Approved Month Meeting Minutes
Minneapolis Friends Meeting
May 14, 2023

Clerk, Steve S |Recording Clerk, Jeannette R

Some names and information have been edited or removed for publication on the web.

Approve Agenda
The Clerk shared the proposed agenda. The agenda was approved.

Approve Minutes of April 9, 2023, Meeting for Business
The minutes for the April 9 Monthly Meeting had been circulated. The clerk asked if there were any proposed changes to the minutes. No changes were proposed. The April 9 minutes were approved.

Clerks Proposal on Masking
The Clerk read a proposal for removing the requirement for masking in the meeting house. The full proposal is attached at the end of the minutes. Before seeking approval, the clerk asked for questions and comments.

One member asked if the proposal would mean that the meeting could return to potlucks as done before COVID – 19. The clerk stated that potlucks in the meeting house could start up again. It was shared that the Property committee has stated that the ventilation is also good in the common room downstairs.

Another member raised a concern about people singing unmasked. A meeting member who participates in the community choir that meets at the meeting house shared that since that group has been released from the masking requirement there has been no COVID among the 40 people.

It was pointed out that if masking is going to be optional, we need to change the sign on the front and back door. The clerk offered to connect with the office to get that sign changed.

The meeting discussed if windows would always be open. Friends pointed out that pollens present a problem for some members. And that when air-conditioning or heat is being used, having open windows may not be prudent.

The Trustees are willing to receive information and comments from meeting members as this new practice is put in place.

The meeting approved the following revised practices:

Beginning on May 28, 2023, masking at meeting for worship and other meeting activities is welcomed but shall be optional. A space in the meeting room will be reserved for those wishing both to distance from others and to mask. When weather permits, windows may be opened enough to facilitate better ventilation.

All attenders should continue to be respectful of the health concerns of those more vulnerable to Covid-19. Anyone exposed to Covid-19, anyone testing positive for COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 type of symptoms should join worship virtually.

Monthly Meeting respects that not everyone may be able or comfortable worshipping in person when others are unmasked. The Meeting will continue to provide the option of worshipping virtually for all who are unable to attend or meet in-person.

Singing may resume during semi-programmed meeting and other meeting activities.

Meeting committees may arrange for meals in the meeting house for food and snacks at events or picnics in the park.

Trustees will continue to monitor the Covid-19 environment and meeting will revisit this policy as needed. The meeting entrusts the Trustees with reinstating masking requirements and other meeting precautions as needed.

Ministry and Counsel Report

Lolly L asked the clerk to read the report.

There was a question about what was meant by “testing messages”. The committee wants to share information on how to test vocal ministry messages before offering vocal ministry. The session will draw from Quaker writing and experience.

A member of unprogrammed meeting thanked M and C for conversations about their concerns with combined worship and the whole schedule of worship including meeting for worship with attention to business.

The current schedule does not allow for full discussion of all business items as the agenda tries to fit all items in the time carved out between meetings for worship. Consideration of business items often seems rushed. The member also raised a concern about the underutilization of the meeting house. It seems counterintuitive to have a meeting house only open for one hour of worship a week. A question was raised about best use of meeting house for worship and other activities.

The Ministry and County report was received by monthly meeting.

State of Society Report 2023
Mary B read the draft State of Society Report. The full text can be found on the State of Society tab on the meeting web site.

A number of small concerns were raised and corrections were made. The state of society report was approved and Mary was thanked for her beautiful writing.

At this time, Meeting usually hears the annual census report, but the Census Report was given during April’s Meeting for Business and has been shared with Northern Yearly Meeting.

Trustees and Trustee Funds Annual Report
Linda C presented the Trustee Report.

Trustees are the legal entity of the meeting. They manage a building fund for major property expenses, the Lakewood Cemetery plots owned by the Meeting, and a set of special funds.

This year the building fund covered the repair of the front porch. They have paid additional costs for the AV system from special funds donated to that purpose.

The elevator/lift continues to be a concern. The replacement of that could exceed the total amount of the building funds.

Linda shared the various Trustee Funds and purposes. These funds include the Building Fund; the Nancy Peterson Advancement, Outreach, & Service Fund; a conference travel fund; a History Project Fund; and a Seed Fund. This year the Trustees merged a sabbatical fund into the building fund.

In addition to the money transferred from the annual meeting budget, income for the trustees include income from memorial contributions, rental income and specially designated gifts. This year there was an estate bequest.

Discussion
A member suggested that the amount allotted to support travel expenses should be increased as travel costs have increased since the initial request process was set. The Trustees will put that on their agenda for the year.

There was a question of whether the Family and Child Coordinator might tap some of these funds. Linda felt that some of these funds could be used for expenses related to children and family programming.

The Trustee’s report was accepted by Monthly Meeting.

Stewardship and Finance Annual Report
Mike F presented the Stewardship and Finance Annual Report.

He started by thanking the meeting members for their donations. This was another unusual year given the ongoing disruption of meeting activities by COVID-19. Total donations for the year exceeded expenditures. Stewardship expects a small surplus after the budgeted transfer to the Trustees building fund.

Expenditures did reflect inflation related overages including rising insurance costs, COVID-19 relief funds and heating costs. It was noted that the COVID-19 Relief Fund is not included in next year’s budget.

A member asked if there were any concerns from the committee. The committee felt that this year was similar to past years as the meeting frequently brings in more money than it spends, and spends less than was budgeted. 2023/24 expenditures will depend on hiring for a Children and Families Coordinator and nursery staff.

Friends accepted the annual report of the Stewardship and Finance committee.

Update from Ad Hoc Hiring Committee for Children and Families Coordinator

Andrea S presented a report from the Ad Hoc Hiring Committee.

The committee developed a position description, a recruitment process, and interview process. They developed a qualified applicant pool. The committee has made an offer of the position but is not sharing the information at this time as they need to contact all the applicants.

The work of the new staff person will begin in June. With programming starting in the fall.

Nominating committee will be forming a standing committee to support and manage the work of this coordinator. A question arose about the final name of the standing committee and it was share that the ad hoc committee will be making a recommendation to nominating committee.

Friends accepted the report of the Ad Hoc Hiring Committee.

Proposed Minute on Renouncing the Doctrine of Discovery
Terry H presented and the meeting approved the following minute. This is an initial effort to adapt the NYM minute renouncing the Doctrine of Discovery for the purpose of approving a fully agreeable minute on behalf of Minneapolis Friends Meeting. Terry presented it as draft and is open to further adaptation for that purpose. The express intention to join in the language of the NYM is part of the body of this adaptation. This doctrine continues to impact native people. This has been devastating combined with manifest destiny.

Friends considered and approved the following minute.

Minute of Minneapolis Friends Meeting to Renounce the Doctrine of Discovery

We affirm our Quaker testimonies of peace and equality as Friends in Minneapolis Friends Meeting and Northern Yearly Meeting.

In fulfilling our commitment to transform Minneapolis Friends Meeting into an actively anti-racist faith community, we seek to live in a just peace with all human beings. We commit ourselves to actively seek Spirit’s leadings and guidance to build right relationship with Native peoples.

We specifically acknowledge Quaker complicity in the harm caused to Native communities and families by our involvement in the boarding school program. It is our intention to seek relationship with and guidance from Native people in discerning a path to truth and healing as an anti-racist faith community.

In light of this commitment, and in response to the call from Native peoples, we find it necessary to renounce the underlying worldview manifested in the Doctrine of Discovery which originated in 15th century Papal Bulls and subsequent European royal charters, and to more deeply understand the impact this had on Indigenous peoples.

The Doctrine of Discovery authorized the seizure of lands where non-Christian people lived and sanctioned the enslavement, exploitation, and genocide of those peoples along with the eradication of their languages, cultures and religious practices.

We affirm the autonomy and sovereignty of Native people in line with the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We honor the rights of all Peoples to have
homelands, clean water, cultural and spiritual practices, languages, and self-government.

As members of Minneapolis Friends Meeting, we join fellow Quakers in Northern Yearly Meeting to encourage and support the efforts of individual Quakers, Monthly Meetings and Worship Groups to work together with Native people to take meaningful action embodying our renunciation of the assumptions, attitudes, beliefs, and actions that underlie the Doctrine of Discovery.

Peace and Social Concerns Survey Update

Deborah J reported for the Peace and Social Concerns Committee.

The Peace and Social Concerns committee considered a number of items for its focus for 2023-24 including the climate crisis and gun control. The Committee has united to bring forward a focus on the climate crisis to recommend to monthly meeting. The committee will address the climate crisis and advance efforts to mitigate its impact.

A member reminded Monthly Meeting that the City of Minneapolis is developing a Climate Justice Plan and people who live, work or worship in the city can provide input into that plan.

Friends approved a focus on the climate crisis.

Update on Office Email Technology

Rae Beth C and Dave B provided an update.

Last month Business Meeting approved funds for the hiring of a technology coordinator to review and make recommendations for updating all technology used in Meeting’s office including our website. We were asked to first inquire to members for volunteers.

It was decided that nothing could be done without input from the meeting coordinator.

In the meantime, the most pressing need of the Meeting was the unreliable, time-consuming distribution of the Sunday Bulletin. Dave B shared his experience with Mail Chimp. This was a tool that came with strong recommendations from Northern Yearly Meeting and individuals in the meeting. So far this is working well.

Update on Friends for a Nonviolent World Holiday Fair
The clerk shared that FNVW has made a decision to hold the Holiday Fair at the Friends School. FNVW thanked the meeting for the past use of the meeting house for this event.

Correspondence
The clerk reported receiving a number of letters thanking the Meeting for contributions.

Closing Worship.
The meeting for business ended with some silent worship.