Manual of Procedure
VI. Special Groups
Special Groups
Concerned individuals desiring to establish a new Special Group bring their idea to Interim Meeting, either themselves directly, or through a Monthly Meeting, or through a standing committee of the Yearly Meeting. If, after due consideration, there is general support and approval, Interim Meeting recommends to the Yearly Meeting that such a Special Group be established. If the Yearly Meeting approves, the group is established.
Some groups organize themselves while some others consist of ex-officio members. The description of each group explains its concerns, organization, and membership. Unless otherwise provided, each group selects its own clerk.
Each group is expected to report annually to the Yearly Meeting. Any report, action, or statement of a special group is expected to be approved in the manner of Friends at a meeting of the group of which all the members of the group were given reasonable notice. Special groups are empowered to raise or accept monies only with the prior approval of the Interim Meeting or the Yearly Meeting in session.
Current Special Groups (there is just one at this time): Young Adult Friends.
Baltimore Yearly Meeting Young Adult Friends, constituted in 1986, is a group of women and men aged approximately 18 to 40 years. It is open to other adults who may be interested in the group’s activities. It chooses its own officers, term lengths, meeting times, and goals. Its Clerk attends Interim Meeting.
The general purpose of the group is to let young adult Quakers and attenders share their spiritual journeys with others. It provides fellowship for people from widely scattered Meetings and includes those who may feel isolated because there are few of their age in their Meetings.
The group meets at Yearly Meeting and reports to Yearly Meeting. The group holds several retreats a year. These include worship, meetings for business, workshops, service projects, cooking and cleaning together, and social time.
Working Groups
Any standing committee or the Trustees, with the concurrence of Interim Meeting, may establish a Working Group. The Working Group need not have members of the sponsoring committee among its members, but reports to and through that committee. Unless otherwise provided, each Working Group selects its own clerk. Each Working Group is expected to report in writing annually to the Yearly Meeting. Any report, action, or statement of a Working Group is expected to be approved in the manner of Friends at a meeting of the Group of which all members of the Group were given reasonable notice. Working Groups are empowered to raise or accept monies only with the prior approval of the Interim Meeting and in coordination with the Development Committee. The minute establishing the Working Group specifies whether a member of the Working Group or the clerk of the sponsoring committee will authorize disbursements. When the Working Group’s activities are complete or it is no longer active, the sponsoring committee or Interim Meeting lays it down.
Current Working Groups (and sponsoring committee):
- End of Life Working Group (Advancement and Outreach)
- Growing our Meetings Working Group (Advancement and Outreach)
- Internet Communications Working Group (Advancement and Outreach)
- Intervisitation Working Group (Ministry and Pastoral Care)
- Pastoral Care Working Group (Ministry and Pastoral Care)
- Spiritual Formation Program Working Group (Ministry and Pastoral Care)
- STRIDE Working Group (Growing Diverse Leadership)
- Women’s Retreat Working Group (Ministry and Pastoral Care)
- Working Group on Civil and Human Rights of Transgender and Non-Binary People (Peace and Social Concerns)
- Working Group on Racism (Ministry and Pastoral Care)
- Working Group on Refugees, Immigrants, and Sanctuary (Peace and Social Concerns)
- Working Group on Right Relationship with Animals (Unity with Nature)
- Youth Safety Policy Working Group (Trustees)
