Last Fall Meeting Minutes |
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October 9–10, 2008 Minutes PARTICIPANTS: Marcia Ankrom, Alan Baker, Stan Becker*, Jack Bradin, Bill Cahalan*, Carol Ciscel, David Ciscel, Mary Coelho, Alan Connor, Louis Cox, Os Cresson, Steven Davison*, Ed Dreby, Elaine Emmi, Cheryl Fetterman, Cassandra Fralix*, Marshall Gibson, Mary Gilbert, Carol Gray*, Ruth Hamilton, Dale Hendricks, Bill Holcombe, Dawn Howard, Kathy Johnson*, Micheal Jokinen, Robert Jones, eric joy, Mary Jo Klingel, Hollister Knowlton, Barbara Letsch, Judy Lumb, Angela Manno, Marshall Massey, Patricia McBee, Steve McConnell, Bob McGahey, Geeta McGahey, Sally Merrill, David Millar, George Owen, Priscilla Padron*, Chrys Parr, Sarah Pavlovic, Noel Pavlovic, John Payton, Free Polazzo*, Gerald Rudolph*, Bert Skellie*, Catherine Stevens, Susan Swanstrom, Ruah Swennerfelt, Roy Taylor, Roy Treadway, Alice Wald, Barbara Williamson, Ruth Zwirner, Rod Zwirner *attended the annual gathering, but did not participate in the annual meeting portion of the weekend. Thursday, October 9, 2008, 7:00 p.m. Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business #1 Worship and Clerk’s Readings From a Minute approved by Iowa Yearly Meeting Conservative (thanks to Ken Lawrence’s report). The minute begins: “Humanity is no longer in right relationship with God’s creation. Because of our numbers and the way many of us live, we are using resources and impacting the environment in ways that cannot be sustained…People are becoming aware that the way of living that we have become accustomed to cannot continue. If we don’t make changes voluntarily, they will be forced upon us.” —From Journey to the East, by Herman Hesse “God does not send us despair in order to kill us; Welcome and Introductions After welcoming Friends to this 20th annual meeting of Quaker Earthcare Witness (founded as FCUN), the clerk introduced herself and those sitting at the clerks’ table--Barbara Williamson, Alternate Mentoring Clerk; John Payton, Recording Clerk; Mary Jo Klingel, Clerk of Spiritual Nurturance; and Hollister Knowlton, Presiding Clerk. She asked Friends to introduce themselves with their name, Yearly Meeting, and a response to the following query: What do you need to let go of to be fully present here this weekend? Presiding Clerk’s Report—Hollister Knowlton Friends were referred to the report previously distributed (Attachment A1-Note also Staff Reports Attachment I). The clerk asked that when committees and interest/working groups meet tomorrow they spend some of their time scheduling three conference calls between now and the spring SC meeting in Chicago and drafting some committee goals. She asked that committees bring their reports back to business meeting in writing to make it easier for the recording clerk to incorporate them into the minutes. The CCC recently signed on to an Oxfam letter on climate change. This letter will be placed on the clerks’ table for Friends to review. (See Attachment A2) Presentation of Bylaws Changes—Barbara Williamson Copies of the suggested changes to the Bylaws are available on the registration table (Attachment B) and were emailed to all participants in advance of the meeting. These changes reflect minutes previously approved by the SC and the need to bring the Bylaws into alignment with these approved practices. These are the proposed changes: In Article 4 the Clerk, Alternate Clerk, Recording Clerk, and Treasurer are identified as the officers. “Alternate incoming” and “alternate mentoring” are defined. Friends indicated there are some additional provisions in the Bylaws that are at variance with how the SC functions that may also need to be changed Barbara presented the following proposals for consideration by the Steering Committee. Both were approved and will be reflected in the revised By-laws: MINUTE 2008.10.01 The Clerk of the Publications Committee shall be a member of the Continuing Counsel Committee, and this will be reflected in the revised Bylaws. MINUTE 2008.10.02 The Treasurer shall be the person with the responsibility of being the primary signer for all QEW bank accounts. In order to have access to QEW bank accounts and the information concerning those accounts, the clerk of the Finance Committee and the General Secretary shall be named as alternate signers for all QEW bank accounts. Presentation of New Working Group Proposals Proposal to Establish a QEW Working Group for FCNL Appointees—John Payton An ad hoc working group, comprised of Al Connor, Ed Dreby, Elaine Emmi, John Payton, and Rod Zwirner drafted the proposal, which states the purpose, initial term, membership, and budget request for the proposed working group, in accordance with provisions in the Bylaws. John Payton reviewed these and an accompanying document on guidelines for QEW Appointees to FCNL. (Attachment C). As an organizational member of FCNL, QEW is entitled to three appointees, who serve three-year renewable terms that are staggered. The proposal states that the three appointees rotate the role of convener, each serving in this capacity during their second year as an appointee. Friends mentioned that it has been our practice to name our FCNL appointees in the spring, not in the fall as indicated in the By-laws. Also, the Bylaws indicate that the Nominating Committee will name the members of working groups. . Our practice is that Nominating Committee brings forward names for our FCNL appointees, but that other Friends can join the Working Group as they are led. Ed Dreby stated that he is on the Nominating Committee of FCNL. There are openings for at-large positions on FCNL’s General Committee. Friends were urged to see Ed if interested in an at-large position. Any Quaker can register and attend the annual FCNL meeting. It is not necessary to be appointed as a member of the General Committee. Proposal to Establish a UN Working Group—Judy Lumb Judy read the proposal (Attachment D) and indicated that there are also guidelines for UN representatives, which were previously approved. She stated that as QEW becomes more involved in other international organizations, it may be appropriate for the proposed UN Working Group to have oversight for QEWs involvement in them as well. The proposal will be printed for Friends to read. Nominating Committee Report—Elaine Emmi (Attachments E and F) There are two categories of QEW SC members—yearly meeting representatives and at-large members. We now have representatives from 19 yearly meetings. Nominating Committee can also nominate up to 5 people each year for at-large positions. These appointments are made because of appointees’ leadership potential. At-large SC members may serve a maximum of two three-year terms. The entire list of members of SC with their terms will be made available tomorrow (Attachment F). Budget Report—David Ciscel (Attachment G) The QEW fiscal year begins on November 1, designed so that it begins after the annual meeting. The proposed budget for 2008-2009 represents an increase of about 6.5% over the current year—from about $96,000 to $102,000. It includes salary and benefits increases of 5% for staff. This past year the salary line item reflected differences from previous years due to Ruah’s and Louis’ sabbatical and walk and our hiring of a part-time person to take care of QEW administrative duties in their absence. Another change in this year’s budget is a $5,000 item for web design and maintenance. We are about $7,000 behind where we should be with donations this year. In view of this deficit, SC members were asked to consider making an additional gift before the end of the fiscal year. To initiate this process, Ruah and Louis will contribute $100 each for a total of $200. While we realize that not everybody is in a position to give a gift of this size, some can give more. Gifts can be made by cash, check, or credit card. See Ruah throughout the weekend to make a donation. One thing we can all do is ask individuals and meetings that do not now give to start giving. We can also meet the deficit by encouraging meetings to increase their pledges from previous years to meet QEW’s rising costs. Questions about this should be addressed to members of the Finance Committee—Barbara Williamson, Sarah Pavlovic, Steve McConnell, Donn Kesselheim, and David Ciscel. Announcement from CCC on QEW Statement of Purpose Last spring we learned in our fund-raising workshop that many Friends on the SC were unable to articulate the purpose of QEW and so felt uncomfortable asking others for their financial support. Since then, CCC has labored over the responses Friends gave to a query on QEWs purpose that were collected during small group work in the fundraising workshop. CCC had hoped to come up with a sample statement around which Friends could worship share during this annual meeting. However, the Committee believes their proposed statement needs more seasoning and that Friends would be better served by reflecting on the distributed statement in the light of their experience this week end. We have therefore decided to postpone worship sharing on a proposed purpose statement. Announcements This is Barbara’s last time at the clerk’s table and John’s last meeting as recording clerk. Friends approved the following minute commending them for their service: MINUTE 2008.10.03. Friends gratefully acknowledge the devoted service of Barbara Williamson as Clerk and Alternate Mentoring Clerk and John Payton as Recording Clerk. Friends are especially grateful for the care with which Barbara has guided us through the process of amending the Bylaws. They also wish to thank John for his skilled and dedicated service in a sometimes challenging role. A discussion on the current national/international financial crisis was scheduled for 5:45 pm on Friday in place of the previously scheduled worship sharing on a draft purpose statement. Friends were reminded to review the list of SC members and members of QEW committees and the list of annual meeting attenders and make corrections to addresses and other contact information. Friday, October 10, 2008, 1:15 pm. Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business #2. Worship and Clerk’s Reading Elder's Meditation of the Day—October 6 (from www.whitebison.org) "Lots of people hardly ever feel real soil under their feet, see plants grow except in flower pots, or get far enough beyond the street light to catch the enchantment of a night sky studded with stars. When people live far from scenes of the Great Spirit's making, it's easy for them to forget His laws." —Tatanga Mani (Walking Buffalo), STONEY Nature is life's greatest teacher. The natural laws are hidden in nature. Hidden are solutions to everyday problems such as conflict resolution, how to forgive, lessons about differences, how to manage organizations, how to think. Hidden are feelings. You can look at something and you will feel it. At night, have you ever looked at the sky when there are no clouds? As you look at all the stars, your heart will become very joyful. You will walk away feeling joyful and peaceful. We need to visit nature so we can see and feel these things. My Creator, let me learn nature's lessons. Welcome and Introductions Friends introduced themselves again. Spiritual Nurturance Committee Report—Mary Jo Klingel Eight of us gathered outside. After silence, we reviewed the minutes from our April 25 meting in Chicago. We were in unity on the following: (1) We agreed to continue our contributions of “the small stuff:” Hand raising at meals to provide a reminder for a moment of silent worship (3) We discussed the usefulness and purpose of phone calls between meetings and the role of emailing one another to do some of our work. (4) We agreed to have another meeting of Spiritual Nurturance on Sunday to further our work. eric joy will be selecting a time that does not conflict with other group sessions. We welcome and encourage any one with interest to join us.. Finance Committee Report—Steve McConnell MINUTE 2008.10.04. David Ciscel is appointed QEW Treasurer for the ensuing year or until a successor is appointed and qualified. The Treasurer is authorized to open and close bank accounts in the name of Quaker Earthcare Witness as needed. Minute 2008.10.05. Steve McConnell, Clerk of QEW Finance Committee, and Ruah Swennerfelt, General Secretary of QEW, are named as alternate signers, individually, of all bank accounts of QEW. MINUTE 2008.10.06. The Steering Committee approves the withdrawal of all money in excess of the principal investment of $30,000 available at the end of the 4th quarter of 2008 from the New England Yearly Meeting pooled funds account to be distributed in January 2009. We will leave funds in the NYYM pooled fund, hoping that it regains in price. Owing to additional contributions made by SC members during this annual meeting, the 2007-2008 deficit is now down to $5,300 from $7,000. Last April we developed a plan to make follow-up thank you calls to all donors. Ruah sent out the names of those to be called to SC members. While some Friends made calls, most did not. Our current plan is to send an email thank you to donors. There are some we may continue to thank by phone as well. Talk to Ruah if you are interested in assisting with this. We will not be asking for money during these calls. These are “get to know you calls” that thank donors for their support. Ed Dreby, Bill Holcombe, Barbara Williamson, Mary Gilbert, Sally Merrill, Catherine Stevens, Marshall Gibson, Sarah Pavlovic, and John Payton offered to help with these calls. Ruah requests that Friends let her know when they have completed their assigned calls. A volunteer reimbursement request form for those on the SC was distributed. (Attachment G) It was emphasized that in addition to using this form to request reimbursement for expenses from QEW, this form also allows SC members to document in kind contributions to QEW, for which they are not requesting reimbursement. This documentation is useful in QEWs grant writing activity. The form is available from Louis. The current volunteer reimbursement amount for mileage is $0.14 per mile. Friends are reminded that when going to a yearly meeting, the FUM Triennial, FCNL, or other meetings on official QEW business, transportation and YM fees are covered but food during travel is not. Ruah needs receipts from resource people if they are requesting reimbursement for travel. Anyone who wants reimbursement for conference calls should send a copy of their phone bill with the amount to be reimbursed highlighted to their committee clerk, who will send it on to Ruah. Total budgeted expenses for 2008-2009 are $102,221. MINUTE 2008.10.07. Friends approve the budget as presented. (Attachment G) Bylaws Changes—Barbara Williamson MINUTE 2008.10.08. Friends approve the amendments to the Bylaws as presented with the following changes. Hampton, Ga., is listed as the site of the annual meeting at which amendments were approved, and the Clerk of the Publications Committee is designated as a member of the Continuing Counsel Committee. (Attachment B) UN Working Group Report—Judy Lumb MINUTE 2008.10.09. Friends approve the establishment of a UN Support Working Group. (Attachment D) This Working Group is exploring the possibility of expanding its purview to supporting QEW’s work with other international groups. The group expects to set up times for conference calls in the near future. Hollister and Ruah reported that they both have conference call accounts that committees can use, but that Friends may also set up their own accounts. FCNL Working Group Report—Al Connor (Attachment C). MINUTE 20080.10.10. Friends approve the establishment of an FCNL Working Group. The Working Group will be comprised of the three QEW appointees to FCNL and other SC members who are interested. The Group will be establishing an email communications system to keep members up to date. The Working Groups’ first conference call will be scheduled soon after the FCNL annual meeting in November. FCNL is very interested in young Friends participating in the annual meeting. Contact members of the Working Group with suggestions of names. Publications Committee Report —Roy Taylor Roy reviewed the sales of publications during the past year. Earthcare for Children, Earthcare for Friends, and Walking Gently on the Earth were the titles with the largest sales volumes. Quakers and the New Story from Friends Meeting of Cambridge is now available on the QEW web site. Walking in the Light, which was produced for Ruah and Louis’s walk, has been reformatted and is available on the QEW web site. The Committee is still working on its pamphlet on Friends, Money, and the Earth. Please give comments on the draft to Louis so that it can be completed. MINUTE 2008.10.11. For each committee and working group, the Publications Committee will post in an appropriate place on the QEW web site both its annual report and reports presented at the fall and spring meetings of the Steering Committee. The Committee also expects all committees to submit minutes for posting on the website to Louis Cox within 3 weeks of the spring and fall Steering Committee meetings and conference call meetings Committees are urged to send brief minutes to Louis for posting. Publications Committee is working on the details of how to streamline this process. When sending documents to Louis electronically for posting please indicate “for posting” in the subject line. Such documents should not be mingled with other material in the same email. The Publications Committee has planned conference calls to continue its business between SC meetings. Does the SC have a way of developing a calendar of conference calls so that Friends know when these are planned? Could we have a calendar that also indicates where QEW will have a presence (e.g., conferences, yearly meeting annual sessions, etc.) in upcoming months? Friday, October 10, 2008, 4:00pm Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business #3 Worship/Reading From “Finding the Prophetic Voice for Our Time” by Lizz Roe, Hereford and mid Wales area Quaker Meeting, Britain Yearly Meeting. Friends Journal, October, 2008 (edited version of an address to FWCC Triennial in Ireland, August 2007) Amongst Friends, we have a tradition and theology of living as though the kingdom of heaven is at hand, of living like it’s heaven on earth in holy obedience to that reality. Not just as though it might come at some unspecified time in the future, but as an experience of Christ already present amongst us. This means that holy obedience to God’s call is open to us if we stand in the way of it, if we listen. This manner of living in holy obedience answers the question, “What are Quakers for?” Just as early Friends were, so are we still all called to be ministers, priests, and prophets, answering to the call to heal the world… If our prophetic life is grounded in God, then these fruits will be present: love, joy, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. To me, living a prophetic life means not just being able to see the future and what it holds, it means being willing to see what is right here, right now, and to see what is required to answer the needs of the present. Nominating Committee Report—Elaine Emmi Steering Committee membership Officers, Clerks, and Appointees—(Attachment F) MINUTE 2008.12.12. Friends approve the slate of candidates as previously presented (Attachment E). In addition, the name of Jack Bradin was brought forward and approved as interim UN badge-holder. Nominating Committee has not yet brought forward a name for clerk of Sustainability: Faith and Action to replace Dick Grossman, who will be assuming the role of SC alternate clerk Sustainability: Faith and Action Report—Roy Treadway Men4Men Project ads will appear in Friends Journal in Dec., Jan, and Feb. To date, no one has used this service. The Quaker Condom Project distributed a lot of condoms at the QEW Center at the FGC Gathering in Johnstown. There are still some available. QEW has been asked by FGC to work on defining, offering, and tracking carbon offsets for Friends’ travel to the Gathering . Sustainability: Faith and Action has agreed to take on this task through establishment of a subcommittee. The subcommittee is meeting at supper this evening for brainstorming and setting a time for a conference call. This work will be applicable not just to FGC but other Friends meetings as well. This is a goal for next 6 months. The Committee has not set a time for its next conference call. Spiritual Nurturance—Chrys Parr Spiritual Nurturance read a list of the names of Friends who are not here to be held in the Light. This is the same list of Friends who will receive cards and includes Dick Grossman, Bill and Alice Howenstine, Donn Kesselheim, Bill Bliss, Christina Keefe-Perry, Joe Morris, Janney Wilson, David Abazs, Bob Wixom, John Hackman, Nancy Halliday, Lynne Heritage, Lyn Egolf-Grider, Tracey McGowan, Ken Lawrence, Susannah McCandless, Joyce “Earth Mama” Rouse, Bob Cordova Outreach Committee Report—Susan Swanstrom The Committee discussed how we might broaden our language to embrace all Friends, including non-theists, in our work. We reached unity on networking with and supporting all Friends through setting up an internet-based social network, through which we would invite input from Friends all over the world. The convener of this initiative will be David Millar. An ad hoc committee was formed to work with David on this. We will also be initiating another way of networking through setting up conference calls within or among yearly meetings in the same region of the country. A designated Friend would send out a notice regarding a scheduled conference call to initiate the process. No more than 7 Friends could join a call. Ed Dreby will convene this effort. The QEW Mini-grant Program is another sub-committee of Outreach. This effort is convened by Ruth Hamilton. Next year the grant amount will be raised from $200 to $250, which is to be matched by the recipient. We already have an approved line item of $1,000 for next year’s program. In addition, a monthly meeting is donating another $1,000 to the mini-grant program, and we have also received another $250 gift, which makes a total of over $2,000 available for these grants next year. Friends are encouraged to make additional gifts to QEW earmarked to the mini-grant program. Ruah and Hollister will provide training for yearly meetings representatives and ambassadors at the spring SC committee in Chicago. We have two Friends to work on next year’s annual meeting, but we also need two more to prepare for the Earthcare Center for the Gathering in Blacksburg. David Millar volunteered to help plan the Center. Friends concluded the annual meeting in silent worship and reconvened for their Annual Gathering. —John Payton, Recording Clerk Table of Attachments Attachment A1 Presiding Clerk’s Report Attachment J Visitation Reports Attachment K Yearly Meeting Representative Reports Attachment A1—QEW Presiding Clerk’s Report for 2008 Annual Meeting This has been a year of growing and learning—for me, and, I think, for QEW. The new four-year clerk rotation policy: We grew our way into a new model for clerk rotation, used by a number of yearly meetings and Friends organizations. Having served as alternate incoming clerk through October 2007, I became presiding clerk at the end of last year’s annual meeting. Barbara Williamson (having served as clerk for three years), became alternate mentoring clerk. Barbara’s experience led her to suggest some new responsibilities for the alternate clerk: 1. Monitoring Steering Committee minutes to lift up where SC decisions trigger a need to change the by-laws, and then coordinating, with Continuing Counsel, the revisions that come to Steering Committee for review and approval at annual meeting. 2. Serving as the by-laws reference person at the clerk’s table and at Continuing Counsel meetings and conference calls. Committee work between Steering Committee meetings: It has long been a challenge for committees to continue their work after we leave the stimulating environment of a Steering Committee meeting and return home to the rest of our lives. At last April’s meeting, thanks to new free conference calling services on the Internet, committees were provided account numbers and asked to schedule two conference calls before the fall gathering. Having participated in a number of the calls since then, it has been exciting to see all the good work that has been taking place. Now, can we take this challenge even further? What if committees use part of their face to face time in Atlanta to set goals for the coming fiscal year, and to schedule three conference calls between now and the spring meetings? Can we do it? Clerk’s column for BeFriending Creation Reading Barbara’s excellent series of columns during her term as clerk, I wondered what could be left for me to say. And, because I’d not done any writing for publication (until one BFC article and a QEB), I felt real trepidation about this aspect of becoming clerk. Thankfully, as deadlines loomed, and I prayed for guidance, messages bubbled up and came out through my keyboard! I found myself reflecting on our meetings and the questions with which we were wrestling and wrote asking BFC readers their thoughts. Do they, not being on the Steering Committee, feel part of QEW? How do they describe what QEW is? What are the big ideas Friends might take on—with QEW’s help—that could make a difference for Earth? Imagine my surprise and delight when responses from Friends began arriving in my email inbox! I felt connected to the larger QEW community in a whole new way. One email, from Nan Bowles of NC Conservative YM, has been especially significant for me. She simply reframed one question and asked, “What is God’s Purpose for QEW? What function does God want us to serve? For whom does God want us to serve in this function?" Dorothy Zug’s Workshop Even though the Steering committee had approved having a “fundraising” workshop at the April 2007 SC meetings, when the time came, some Friends questioned the idea. Yet, I think others found, as I did, that Dorothy helped reveal to us that we Steering Committee members don’t have a clear idea of what QEW is. Or if we do, it may differ quite a bit from others’ ideas. That lack of clarity can make it difficult to ask for support, and, I believe, gets in the way of our work and our sense of community. Where do we put our resources? What are our priorities? How do we make these decisions without being in unity about who and what we are and what work is ours to do? Nan Bowles query often comes to mind as I wrestle with these questions, and now I look forward to some time at the 2008 annual meeting to hear your thoughts. QEW Annual Gathering Planning Committee While not initially a member of the committee, I was asked to join because the group was having difficulty reaching unity on a direction. What you will experience at this annual gathering is largely the vision of eric joy and Roy Taylor, with support from Ruah and myself. Titled, “Opening our hearts to Spirit, Engaging in the current Great Awakening: What do Friends have to offer?,” it is designed as an opportunity to hear from a diverse group of Friends whose ministry of Earthcare is derived from different sources of inspiration, different perspectives, and may utilize different language. What we and they share, I believe, is a deep love for this fragile and precious Earth, and a spiritual call to do something to heal the damage humans are causing. After each presenter shares his or her work, opportunity for reflection and worship sharing will bring in your voices and perspectives. Even though it was a challenge, I am grateful to eric and Roy for pushing to create a different kind of annual gathering. And I hope that it may be a step toward exploring how we can learn to speak and connect to the wider body of Friends. Serving as QEW Ambassador to Ohio (Conservative) Yearly Meeting My longer report on this visit is elsewhere in your advance documents, but I did want to mention that this visit is one that stretched me in new ways. It was my first encounter with plain dress Friends who still say “thee and thou” and who evoke the name and image of Christ in all their conversations and work. I went to listen more than speak, wanting to learn what these Friends believe, and how they might resonate or not with QEW’s work. My introduction at the first business meeting, during which I read QEW’s Vision and Witness statement, was greeted with some hostility by two Friends. Momentarily shaken, I was then given the grace not to feel defensive, but rather to seek out those critics and ask them to tell me more about their concerns. In the end, I experienced a sense of connection and community with this yearly meeting of Friends, and shared with several of them a strong realization that, even though we use different language, we speak of the same experiences. Best of all, they invited me back next year to do a carbon footprint workshop with their young Friends! Earthcare Center and Household Carbon Calculator at FGC Gathering It was a joy to help Ruah and Louis again this summer in their wonderful ministry of providing a welcoming EarthCare center at the Gathering. Dozens of displays, an enticing book table, a cozy kids corner, a spot to view DVDs and videos, and a climate change/ecological and carbon footprint area made for a bustling gathering place. Every afternoon from Sunday through Friday, speakers presented workshops in one room while the other was a place to gather and browse. I am grateful to Ruah for obtaining the first version of the Household Carbon Calculator from Vermont Interfaith Power and Light. It has since been updated to include mass transit conversion figures (for long and short haul bus and train). It requires that people consult their utility bills, but has the advantage of producing a real number (not acreage, but pounds of CO2) that gives them a baseline from which to work on reductions. I’ve been using it a lot and sharing it widely since returning from the Gathering. Hope you will, too! Am sending it along with this report. Friends Journal issue on Climate Change, Energy, and Building Community. I missed the deadline for this special issue, but knew that many QEW SC members had spoken of their intention to write articles, so felt relief instead of regret. Then, in late June, I got a call from FJ Editor, Susan Corson Finnerty telling me that I needed to submit an article. (I guess they felt they needed something from the clerk of QEW.) Yikes! Thinking she might want to see a sample first, I sent her the QEB issue on ZERI. Then I wrote my piece on the bus ride to Gathering and turned it in just as they were sitting down to read the submissions. To my amazement, they wrote back saying they wanted to publish both! I was surprised to see that my articles and Louis’ column are the only pieces by QEW folks, but the good news is that it shows how many others are out there doing this work and sharing our concern. Even more reason to foster a network of all such Friends! Two invitations for QEW for 2009 FGC Gathering 1. Plenary speaker: This summer, Mary Gilbert and David Abazs shared the podium at the Gathering’s Thursday evening plenary and spoke from their perspectives on the theme of water. The Gathering Planning Committee has just extended an invitation to me to be the Thursday evening speaker (may this trend of designating Thursday’s theme as Earthcare continue) at next summer’s Gathering – to be held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA (June 27 to July 4). My talk is to relate to the Gathering theme - “Wings of Joy, Fire of Love, Rooted in Spirit.” I’m glad they are giving me 9 months notice (perfect gestation period) so I can pray to be given the right words. QEW asked to create a plan for carbon offsets at Gathering: One of the plenary speakers has requested that FGC offset the carbon emissions for his travel as a condition of his coming. What a great public witness that raises awareness! I offset all my travels, as do you, I bet, but hadn’t thought to ask my hosts to do so on my behalf. This request has spurred FGC to invite QEW to find ways to do carbon offsetting at the Gathering itself. They are thinking in terms of unusual ways (not just asking for money for Native Energy). They suggested, for example that we might figure out how many emissions would be avoided by giving up x scoops of ice cream (now there’s a way to ask for sacrifice!). Or maybe we could weigh the wasted food from night #1 and calculate emissions saved per pound reduction on subsequent nights. What ideas do you have? Sustainability Faith and Action has been asked to create an ad hoc sub committee to take on this project. Plan to attend that committee meeting or contact Dick Grossman via email or Stan Becker (clerking in Dick’s absence) during the annual gathering. Thank you, Friends, for entrusting me with your clerkship. It is an honor and a privilege. —Hollister Knowlton Attachment A2. OxFam Letter that QEW Signed This organizational sign-on letter is being signed by a running list of organizations from across the country that share a common vision for leveraging US government actions for the benefit of vulnerable communities impacted by climate change. We can use this letter for multiple audiences. On occasion, there will be sign-on letters that echo the same principles with specific tasks; on those occasions, there may be an additional sign-on letter. On behalf of the millions of members of our development, faith-based, environmental, women’s and other organizations, we are calling for Congressional action to address the serious impacts that climate change is creating for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, including a disproportionate number of women. It is time to put a “human face” on the climate crisis. As the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently concluded, the poorest people, especially those in impoverished countries, will have the least capacity to cope with increasingly devastating impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, sea-level rise, drought, disruption of water and food supplies, and impacts on health. Climate change is quickly becoming a major driver of poverty around the world, while it undermines global stability and security, economic development and gender equity on a wide scale. Our country needs legislation to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States that are contributing to these impacts on impoverished countries. Yet even with substantial emissions cuts, we also need to put in place substantial assistance for poor countries to adapt to the widespread and serious consequences of climate change. Specifically, a significant portion of any revenue generated from climate policies, such as by auctioning greenhouse gas emission permits, should be directed to the adaptation needs of poor people and impoverished countries. Addressing the impacts on poor communities internationally should be part of a broader effort to ensure that climate policies are fair and equitable. Climate policies should ensure that a high level of permits for greenhouse gas emissions are auctioned, rather than given away, and that the revenues are used for public benefits, including adaptation for vulnerable communities, neutralizing impacts on low-income energy consumers, and promoting green energy technology internationally. The US should provide funding for adaptation in impoverished communities in developing countries because: Helping highly vulnerable communities would demonstrate global leadership. The United States can improve our standing in the world community by showing that we are willing to take responsibility for the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and assist developing countries in adapting to severe impacts. This becomes particularly important as the U.S. begins to reengage in international negotiations on climate change. Attachment B—Bylaws Amendments (approved changes are in red type) Quaker Earthcare Witness By-laws By-laws approved September 30, 1989 at the FCUN Annual Meeting held at Chelsea, Michigan; amended October 10, 1998 at the FCUN Annual Meeting held at Temescal Canyon, California; amended October, 2001 at the FCUN Annual Meeting held at Hesperus, Colorado; amended October 2003 at the Quaker Earthcare Witness Annual Meeting held at Nevada City, California; amended October 2004 at the Quaker Earthcare Witness Annual Meeting held at Burlington, New Jersey; amended October 2007 at the Quaker Earthcare Witness Annual Meeting held at Burlington, Vermont; and amended October 2008 at the Quaker Earthcare Witness Annual Meeting held at Atlanta, Georgia. Name The name of the organization is Quaker Earthcare Witness [formerly known as Friends Committee on Unity with Nature (FCUN)]. Article I. Statement of Purpose a) We are called to live in right relationship with all Creation, recognizing that the entire world is interconnected and is a manifestation of God. Section 1. Composition a) Size 1) The Steering Committee shall have a maximum size of 50 members. There shall be two classes of members: representative members and members-at-large. b) Representative Members 1) Each Yearly Meeting or similar regional association of the Religious Society of Friends within North and Central America and the Caribbean is invited to appoint not more than two representatives (or one representative and one alternate) to serve on the Steering Committee. c) Members-at-Large 1) The Nominating Committee will nominate 5 members-at-large each year for 3 year terms. The number of panel members could be increased in a given year if necessary. d) Individuals serve on the Steering Committee as members-at-large when nominated by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Steering Committee (or Continuing Counsel Committee acting on behalf of the Steering Committee). e) Qualifications to serve as member-at-large are: He or she can be a recorded member or recognized participant in a Friends Meeting or other Friends organization who: Expresses or demonstrates a commitment to Quaker Earthcare Witness’s Statement of Purpose, a) The Steering Committee meets semi-annually to: 1) Attend to the activities and affairs of the organization, 2) Receive reports, 3) Approve policies and priorities, 4) Appoint a nominating committee and approve nominations, and 5) Adopt a budget. Section 3. Terms of Office a) Members-at-large serve three-year terms with renewal of one three-year term (maximum six years, unless the Steering Committee makes an exception), beginning at the close of the Annual Meeting. Nominating Committee will recommend a second three-year term for at-large members who prove to be of good service. b) Representative members serve at the pleasure of the organizations appointing them. Section 4. Vacancies a) Vacancies of at-large members that occur between annual meetings may be filled by the next Nominating Committee with approval of the Continuing Counsel Committee. Yearly Meetings may replace vacancies at their convenience. Article III. Meetings Section 1. Site location and dates a) The dates and locations of Steering Committee meetings for the following year shall be announced at the Annual Meeting with details approved by the Continuing Counsel Committee. Attention shall be made to rotate the meetings across North America. Section 2. Annual Meeting a) The Annual Meeting of the Steering Committee shall take place in autumn, the date and place to be determined by the Steering Committee. a) The Steering Committee shall appoint one more meeting in the spring of each year. Notices shall be mailed to each member of the committee at least 60 days in advance. Section 4. Special meetings a) Special meetings of the Steering Committee may be called by the clerk or by written petition or at least 5 members of the Steering Committee. Notice of the agenda of such meetings shall be mailed to the Steering Committee at least 20 days in advance of the meeting. Section 5. Decisions in Meetings a) Decisions in meetings shall be made in unity after the manner of the Religious Society of Friends. Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded and kept on file. Copies shall be distributed to the members of the Steering Committee in a reasonable period of time following the meeting. b) The business conducted at Steering Committee meetings shall be limited to that specified in the announced agenda. Article IV. Officers Section 1. Selection a) The officers of the organization shall be the clerk, alternate clerk or mentoring clerk, recording clerk, and treasurer. They shall be proposed by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Steering Committee at the Annual Meeting. b) The year prior to the member’s first year as clerk, the member shall serve as alternate clerk. The year following their second year as clerk, the member shall serve as mentoring clerk. Section 2. Term of Office a) Officers are to serve one year terms beginning at the close of the Annual Meeting. The member serving as clerk shall serve no more than two successive terms, unless it is determined by the Steering Committee that it is in the best interests of the organization to have the member continue in this role. No individuals shall serve as recording clerk more than three successive terms, unless it is determined by the Steering Committee that it is in the best interests of the organization to have the member continue in this role. The treasurer shall serve a three year term with no more than 2 successive terms, unless it is determined by the Steering Committee that it is in the best interests of the organization to have the member continue in this role. Section 3. Duties a) The duties of the officers shall be those generally performed by such officers. Section 4. Compensation a) Persons shall not receive compensation for serving as officers. Article V. Committees Section 1. Standing Committees a. Standing committees include the Continuing Counsel, Spiritual Nurturance, Publications, Financial, Nominating, Outreach and Personnel Committees. Standing committees are permanent committees responsible for the administrative operations and the spiritual life of Quaker Earthcare Witness. Every member of the Steering Committee shall serve on a Standing Committee. Section 2. Standing Committee Function a) Continuing Counsel Committee The Continuing Counsel Committee is made up of the clerk, alternate clerk or mentoring clerk, recording clerk, clerk, or other representative, of the Spiritual Nurturance, Finance, Outreach and Nominating Committees, and the General Secretary (ex officio). The Continuing Counsel Committee will have at least one face to face meeting per year between the Annual Meeting and the Spring Meeting. It is empowered to act on behalf of the Steering Committee when the latter is not in session. The Continuing Counsel Committee shall report its actions to the next meeting of the Steering Committee. Duties include: Monitor the organization’s performance and ensure the organization’s focus (and that of its staff and committees) on its Vision and Witness Statement and its mission of outreach and connection. The Spiritual Nurturance Committee shall give continuing attention to the need for all Quaker Earthcare Witness activities to be spiritually grounded and consistent with its statement of purpose. c) Publications Committee The Publications Committee shall be responsible for implementing a policy of publications and official communications. It has oversight of the Publications Coordinator, and develops and updates the positions job description. d) Finance Committee The Finance Committee shall consist of the Treasurer and at least two other persons from the Steering Committee. It shall recommend fiscal and accounting policy and contract terms for any salaried employee (in consultation with the Personnel Committee) and consult with the Treasurer on the preparation of the budget. The Treasurer may not serve as clerk of the committee. 1) The clerk of the Finance Committee and the clerk of the QEW Steering Committee shall be named as alternate signers, individually, of all QEW bank accounts. 2) The treasurer shall open and close bank accounts, when necessary, in the name of Quaker Earthcare Witness. e) Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee shall consist of three persons each serving 1 three-year term. Openings on the Nominating Committee shall be filled by the Steering Committee after consideration of names brought forward by the Naming Committee (see Article III, Section 2, e). The committee shall select its own clerk. The committee's function is to bring forward nominations for officers, clerks of Standing Committees, members-at-large of the Steering Committee, and any other positions referred to it. An annual slate of nominations is to be presented for approval at the Annual Meeting. Interim nominations may be presented for approval of the Steering Committee or Continuing Counsel Committee as needed. Members of the Nominating Committee will assist the clerks of the Standing Committees in filling their committee membership. f) Outreach Committee The Outreach Committee shall encourage individuals and groups to support Quaker Earthcare Witness through participation, communication, and/or financial contributions; maintain records of known supporters; and assist Quaker Earthcare Witness committees and staff to stay in communication with them. The Outreach Committee shall have responsibility for the programmatic activities of the organization. g) Personnel Committee The Personnel Committee has oversight of the General Secretary and other office personnel. (The Publications Coordinator is under the oversight of the Publications Committee.) It develops and updates personnel policies, reviews all staff members and recommends salary and benefits to the Finance Committee. h) Other Committees Other committees may be established as needed. Section 2. Clerks of Standing Committees a) Clerks’ Terms of Office—Committee clerks shall be Steering Committee members nominated by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Steering Committee. Clerks will be appointed for two-year terms, not normally to exceed three successive terms. b) Establishment of Committee Memberships—Clerks of the standing committees, except the Continuing Counsel Committee, will appoint the members of their committees with the assistance of the current members of the committees and the Nominating Committee, as needed. c) The clerk of the Steering Committee will serve as clerk of the Continuing Counsel Committee. Section 3. Working Groups, Projects, or Concern Committees a. Working Groups, Projects or Concern Committees are committees that have concrete, ongoing programs but do not directly support the administrative operations or the spiritual life of Quaker Earthcare Witness. At the 2007 Annual Session, existing working groups included the Ann Kriebel/San Luis Project and Sustainability: Faith & Action. b. An individual or group of Steering Committee members with a leading or concern may submit a written proposal with a budget request and recommended term to the Steering Committee, or the Continuing Counsel Committee when the Steering Committee is not in session, to establish a new Working Group, Project, or Concern Committee. The Steering Committee is responsible for approval of the proposal. c. Members of the Working Group, Project, or Concern Committee and a convener shall be named by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Steering Committee or the Continuing Counsel Committee if the Steering Committee is not in session. At least one member of the Working Group, Project, or Concern Committee shall be a member of the Steering Committee. The Clerk shall be a Steering Committee member nominated by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Steering Committee. d. A Working Group, Project or Concern Committee may request Steering Committee approval to raise its own funds instead of drawing funds from the general operating budget. e. At the end of the initial term (and each subsequent term) the Working Group, Project or Concern Committee shall ask the Steering Committee for approval of a term extension or to be laid down. Section 4. Ad Hoc Committees a. Ad Hoc Committees shall be those committees that are established for specific, short term purposes. b. An Ad Hoc committee shall be created by the Steering Committee or the Continuing Counsel Committee when the Steering Committee is not in session, with budget requirements and term length. c. Members of the ad hoc committee and a convener will be named by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Steering Committee, or the Continuing Counsel Committee if the Steering Committee is not in session. At least one member of the ad hoc committee shall be a member of the Steering Committee. d. During its first meeting the ad hoc committee shall name its own clerk. The clerk is not required to be a Steering Committee member. e. At the end of the initial term (and each subsequent term) the ad hoc committee shall ask the Steering Committee for approval of a term extension or to be laid down. Article VI. Representatives to Friends Committee on National Legislation Section 1. Function a. Three members of the Steering Committee shall serve as representatives to Friends Committee on National Legislation. Section 2. Selection a) Each year at the Annual Session, the Nominating Committee shall name and the Steering Committee shall approve a representative to the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Each representative shall serve a three-year term and shall serve no more than two successive terms, unless it is determined by the Steering Committee that it is in the best interests of the organization to have the representative continue in that role. Article VII. Fiscal Matters Section 1. Assets a) The assets of this organization are irrevocably dedicated to educational and religious purposes. On the termination of this organization, its assets after payment of all debts and liabilities shall be transferred to a non-profit educational or religious organization of similar concern or intent. Section 2. Expenditures a) All checks, drafts, demands for money and notes of the organization shall be signed in the name of the organization by the treasurer and/or such officer, officers, agent or agents as the Steering Committee may designate. Unbudgeted expenditures up to $300 may be paid by the treasurer with approval of the clerk. All other unbudgeted expenditures must be approved by the Continuing Counsel Committee. Section 3. Fiscal Year a) The fiscal year shall begin on the first day of November (beginning in 2005). Article VIII. Amendments to the By-laws Section 1. Amendments a) These by-laws may be amended at the Annual Meeting of the Steering Committee. A draft of proposed changes to the by-laws shall have been mailed to the members of the Steering Committee thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting. Attachment C—FCNL Working Group Proposal to Establish a QEW Working Group for FCNL Appointees We propose to establish a Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) WorkingGroup under the care of the QEW Steering Committee (SC) for an initial term of three years. PURPOSE: This Working Group would have oversight of QEW’s role as an organizational member of FCNL and QEW’s support for FCNL work in influencing national policy. It would review any specific proposals on how QEW might participate in and/or support the work of FCNL, and might be asked to review written reports, minutes, and other documents prepared by QEW’s appointees to FCNL. MEMBERSHIP: We recommend that QEW’s appointees to FCNL serve on this working group, and that each QEW appointee to FCNL serve as convener and clerk of the working group during the second year of their three-year term. We would invite all others to participate, especially members of the Steering Committee who are also members of FCNL due to yearly meeting or other appointment. We would expect to include the latter in any Working Group e-mail communication, even though their involvement in another project or working group prevents them from attending Working Group meetings in person in April or October. We propose no budget request beyond the existing allocation, based on providing financial assistance to QEW’s appointees to FCNL representatives who attend the FCNL annual meeting. We trust that the FCNL Working Group would assume responsibility for this line item in future budgets. Al Connor—QEW ’07 appointee to FCNL As a member organization of FCNL, QEW is able to appoint three members to FCNL’s General Committee. Appointments shall be made at the spring meeting of the Steering Committee for three-year, overlapping terms that may be renewed once. These terms shall begin and end at the close of the spring Steering Committee meeting. FCNL expects members of its General Committee to participate as part of a worshipping community that is conducting business in the manner of Friends, and not as an agent of any particular Friends organization or viewpoint. QEW’s purpose in making appointments to FCNL is to promote QEW’s involvement in FCNL’s lobbying for federal policies that reflect Quaker testimonies. Primary responsibilities of a QEW appointee to FCNL: Serve as a member of QEW’s FCNL Working Group. (see attached application) Serve as coordinator of the appointees and clerk of the Working Group during the second year of the three-year term. Do not have the authority to speak for QEW Support Working Group Report to Steering Committee The goal of this working group was originally defined as support and oversight of the QEW representatives to the UN. The Working Group has discussed on email, conference call, and at this gathering the possibility of expanding the working group role to include other international work. At this early stage our basic mode of action is to gather information about these opportunities for coalitions and relationships with groups or projects that fulfill QEW objectives and report to QEW. Suggestions for activities of this working group include: Report to QEW on better understanding of UN structure and procedures, QEW Nominating Committee report for Annual Meeting 2008 Nominating Committee recommends: Alternate Clerk (4 year term - 1 yr as alternate, 2 yrs Clerk, 1 yr Mentoring Clerk) Sustainability Faith and Action Clerk: David Abazs Robert Jones Bill Howenstine —Report submitted by Noel Pavlovic (outgoing), Rod Zwirner, Barbara Letsch (incoming), Elaine Emmi (Clerk) October 2008 Atlanta. Attachment F—QEW Steering Committee Membership, Officers, Clerks, and Appointees Steering Committee membership, officers, clerks, and appointees (October 5, 2008) Yearly Meeting Representatives Baltimore (FGC & FUM) Barbara Williamson 2006-2009 slate (Yearly Meeting) Dick Grossman (Intermountain) Elaine Emmi (Intermountain) David Abazs Clerk; Hollister Knowlton (appointed 2005) Finance: Steve McConnell (appointed 2004) FCNL: Rod Zwirner (appointed 2008), John Payton (appointed 2006), Al Connor (appointed 2007)
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Attachment H Volunteer Reimbursement Request Form (Not in actual format—contact office for form) Volunteer Reimbursement Request Note: Reimbursement requires previous approval Name________________________________________ Street address____________________________________________________________ City_________________________State/Prov.________________ZIP/Postal Code______________ Date______ Date______ Date______ Date______ Total Transportation Round Trip Air, Round Trip Train, Round Trip Bus, Round Trip Car, Taxi, Local Bus, Metro Other expenses: Conference/Yearly Meeting Fees, Miscellaneous (explain) Total other expenses Name of Meeting/Committee: Total expenses incurred Less: paid directly by QEW Reimbursement or Tax Deduction 1. Please issue a check for full allowable reimbursement.........................$__________ 2. Please issue a check for partial reimbursement...................................$__________ I will declare a tax deduction for the balance of expenses incurred.........$__________(contributed) 3. I will consider the full expense as a tax deduction. No reimbursement requested..................................................................$__________ (contributed) Signature_____________________________________________ Date_______________________ Attach original receipts and mail completed form to QEW, 173-b N. Prospect St., Burlington VT 05401 Attach all receipts!!! Attachment I—Staff Reports General Secretary Annual Report 2008 My year was certainly a different kind of year. The first six months were spent walking! It took an enormous effort to prepare for the sabbatical. I had to train Meredith Dowling and do some double duty stuff that she couldn’t handle. Meredith was a real success, and she was appreciated by all who had contact with her. The Peace for Earth Walk was a great promotion for Friends to work on Earthcare. It seems that Louis and I touched people’s hearts. Although it did increase our support base, it wasn’t by as much as I had hoped. This makes me question how we measure the success of QEW. Are we a success when we inspire Friends to make changes in their lives and in the life of their Meetings? Or is our success only measured by the numbers of supporters or amount of contributions? I tend to think it is the former. We have been successful in many ways. We’ve supported FCNL to take on environmental issues. We have an Earthcare column in Friends Journal, and we read more articles about Earthcare in Friends Journal, Western Friend (formerly Friends Bulletin), and Quaker Life. We hear of the earthcare work that is taking place throughout the Religious Society of Friends. But we in QEW have a huge question before us. Can we truly be the organization for all Friends, no matter what “branch” they are from? We keep getting bogged down with language. We have those that are offended by the word God and those who are offended by the absence of the same word! How do we bridge this divide? It’s not just divided by Yearly Meeting affiliation (such as FUM and FGC), but within those umbrella organizations as well. We are very challenged by this. We are delighted that there are some FUM-affiliated Yearly Meetings that send representatives. But how effective are those representatives within their YM’s? We also have the challenge to make sure that all YM representatives understand their roles. How can they be effective reps if they don’t attend their YM sessions, or don’t report to the YM about QEW’s work, or don’t make contact with the Monthly Meetings within their YM? How can we support them in their very important work? We are also divided about QEW’s main task. Some of us are more action oriented and some more contemplative. How do we encourage these orientations to balance and complement each other? Are we open to each other’s leadings and callings? Are we opening our hearts and really listening to each other? I still get frustrated by the lack of response and involvement from some Steering Committee members. There’s always a lot of excitement when we are together, but there seems to be an “out of sight, out of mind” forgetfulness when they get home and busy with their day-to-day activities—and we’re all very busy these days! This year, in addition to the 60 speaking engagements during the sabbatical, I visited Southern Appalachian YM and Association, Pacific Yearly Meeting, Green Pastures Quarterly Meeting in Detroit, and Friends School of Detroit, all by invitation (the latter two with Louis). I hope that more Steering Committee members will consider being ambassadors this coming year. It’s a great opportunity for outreach! Since I plan to retire in 2012, I look forward to our focus on the future of QEW. Shall we hire separate folks for the administrative and bookkeeping versus the outreach? What kind of outreach do we want? Could we hire three outreach workers, East Coast, middle America, and West Coast? Is it a good idea to move the offices to Friends Center in Philadelphia? Maybe we need an ad hoc transition committee to work on these questions and help plan for the future. Thank you for the chance to have a sabbatical and thanks so much for the opportunity to work for QEW. I still love my work and love making contact with so many different Friends. —Respectfully submitted, Ruah Swennerfelt Publications Coordinator report to the 2008 QEW Annual Meeting The 2007-2008 fiscal year has been busy and productive for the publications arm of Quaker Earthcare Witness, despite the six months Ruah and I were away on the Peace for Earth Walk. Newsletter During most of the 1,400-mile Peace for Earth Walk from Vancouver, B.C. to San Diego, Calif., we carried a laptop computer with broadband Internet connection, which enabled me to continue editing and publishing the BeFriending Creation newsletter electronically and to upload pdf versions of the newsletter and Quaker Eco-Bulletin to the QEW website. While on the walk, Ruah and I developed many contacts with people who would be able to write or provide material for future newsletter articles. I received much of the newsletter material via e-mail, although Meredith, our able interim office manager back in Vermont, also forwarded items of interest that had arrived through regular mail. As usual, I wrote several of the articles and book reviews that were used in the newsletter, but I have been fortunate to have received many high quality article submissions, from QEW Steering Committee members as well as QEW supporters. We continue to be pleased with the quality of the printing since switching to FedEx-Kinko’s and with the opportunities for using full-color images on the outside cover that their photocopying process has offered. I got some relief during the summer’s hectic catch-up period: the Eco-Bulletin editors needed to expand one of their issues from four to eight pages, so I was able to cut back the number of newsletter pages from 12 to eight. Earthcare Column for Friends Journal During the Peace for Earth walk, Ruah and I also wrote two Earthcare columns that were printed in Friends Journal. One was on Friendly communication about Earthcare and the other was about epiphanies we had experienced during the Peace for Earth Walk. A third Earthcare column, on water, was written by Mary Gilbert, and a fourth column that I wrote on the ecological worldview versus nuclear power just appeared in the October 2008 issue. QEW Website While in Vancouver, Ruah and I met with QEW supporter Brad Hornick, and when we learned that he was a professional website designer, we explored with him the idea that he might be willing and able to work on improvements to the QEW website. At our invitation he attended the spring QEW Steering Committee meeting, where he outlined for the Publications Committee the kind of information he needed from QEW and what kind of services he could deliver and at what cost. Since then funds have been budgeted for design services (at below-market rates since Brad is a QEW supporter) and new software. The Committee is working on a list of goals and specifications so that Brad can begin work at the start of the coming fiscal year. The improvements should make it easier for the website to be kept updated and to be restructured to incorporate different information categories as needed. We also believe that it will be more user-friendly and interactive, with a state-of-the-art look and feel that will be comparable to most advanced sites on the web today. Other Publications-related Work After the Peace for Earth walk I have devoted more time to publications support work, since as filling various orders for publications—book and booklet sales as well as display materials for YM visitation. I represented QEW at North Carolina Yearly Meeting-FUM. I also did the editing and layout for a web version of the booklet, Quakers and the New Story, Essays on Science and Spirituality, which is now on the QEW website. I also did the layout and editing for a second edition of Jack Phillips’s Walking Gently on the Earth, an Earthcare Checklist, recently published by QEW. Recently I have been working with the Publications Committee on a new pamphlet, Friends, Money, and the Earth, which if approved at the Annual Meeting, will be included with this year’s annual appeal letter. —Louis Cox Other Annual Reports (Committees, Projects, Working Groups) 2008 Annual Report Ann Kriebel/San Luis Project FOR THE SECOND YEAR in a row we must report “little outward change in the project.” For too long the roadblock has been the trust agreement intended to give permanent legal protection for the land and homes of the parceleros (small farmers) living there. Last year our report pointed out that the major point of contention was the time frame of the agreement. Some parceleros wanted the longest protection for community ownership that the Costa Rican law will allow, while others wanted a short period of time that might allow a splintering of the ownership pattern among the 24 families now living on Finca La Bella. The time involved in achieving a legal arrangement that satisfies the interests of all parties concerned, has been frustrating. However, it must be remembered that it is not just the interests of the parcelero families and their organization that must be considered. Other groups have interests and concerns also: the governing body of San Luis, which is the wider community around Finca La Bella; the Monteverde Institute, which currently holds title to the land; the Monteverde Friends Meeting; and, of course, our own Quaker Earthcare Witness. Add to the mix, two attorneys representing different parties. The good news is that informal reports tell us that the parceleros have finally agreed that it is in their best interest to have a land trust agreement that will endure as long as is legally possible. Hopefully, by the time of our next report we will have such a document completed and will have some exciting earthcare program(s) underway with the parcelero families. It is not only our unity with the earth that has made this project so meaningful. Equally important are the friendships that have developed, bridging barriers of language, nationality, wealth, and cultural practices, to bring lasting enrichment to those of us involved. This might be said to have begun with the remarkable service of Ann Kriebel and her friend Eugenio Vargas in San Luis. [See “To San Luis, with Love” by Gordon Browne in Lighting Candles in the Dark, FGC 1992.] Long-time members of QEW will remember the participation of Eugenio and one of the parceleros, Gilberth Cabello, in an earlier annual meeting. To continue this personal presence in a report that could have been “dry” legal news, I tell you sadly that Eugenio’s wife is seriously ill with cancer, and goes to San Jose for treatment. Unhappily, we are linked by adversity as well as by shared joys. Let us hold them in the light. —Bill Howenstine, Clerk 2008 Continuing Counsel Annual Report The Continuing Counsel met face to face three times in 2007-08 and held a number of conference calls. Face to face meetings took place at the October meetings in Burlington, VT, and at the Cenacle in Chicago on the weekend of February 1-3 and at the April Steering Committee Meetings. Members of the CC for 2007-2008 were: Barbara Williamson (former Presiding Clerk, currently Alternate Mentoring Clerk; 1. QEW Statement of Purpose Responses from the small groups at the April Meetings were compiled by Barbara Williamson and additional suggestions submitted via email compiled by Hollister Knowlton. Combined responses were sent to the CC for review in June. As unity was not found in this initial review, Hollister prepared a page of more than a dozen suggested statements (all based on the input of at least one Friend) for CC consideration. On its August 23 conference call, the CC seemed in unity on one draft, which was revised during its September 6 conference call, and subsequently sent to the Steering Committee for consideration in advance of the annual meetings. Time will be set aside for further worship sharing on QEW’s purpose at the annual meeting. 2. Signers for QEW bank accounts Ruah alerted the finance Committee that the staff person at the bank where QEW’s accounts are held has been moved to a new department and no one currently at the bank knows Ruah. This has meant that each time business needs to be conducted, Ruah has to contact David Ciscel and ask him to call the bank. Ruah asked that the general secretary be added as a signer on our bank accounts so that she can easily talk with the banking staff. The finance Committee approved this and sent the following minute to the CC for consideration. The CC now brings this to the SC: The Treasurer shall be the person with the responsibility of being the primary signer for all QEW bank accounts. In order to have access to QEW bank accounts and the information concerning those accounts, the clerk of the Finance Committee and the General Secretary shall be named as alternate signers for all QEW bank accounts. 3. Proposal to add Clerk of Publications to the QEW CC When the current structure of the CC was proposed in October, 2004, there was an effort to keep the number to 8 or fewer for ease of scheduling and managing conference calls. The presiding, alternate, (and, later the recording clerk), and clerks of Finance, Nominating, Spiritual Nurturance, and Outreach were named as members, with the general secretary as ex officio. At that time, because the proposal for re-envisioning the Outreach Committee saw its function as Outreach/Communications, it had been proposed that Publications and Outreach be combined since their work was so closely integrated. In practice, Outreach and Publications were not combined and have not kept in close communication. It has felt to members of the CC that we are missing a big piece of QEW’s work by not having Publications representation on the committee. Therefore, the CC is bringing the following proposal to the SC: The Continuing Counsel proposes that its membership be expanded to include the Clerk of Publications, and if approved by the Steering Committee, that the QEW By-Laws be amended accordingly. 4. Revision of QEW By-Laws At the suggestion of Barbara Williamson, the Alternate Clerk is now assigned the responsibility of monitoring the QEW By-Laws vis a vis minutes approved by the Steering Committee, and notifying the CC when revisions in the By-Laws are necessitated by such minutes. For the 2007 annual meeting, the SC approved revisions in the By-Laws that reflected most of the duties of the CC as described in the October 2004 SC minute. For the 2008 annual meeting, some pieces that had been inadvertently omitted will be included. In addition, if approved by the SC, the two proposals above (signers on bank statements and addition of publications clerk to the CC will be added.) 5. Nominating Committee The CC made a request of the Nominating Committee that initial appointment dates be included in all slates of officers, clerks, YM reps, and at large-reps to the SC. The CC made a request that NC clarify the issue of committee co-clerks vs clerk/alternate clerks. In researching the issue a minute from the 2006 annual meeting was found. The Steering Committee approved that committees would name clerk and alternate clerk rather than co-clerks. 6. Business Agenda for the Annual Meeting The CC helped devise the agenda for the Meeting for Worship for Business at the annual meetings. In addition to normal business (budget, nominating, committee reports and proposals for action), there will be three additional items: a) Proposal for the FCNL Working Group b) Proposal for the UN Working Group c) Worship Sharing on QEW’s Purpose – the final, fourth plenary is set aside for this. 7. Sign-ons and/or endorsements: a) The CC signed on a letter written by Oxfam about climate change and its impact on the most vulnerable. A copy of the letter will be made available at the annual meeting. b) The CC had approved a request from Mary Gilbert, acting QEW Rep to the UN to endorse a letter from the 13 Grandmothers to the Pope. Unfortunately, by the time approval of the CC was obtained, we were too late. However we were thanked for our interest. The background on the 13 Grandmothers visit will be available at the annual meeting. —submitted by Hollister Knowlton, Finance Committee Report – September 2008 1 QEW remains in stable financial condition, even as Wall Street requires a bailout. . We ended fiscal year 2007 in October 2007, with income a bit short of budget, having contributions of only $78,778 rather than the $83,518 we had budgeted. We were able to get through with our frugal staff and the reserve funds we had on hand. 2008 is looking reasonably good with but we still need our last two months to be better than average to make our budget. Our contributions through August 2008 are at 81% of the goal. Expenses have been running a little below budget. 3 We do have concerns about our money in the New England Yearly Meeting Pooled Fund. It has provided us with a small amount of income this year but lately the principal has dipped slightly, and with the turmoil on Wall Street we are pondering whether to continue with it or try to find a safer place for our funds. 2 We are receiving a total of more than $1,200 in monthly credit card donations by several of our supporters. This is significant because it evens out our cash flow and also tends to increase the individual’s overall donation. 3 We continue to maintain the Operating Reserve Fund at $14,000 over the past year, and have had no need to dip into the fund. 4 We received useful teaching from Dorothy Zug at our spring meeting. Some of the highlights include how to overcome our fear of asking people for money, the importance of saying ‘thank you’, and how to determine how much to ask for a donation. We implemented a program of follow-up thank you calls after donations. We are still assessing the results and trying to figure how to get better participation from our steering committee members. We are also working to get a major donor program off the ground. 5 Thanks to all for your continued support. In these uncertain financial times we will have to be more diligent than ever to raise the funds we need to keep QEW going. —Respectfully submitted, Steve McConnell, Clerk Quaker Earthcare Witness Annual Outreach Committee Report—Fall 2008 Last fall, Steering Committee approved two new Outreach committee co-clerks: Mary Jo Klingel and Marshall Gibson. In Chicago this spring, Mary Jo moved to Spiritual Nurture Committee, and Susan Swanstrom was approved as co-clerk of Outreach in her place. Susan is author of this report. At the Spring Meeting, we agreed to have regular conference calls—at least quarterly—to continue the work of the committee between gatherings. Two conference calls were held, in May and September. We kick started the Mini-Grants Project last year, and through the able coordination of Ruth Hamilton, we awarded five $200 grants this summer. The recipients and their projects were: 1. EarthQuaker Bike Trip to FGC Featured in the March-April 2008 BeFriending Creation, the EarthQuaker Bike Trip is part of a new project of Friends General Conference to encourage more ecologically responsible travel for Friends attending the summer FGC Gathering. This year a group of bicyclists pedaled some 250 miles over hill and dale from Philadelphia, Pa., to Johnstown, Pa., the site of the 2008 Gathering. (Bikers had the option of going home by bus or train after the Gathering.) The $200 QEW mini-grant supplemented funds raised from individuals and Meetings alone the route to cover the cost of a support vehicle and other basic expenses. By itself, this event may not persuade large numbers of Gathering attenders to start getting there on muscle power, but it may prompt more Friends to see the advantages of alternative modes of travel, including carpooling and public transportation, which can be more relaxing and offer more opportunities for fellowship. 2. Cibola Canyon Habitat Restoration in New Mexico Albuquerque (N.M.) Monthly Meeting requested a $200 grant to supplement a larger contribution it made to the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation. This highly effective environmental group was founded in 1914 with the help of Aldo Leopold, an early leader in the modern conservationist movement. The Federation is one of a number of non-profit partners of the Cibola National Forest division of the U.S. Forest Service, which has been working, through various management and restoration projects and public education, to restore desert ecosystem wildlife habitat in the Milpas Wilderness Area that had been compromised by misuse. 3. Environmental Education Outreach in Pennsylvania York (Pa.) Monthly Meeting received $200 to support its ongoing program of providing volunteer environmental education within the local urban school system. The Meeting's own "science ladies" make regular appearances in fourth-grade classrooms, teaching students about different ecosystems, soil types, etc., plus doing hands-on projects with the kids. The QEW mini-grant will match funds donated by other Meeting members to pay for teaching materials and cover other costs. 4. Construction of a Covered Bicycle Rack in Missoula, Montana The need for such a facility in a place like Montana is obvious if an ecologically conscious group like Missoula (Mont.) Monthly Meeting wants to encourage its members to bike to Meeting all year around. (Regular bicycling attenders gave their assurance that this would make a big difference.) $200 was awarded. The permanence of the covered rack also sends a message that bicycles are being taken seriously for short-distance commuting and as an answer to harmful climate change. 5. Installation of Low-flow Toilets at Wilmington (N.C.) Monthly Meeting This is a no-brainer for Wilmington which is located in the drought-threatened Southeast. Switching to water-saving models translates into reduced demand on municipal potable water systems and less sewage that needs to be expensively treated before it can be released into local bodies of water. According to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, switching from an older 3.5-gallon model to a new 1.6-gallon model can reduce annual water consumption in a four-person household by more than 11,000 gallons. The mini-grants project was a resounding success, and there are plans to increase the funding this coming year so more demonstrations of earthcare witness will inspire us all to put our faith into practice. Following the success of the mini-grants program, Ruah has proposed the establishment of a QEW "Green Meetinghouse" program. There is information about a similar program from the Unitarian Universalists' called the "Green Sanctuary Program" at: http://uuministryforearth.org/grs_overview.htm. We intend to explore this more. We re-wrote the “Talking Points for Ambassadors, Representatives and Visitors to Yearly Meetings—2008” to reflect the fact that more work is being done by representatives themselves at their own yearly meetings, and point to the need for ambassadors to contact the yearly meetings they plan to visit well in advance (six months lead time) and identify who is doing Earthcare work before we go. We decided that we could use training in “Traveling Ministry for Earthcare Witness” at next spring’s Steering Committee gathering in Chicago. This would focus on the spiritual basis of our work as well as the practical things it is helpful to cover as we minister for the Earth among Friends. Ruah and Hollister have agreed to provide this training. Rob Jones and Marshall Gibson agreed to work with Ruah in setting up the programming of our Annual Meeting in Seattle in 2009. We initiated an interview project by the committee to contact other YM reps to find out who the earthcare folks are in that yearly meeting and discover how the culture views and intersects with QEW. Our intent is to increase networking, locate contacts and prod the interviewees to help us think about possible strategies for identifying and strengthening the witness for earthcare. Ruth Hamilton expressed interest in seeing that ambassadors and reps have a powerpoint presentation on QEW to act as a resource and jumping off point for discussion. She pointed out that a powerpoint could be put together in less than a day. We affirm the value of such a resource. As part of developing Outreach Committee’s suggestions for QEW web site redesign, David Millar, Rob Jones, and Marshall Gibson agreed to form an ad hoc group, beginning in advance of the October meeting, to write a report on available free online networking tools that might be used in conjunction with and/or in place of new elements on the QEW web site. We are beginning exploration with the Publications Committee on sharing the work of updating our address list of contacts. This work has already begun. Certainly we see the need to ask our present e-dress list for permission to contact them for other reasons than providing the online version of BeFriending Creation. We want to cooperate more in general with Publications—as they are our greatest outreach effort—and look forward to Publications serving on the Continuing Council. After our work with Dorothy Zug, and the consideration of a purpose statement, Outreach is in unity regarding our purpose moving towards focusing our efforts more in terms of networking among those Friends who are doing the work of Earthcare. In the words of Ed Dreby, this redirection of focus by Outreach might change the focus of QEW as a whole: “The task of the Outreach Committee would be to identify as much of the witnessing for earthcare as possible and inviting it into the network. There would perhaps be a bit less emphasis by the Steering Committee on doing the witnessing and more on finding and connecting the witnessing that is already occurring. Staff, through BFC and its other activities, has done a good deal of finding. Perhaps “publications” should become “communications” which it already is to some extent. How might the rest of QEW improve the infrastructure for connecting?” QEW personnel committee conference call on 22 day eight month 11:15 am and Personnel Committee report for DIA Annual Meeting October 9-13, 2008 Present on the cc were Ruah, [Louis within ear shot] Al and jack. Lynne was otherwise engaged. The Agenda was as follows: Listening to staff concerns, It is very enlightening do review the detailed and organized thinking that is reflected in all the work Louis and Ruah perform for QEW, and its SC members. It leads directly into the discussion on compensation: The committee has recommended to finance committee an immediate 5-percent raise for Ruah and Louis. In addition as a separate item: it was recommended and approved by the personnel committee to eliminate the dental co-pay and have QEW pay the entire amount. The total increase for QEW on this item is approximately $350.00 total for both Ruah and Louis. These recommendations have already been sent to finance committee for its review and discussion before bring the items to SC for approval. There were some discussions for coming up with a proposal for outreach committee that may bring a new revenue stream for Staff now and into the future. A number of suggestions were floated but the committee will give more time to season this approach during our committee time at Annual Meeting. The committee also discussed methods by which our Staff may increase their retirement package. This item will need seasoning and will be an agenda item during Annual Meeting. We followed on with a discussion of how Staff may help in identifying their replacements. How QEW may wish to structure the office manager and general secretary position. We briefly discussed BFC and QEB s operating structure, as we approach 2012 the present time horizon for Ruah and Louis's retirement. We did not discuss the Web page management. Live green let your works be seen...Jack Bradin clerk for the committee. Sustainability: Faith & Action Working Group REPORT: FALL, 2008 The library of life is burning and we do not even know the titles of the books. Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway Many of us are distressed by the state of our world. We are even more worried by the world that we will leave to our progeny. I am happy to report that members of the QEW Sustainability: Faith and Action Interest Group are taking action, both individually and collectively. I am sorry that I will not be at the meeting this fall in Georgia, but know that my friends will carry on ably without me. It is so important that we stop destroying our planet with our population and consumption! At the 20th anniversary of the establishment of QEW (then Friends Committee on Unity with Nature) meeting in Burlington, Vermont, we concentrated on electrical power. We discussed the deleterious effects (especially greenhouse gas emissions) of coal fired power plants and the benefits of sustainable microgeneration. We acknowledged the significance of electric power to our modern lives, and examined its importance to people in developing countries, especially to health. We listened to strong concern about continuing, or even increasing, generation with nuclear power plants. The concern has multiple reasons, including the risk of nuclear accident the risk of fissionable material getting in the wrong hands and being used for weapons, the difficulty of disposing of nuclear waste, and the fact that the embodied energy of nuclear power plants is huge (meaning that they are not carbon neutral, but contribute greenhouse gases). We agreed on a minute which begins: ”Quaker Earthcare Witness cannot support nuclear power as part of the solution to harmful climate change.” The full text appears below in Appendix 1. We met again in Chicago in the spring of this year. After silence we went around the room to tell our understanding of “sustainability”. We then recounted one thing that each person had done recently to help approach sustainability. We spoke of the importance of an energy policy, and cited QEW documents, past and future, on the subject. For years FCUN had a productive Population Concerns Committee. Its legacy remains with many pamphlets connecting decreasing sustainability to the growing human population. This committee was melded into the S:F&A Interest Group several years ago, but concern about population is still alive. Since the Men for Men Project started, a couple of articles have publicized its existence, but no one has shown interest in tapping it to help pay for his vasectomy. At this meeting we decided to run display advertisements in Friends Journal; an example appears below in Appendix 2. We also decided to get the message about population across with “Quaker Condoms”. These are standard latex condoms with an information card attached. The contents of the card appear below in Appendix 3. Our hope is that they would draw attention to the problem that all too many pregnancies conceived in the United States are unplanned. They were well received at the FCG Gathering this summer. Mary Gilbert, who has been attending United Nations meetings for many years, has been designated as an interim representative with UN Department of Public Information status. This status will allow her, and another representative, to coordinate with many Quaker organizations. An ad hoc committee formed to appoint an interim support committee for oversight of the UN representatives. We did not have any conference calls, but were able conduct our business between sessions by e-mail. The main tasks were to work on the contents of the condom card and Friends Journal display advertisement. APPENDIX 1. Quaker Earthcare Witness Minute on Nuclear Power Approved by the Steering Committee of Quaker Earthcare Witness in session, October 14, 2007, Burlington, Vt. Quaker Earthcare Witness cannot support nuclear power as part of the solution to harmful climate change. As Friends, our peace testimony has long led us to witness against nuclear power because of its connection to nuclear war. Our deep caring for all creation leads us to affirm that witness, even in the face of growing calls for an expansion of nuclear power. Based on everything we know about the current state of nuclear technology and our understanding of its impact and risks for people and the earth, we are strongly opposed - for moral, spiritual, and practical reasons—to current efforts to increase nuclear power. Additionally, we are strongly opposed to subsidies for funding new nuclear power plants, including proposed loan guarantees such as those in energy bills currently being considered by the U.S. Congress. While nuclear power produces no greenhouse gases during electricity generation, in fact significant amounts of greenhouse gases are emitted when the complete cycle of nuclear power—from mining, milling, enrichment of uranium, transportation of nuclear fuel, and removal and guarding of nuclear wastes, as well as construction of nuclear power plants—is considered. Nuclear power is extremely expensive when all costs, including subsidies, are included. We believe that funds proposed for more nuclear power plants would be far more effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions if used for energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable power. Nuclear power is closely linked to the war machine in many countries. The cumulative effects of radioactive waste from nuclear power will be lethal, carcinogenic, and mutagenic to humans and all species for hundreds of thousands of years. Finally, given nuclear power’s unique destructiveness, the risk of just one catastrophic accident anywhere in the world renders nuclear power unacceptable. QEW also affirms that providing more energy to support unconstrained economic growth is neither inevitable nor desirable. We accept the responsibility of working for all socially responsible and environmentally sound solutions to global climate change, including phasing-out the use of oil, coal, and gas; and increasing energy efficiency, energy conservation; and renewable sources of energy. We accept the responsibility for using less energy in all that we do and for working to make reduction of energy use a goal for society at large. Appendices 2 and 3 are separate pages —Dick Grossman, Clerk Attachment J —2008 Consolidated Reports of Yearly Meeting Representatives Link to YM rep. reports page Attachment K —Consolidated Reports of Visitors to Yearly Meetings and Other Friends' Gatherings 2008 Link to YM visitation reports page |