FALL 200710 Sixth-month 2007
Salem Quarterly Meeting met 10 Sixth-month 2007, at Seaville Monthly Meeting. During worship, Friends shared prayer requests for those to be held in the Light for illness, deaths, and safe journeys. Friends' joys included summer, new grandchildren, answers to prayers, soups, breads, desserts (especially chocolate mousse), and the spirit of Seaville meeting. After reminding Friends to listen to the Spirit during meeting for business and to complete the evaluation forms, clerk Sondra Ball (Mickleton) convened the meeting. There was a Friendly presence of twenty-two for business meeting.
On behalf of Friends School Mullica Hill, Lori Talbot (Greenwich) presented a report highlighting the school's activities and projects. She noted the school's participation in the Peace Essay contest sponsored by Mickleton and Mullica Hill Meetings [the winning essay appears on p. 6].
Linda Jeffrey (Woodstown) was unable to present an update personally on the efforts to bring Iraqi psychiatrist Dr. Abdul Karim and his family to the United States. It was noted that lawyers are attempting the secure admission of Dr. Karim and his family as "extremely desirable" immigrants. Their housing and educational needs of the children have been arranged.
The status of Salem Quarter News was discussed. There has been an increase in the postage rates. Postage is now being charged based on not only weight, but size, shape, and organization of origin. Friends considered various combinations of options to limit the increased costs, such as restricting content to reduce size. The logistics of offering e-mailed options, the restrictions regarding information posted on a publicly accessed website, and the most effective methods of communication were discussed as well. In the end, Friends approved the following minute of action:
After discussions of increased postage costs for Salem Quarter News, Friends approved maintaining the current content of the newsletter. Decisions regarding possible changes in size and shape to reduce increased costs were directed to the Newsletter Editorial Advisory Board. Individuals and monthly meetings are encouraged to make donations to help defray costs.
Friends shared ideas regarding the possibility of altering the dates and/or times of quarterly meeting in an effort to increase attendance. Input from monthly meetings in needed. The topic will be taken up at the next quarterly meeting in September held at Greenwich Monthly Meeting. The Steering Committee was directed to continue the discussion, taking into account the effects of variation versus consistency.
The clerk reminded Friends that monthly meetings need to provide feedback on the coordinator, the Steering Committee, and quarter activities in a more formal, structured manner.
A concern regarding communication within the Education Fund Committee was raised by Bill Geary (Mullica Hill). He has experienced some difficulty in obtaining some approved funds for his son's education. Don Hindle (Salem) responded for the committee, taking responsibility for the miscommunication. He assured Friends that he would see that the quarter treasurer knew to send the appropriate check. Don explained that the funding comes from an endowment. The principle is left untouched and funding is provided equally to all based on the interest. Consequently, the amount of the award varies from year to year depending on the amount of interest and the number of applicants. He also stated the Education Fund application has been updated and is available at http://www.pym.org/salem-qm/ed-fund-form.htm. Interested Friends may also find the link by going to http://www.pym.org/ and clicking on the links first to Salem Quarter, and second to Education Fund Application Guidelines.
The clerk of the Steering Committee, Tom Etherington (Mullica Hill), presented a brief report outlining the activities of the committee. Topics under discussion have included Salem Quarterly Meeting date and time options, Salem Quarter News concerns, and the purchase of a portable sound system.
Meeting accepted the report as presented by Mike Ayars (Woodstown) from the Finance Committee, which indicated that income, expenses, and monthly meeting payments are on track with some noted exceptions [see p. 12].
Mario Cavallini (Mickleton) presented a report from the Salem Quarter Worship & Ministry Committee, which has been considering a concern about how our monthly meetings support individual ministries [see p. 11].
The Trustees' report was presented by the committee clerk, Gary Holmes. The Trustees' meeting consisted of transferring documents and information between incoming and outgoing committee clerks, with a brief discussion regarding the need for more active members of the committee. Since then, the Trustees have received a request for burial plots at the Port Elizabeth cemetery. Gary is seeking a map or documentation of plot locations and would appreciate any input from Quarter Friends.
Diane Metz shared some details regarding the Salem Quarter Young and Young at Heart children's program. They will be coming to Seaville in September for activities with an overnight in Ocean City.
Minutes of the last quarterly meeting on 11 Third-month 2007 were approved as they appeared in Salem Quarter News.
The clerk made announcements regarding Philadelphia Yearly Meeting residential sessions and the next quarterly meeting. A thank-you letter from Colleen Barry (Seaville) was received but not available to be read. It will appear in the next Salem Quarter News [see p. 8]. Sondra thanked Seaville for their hospitality and reminded Friends to complete the evaluation forms. Meeting was closed with worship.
Rebecca Shapiro, assistant clerkRETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 11:24 PM
