WINTER 200511 Ninth Month 2005
alem Quarterly Meeting met 11 Ninth-month 2005, at Greenwich Monthly Meeting's lower meetinghouse. During a period of worship that was anything but silent, being filled with the sounds of God's world, Friends were invited to share joys, celebrations and sorrows to be held in the Light. Clerk Sondra Ball (Mickleton) then convened the meeting.
The minutes of the last Quarterly Meeting were approved as they appeared in Salem Quarter News with corrections and/or additions; page ten, last paragraph, the word "silent" was deleted from the phrase "silent worship."
Julia Zinader (Mickleton) presented the proposed Child Safety Policy. The ensuing discussion was centered on specific questions and concerns with factual answers provided. Some amendments were made. The issue of peer-to-peer abuse under Section V is to be addressed by the December quarterly meeting. Meeting approved having a lawyer revisit the policy as it was amended and verify that our changes in wording do not cause conflict or illegality. It should be noted that the policy was written with input from a Friend who is an attorney by profession, but who was not acting in an official capacity.
Salem Quarterly Meeting reviewed, amended and approved the proposed child safety policy as it appears in this issue of Salem Quarter News. It may be amended any time Friends feel it is necessary, with the first review to occur at the December quarterly meeting.
A report on Friends School Mullica Hill was given and announcements made. Meeting accepted the report with appreciation. Lori Talbot spoke to the positive influence of adult Friends attending Friends School meetings for worship and encouraged Friends to attend.
Mario Cavallini (Mickleton) presented the Worship & Ministry report. The committee has considered the scheduling of their meetings, the status of the Quarter Retreat and the worshipful conduct of business meetings. Meeting accepted the report and thanked the committee for their efforts.
Meeting accepted the annual report of the Finance Committee as presented by treasurer Dianne Sloane (Mickleton) and Finance Committee clerk Mike Ayars (Woodstown). Meeting also approved the transfer of funds from the LAC fund. Mike presented a report on the financial timeline for monthly meetings, which was accepted. It was noted that there is a deadline of 12/30/2005 for the reporting of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting covenant amount. It was further noted that both Mike and Sondra need to know the names and addresses of the monthly meeting clerks, treasurers, and clerks of finance or budget committees. Dianne and Mike were thanked for the excellent report, which was a result of a coordinated team effort.
Meeting did not discuss the use of the covenant versus quota systems in supporting the Quarter other than to note that as there has not been a sense of the Meeting to change this format, it remains a quota system.
Mike Ayars (Woodstown) reported that the grand opening of the Friends Village has been scheduled and there is a front-page article featuring the Village in Today's Sunbeam, the Salem County-based newspaper.
Seaville Meeting offered a minute of support for the Coalition for Peace and Justice, which expects to be hosting two tables at the 2005 New Jersey Education Association convention at a cost of $1,500. Seaville made a donation of $250, and asked Salem Quarterly Meeting to make a contribution as well. Meeting approved a contribution of $200 and urged monthly meetings to consider support as well.
Meeting approved the inclusion of the current Trustees' report in Salem Quarter News as a substitute for presentation at the September quarterly meeting.
Dianne Sloane (Mickleton) shared a request from the American Friends Service Committee for hurricane relief donations. AFSC has already given one million dollars in relief. Meeting approved a donation to AFSC for hurricane relief in the amount of $1,000.
There being no further business, after announcements of upcoming activities, meeting was closed with worship.
Rebecca Shapiro, assistant clerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
Last modified:
Monday, November 21, 2005 at 04:25 PM
