Minutes of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Interim Meeting
Sixth Month 15, 2002
York Monthly Meeting
I2002-25 Opening: Baltimore Yearly Meeting= s Interim Meeting gathered on 6/15/2002 at the York Meeting House in York, Pennsylvania. 47 people from 21 meetings signed in:
Adelphi: Ruth Flower (Takoma Park), Michele Levasseur (Takoma Park), Ann Marie Moriarty, Arthur David Olson (Takoma Park); Alexandria: John Mason; Baltimore, Homewood: Miriam Green; Baltimore, Stony Run: J. Michael Boardman, Geni M. Elliott, Ronald E. Mattson, Marjorie F. Scott; Bethesda: Liz Hofmeister; Carlisle: Joan Anderson, Rob Rathfon; Charlottesville: Cynthia Power, Gladys Swift, Aron Teel; Frederick: John Darnell; Gettysburg: Margaret Stambaugh; Herndon: Bonnie Stockslager, Gretel Von Pischke; Langley Hill: Sheila N. Bach; Little Britain: Mark Brabson (Eastland); Nottingham: Jason Eaby; Patapsco: Ken Stockbridge; Pipe Creek: C. J. Swet, Emily Swet; Roanoke: Bob Fetter, Susie Fetter; Sandy Spring: Betty Hutchinson, Frank Massey, Trudy Rogers (Seneca Valley); Valley: Steve Keffer; Washington: Neil Froemming, J. E. McNeil, Winifred Walker-Jones, Ann Wilcox; Williamsburg: Cindy Frazier; York: Leada Dietz, Dave Fitz, Sally Keller, Lamar Matthew, Ed Norton, Fran Norton, Randy Reimold, Dorothy Shumway, Dick Waggy. Also: Erin Young.
I2002-26 Patapsco Meeting: The Presiding Clerk read this letter from Diane D. Kesler, Clerk of Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting:
Sixth Month 12, 2002
Marjorie Scott, Clerk
Broadmead N-8
13801 York Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
Re: Patapsco Preparative Meeting Request
Dear Marjorie Scott.
In worshipping Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting on the Sixth Month 9,2002, heard and whole heartedly approved the request of Patapsco Preparative Meeting to become a Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. Sandy Spring Meeting united with Patapsco Meeting= s request and approved the enclosed minute. Enclosed are the minute of request and the minute of approval.
It is the wish of Patapsco to join and be affiliated with both Baltimore Yearly Meeting and Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting. Please consider this request on the agenda of Interim Meeting, so that possible action could be taken at Yearly Meeting this summer. For over six years, Friends from Patapsco Meeting have added spiritual grounding to the strength of Chesapeake Quarterly, so it is with great love that this minuted approval is sent on to you.
Ken Stockbridge, of Patapsco Preparative Meeting, will be in attendance at Interim Meeting and will be prepared to read and speak to Interim Meeting if way opens.
In loving gratitude,
Diane D. Kesler, Clerk Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting
Cc: Elizabeth F. Meyer, Clerk; Sherri Morgan, Clerk; Kenneth Stockbridge
Michael Boardman, Recording Clerk
file
The Presiding Clerk also read Patapsco Preparative Meeting= s Minute:
Approved - 4/28/2002
Patapsco Friends Meeting hereby requests to be recognized and embraced as a Monthly Meeting under the care of Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting and Baltimore Yearly Meeting
A number of Friends were led from the inception of the Howard County Worship Group to form a lasting Quaker presence in this community. In 11th month 1996, we first met as a worship group under the care of Sandy Spring Friends Meeting. In 1st month 1999, we became a Preparative Meeting under Sandy Spring= s care.
Patapsco Friends have gathered weekly for worship, first day school, and fellowship and monthly for the conduct of business for 5 1/2 years. The meeting has attracted seekers from within and without the Quaker community, offering a sacred space for spiritual sharing, loving labor among the gathered, and moral guidance and direction for our youth. The meeting has forged alliances with local community organizations and has reached out to participate in the wider Quaker fellowship. We have developed a deeply shared sense of identity as a spiritual community. Love, unity, and mutual nurture abide among us. We give thanks for our Quaker community that has taken root and thrived in Howard County.
After a period of reflection, discussion, and spiritual discernment, we have recognized that we have been effectively functioning as an independent Meeting. We have considered the responsibilities and implications of becoming a Monthly Meeting, and we feel clear that we are prepared to embrace them.
We are deeply grateful to Sandy Spring Friends Meeting for encouraging us to start our Meeting and for nurturing and supporting us as we grew and developed. We feel we are now ready to release Sandy Spring from this responsibility and to join the community of Quaker fellowship as an independent Monthly Meeting.
With divine assistance, we look forward to stepping into the Light of our new openings.
We RECOMMENDED to our upcoming Annual Session that Patapsco Monthly Meeting be established under Baltimore Yearly Meeting and Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting.
I2002-27 Search Committee: Liz Hofmeister, Clerk of Search Committee, presented these names for service on Nominating Committee through 2005: Ramona Buck (Sandy Spring/Patapsco); Claudia Weir (Langley Hill); and Fred Leonard (Baltimore, Stony Run). We APPROVED these nominations for forwarding to our upcoming annual session.
I2002-28 Manual of Procedure: Trudy Rogers, Clerk of the Manual of Procedure Committee, presented proposed changes to the Manual of Procedure:
1. PEACE AND SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
At the recommendation of the Trustees and the Peace and Social Concerns Committee, Representative Meeting approved laying down the Fund for Conscience Subcommittee and transferring the balance in the Fund to the Fund for Education and Training. It is recommended that the last two paragraphs of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee description be deleted.
A Fund for Conscience was established by Baltimore Yearly Meeting in 1986. The purpose of the Fund is to support those members and regular attenders of Meetings within Baltimore Yearly Meeting who may be punished or denied government assistance in areas including, but not limited to, education because of a decision of conscience, such as not to register for Selective Service, not to pay taxes for military purposes, or to participate non-violently in a peace and justice protest.
The Fund for Conscience Subcommittee oversees the Fund, publicizing it, making appropriate referrals, and making loans or grants consistent with its purpose. The Subcommittee is convened by the Clerk of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee. The members include the Clerk and one additional member of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee, a high school youth representing the Youth Programs Committee, and representatives of Young Adult Friends and of Trustees.
2. INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The Indian Affairs Committee consists of approximately 12 members nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by the Yearly Meeting.
In 1795 Quakers in the northern Shenandoah Valley, following the model established by William Penn in Pennsylvania, set up a fund to pay American Indians for lands Quakers had settled. Unable to locate survivors of the natives who had previously lived in the valley, these Friends set aside the monies for assistance of American Indians under the care of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Since the that time the Indian Affairs Committee has distributed the interest income from this endowment to organizations which assist and advocate for Native Americans.
This Committee also stimulates interest in and activity for the concerning American Indians,. It cooperates with other Yearly Meetings and other Friends=
organizations in projects for the benefit of American Indians, and. It concerns itself with pending legislation on the national and local, regional and national levels involving Native American issues.
The ongoing work of the Indian Affairs Committee is inspired by its history. In 1795 Quakers in the northern Shenandoah Valley, following the model established by William Penn in Pennsylvania, set up a fund under the care of Baltimore Yearly Meeting to pay American Indians for lands Quakers had settled. Unable to locate survivors of the natives, [Friendsl the Indian Affairs Committee has distributed the interest income from this endowment to organizations which assist and advocate for American Indians.
This Committee recommends to the Nominating Committee each year one person for appointment by the Yearly Meeting to serve as the Yearly Meeting= s representative to the Associated Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs.
3. RIGHT SHARING OF WORLD RESOURCES COMMITTEE
The Right Sharing of World Resources Committee is composed of 15 about nine members nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by the Yearly Meeting. In addition, individuals may be co-opted to serve on the Committee, particularly from those local Meetings not otherwise represented.
This Committee should works to keep alive throughout the Yearly Meeting membership the challenge to simplify our own lives and to share with people in the developing countries our financial resources and our own lives and experiences. work in partnership with our sisters and brothers in the U. S. and throughout the world for a more equitable distribution of the world=
s resources. In doing so, this Committee, with the guidanee of and in cooperation with works with the independent Quaker organization Right Sharing of World Resources, Inc., is responsible for selecting the specific projects of economic and social development to which funds contributed under this program by members of the Yearly Meeting shall be devoted. The committee facilitates the coordination and exchange of information to meet these concerns. It provides support for community development and self-help programs throughout the world. The Committee raises limits for these programs through activities such as simple meals.
The Committee also works with Monthly Meetings to address these concerns. It may also bring to the attention of the Yearly Meeting other international and domestic concerns that affect relationships between the economically developed and less-developed countries or the relationship between people with greatly different economic means wherever they may live.
4. YOUTH PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
The Youth Programs Committee consists of eight to ten adults nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by Yearly Meeting and a two Young Friends appointed by Young Friends Conference Business Meeting, the Young Friends Conference Clerks and the Young Friends Yearly Meeting Program Planners. The adult Co-clerks and the youth Co-clerks of the Young Firends Conference Subcommittee, the Young Friends Yearly Meeting Program Planning Subcommittee, Young Quakes United Subcommittee, and of the regional youth oversight committees serve on this committee. The regional youth coordinators, the Yearly Meeting YouthQuake representative, and the Associate Youth Secretary are also ex officio members. of the Youth Programs Committee.
The Youth Programs Committee oversees and coordinates all Yearly Meeting youth programs B
other than camping programs and Junior Yearly Meeting B
for junior high/middle school and high school youth, with the exception of the Camping Program and Junior Yearly Meeting. and provides for the various needs and interests of these youth. It provides advice and support for the Youth Secretary. To do these things the Committee will:
By providing retreats, workshops, and consultation, the Youth Programs Committee facilitates the training, nurturing, and support of adults who work with the junior high/middle school and high school youth of Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
The Committee meets twice a year or as necessary. The bulk of its work is done through the Young friends Conference Subcommittee, the Young Friends Yearly Meeting Program Planning Subcommittee, the Young Quakes United Planning Subcommittee, the Regional Youth Programs Oversight Subcommittee, and other subcommittees as deemed necessary.
The Youth Programs Committee appoints a Baltimore Yearly Meeting high school youth as a representative to the Fund for Conscience Subcommittee of the Peace and Social Concerns Committee. The adult and youth Co-clerks of the Young Friends Yearly Meeting Program Planning Subcommittee The Young Friends Yearly Meeting Program Planners serve on the Program Committee.
The Youth Programs Committee names an adult representative to serve on the Coordinating Council for Youth Programs. One adult representative to serve on the Coordinating Council for Youth Programs is also named by each of the following: the Young Friends Conference Subcommittee, the Young Friends Yearly Meeting Program Planning Subcommittee, and the Young Quakes United Planning Subcommittee.
Every three years, according to the YouthQuake cycle, the Youth Programs Committee recommends the name of an adult to the Nominating Committee for appointment by the Yearly Meeting to serve a three-year term as the Yearly Meeting representative to the YouthQuake Planning Committee.
The Young Friends Executive Committee is nominated and appointed by the Young Friends Conference Business Meeting and works under the care of the Young Friends Conference Subcommittee to facilitate conferences. To encourage youth to participate actively in the affairs of Yearly Meeting, the Young Friends Executive Committee Clerk is a member of Representative Interim Meeting. Details of the procedures of the Young Friends Executive Committee and Young Friends Conferences can be found in the Young Friends Handbook, available from Baltimore Yearly Meeting.
5. FRIENDS IN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Friends in Education Committee consists of approximately nine members nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by the Yearly Meeting. In addition, individuals may be coopted to serve on the Committee
The Committee works to support and nurture the schooling of young people consistent with the beliefs and practices of the Religious Society of Friends. The Committee promotes outreach and networking among the Friends= schools in Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and serves as a resource on Quaker values in the educational setting. The Committee also supports Friends who are home schooling or involved in public schools. It cooperates with the Friends Council on Education and other organizations providing support to Friends= schools and Friends involved in educational endeavors.
6. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMINUTTEE
The Religious Education Committee consists of approximately 12 persons nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by the Yearly Meeting, and the Clerks of the Religious Education Committees of all Monthly Meetings. The Committee is an avenue through which the Yearly Meeting exercises its responsibility for the spiritual nurture of its young people and adults.
The Committee supports Monthly Meeting Religious Education Committees and First Day School teachers in their work with all age groups. This is done through curriculum planning, resource information, and consultation with committee members, as well as through workshops, teacher preparation programs, and retreats. The Committee maintains an extensive library at the Yearly Meeting office. A list is available on request; Friends may visit the Library or may borrow through the mail.
The Committee appoints two persons to serve on the Ethel Reynolds Fund Committee for oneyear terms, and names a member to serve on the Sue Thomas Turner Quaker Education Fund Committee for a two-year term.
We APPROVED for forwarding to our upcoming annual session: the proposed deletion of material on the Fund for Conscience and the associated Subcommittee; the proposed change of the description of the Indian Affairs Committee (changing the phrase A has distributed@ to the word A distributes@ ); the proposed change of the description of the Right Sharing of World Resources Committee; the proposed change to the description of the Youth Programs Committee (changing the first sentence to read A The Youth Programs Committee consists of eight to ten adults nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by Yearly Meeting, the Young Friends Conference Clerks, the Young Friends Yearly Meeting Program Planners, and two Young Friends appointed by Young Friends Conference Business Meeting@ ); the proposed addition of a description of the Friends in Education Committee; and the proposed deletion of material on a Yearly Meeting library in the section on the Religious Education Committee.
Trudy reported that the Manual of Procedure Committee is aware that it may have work to do in conjunction with upcoming changes in Yearly Meeting Committee structure. The Manual of Procedure Committee has received proposals to name Yearly Meeting officers to three-year terms rather than two-year terms; it is not the Manual of Procedure Committee= s responsibility to consider such changes, which the Committee has referred to Search Committee and Stewardship and Finance. Friends with insights can be in touch with these Committees.
I2002-29 Peace and Social Concerns: Betty Hutchinson, Co-Clerk of Peace and Social Concerns, reported. The Committee held a networking day at Friends Meeting of Washington; about 25 people attended. A Subcommittee is being established to address concerns about military recruiting in schools. The Committee has approved minutes on reinstitution of the military draft and supporting legislation establishing a peace tax fund; these minutes are to be presented to our upcoming annual session. The Committee= s Working Group on racism has meet twice and is planning workshops at Yearly Meeting. Four or five of the Committee= s twelve members attend its meetings.
We DIRECTED Nominating Committee to nominate two Baltimore Yearly Meeting Representatives to the upcoming Friends World Committee for Consultation gathering in North Carolina in First Month 2003; we DIRECTED our Peace and Social Concerns Committee to suggest to Nominating Committee names of Friends to serve as Representatives; we DIRECTED our General Secretary to publicize the need for Representatives and accept responses.
I2002-30 Task Group on Staff and Committee Structure: The Presiding Clerk noted the availability of copies of a written report from Howard Fullerton, Clerk of the Task Group on Staff and Committee Structure, on proposed changes to the Yearly Meeting= s Committee structure.
I2002-31 Supervisory Committee: Marjorie F. Scott reported on behalf of Supervisory Committee. We APPROVED its recommendation that Ron Mattson be hired to serve asa part-time Acting General Secretary during Frank Massey= s sabbatical.
I2002-32 Presiding Clerk of Yearly Meeting: Lamar Matthew, Presiding Clerk of Yearly Meeting, reported. Lamar promised that there would be no long evenings at our upcoming annual session; we heard a request to minute this promise.
I2002-33 General Secretary: Frank Massey, General Secretary, reported. Frank noted that Dennis Halliday is to speak on Sixth Day evening of our upcoming Annual Session on the situation in Iraq. Frank noted the availability of written copies of Advance Reports. Frank reported that all our camps are full and have waiting lists. Frank reported that a group is considering how Baltimore Yearly Meeting can continue to relate with the Torreon/Star Lake Chapter after the end of the embrace of Pat Kutzner in 2003. Frank noted a $12.50 per day fee is to be charged to Yearly Meeting attenders ($10.00 for early registrants). Frank reported the recent death of Asa Moore Janney of Goose Creek Monthly Meeting at age 94.
We APPROVED receipt of designated contributions to fund the sabbatical of the General Secretary.
I2002-34 Peace Testimony: Ed Norton reported that 20 Meetings have responded to a request made at our most recent Annual Session for responses to a York Monthly Meeting Minute on the Peace Testimony. Ed invited other Monthly Meetings to respond.
I2002-35 Salaries: We APPROVED publication of salary information with these minutes.
2002 Staff Salaries
Office
General Secretary $47,088; plus housing, retirement
Camp Administrative Secretary $32,705; plus medical insurance, retirement
Youth Secretary $30, 513; plus medical insurance, retirement
Bookkeeper $27,841; plus medical insurance, retirement
Administrative Assistant $25,000; plus medical insurance
Caretakers
Catoctin $6,000; plus housing, medical insurance
Shiloh $6,000; plus housing, medical insurance
Camp Directors
Residential Camp
Catoctin Director: $5,100
Shiloh Director: $5,100
Opequon Director: $4,700
Assistant Directors: $1,900-$2,200 plus $50 per year of experience
Teen Adventure
Co-Directors: $3,050 for each Director
Camp staff
Residential: $1,400-$1,900 plus $50 per year of experience
Teen Adventure: $1,300-$1,900 plus $50 per year of experience
Camp Counselors (college and high school)
Residential: $800-$1,400 plus $50 per year of experience
Teen Adventure: $1,300-$1,900
I2002-36 Closing: Ron Mattson brought us greetings from Great Plains Yearly Meeting (formerly Nebraska Yearly Meeting). We thanked York Friends for their hospitality and lunch. A York Friend expressed their delight in hosting us for the first time in 160 years. We heard, corrected, and approved these minutes, along with the attachment of written versions of reports given. We adjourned, to gather next on 10/26/2002 at the Baltimore, Homewood Meeting House in Baltimore, Maryland, or at the call of the Presiding Clerk.
Marjorie F. Scott, presiding Arthur David Olson, recording