Our Vision for the Position

The General Secretary leads the staff and supports and inspires the members and meetings of Baltimore Yearly Meeting.  As a member of the Religious Society of Friends, the Secretary seeks to share, interpret and advance the beliefs, testimonies and practices of Friends.  As the executive employee, the General Secretary nurtures Yearly Meeting programs through significant spiritual, fiscal, and administrative responsibilities in the manner of Friends.  As the key link among Yearly Meeting leaders and volunteers, the Secretary supports, equips, and encourages monthly and quarterly meetings and Yearly Meeting programs.  As the employed leader of a growing Yearly Meeting, the Secretary helps connect the Yearly Meeting to the larger Quaker world.  In all matters, the Secretary seeks actions and decisions guided by the Spirit that will best serve the Yearly Meeting.

Baltimore Yearly Meeting

The Yearly Meeting consists of more than 4500 Friends organized into 40 monthly meetings and 12 preparative meetings, indulged meetings, or worship groups in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.  The Yearly Meeting office exists to serve the needs of members and local meetings while also supporting Yearly Meeting programs agreed upon by the Yearly Meeting or Interim Meeting in session.  The Yearly Meeting has an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million.   

Baltimore Yearly Meeting places a high priority on youth activities, including summer religious education in an outdoor setting (i.e. camping programs).  Members of the Yearly Meeting believe that youth activities both contribute to the growth and prepare for the future of the Yearly Meeting. Three of the five full-time employees in the Yearly Meeting office -- a Youth Secretary, a Camping Program Secretary, and a Camp Property Manager -- devote their energy to youth activities or to camp properties.

Baltimore Yearly Meeting also offers adults opportunities to deepen their religious experiences and understanding through retreats, workshops, a spiritual formation program, and other events.  In 2006, these programs will include:  two spiritual formation program retreats, a women’s retreat, and a retreat and orientation session for adults working with Young Friends or Junior Young Friends, among others.

The business of the Yearly Meeting is conducted at three Interim Meeting sessions and the Annual Session.  Nineteen standing committees and several ad hoc committees and working groups carry out the programs and activities of the Yearly Meeting.  Friends work together for public witness in such areas as peace and conflict resolution, criminal and restorative justice, care for the earth, education, gender and sexual diversity, Indian affairs, eradicating racism, and other areas of peace and social concerns.

To Support and Strengthen the Yearly Meeting, the General Secretary:

• Serves as a spiritual presence within the Yearly Meeting

• Nurtures leadership of staff and volunteers

• Manages the Annual Session, Interim Meetings, and other events as appropriate

• Administers the budget and finances

• Supervises and mentors Yearly Meeting staff

• Plans and oversees communications, publications, Web, and records management

• Visits Monthly Meetings

• Represents the Yearly Meeting in larger Quaker and interfaith settings

• Supports fund-raising campaigns

• Ensures compliance with state and federal laws and insurance regulations

Qualifications:

A strong calling for this ministry.  A knowledge of Quaker faith and practice and business process.  Ten or more years relevant experience including fiscal and administrative responsibilities and staff supervision.  Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.  Strong oral, written, and electronic communication skills. College education or commensurate experience; religious studies helpful.  Willingness to work weekends.   Member of the Religious Society of Friends.  

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Benefits include: health plan coverage; long-term disability insurance; term life insurance; eleven paid holidays; annual, personal, medical, maternity/paternity and adoption, and sabbatical leaves; retirement contribution. Housing may be available.

More Information

More detailed descriptions of the responsibilities of the General Secretary will be available upon request from the Yearly Meeting office. (to be prepared by the Ad Hoc Search Committee after the Called Meeting) More information about the programs of Baltimore Yearly Meeting is available on the Web site:  www.bym-rsf.org .

Nondiscrimination Statement

For more information, contact: (to be decided by the Ad Hoc Search Committee after the Called Meeting)