BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING of the RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
SEEKS TO APPOINT A GENERAL SECRETARY

 

 

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.  The General Secretary helps this growing Yearly Meeting connect to the larger Quaker world.  In all matters, the Secretary, guided by the Spirit, seeks actions and decisions that will best serve the Yearly Meeting.  The General Secretary acts as a servant leader to 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 Camp Administrator, 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, and other events.  In 2006, these programs 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.

 

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.

 

Working with existing committees to support the Yearly Meeting, the General Secretary:

 

• Serves as a spiritual presence within the Yearly Meeting
• Nurtures leadership of volunteers
• Coordinates the Annual Session, Interim Meetings, and other events as appropriate
• Implements the budget and manages 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 efforts  
• Ensures compliance with state and federal laws and insurance regulations

 

Qualifications:

 

• A strong calling for this ministry
• Openness to leadings of the Spirit 
• The ability to integrate Friends’ testimonies into business process and day-to-day responsibilities
• Eight or more years of relevant paid or volunteer experience including fiscal and administrative responsibilities and staff supervision 
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills; a welcoming, centered presence 
• A strong sense of compassion
• Strong oral, written, and electronic communication skills
• College education or commensurate experience; religious studies helpful 
• Experience working in multicultural settings desirable 
• Experience working with children and youth, young adults, or camping programs would all be assets
• 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.

 

Supervision:

 

The General Secretary is responsible to the Supervisory Committee, specifically to its Clerk.

 

 

Nondiscrimination Statement:

 

Baltimore Yearly Meeting, as a spiritual community, seeks to welcome all in participation of programs and in employment.  The Yearly Meeting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, age, or national origin.

 

 

To Apply:

 

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and two letters of reference to: Michael Cronin, Clerk, Interim Meeting, at imclerk@bym-rsf.org, or c/o Baltimore Yearly Meeting, 17100 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring, MD  20860-1267. 

 

Background information on the activities of the previous General Secretary is available upon request from Michael Cronin.  More information about the programs of Baltimore Yearly Meeting is available on the Web site: www.bym-rsf.org.

 

 

Deadline for Application:  

 

The Ad Hoc Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on April 7, 2006 and will continue until the position is filled.