report with thanks.
Barry Sloane, clerk of Mickleton Monthly Meeting, read a letter from the meeting regarding Mickelton's steadfast commitment to the quarter; the need to determine a single system for quarterly assessments, covenant or quota; and the re-evaluation of quarter commitments by each monthly meeting.
Quarterly Meeting prayerfully considered the history and implications of covenant versus quota systems. It was stated that a quota system is expense-based, predictable, and driven by quarterly meeting priorities with financial needs divided evenly throughout the monthly meetings of the quarter based on the size of meeting membership. A covenant system is revenue based, unpredictable and driven by the monthly meetings' consideration of how much financial support they are willing or able to offer. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting operates on a covenant system. A question was raised regarding the clarity of who covenants with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, the quarterly meetings or the individual monthly meetings. The answer was given that monthly meetings make covenants with Philadelphia Yearly Meeting offering financial support; however, the reporting of those figures is handled through the quarterly meetings. Friends noted that the size of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting makes the covenant system effective, but the system's effectiveness on the smaller scale of Salem Quarterly Meeting remains a question. Friends also noted that the quota system provides incentive to remove financially non-contributing members from the rolls, while a covenant system allows meetings the flexibility to decide without financial penalty.
Currently within the quarter, it appears that there has been confusion regarding which system we are using to finance quarterly meeting. Meeting recognized the need to make a decision regarding which system we chose to use, but felt that in the interest of the quarter, a decision was best held over until next business meeting.
The Finance Committee has been discussing its own composition. They have considered the options of a committee composed of Friends with specific financial skills or backgrounds, appointed by the quarter, or a committee that is more representational of the monthly meetings with one member appointed by each monthly meeting.
Meeting approved restructuring the quarter Finance Committee to become representational of each monthly meeting, with members to be appointed by each monthly meeting. Current duplicate positions will be eliminated by any monthly meeting that has duplicate representation. The quarter treasurer and quarter Steering Committee treasurer are ex-officio members of the committee. The quarter assistant treasurer is an ex-officio member and clerk of the committee. None of these treasurer positions are to be considered duplicate positions.
Meeting approved the creation of an ongoing $500 Youth & Children fund to provide a source of scholarship for workshops or programs, separate from and not to be used for formal education.
Meeting authorized the clerk to speak on our behalf in writing minutes of thanks and appreciation for Roshan Dinshah and his program presentation, and for Mullica Hill Monthly Meeting and Friends School Mullica Hill for their hospitality.
There being no further business, after announcements of upcoming activities, meeting was closed with silent worship.
Rebecca Shapiro, assistant clerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Monday, August 15, 2005 at 07:28 PM
