Minutes of Meeting for Business

Minneapolis Friend Meeting

February 9, 2020 

Attendance: John Kraft—Presiding Clerk   Stephen Snyder—Recording Clerk

1. Silent Worship

2. Requests – Leave time in between each speaker. Take time to let emotions settle and the Light’s message form before speaking. Speak from the Light instead of simply responding to another’s’ message, unless you want to clarify what’s been said. We are seeking a common understanding of what the Light is telling us as a community, not just trying to get our individual point across. Wait for the microphone.

3. Approve Agenda—Agenda was approved.

4. Approve Minutes—Minutes of the January 12, 2020 Monthly Meeting for Business were approved.

5.   Ministry and Counsel (M&C) Report – Sandy O. At the February meeting, M&C considered joys and concerns around recent meetings for worship and continued ongoing discussion of ways to nurture vocal ministry. The committee noted that many members of our community are grieving the loss of family members and dealing with health concerns. M&C appreciates the depth of caring within our community for those who are grieving or suffering other diminishments. The committee also discussed how to best facilitate communication and mutual support after the new Care and Counsel Committee and re-structured Ministry and Counsel begin to function in April. Ministry and Counsel is planning three mid-morning programs on Northern Yearly Meeting’s (NYM) Faith and Practice. The session on March 15 will focus on the spiritual beliefs of Friends in Northern Yearly Meeting. The March 22^nd session will focus on the spiritual basis of the testimony on integrity, and the one on March 29^th on the spiritual basis of the testimony on community. Friends are invited to prepare for these programs by reading the appropriate sections in NYM Faith and Practice which is available in the meeting library or on line at: https://www.quakercloud.org/cloud/northern-yearly-meeting/pages/nym-faith-practice

6. Religious Education (RE) needs Volunteers – Clerk The Religious Education Committee is looking for more volunteers to work with children and youth. Clerk noted that support and commitment to families and youth is one of Meeting’s top priorities. It is important for Friends to step up if we are to honor this commitment. Clerk asked Friends to consider getting cleared by the Child Welfare Committee, and if already cleared, consider getting more engaged with children. Friends with insight on how to meet this challenge can also talk with members of the RE Committee. Discussion: A member of the RE Committee explained that there are several types of opportunities to serve. Teachers are needed for the First Day school classes during the 10:15-11:00 hour. Additional volunteers are needed to supervise children during the second half of the semi-programmed meeting for worship, and some may want to plan activities for this time as well. Friends noted that it may be time for Minneapolis Friends to follow the model of many other meetings around the country that are addressing this challenge by hiring RE coordinators to facilitate the children’s programs. Such a decision, however, would still require other volunteers to help implement the RE program. Friend wondered if everyone working with children needs to be cleared. Volunteers who are not vetted may help occasionally as long as one other person who is cleared is present, too. Clerk noted some support for the idea of hiring an RE coordinator and suggested this question be seasoned further by the RE Committee for consideration at a future meeting for business.

7. Reports

a. Nominating Committee Preliminary Report – Doug H. The Committee is charged with discerning how best to staff the many committees that carry out the work of the Meeting. Friends value the precious hours of worship on Sunday morning, but also have many other opportunities to serve the community throughout the month out of love for the Meeting and one another. About 60 Friends have already agreed to take on responsibilities in the coming year, but there are a number of vacancies yet to be filled. Hopefully additional Friends will find it in their hearts to make time to serve and allow the Committee to complete its work before the March meeting for business.  Discussion: Clerk noted that several committees still need clerks. Friend expressed thanks for the service of members of the Nominating Committee. Many hands waved in “Friendly applause.”

b. Stewardship and Finance Committee Preliminary Budget – Marilyn J. The preliminary budget is a plan for the coming fiscal year which begins April 1^st.   For the next fiscal year, the Committee is proposing total expenditures of $117,673 which includes $26,000 in a contingency fund for ministerial staff. If current contributions continue at this year’s rate, Meeting will easily meet its expenses next year unless unanticipated hiring occurs. Changes for next year include: reduced staff contingency fund, and increased expenditures for insurance, buffing the meeting house floor, Care and Counsel, utilities, staff development and some adjustments to contributions to friendly organizations. Discussion: Friend wondered whether the Trustees funds are used for plant operations and maintenance such as floor buffing. Capital and larger non-recurring expenses come from the Trustees funds; most recurring expenditures come from the general fund. One Friend suggested that floor buffing is maintenance and should come from the Trustees fund rather than the General fund.  Clerk suggested that the Stewardship Committee and Trustees work this out. Questions then arose about the Trustees funds which are separate from the General fund which is administered by the Stewardship and Finance Committee. Friend wondered how much Trustees have in their funds. Clerk noted that Trustees make an annual report to meeting for business with information about its funds and a schedule of anticipated expenditures in coming years. Friend asked what Meeting is going to do with the Sabbatical funds. Trustees have $20,000 for sabbaticals but no plan for use of these funds. Trustees might consider simplifying funds under its supervision and make accounts and funds more transparent in a future report.   Friend suggested that some of the surplus in the general fund be transferred to the Trustees to help cover upcoming building expenses. Clerk noted an apparent need to look at Meeting’s different types of funds going forward and suggested the Trustees and Stewardship and Finance meet to discuss these issues. The final budget will be up for approval at the March meeting for business.

c. Peace and Social Concerns Committee (PS&C) ISAIAH membership proposal – Joey G-H. The Peace and Social Concerns Committee is proposing that Minneapolis Friends Meeting become a member of Isaiah, a multiracial state-wide group of faith communities fighting for racial and economic justice in Minnesota. PS&C has been considering this proposal for several months and at least one member is interested in being involved with the Isaiah organization. Members of Meeting are involved in this type of work in many ways, but cooperation with other faith communities might empower Friends to be more effective in advocating for social and political change. The fee for membership is $500 per year. Discussion:   Is it associated with the Council of Churches? No, but Isaiah is relied on by many mainline churches as an educational and lobbying organization. It also offers training for those involved in advocacy work. Friends wanting more information on its work can visit its website: https://isaiahmn.org/ Friend asked what responsibilities Meeting would have as member of Isaiah beyond its $500 contribution? There are no specific responsibilities but members are encouraged to participate in the activities of the organization. Several Friends expressed support for this proposal including one who worked with Isaiah on forming narratives around racial justice issues. However, there are some members of Isaiah that may not align with Meeting’s concerns over military issues. Clerk sensed support for putting the expenditure in the budget. Friends are encouraged to reach out to Committee members if they have questions or thoughts about this recommendation. The heart of this proposal is about joining with others who share many of our values, recognizing that no organization is perfect and Friends may not always agree with some of its activities. Clerk thanked members of PS&C for their work on this proposal and will put it on the agenda of meeting for business in April for further consideration.

8. State of Society – Clerk Clerk noted that two or three volunteers are needed to prepare the annual state of society report for Northern Yearly Meeting. There are guidelines and copies of past reports to aid in this preparation. Friend suggested having a brainstorm session at meeting for business to identify items for the report as has been done in the past. Judith J. volunteered to help the Clerk prepare the report.

9. Food Collection – Carolyn V. We have had a basket to collect food for many years, but currently there is no one to take food to appropriate locations. This needs to be under someone’s care. Lara M. volunteered take this under her care and deliver the food. Friends accepted her offer with gratitude.

10. Meeting closed with silence as it transitioned to semi-programmed worship.