Minutes of Baltimore Yearly Meeting Representative Meeting
Third Month 25, 2000
Friends Meeting of Washington

R2000-1  Opening: Baltimore Yearly Meeting's Representative Meeting gathered on 3/25/2000 at the Meeting House in Washington, D. C.. People from 26 Meetings signed in:

Adelphi: Deborah James, Michele Levasseur (Takoma Park), Mary Lord, Ann Marie Moriarty, Arthur David Olson (Takoma Park), Pete Schenck (Takoma Park), Marcy Seitel, Sharon Stout; Alexandria: Howard van Breemen, John Mason; Annapolis: Nan Elsbree; Sky Elsbree; Baltimore, Homewood: Edith J. Ballard, Miriam Green; Baltimore, Stony Run: Dellie James, Ronald E. Mattson, William O. Miles, Harry S. Scott, Marjorie F. Scott, Susan Vanderhoff; Bethesda: Ron Akins, Marion Ballard, Lee Foster, Edward Hawkins, Liz Hofmeister, Susan Kaul, Phyllis Luckenbaugh, Katrina R. Mason; Carlisle: Joan Anderson, Stephen Davidson; Charlottesville: Hank Schutz. Aron Teel; Deer Creek: Betsy Wollaston; Dunnings Creek: Eric Uberseder, Norman Williams, Susan Williams; Gettysburg: Margaret Stambaugh; Goose Creek: Arlene Janney, Sheila Kryston, Carolyn Unger, Janney Wilson; Gunpowder: Marshall Sutton; Herndon: Bonnie Stockslager, Ting Yi Oei; Hopewell Centre: Josh Riley; Langley Hill: Sheila Bach, Susan Lauffer, Rebecca Rawls; Little Britain: Mark L. Brabson (Eastland), Suzanne Lamborn (Penn Hill); Nottingham: Jason E. Eaby, Charles Hilaman, Eleanor Hilaman; Pipe Creek: C. J. Swet, Emily Swet; Richmond: David Hines, Ron Lee, Michael Pierce; Sandy Spring: Annette Breiling (Seneca Valley), Lowell Christy (Seneca Valley), Jack Fogarty, Peggy Fogarty, Flossie Fullerton, Margo Lehman, Mary Mallett, Trudy Rogers (Seneca Valley), Jeanne Snyder, Frank Massey; State College: H. Alan Weisel, Marjorie H. Weisel; Washington: Marjorie Akins, Nancy Beiter, Maurice Boyd, Mary Campbell, Joseph A. Izzo, Patricia Kutzner, Susan Lepper, Linda Mahler, J. E. McNeil, Carol Phelps, Grant Phelps Thompson, Winifred Walker-Jones, Ann Wilcox; West Branch: Peggy Fry, Walt Fry; Williamsburg: Cindy Frazier; York: Lamar Matthew.

R2000-2  Friends Peace Teams Project: Mary Lord reported on the Friends Peace Teams Project. People serving on the national coordinating council introduced themselves. We heard of work with both Christian Peacemaker Teams and Peace Brigades. We were thanked for the help of Baltimore Yearly Meeting office staff. We learned that the Yearly Meeting Stewardship and Finance Committee is considering how to handle funds for the Friends Peace Teams Project. We heard of the launching of a program with Burundi Yearly Meeting, where Friends and Friends Meetings have been targeted because of their peace-making efforts; the project is helping set up a trauma and reconciliation center, rebuilding Quaker churches, and providing conflict resolution training. The Council is working on a 25-month project to begin in 10/2000.

R2000-3  Indian Affairs: Pete Schenck reported on behalf of the Indian Affairs Subcommittee overseeing the work of Pat Kutzner. We heard that the Subcommittee is meeting monthly. The Subcommittee has sent a fund-raising letter; funds have been raised to support Pat's work through our upcoming annual session. We learned that both Pat and the Subcommittee seek for Pat's work to continue. The Subcommittee seeks a closer relationship between the people of Torreon/Star Lake Chapter and Friends. The Subcommittee purposes to have a minute on three-year continuation of the project for consideration at our next Representative Meeting.

Pat Kutzner reported that the work with Torreon/Star Lake Chapter has been spiritually enriching. We heard Pat's sense that support for the work is based not on the specifics of the project but on enthusiasm for the following of a call in the face of risks. We heard Pat's sense that building personal relationships is the highest priority.

Bill Miles reported on behalf of Indian Affairs Committee that it has reviewed and is pleased with the work of its Subcommittee. The Committee sees value in cultivating cooperation with Friends of Intermountain Yearly Meeting and Albuquerque Monthly Meeting; they are the Friends present where Pat's work is being done.

R2000-4  Ad Hoc Committee on Friends Schools: Ann Wilcox, Clerk of the Ad Hoc Committee on Friends Schools, presented a draft charge for a standing Committee on Friends in Education:

Proposal from the Ad Hoc Committee on Friends Schools
to become a standing Committee on Friends in Education

Draft charge:

The BYM Standing Committee on Friends in Education serves as a clearinghouse for ideas on Quaker schools, promoting nurturance, outreach and networking among the approximately ten Friends schools in the BYM region. It cooperates with the Friends Council on Education and other organizations to provide support to schools.

The Committee:

The Committee also seeks to support Quakers working or volunteering in public schools.

We heard of a desire to have the group take an interest in public schools; we heard a concern that the draft charge does not seem to put public education on an equal footing with Friends schools; we heard that the group may reword the charge to answer this concern.

Ann Wilcox undertook to seek the insights of Nominating Committee and Stewardship and Finance Committee on the proposed Committee status change; the ad hoc Committee is to report again at our next Representative Meeting.

We heard of the Ad Hoc Committee's desire for volunteers to serve on visitation teams.

R2000-5  Manual of Procedure Committee: Winnie Walker-Jones reported on behalf of the Manual of Procedure Committee. Winnie presented proposed changes to the Manual.

ADVANCEMENT AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE

The Advancement and Outreach Committee consists of approximately 24 9 members nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by the Yearly Meeting with careful consideration of the special need of this Committee to be knowledgeable about the situation of all Monthly Meetings care to name Friends who are familiar with Monthly Meetings throughout the Yearly Meeting.

This Committee is concerned with and active in the nurture and strengthening of local Meetings, in the development of new Meetings, and in taking the message of Friends to those outside our membership. This may be done through visitation, correspondence, conferences, retreats, and other appropriate means This Committee provides tools and resources to local Meetings looking for new outreach ideas, for help starting new Meetings, and for ways to help those new to Friends learn about the Religious Society of Friends. The Committee appoints a representative to and works with the Web Publishing Subcommittee of the Publications Committee to make useful information about Baltimore Yearly Meeting, its Monthly Meetings, and the Religious Society of Friends available on the Yearly Meeting website. The Committee appoints two persons to serve on the Ethel Reynolds Fund Committee for one-year terms and names a member to serve on the Sue Thomas Turner Quaker Education Fund Committee for a two-year term.

EPISTLE COMMITTEE

The Epistle Committee consists of six persons nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by the Yearly Meeting. It may co-opt other persons to assist it during the sessions of Yearly Meeting, as needed.

The Epistle Committee receives epistles addressed to the Yearly Meeting by other Friends' groups, brings concerns expressed in such epistles which require Yearly Meeting consideration to the attention of the Yearly Meeting, and, if it seems appropriate, drafts a general epistle to other Friends' groups for the Yearly Meeting's review and approval. The Committee also appoints a representative to the Web Publishing Subcommittee of the Publications Committee.

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

The Publications Committee consists of five persons nominated by the Nominating Committee and appointed by the Yearly Meeting, plus the following members, ex officio: the Presiding Clerk, the Recording Clerks of the Yearly Meeting and the Representative Meeting, the editor of the Baltimore Young Friends Newsletter, and the General Secretary.

The immediate past Presiding Clerk should continue to serve on this Committee for one year. The Publications Committee is responsible for appointing an editor for the Interchange; this editor is not a member of this Committee.

The Publications Committee works with the Yearly Meeting staff to produce and distribute regularly the Advance Reports, the Yearbook, the Interchange, and Baltimore Young Friends Newsletter. It also assists the staff in the production and distribution of revisions to Faith and Practice and of the informational brochure. From time to time the Yearly Meeting or its Representative Meeting authorizes the publication of other documents and publications to be distributed within the Yearly Meeting or to the general public. These materials are produced and distributed by the staff with the assistance of this Committee.

After the annual sessions, the Yearbook volume is produced and distributed promptly. The minutes of the Yearly Meeting sessions are prepared under the care of the Yearly Meeting officers and staff. In the interest of accuracy and clarity, they may correct or annotate errors of nomenclature, fact, or grammar made under the pressure of Yearly Meeting sessions.

Responsibilities of this Committee may range from simple awareness of what is currently authorized for publication to initiation of needed publications, or to the recommendation of reimbursement for a particular task. The Committee may be asked by the Yearly Meeting staff or by the Supervisory Committee to review, prior to publication, reports or studies from Committees or other bodies of the Yearly Meeting which are intended for wide distribution within the Yearly Meeting or to the general public. Committees of the Yearly Meeting are encouraged to consult with the Publications Committee as the need arises.

The Committee and the Yearly Meeting staff work together to find volunteer editors. The Committee assists the staff in finding professional printing services. It also provides for the proof-reading of documents and publications. It should be alert to suggest changes in the general format or contents of Advance Reports, the Yearbook, the Interchange, the Baltimore Young Friends Newsletter, and the informational brochure.

The Committee is also responsible for the Web Publishing Subcommittee, which consists of at least 5 members, including the website manager (named by the Subcommittee), two persons from the Publications Committee, one from the Advancement and Outreach Committee, one from the Epistle Committee, and other co-opted technical members as needed. The Subcommittee maintains the Yearly
Meeting website, which has been active since April 20, 1997, and publishes on the internet. It assists Yearly Meeting committees, Monthly Meetings, and Quaker schools to establish and maintain a web presence. As with other Yearly Meeting publications, materials on the Yearly Meeting website are reviewed by the Publications Committee.

Friends United Meeting, formed in 1902 as the Five Years Meeting of Friends, is composed of Yearly Meetings, 20 as of 1999, and smaller Quaker groups. It meets triennially and publishes a complete record of its proceedings. It has jurisdiction over matters delegated to it by the constituent Yearly Meetings. Friends United Meeting may provide Yearly Meetings with advice and counsel, and Yearly meetings may look to it for advice and counsel.

Each Yearly Meeting in Friends United Meeting is entitled to appoint five representatives to the Triennial Sessions, plus one additional representative for each 1,000 members or major fraction thereof. Representatives form the Representative Body. Major matters and proposals are considered by the Representative Body and the plenary sessions. Routine procedural matters may be acted upon by the Representative Body and reported to the Plenary Session which reserves the right to approve, disapprove, or reconsider.

Baltimore Yearly Meeting's representatives, as of 1999 seven in number and including those persons also named to serve on the General Board, serve also for the three years following the Triennial sessions to which they were appointed as a support group for the relationship between Baltimore Yearly Meeting and Friends United Meeting. Each Yearly Meeting names one of its representatives to serve on the Nominating Committee and another to serve on the New Business Committee. These Committees serve the Representative Body only during the Triennial Sessions.

Between Triennial Sessions, the General Board is the responsible body and legal representative of Friends United Meeting. Each Yearly Meeting makes appointments to the General Board, the number determined by formula, during the year preceding the Triennial Sessions. As of 1999, Baltimore Yearly Meeting appoints two persons to the General Board.

The General Board has three four regular administrative Committees: Executive Committee, Priorities and Budget Committee Finance Committee, and Nominating Committee, and Program Coordinating and Priorities Committee. The Nominating Committee of the General Board includes one appointee from each Yearly Meeting, designated by the Yearly Meeting, from among those who are its General Board representatives. The General Board also appoints from its members such program Committees as are necessary to give continuity and support to the work of Friends United Meeting. Every member of the General Board serves on at least one of its committees.

Practice has been for each Yearly Meeting to name one representative to the Triennial Planning Committee for the upcoming Triennial.

Yearly Meetings contribute to a travel pool, administered by the General Board, to cover expenses of the designated number of representatives traveling to and from the Triennial sessions.

Details of the procedures of Friends United Meeting can be found in the pamphlet, Friends United Meeting Organization and Procedure, 1996, available from Friends United Meeting, 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, Indiana 47374.

We heard a concern about dropping langauge regarding Advancement and Outreach "taking the message of Friends to those outside our membership;" we heard a sense that while there is a need to take the message, all of us (rather than just Committee members) must serve as messengers.

Marjorie F. Scott, reporting as Clerk of Supervisory Committee, presented the Committee's recommendation that we ask Winnie Walker-Jones, Miriam Green, Lamar Matthew, and Katherine Smith to serve as a task group to consider the structure of the Yearly Meeting's committees and the role of staff; we APPROVED this recommendation.

We RECOMMENDED to Baltimore Yearly Meeting's upcoming annual session the Manual of Procedure Committee's changes regarding Friends United Meeting. We LAID OVER to our next meeting the Committee's other recommendations.

R2000-6  Search Committee: Liz Hofmeister, Clerk of the Search Committee of Representative Meeting, reported. At the Committee's suggestion, we RECOMMENDED to our upcoming annual session these names: Lamar Matthews, Yearly Meeting Clerk through 2002; Ron Mattson, Yearly Meeting Recording Clerk through 2002; Ted Hawkins, Supervisory Committee through 2002; Dellie James, Supervisory Committee through 2002.

R2000-7  Catoctin Site Subcommittee: Lou Harrington reported on behalf of the Catoctin Site Subcommittee of the Camp Property Management Committee. We heard that a tract of land, Donnelly Property, across the road from our camp is for sale; there is a common boundary of a few hundred yards with our camp. We heard that improper care for the property being sold might damage a notable high-elevation swamp on our property. We heard that $400,000 is the asking price for the 200-acre property. We heard of seemingly failed efforts to form a private group of Quakers to buy the property, and that only about five buildings can be built on the property. We heard reasons why the Yearly Meeting might best buy the property, and reasons why we might best not buy it.

We heard that a three-acre piece of the property lies on the same side of Tower Road as our camp; we heard the Subcommittee's recommendation that we acquire this piece either by paying about $9,000 to $10,000 for it (or having it donated to us). We heard Lou's sense that funding for the purchase could come from the F.U.T.U.R.E. fund; we heard a sense that Stewardship and Finance should consider funding.

Ron Akins, Clerk of Trustees, reported that the Trustees have yet to consider this proposal. The Site Subcommittee is to work further in this area and report again at our next Representative Meeting or our upcoming annual session.

R2000-8  Nominating Committee: Katrina Mason, assistant clerk of Nominating Committee, reported these resignations: Becky Ebert from Records; Neil Anderson from Program; Darcy Lane McIntyre from Ministry and Counsel; Miriam Westervelt from Unity with Nature; and David Greene as FGC Central Committee Representative. We ACCEPTED these resignations.

At the committee's recommendation, we NAMED Trudy Rogers to serve on Ministry and Counsel through 2001.

R2000-9  Catoctin Site Subcommittee: Lou Harrington also reported on the state of Maryland's interest in obtaining a Camp Catoctin conservation easement. Frank Massey, General Secretary, reported that an endangered orchid is native to our current property; the state is interested in preserving the wetlands environment of this plant. The easement being sought would bar development in swampy areas and limit development in current areas; existing facilities and uses would not be affected. The easement would be in perpetuity and would affect the market value of the property.

We EMPOWERED our General Secretary to oversee negotiation of terms of a conservation easement with the state of Maryland, with any agreement negotiated to be approved by the Yearly Meeting (or the Representative Meeting acting on its behalf).

R2000-10  Presiding Clerk: Lamar Matthew, Clerk of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, reported. We heard that some responses to a request for information on Quaker burial grounds have been received; more are sought. We learned that more time is to be devoted to Meeting for Worship for the Conduct of Business at our upcoming annual session.

R2000-11  Supervisory Committee: Marjorie F. Scott, as Clerk of Supervisory Committee, stated that a report of staff salaries is to appear with these minutes.

Office:

General Secretary: $42,000 plus retirement and housing
Religious Education Secretary: $13,375 plus retirement (half time)
Youth Secretary: $13,375 plus insurance and retirement (half time)
Administrative Assistant: $25,000 plus insurance and retirement
Camp Administrative Secretary: $28,000 plus insurance and retirement
Secretary/Receptionist: $6,850

Camp:

Catoctin Camp Directors: $4,500 plus $100 per year of experience
Shiloh Camp Directors: $4,500 plus $100 per year of experience
Teen Adventure Director: $4,000 plus $100 per year of experience
Arts Camp Director: $3,200 plus $100 per year of experience
Catoctin Camp Assistant Directors: $1,900-$2,200 plus $50 per year of experience
Shiloh Camp Assistant Directors: $1,900-$2,200 plus $50 per year of experience
Teen Adventure Assistant Director: $1,300-$1,900
Arts Camp Assistant Director: $700-$1,000

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
Arts Camp: $700-$1,000 plus $50 per year of experience
Camp Counselors (college and high school):
Catoctin: $800-$1,400 plus $50 per year of experience
Shiloh: $800-$1,400 plus $50 per year of experience
Teen Adventure: $1,300-$1,900
Arts Camp: $400-$600 plus $50 per year of experience

R2000-12  Treasurer: Sheila Bach, Yearly Meeting Treasurer, asked that individuals and committees be careful to report all expenses, including donations of goods and services; this makes it possible for the Yearly Meeting to know the true total cost of its operations. Sheila reported the formation of a Worship Group in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

R2000-13  Committee for the Nurture and Recognition of Ministry: Sharon Stout reported on behalf of the Nurture and Recognition of Ministry Committee. We learned that this Committee and Ministry and Counsel plan to hold a retreat on 5/20/2000 to continue work on guidelines for release of Friends; Nurture and Recognition of Ministry purposes to bring draft guidelines to our next Representative Meeting.

R2000-14  Closing: We thanked Friends Meeting of Washington for its hospitality. We heard, corrected, and APPROVED these minutes, along with the attachment of written versions of reports given. We adjourned, to gather next on 6/17/2000 at Hopewell Centre Meeting House in Clearbrook, Virginia, or at the call of the Clerk.

Marjorie F. Scott, presiding      Arthur David Olson, recording


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