Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, May 8, 2011
In Attendance: Wil Rutt, Judy Erickson, Burke Shipley, Valeries Lester, Adrian Fisher, Pam Timme, Kelly Maynard, Helen Dickinson, Carol Zimmerman, Steven Flowers
*Worship
*Queries for Centering were read.
*Quaker Practice in Action Let's remember the life & work of George McCoy, who was a model of Quaker practice in action for many decades.
*Action Items
1. Nominating Committee Recommendations (as amended at this Meeting)
Clerk Helen Dickinson
Asst Clerk Sarah Shirk
Recording Clerk Judy Erickson
Treasurer Valerie Lester
Ministry & Care Clerk Ann Chase (Nov - May)
Ministry & Care Committee &
Substitute Clerk in June through Oct Pam Timme (see M&C Minutes for more information)
Ministry & Care Committee Burke Shipley
Ministry & Care Committee Helen Dickinson
Peace & Justice Clerk Kelly Maynard
Peace & Justice Committee Judy Erickson
Peace & Justice Committee Amanda Sneed
Peace & Justice Committee
Trailside Garden Donna Cech
Green Network Rep Adrian Fisher
Children's/Teen Religious Ed Clerk will work without
Children's/Teen Religious Ed Committee Sue Beckman
Children's/Teen Religious Ed Committee Pam Timme
Adult Religious Ed Facilitator Kelly Maynard
Adult Religious Ed Committee open to those who are led to share
Queries Helen Dickinson
Finance Clerk Valerie Lester
Finance Judy Erickson
Finance Phil Wagreich
Audit Lois Platt
Naming Committee to be named by business meeting
Naming Committee to be named by business meeting
Nominating Committee John Muhlenberg
Nominating Committee Adrian Fisher
Nominating Committee Valerie Lester
ILYM rep Judy Erickson
ILYM - ecc/site Adrian Fisher
Among Friends Writer
IL YM membership recorder Pam Timme
MCGM Helen Dickinson
Archivist Pam Timme
Newsletter Bob Southworth
Newsletter Pam Timme
Contact list Helen until another can be found
website Judy Erickson
website Bob Southworth
website Denise Jacob
Calendar/e-mails Sarah Shirk
Answering Machine answering Laura Maddox
PO Box Sarah Shirk
Librarian Wil Rutt
Holiday F&G Basket Liaison Sue Beckman
Holiday F&G Basket Liaison Donna Cech
Food Pantry Liaison Sue Beckman
Pads Coordinator Valerie Lester
Crop Walk Coordinator
Community of Congregations Valerie Lester
OPAL Liaison Amanda Sneed
greeter coodinator Valerie until another can be found
Open Sarah Shirk
The Nom Com will continue to look for more members to serve on M&C com..
The above names were approved.
2. State of Society Report, May 2011, submitted by Ministry and Care
“Oak Park Monthly Meeting of Friends
“Our year can be characterized by exhilaration, frustration, and leveling off of attendance losses over the last four years.
“We had a wonderful monthly series of adult education programs, We were happy to host an all day workshop on spiritual development by Paul Buckley. We were invited to participate in the Evanston Silent Retreat. We took active steps to place more importance on linking with the wider Oak Park area community and to develop programs for children and youth. We have been blessed by the careful assistance Joan Pine of the Evanston Meeting has been providing us.
“After a long discussion, we agreed to contract with a young woman to lead our First Day School. We promoted this in the community and while the results have been minimal to date, we are beginning to see children attend. The Meeting has agreed to continue the project for at least another year. We sponsored one community focused meeting at the local library on the subject of violence prevention among youth. Participants included a rep from the Chicago Friends School and The AFSC Chicago Violence Prevention Project.
“Our program for teens has ceased for a variety of reasons and we hope to discuss ways to restart it.
All of our traditional activities have been facing downsizing. We no longer have enough dedicated members and attendees to effectively lead our many projects. Our nominating committee has been reaching out to alleviate this situation.
“We had one member leave the Society and three more move away. Geoffrey Plank and Ina Zweiniger-Bargielowska have relocated to England and Rosalind Larsen has moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to be near her family. We miss them and pray for their continued spiritual development. We have seen many new visitors this year, some of whom are indicating their intention to continue their association with us. We have not had a new member in over four years and hope that we can find the way to encourage attendees to consider membership. We were saddened by the death of Elinor Fallert who, while not a formal member, was a truly weighty Friend for over 40 years.
“Our local website has been in active development and there is indication of many visitors to it. We are looking at ways that Face book and Twitter can serve our younger generation. It is clear that despite our bias, they can be reached best through these modalities. We hope to receive help from other members of the Yearly Meeting in the best approach to social media.
“Our Peace and Justice group has been active under the clerkship of Kelly Maynard. Projects included a letter to local media indicating our support for Muslims in our community. It was published in several places. A revised version was sent by MCGM to a wider group of media. Letters of thanks came from local Muslims and from a local pastor. In association with other FCNL delegates, we met with Jim Casen of the FCNL office. He helped us plan for a visit to Senator Kirk’s office in April. We were cordially greeted and had a most rewarding visit. We focused on nuclear disarmament, peaceful prevention of war and briefly on the environment. We are hoping to BeFriend Senator Kirk on a continuing basis. Many of us from our Meeting participated in the effort to end the death penalty. A list of outlets selling Fair Trade coffee tea and chocolate have been developed and shared with the community. Along with the local Ten Thousand Villages Board and other community faith groups, we are in the midst of a project to urge the Village of Oak Park to become a Fair Trade Town as the City of Chicago has recently done. We also cosponsored a showing of The Dark Side of Chocolate, a movie describing the slave like conditions on many of the cacao plantations. We will be participating in our Day In the Village celebration in June to further disseminate this information. Finally we sponsored a fundraising night at the local Ten Thousand Villages store to benefit the AFSC Chicago group. We did not formally participate in the CROP walk this year. We are in the midst of a project to provide library books to two prisons in Illinois and have been participating in the PlanIt Green sustainability project in our town including a public presentation on sustainable lawns by Adrian Fisher.
“May God give us strength to share the Light with others.”
We very much appreciate Wil's excellent work writing this report. Burke made a suggestion to revise the death penalty abolition work section. Adrian will further edit this report to try to make it shorter, after Judy passed along a request from ILYM Publications Committee to be as brief as possible to shorten the Minute book. Adrian will finish by the end of May, will circulate it by email and email approval will allow it to be submitted to ILYM by their deadline. This plan was approved.
The Minute of Appreciation for Wil's Clerkship was read. Here it is.
The Ministry and Care Committee would like to extend our loving appreciation to Wilmer Rutt for his two years of shared vision and hard work as clerk of Oak Park Friends Meeting.
Wil has been a member of our Meeting for many years, during which time he has made contributions of lasting significance to our worship community. He encouraged the Meeting to promote the growth of the children’s program by guiding us through months of discussion and efforts at discernment that resulted in the hiring of a First Day School coordinator. He has kept members and attenders of the Meeting informed and connected by his many and routine communications through email, phone calls, and regular mail, and advisements in person. He has paid careful attention to those in the Meeting who were elderly, ill, or housebound, visiting them, coordinating with their families, and driving them to Meeting when they needed assistance with transportation. He has “taken up the slack” when needed, setting up the Meeting space before Meeting, becoming interim Children’s Education coordinator, and in so many other ways nurtured the life of Oak Park Friends Meeting. His ministry has enlivened and informed our hours of worship together.
Thank you, Wil, for being our friend and companion in our search for truth.
With loving respect,
Ann Chase, Pamela Timme, Burke Shipley
The Meeting unites with this minute of appreciation for outgoing clerk Wil Rutt.
The M&C report was read. Wil briefly left and Pam clerked this part of the mtg. Pam reviewed the issues to be addressed in Wil's request for a clearness committee.
Wil Rutt requested an Interfaith Clearness Committee for Marriage w/ Dean Peerman's Evanston Baptist Church. Friends wish to be supportive of Wil & Dean now and in the future. Friends feel that a Clearness Committee requires members who are rooted in the tradition of Friends. Oak Park Friends wants to support Wil & Dean and need clarity on what they are asking at this time. We offer a Friends Clearness Committee, if they need it for clarity. A Clearness Committee is important if they wish to be married under the Care of the Meeting. Friends are willing to support Wil & Dean at an Interfaith process.
In this weighty issue, Friends are requested to study the guidance of Faith & Practice and seek guidance from other experienced ILYM Friends. Meeting refers gaining clarity back to the Ministry & Care Committee. This plan was approved.
Peace & Justice is to be held over until next month (June).
Meeting for Business approved a June meeting & adjourned @ 1:20.
Respectfully Submitted by Judy Erickson (filling in for Donna Cech) and Valerie Lester (taking over from Judy when she had to leave at 12:35).
****************************************************************************************
See the website for the following committee reports.
Nominating Committee
Minutes—Ministry and Care Comm.
Children’s Religious Education Comm, no report.
Peace and Justice Comm. minutes
Website Committee, Judy Erickson
Adult Religious Education, Judy Erickson
Treasurer’s Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agenda, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, April 10, 2011
Present: Wil Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Burke Shipley, Helen Dickinson, Pam Timme, Adrian Fisher, Judy Erickson, Carol Zimmerman (guest).
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: On Tuesday 4/12 the civil war commenced 150 years ago, as a way to solve the problem of slavery. It is important to remember the cost of ending the practice of slavery.
Action Items
In Attendance: Wil Rutt, Judy Erickson, Burke Shipley, Valeries Lester, Adrian Fisher, Pam Timme, Kelly Maynard, Helen Dickinson, Carol Zimmerman, Steven Flowers
*Worship
*Queries for Centering were read.
*Quaker Practice in Action Let's remember the life & work of George McCoy, who was a model of Quaker practice in action for many decades.
*Action Items
1. Nominating Committee Recommendations (as amended at this Meeting)
Clerk Helen Dickinson
Asst Clerk Sarah Shirk
Recording Clerk Judy Erickson
Treasurer Valerie Lester
Ministry & Care Clerk Ann Chase (Nov - May)
Ministry & Care Committee &
Substitute Clerk in June through Oct Pam Timme (see M&C Minutes for more information)
Ministry & Care Committee Burke Shipley
Ministry & Care Committee Helen Dickinson
Peace & Justice Clerk Kelly Maynard
Peace & Justice Committee Judy Erickson
Peace & Justice Committee Amanda Sneed
Peace & Justice Committee
Trailside Garden Donna Cech
Green Network Rep Adrian Fisher
Children's/Teen Religious Ed Clerk will work without
Children's/Teen Religious Ed Committee Sue Beckman
Children's/Teen Religious Ed Committee Pam Timme
Adult Religious Ed Facilitator Kelly Maynard
Adult Religious Ed Committee open to those who are led to share
Queries Helen Dickinson
Finance Clerk Valerie Lester
Finance Judy Erickson
Finance Phil Wagreich
Audit Lois Platt
Naming Committee to be named by business meeting
Naming Committee to be named by business meeting
Nominating Committee John Muhlenberg
Nominating Committee Adrian Fisher
Nominating Committee Valerie Lester
ILYM rep Judy Erickson
ILYM - ecc/site Adrian Fisher
Among Friends Writer
IL YM membership recorder Pam Timme
MCGM Helen Dickinson
Archivist Pam Timme
Newsletter Bob Southworth
Newsletter Pam Timme
Contact list Helen until another can be found
website Judy Erickson
website Bob Southworth
website Denise Jacob
Calendar/e-mails Sarah Shirk
Answering Machine answering Laura Maddox
PO Box Sarah Shirk
Librarian Wil Rutt
Holiday F&G Basket Liaison Sue Beckman
Holiday F&G Basket Liaison Donna Cech
Food Pantry Liaison Sue Beckman
Pads Coordinator Valerie Lester
Crop Walk Coordinator
Community of Congregations Valerie Lester
OPAL Liaison Amanda Sneed
greeter coodinator Valerie until another can be found
Open Sarah Shirk
The Nom Com will continue to look for more members to serve on M&C com..
The above names were approved.
2. State of Society Report, May 2011, submitted by Ministry and Care
“Oak Park Monthly Meeting of Friends
“Our year can be characterized by exhilaration, frustration, and leveling off of attendance losses over the last four years.
“We had a wonderful monthly series of adult education programs, We were happy to host an all day workshop on spiritual development by Paul Buckley. We were invited to participate in the Evanston Silent Retreat. We took active steps to place more importance on linking with the wider Oak Park area community and to develop programs for children and youth. We have been blessed by the careful assistance Joan Pine of the Evanston Meeting has been providing us.
“After a long discussion, we agreed to contract with a young woman to lead our First Day School. We promoted this in the community and while the results have been minimal to date, we are beginning to see children attend. The Meeting has agreed to continue the project for at least another year. We sponsored one community focused meeting at the local library on the subject of violence prevention among youth. Participants included a rep from the Chicago Friends School and The AFSC Chicago Violence Prevention Project.
“Our program for teens has ceased for a variety of reasons and we hope to discuss ways to restart it.
All of our traditional activities have been facing downsizing. We no longer have enough dedicated members and attendees to effectively lead our many projects. Our nominating committee has been reaching out to alleviate this situation.
“We had one member leave the Society and three more move away. Geoffrey Plank and Ina Zweiniger-Bargielowska have relocated to England and Rosalind Larsen has moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to be near her family. We miss them and pray for their continued spiritual development. We have seen many new visitors this year, some of whom are indicating their intention to continue their association with us. We have not had a new member in over four years and hope that we can find the way to encourage attendees to consider membership. We were saddened by the death of Elinor Fallert who, while not a formal member, was a truly weighty Friend for over 40 years.
“Our local website has been in active development and there is indication of many visitors to it. We are looking at ways that Face book and Twitter can serve our younger generation. It is clear that despite our bias, they can be reached best through these modalities. We hope to receive help from other members of the Yearly Meeting in the best approach to social media.
“Our Peace and Justice group has been active under the clerkship of Kelly Maynard. Projects included a letter to local media indicating our support for Muslims in our community. It was published in several places. A revised version was sent by MCGM to a wider group of media. Letters of thanks came from local Muslims and from a local pastor. In association with other FCNL delegates, we met with Jim Casen of the FCNL office. He helped us plan for a visit to Senator Kirk’s office in April. We were cordially greeted and had a most rewarding visit. We focused on nuclear disarmament, peaceful prevention of war and briefly on the environment. We are hoping to BeFriend Senator Kirk on a continuing basis. Many of us from our Meeting participated in the effort to end the death penalty. A list of outlets selling Fair Trade coffee tea and chocolate have been developed and shared with the community. Along with the local Ten Thousand Villages Board and other community faith groups, we are in the midst of a project to urge the Village of Oak Park to become a Fair Trade Town as the City of Chicago has recently done. We also cosponsored a showing of The Dark Side of Chocolate, a movie describing the slave like conditions on many of the cacao plantations. We will be participating in our Day In the Village celebration in June to further disseminate this information. Finally we sponsored a fundraising night at the local Ten Thousand Villages store to benefit the AFSC Chicago group. We did not formally participate in the CROP walk this year. We are in the midst of a project to provide library books to two prisons in Illinois and have been participating in the PlanIt Green sustainability project in our town including a public presentation on sustainable lawns by Adrian Fisher.
“May God give us strength to share the Light with others.”
We very much appreciate Wil's excellent work writing this report. Burke made a suggestion to revise the death penalty abolition work section. Adrian will further edit this report to try to make it shorter, after Judy passed along a request from ILYM Publications Committee to be as brief as possible to shorten the Minute book. Adrian will finish by the end of May, will circulate it by email and email approval will allow it to be submitted to ILYM by their deadline. This plan was approved.
The Minute of Appreciation for Wil's Clerkship was read. Here it is.
The Ministry and Care Committee would like to extend our loving appreciation to Wilmer Rutt for his two years of shared vision and hard work as clerk of Oak Park Friends Meeting.
Wil has been a member of our Meeting for many years, during which time he has made contributions of lasting significance to our worship community. He encouraged the Meeting to promote the growth of the children’s program by guiding us through months of discussion and efforts at discernment that resulted in the hiring of a First Day School coordinator. He has kept members and attenders of the Meeting informed and connected by his many and routine communications through email, phone calls, and regular mail, and advisements in person. He has paid careful attention to those in the Meeting who were elderly, ill, or housebound, visiting them, coordinating with their families, and driving them to Meeting when they needed assistance with transportation. He has “taken up the slack” when needed, setting up the Meeting space before Meeting, becoming interim Children’s Education coordinator, and in so many other ways nurtured the life of Oak Park Friends Meeting. His ministry has enlivened and informed our hours of worship together.
Thank you, Wil, for being our friend and companion in our search for truth.
With loving respect,
Ann Chase, Pamela Timme, Burke Shipley
The Meeting unites with this minute of appreciation for outgoing clerk Wil Rutt.
The M&C report was read. Wil briefly left and Pam clerked this part of the mtg. Pam reviewed the issues to be addressed in Wil's request for a clearness committee.
Wil Rutt requested an Interfaith Clearness Committee for Marriage w/ Dean Peerman's Evanston Baptist Church. Friends wish to be supportive of Wil & Dean now and in the future. Friends feel that a Clearness Committee requires members who are rooted in the tradition of Friends. Oak Park Friends wants to support Wil & Dean and need clarity on what they are asking at this time. We offer a Friends Clearness Committee, if they need it for clarity. A Clearness Committee is important if they wish to be married under the Care of the Meeting. Friends are willing to support Wil & Dean at an Interfaith process.
In this weighty issue, Friends are requested to study the guidance of Faith & Practice and seek guidance from other experienced ILYM Friends. Meeting refers gaining clarity back to the Ministry & Care Committee. This plan was approved.
Peace & Justice is to be held over until next month (June).
Meeting for Business approved a June meeting & adjourned @ 1:20.
Respectfully Submitted by Judy Erickson (filling in for Donna Cech) and Valerie Lester (taking over from Judy when she had to leave at 12:35).
****************************************************************************************
See the website for the following committee reports.
Nominating Committee
Minutes—Ministry and Care Comm.
Children’s Religious Education Comm, no report.
Peace and Justice Comm. minutes
Website Committee, Judy Erickson
Adult Religious Education, Judy Erickson
Treasurer’s Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agenda, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, April 10, 2011
Present: Wil Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Burke Shipley, Helen Dickinson, Pam Timme, Adrian Fisher, Judy Erickson, Carol Zimmerman (guest).
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: On Tuesday 4/12 the civil war commenced 150 years ago, as a way to solve the problem of slavery. It is important to remember the cost of ending the practice of slavery.
Action Items
|
ITEM
---------------------------------------------- Nominating committee is working to present as full a slate as possible in May, but if people are not led to fill position, the positions may need to be laid down for a while. The goal is not to place people in a position of feeling burdened by the meeting. The Nominating Committee requests members to please reflect on opportunities and contact a nominating committee member if so led. It was suggested that IlYM membership recording be the responsibility of the ministry and care committee. It was also suggested that on the next report the committee list length of term and term limits for the positions. ---------------------------------------------- Children’s Religious Education Committee recommends that OPFM contract with Amanda Sneed for another year. She will prepare lesson plans for the school year. The teaching will be led by Amanda 2-3 Sundays each month and by volunteer teachers for the remaining Sundays. CRE will also seek high-school age students interested in Quakerism to assist with CRE activities on a paid hourly basis as in prior years. $1200 is requested for this activity and up to $100 for materials. Questions were asked about the role and need of the high school student at this time. ---------------------------------------------- State of society report needs to be done by the end of April. A volunteer is needed to draft the State of Society Report and Adrian Fisher is available for editing the report ---------------------------------------------- Ministry and Care suggested a new procedure for following up with members and attendees who are no longer in contact. If a person has had no known contact their name will be read in the Meeting for Business. If no contact is noted in three years, their names will be removed. If a member, the Meeting for Business will be asked to approve discontinuation of membership. ---------------------------------------------- List of people who are not currently attending or participating in the last year (see below) was read. Enrique and Laura Alonson, Daniela Amendela, Debbie Becker, Julie Cross, Paul Cuesta, Bill and Lori Dawson, Craig Dresang, Tally and Robb Hann, Jane Kennison, Lanin Lutz, Thomas Miller, Guy and Julie Moore, Preston Rhodes, Steven and Rachel Scienski, W.L. Veith, Jodi Walker, Phillip Webb, Jennifer Winter, Clementine Zavelle ---------------------------------------------- Ministry and Care committee requested OPFM to consider offering community service opportunities. Discussion reviewed possible opportunities available within the meeting, but not many regularly available volunteer opportunities exist within the meeting. Other more regular opportunities exist within the food pantry, PADS, AFSC. ---------------------------------------------- Jim Holmes has volunteered to coordinate participation in “A Day in our Village” this year. Amanda Sneed will coordinate Children’s Education contributions to the Day in Our Village ---------------------------------------------- Judith Erickson announced that she is coordinating Site Prep at ILYM and invited OPFM attenders/members to participate on June 11-12, 2011. |
ISSUE/ACTION
---------------------------------------------- The OPFM thanks the nominating committee for their work. ---------------------------------------------- OPFM supports extending contract of Amanda Sneed. The CRE committee will further explore the role and cost of adding high school student support at this time ---------------------------------------------- No volunteers were immediately available. ---------------------------------------------- The OPFM supports initiation of this procedure ---------------------------------------------- One person (Debbie Becker) was removed from list who had requested information recently. All other names will be placed on the one-year no-contact list. ---------------------------------------------- The OPFM has no objection to a specific service project proposed by a member. Sense of the meeting was not reached about future opportunities. ---------------------------------------------- Thank you to Jim Holmes and participants in “A Day in Our Village” ---------------------------------------------- Please contact Judy if you are interested in participating. |
Committee Reports: Committee reports were read during the meeting and are available on the OPFM website.
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted report.
Website Committee – Presented by Judy Erickson
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Presented by Judith Erickson.
Children’s Religious Education – Presented by Pam Timme.
Nominating Report – Presented by Adrian Fisher
Ministry and Care Committee – Presented by Pam Timme.
Peace and Justice Committee – Report submitted
Newsletter Committee – No report
Naming Committee – No report.
New Business
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, March 13, 2011
Present: Wil Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Burke Shipley, Helen Dickinson, Pam Timme, Valerie Lester, Amanda Sneed, Kelly Maynard
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: Letter reaching out to Muslim community, which was submitted to local newspapers by the OPFM, has been receiving a positive community response.
ACTION ITEMS
ITEM ISSUE/ACTION
|
----------------------------------------------
Minutes from 2/20 business meeting need to be approved. Amendments/corrections made: Kelly Maynard was not present; grammatical and spelling errors identified ---------------------------------------------- OPFM consider if we should read aloud Committee reports (report and/or minutes) in Meeting. ---------------------------------------------- Adult Religious Education Committee requests approval to post the Guantanamo statement (as revised on 3/6/11) on the OPFM website. The statement was authored by Kelly Maynard, following discussion by the Peace and Justice Committee, and further discussion/seasoning by attendees at the Adult Religious Education presentation. ---------------------------------------------- No OPFM members or attendees have stepped forward to coordinate participation in Crop Walk for 2011. ---------------------------------------------- Is the OPFM interested in having a booth at Oak Park Day in our Village. Discussion emphasized the importance to having member and attenders available to coordinate and staff the booth for the Day in our Village. If no one comes forward to lead the booth by the April Business meeting, the OPFM should not plan on having a booth at Day in Our Village. ---------------------------------------------- Overall content for the OPFM booth at the Day in Our Village should be approved by the business meeting in May, 2011. |
----------------------------------------------
Minutes approved as amended ---------------------------------------------- OPFM approved new procedure of reading committee reports aloud during the Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business ---------------------------------------------- OPFM approves posting of the Guantanamo statement on the website. ---------------------------------------------- OPFM lays down the Crop Walk for this year. ---------------------------------------------- OPFM supports having a booth if a member/attender is available to coordinate and sufficient resources are available. If volunteers do not come forward by the April business meeting, the OPFM will Not have a booth at Day in Our Village A request for a coordinator and staffing resources to staff a booth at “Day in Our Village” at meetings, in the newsletter, and by e-mail ---------------------------------------------- OPFM approved. |
Committee Reports: Committee reports were read during the meeting and are available on the OPFM website.
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted report.
Website Committee – No report
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report.
Children’s Religious Education – Report submitted.
Nominating Report – No Report
Ministry and Care Committee – Report submitted
Peace and Justice Committee – Report submitted
Newsletter Committee – No report
Naming Committee – No report.
New Business
The OPFM does not appear to have a clear definition/list of “duties of the Clerk”. Wil would like to further develop this definition for the Nominating Committee. Valerie indicated that the Nominating does have a list of duties, which is available for review and revision.
OPFM needs to consider if it will have a booth at Oak Park Day in Our Village.
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, February 20, 2011
Present: Wil Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Anne Chase, Burke Shipley, Adrian Fisher, Helen Dickinson, Pam Timme, Valerie Lester, Bonni McKuen, Kelly Maynard
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action – Participation of Burke Shipley and Wilmer Rutt in the activities supporting abolishing the death penalty in Illinois.
ACTION ITEMS
|
ITEM ----------------------------------------------
Revision to 1/11 meeting minutes to add “before funding source was known” to the sentence “The OPFM meeting did participate in the PlanIt Green survey related to this, initiated last summer. ---------------------------------------------- Ministry and Oversight Committee submitted a proposed letter to Governor Quinn related to abolishment of the death penalty. The committee would like to send the letter from the OPFM to the Governor. ---------------------------------------------- Ministry and Oversight would like direction from the meeting regarding sharing the OPFM mailing list with other organizations. Recommend than an address list individual can check if they would like their name shared, shared only with Quaker organizations, or not shared. Several members shared that they felt the mailing list should be kept within the meeting and not shared. Sharing both mailing address and e-mail addresses generates a lot of “junk” mail. ---------------------------------------------- Nominating Committee has 4 recommendations: Change name of “Ministry and Oversight” Committee to “Ministry and Care”, based on practice suggested in Faith and Practice Children’s and Teen’s religious education committees should become 1 committee In most cases, committee members be named, as well as clerk. The decision on membership would be the based on the needs and desires of each committee (i.e. Peace and Justice could be an open committee, but nominating committee would have identified members). This proposal would recognize stakeholders for each committee and support the committee clerk role as a facilitator of the group. Suggest term limits for certain positions and staggered term rotation, to help insure continuity of experience. Discussion – all positions would have renewable terms, except for the Clerk. With the clerk position, if someone wanted to serve as clerk after 2 years they could do so. Recommend adding position of Assistant Clerk. Discussion regarding role of assistant clerk as either someone who would assume role of Clerk at the end of the term, or someone who serves as assistant without moving into the clerk position. Nominating Committee initially envisioned that the assistant clerk would share responsibilities of the clerk and serve as an “assistant” for the clerk, not necessarily serve as a “clerk-in-training”. The clerk and assistant clerk would decide how duties would be handled. At the end of the first year, the Clerk ---------------------------------------------- OPFM would participate in the OP Interfaith Green Network initiative by presenting session on “Mixing Ornamentals and Edibles in the Home Landscape”. The meeting should be prepared to pay $25-50 for the small meeting room at the Library. Interfaith Green Network would be responsible for the announcements and public relations about this event. ---------------------------------------------- OPFM send brief email seeking coordinator of Crop Walk for this year. If no one responds by next business meeting, OPFM will lay down the Crop Walk activity for this year. ---------------------------------------------- Peace and Justice Committee submitted recommendations for additional OPFM charitable donations for this year. (see Peace and Justice Committee minutes) ---------------------------------------------- Auditor for 2009-2010 budget is unable to complete the report at this time. The treasurer recommends that the audit of 2009-2010 be delayed until 2010-2011 ---------------------------------------------- |
ACTION ----------------------------------------------
Approved by the meeting. ---------------------------------------------- The meeting approved sending the letter, with a revision to the signature line to better clarify that the letter is from the meeting and not just the clerk. Will will send the letter from the meeting. ---------------------------------------------- The meeting will not share the OPFM mailing list with outside organizations. ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- OPFM support (including any fee for use of room) Will in making this presentation, as the contribution of the OPFM to the Interfaith Green Network initiative. Logistics regarding the presentation will be facilitated by Adrian Fisher who is the OPFM representative to the group. ---------------------------------------------- Will will send email to OPFM group seeking coordinator of Crop Walk and indicating that if no one coordinates from the OPFM, individuals could participate in Crop Walk through other organizations. A volunteer from OPFM would need to be identified by the March business meeting. ---------------------------------------------- OPFM approves donations with amendments to change allocation to OPRF Walk in Ministry to $75.00 and increase donation to Quaker House to $75.00; eliminate funding to the Rosenberg Fund for Children. ---------------------------------------------- OPFM approved recommendation to delay 2009-2010 audit until 2010-2011. ---------------------------------------------- |
Committee Reports: Committee reports are available on the OPFM website.
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted report.
Website Committee – Judy Erickson submitted report
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report.
Teen Religious Education – Report submitted
Children’s Religious Education – Report submitted.
Nominating Report – Report submitted.
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Report submitted.
Peace and Justice Committee – Report submitted.
Newsletter Committee – no report.
Naming Committee – no report.
New Business
1) OPFM consider laying down “Crop Walk” for this year because it conflicts with the IlYM Women’s Weekend. If any OPFM members would be available to participate, they should let the meeting know.
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, January 9, 2011
Present: Wil Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Ann Chase, Burke Shipley, Adrian Fisher, Kelly Maynard
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action – Elinor Fallert’s many contributions to our meeting and to the struggles of people in other countries related to poverty and injustice.
ACTION ITEMS
|
ITEM
---------------------------------------------- Finance committee reports that year-to-date donations are higher than our annual budgeted donations. The finance committee recommends that: 1) remaining donations recommended last Fall by Peace and Justice Committee to AFSC-Chicago ($100.00), Quaker Earthcare Witness ($50.00); and Oak Park/River Forest Food Pantry ($50.00). 2) Peace and Justice review donations for this year and recommend priorities for additional donations (up to $1500.00) for this year, which can be approved at the February meeting. ---------------------------------------------- Children’s Religious Education recommend moving Children’s education program (at the OP library) related to non-violence to March. ---------------------------------------------- Meeting discussed if OPFM should participate in the Interfaith Green Network initiative related to the PlanIt Green OPRF sustainability plan. |
ISSUE/ACTION
---------------------------------------------- 3 donations were approved to made immediately by OPFM. Peace and Justice is requested to review donations already made this year and suggest additional donations to be prioritized for this year (up to $1500). ---------------------------------------------- There was no objection to moving the event to March. ---------------------------------------------- OPFM approved Wil signing letter and participating in the green summit. Judith Erickson stood aside from the approval. |
Committee Reports: Committee reports are available on the OPFM website.
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted report.
Website Committee – Judy Erickson submitted report
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report.
Teen Religious Education – No Report
Children’s Religious Education – No Report. .
Nominating Report – Donna Cech – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Report submitted
Peace and Justice Committee – No report.
Newsletter Committee – no report
Naming Committee – no report.
New Business
1) Discussion of McNabb Visioning and planning. IYM Site and Visioning Committee has sent list of queries for IYM meetings to consider for McNabb. The queries of the Site and Visioning Committee were presented by Adrian. (see website and newsletter). OPFM will discuss further next week at monthly pot-luck. By March 1st IYM would like report from member meetings, with input for the Site and Visioning Committee. Adrian will bring map and some photos of site to next weeks discussion.
2) Interfaith Green Network would like to send letter inviting faith communities of OP and RF to a green summit for a sustainability vision plan, signed by faith leaders in the community. The tentative date for the green summit is 2/16/11 at 6:30. Adrian can not attend meeting and hopefully other members of OPFM will plan on attending.
It was brought to the attention of the meeting that the OPRF sustainability plan is being funded by a matching grant from Grand Victoria casinos. Some members of the OPFM are uncomfortable with supporting activities funded by gambling. The OPFM meeting did participate in the PlanIt Green survey related to this initiated last summer, before the funding source was known. See action item above.
We ended with silent worship.
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, December 12, 2010
Present: Wil Rutt (clerk), Helen Dickinson, Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Pam Timme, Valerie Lester, Amanda Sneed
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action – Appreciate the work of Sue Beckman, Denise Jacob and Donna Cech in coordinating the contributions to the Holiday food and gift basket program
Action Items
|
ITEM
--------------------------------------------- Naming Committee recommend that Adrienne Fisher, John Muhlenburg and Valerie Lester be named as the Nominating Committee for this year. ---------------------------------------------- Naming committee requests that business meeting clarify terms of office or recommend that incoming nominating committee carefully consider and recommend terms of service as part of their work. Discussion: It was recommended that current naming committee and nominating committee work together to define terms of service prior to nominating committee doing its work this year. --------------------------------------------- Children’s Religious Education recommends that we continue sponsorship of current childhood educator for another 6 months. Discussion: Clearness Committee had already recommended that the position be funded for the entire fiscal year, which goes through May. ---------------------------------------------- Recommended that Friends sponsor a shopping night at Ten Thousand Villages to support a contribution to the American Friends Service Committee, Great Lakes Region. Activity could be advertised in Community of Congregations newsletter, local newspapers February is a good month for this type of activity |
ISSUE/ACTION
---------------------------------------------- Nominating committee approved as recommended ---------------------------------------------- Business meeting recommends that current naming committee and nominating committee define terms of service and bring recommendation to the business meeting no later than February, 2011. ---------------------------------------------- Business meeting recommends that current naming committee and nominating committee define terms of service and bring recommendation to the business meeting no later than February, 2011. ---------------------------------------------- Meeting approved activity. Will will bring to Ten Thousand Villages Board Meeting this month to confirm dates. He will also work with Valerie to prepare notices for posting in the newletters and newspapers. Valerie will e-mail AFSC when we have a date. |
Committee Reports: Committee reports are available on the OPFM website.
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted report.
Website Committee – Judy Erickson submitted report
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report.
Teen Religious Education – No Report
Children’s Religious Education – Report submitted.
Nominating Report – Donna Cech – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Pam Timme submitted report
Peace and Justice Committee – Kelly Maynard submitted report.
Newsletter Committee – no report
Naming Committee – Helen Dickinson submitted report.
New Business - None
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, November 14, 2010
Present: Helen Dickinson (acting clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Pam Timme, Christine Timme, Burke Shipley, Valerie Lester, Ed Burke (visitor)
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: John Muhlenburg participated in March for Sanity and Fear in Washington DC. In his interviews he reflected Quaker principles.
Action Items
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted report.
Website Committee – Judy Erickson submitted report
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report.
Teen Religious Education – No Report
Children’s Religious Education – Report submitted.
Nominating Report – Donna Cech – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Pam Timme submitted report
Peace and Justice Committee – Kelly Maynard submitted report.
Newsletter Committee – no report
Naming Committee – Helen Dickinson submitted report.
New Business - None
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, November 14, 2010
Present: Helen Dickinson (acting clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Pam Timme, Christine Timme, Burke Shipley, Valerie Lester, Ed Burke (visitor)
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: John Muhlenburg participated in March for Sanity and Fear in Washington DC. In his interviews he reflected Quaker principles.
Action Items
|
ITEM
--------------------------------------------- Confirm invitation to have Paul Buckley attend the Direction of the meeting on 1/30/11. ---------------------------------------------- Children’s Religious Education Committee requests decision on if it is appropriate for parents to drop off children and pick them up later. Valerie Lester has reviewed the insurance policy for the meeting and found no mention of parents and minors being in attendance at the meeting, which appears to imply child attendance would not be interpreted differently by the insurer. Issue remains as to who will stay with child if parent is late. If it is the educator, will she need to be paid for additional time ---------------------------------------------- Peace and Justice Committee submitted draft of letter regarding freedom of religious expression, a)which they propose sending to local newspapers (See Peace and Justice minutes, page 6-7 in agenda packet) b) They also would like consideration of proposal to send letter to other local Quaker meetings for consideration at the Febuary MCGM meeting and possible submission to Chicago newspapers |
ISSUE/ACTION
---------------------------------------------- Meeting approved inviting Paul Buckley to the 1/30/11 meeting ---------------------------------------------- Meeting does not approve advertising this option further. It does not appear to be an issue at this time, as no parents have come to the meeting with this request. The meeting expressed concern that it would not be appropriate for parents to leave their children unattended. It may be acceptable practice Action: At this time the Children’s Religious Education Committee needs to develop a plan regarding child care when parents do not return on time. They should also review the wording on the business card. ---------------------------------------------- a) The Meeting for business recommends 3 edits to the letter and would approve the letter for publishing, with the edits, in neighborhood newspapers. Edits: 1) delete "purposeful" from “purposeful misstate-ments…”. 2) add (in the 1600’s) after In the early decades of our existence (in the 1600’s), … 3) Revise sentence that starts with “Our faith and experience teach us that there is that of God or the Divine….” (delete “reach out to those characterized by finding and connecting to”) The Clerk should sign the letter in addition to the phrase “Oak Park Friends Meeting” Business meeting requests that the Clerk of Peace and Justice send the letter to neighboring community newspapers (Forest Park, Berwyn, Elmwood Park, Maywood, etc) b) Business meeting approves sending letter to all member meetings of MCGM for consideration prior to the February MCGM meeting. Clerk of Peace and Justice Committee is requested to send out the letter. |
Committee Reports: Committee reports are available on the OPFM website.
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester read and submitted report.
Website Committee – Judy Erickson read and submitted report
Finance Committee – Report on 10/30/2010 meeting
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report. No action items
Teen Religious Education – No report
Children’s Religious Education – Report submitted. In addition to the report, funds were collected for Unicef. Pam Timme will send in the donation to Unicef this week.
Nominating Report – Donna Cech – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Pam Timme submitted report
Peace and Justice Committee – Kelly Maynard submitted report. Judy reported that she shared “Dark side of chocolate” DVD to OPTJC for possible inclusion in their film series at the Oak Park library.
Newsletter Committee – no report
Naming Committee – met and made list of possible members to nominating committee. No action items.
New Business: None.
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, October 10, 2010
Present: Wilmer Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Helen Dickinson, Pam Timme, Burke Shipley, Sue Beckman
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: As of 9/9/2010 Crop Walk has earned over $75,000. Valerie Lester earned over $1000.00. Money contributed to the food pantry buys about 5 time the value of our dollars at a grocery store. The Oak Park Food Pantry is one of the organizations which benefited greatly from the Church World Service Crop Walk.
Action Items
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester read and submitted report.
Website Committee – Judy Erickson read and submitted report
Finance Committee – Report on 10/30/2010 meeting
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report. No action items
Teen Religious Education – No report
Children’s Religious Education – Report submitted. In addition to the report, funds were collected for Unicef. Pam Timme will send in the donation to Unicef this week.
Nominating Report – Donna Cech – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Pam Timme submitted report
Peace and Justice Committee – Kelly Maynard submitted report. Judy reported that she shared “Dark side of chocolate” DVD to OPTJC for possible inclusion in their film series at the Oak Park library.
Newsletter Committee – no report
Naming Committee – met and made list of possible members to nominating committee. No action items.
New Business: None.
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, October 10, 2010
Present: Wilmer Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Helen Dickinson, Pam Timme, Burke Shipley, Sue Beckman
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: As of 9/9/2010 Crop Walk has earned over $75,000. Valerie Lester earned over $1000.00. Money contributed to the food pantry buys about 5 time the value of our dollars at a grocery store. The Oak Park Food Pantry is one of the organizations which benefited greatly from the Church World Service Crop Walk.
Action Items
|
Item
Is it appropriate for parents to drop off children and pick them up later as noted in the report? Is it appropriate for children to be here during our meeting without parents present? Will parents return in a timely manner to pick up their children? --------------------------------------------- Ministry and Oversight proposed “pancake breakfast and music” from 9-9:45 on selected weeks in place of pot luck Last month had very successful pot luck in the Art League. All assisted in set-up and clean-up without any one being “in-charge” --------------------------------------------- All reports for the November meeting need to be submitted to Will by Tuesday 11/9 in preparation for the meeting on 11/14 --------------------------------------------- Naming committee – request made for volunteers to a “naming committee” to suggest members of a nominating committee --------------------------------------------- Permission to post information about the OPTJ fundraiser on 10/23/10 on the website |
Issue/Action
Deferred until next meeting. Will will ask Valerie to check liability insurance to see if we would cover children on premises after the official time of our meeting. ---------------------------------------------- Will continue to have informal pot-luck at the Art League. The next pot-luck will be on the 3rd Sunday in November (11/21/10). ---------------------------------------------- Helen will clerk the meeting on 11/14/10 and Wil will prepare the Agenda before he goes out of town. --------------------------------------------- Helen Dickinson and Judy Erickson volunteered to be on the “Naming Committee”. Judy would then not be able to be on the nominating committee. Naming committee will present suggestions for the nominating committee at the December meeting. --------------------------------------------- Meeting approved posting of the information on the website by Judy Erickson |
Committee Reports: Committee reports are available on the OPFM website.
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted report.
Website Committee – Judy Erickson submitted report
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report
Teen Religious Education – No Report
Children’s Religious Education – Will Rutt submitted report
Nominating Report – Donna Cech – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Pam Timme submitted report
Peace and Justice Committee – Kelly Maynard submitted report
Newsletter Committee – no report
New Business
Permission was given to post information about the OPTJ fundraiser on 10/23/10 on the website
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, September 12, 2010
Present: Wilmer Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Helen Dickinson, Pam Timme, Valerie Lester, Sue Beckman, Amanda Sneed
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: Pam’s visit to the Russian Orthodox church reflects outreach to other faith communities.
Old Business: The new format of agenda and minutes was discussed.
Action Items
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted report.
Website Committee – Judy Erickson submitted report
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted report
Teen Religious Education – No Report
Children’s Religious Education – Will Rutt submitted report
Nominating Report – Donna Cech – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Pam Timme submitted report
Peace and Justice Committee – Kelly Maynard submitted report
Newsletter Committee – no report
New Business
Permission was given to post information about the OPTJ fundraiser on 10/23/10 on the website
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, September 12, 2010
Present: Wilmer Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Helen Dickinson, Pam Timme, Valerie Lester, Sue Beckman, Amanda Sneed
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action: Pam’s visit to the Russian Orthodox church reflects outreach to other faith communities.
Old Business: The new format of agenda and minutes was discussed.
Action Items
|
Issue/Recommendation
------------------------------------------ Budget for fiscal year discussed and proposed, including the $500.00 donations to local and Quaker organizations (suggested by Peace and Justice Committee), with projected deficit spending ------------------------------------------ Information presented on ‘Naming committee” definition and role by Judy – the naming committee serves to provide recommendations for membership on the Nominating Committee ------------------------------------------ Monthly potluck has no current volunteers to host. Meeting discussed if and how this event can be continued ------------------------------------------ Posting of AFSC October 24th Middle East Peace event on the Community of Congregations website |
Action/To Be Done By
------------------------------------------ Considered changing to an answering machine again to decrease expenses – Judy will look into cost of an answering machine with remote access ability and report to next meeting The meeting approved deletion of the $1000.00 other expenses line item and suspension of the donations to local and Quaker organizations until budget resources can be reviewed in January. Recommend that meeting explore current resident membership roster and annual payment to IYM Clerk and treasurer will review. Budget approved with the above modifications and considerations ---------------------------------------------- Item will be brought back to next meeting for action, following members thoughtful consideration of the information provided ---------------------------------------------- Item will be brought back to the meeting next month. ---------------------------------------------- Meeting approved posting and Valerie will make the posting |
Committee Reports: Committee reports (except Treasurer's) are available on the OPFM website.
Treasurer’s Report- Valerie Lester submitted and discussed report
Website Committee – Judy Erickson submitted and read report
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education- Judith Erickson submitted and read report
Teen Religious Education – No Report
Children’s Religious Education – Will Rutt submitted report, read by Sue Beckman
Nominating Report – Donna Cech – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes – Pam Timme submitted and read report
Peace and Justice Committee – Kelly Maynard submitted report, read by Pam Timme
Newsletter Committee – no report
New Business: See action item about AFSC Middle East peace event on 10/24 on the Community of Congregations website – Valerie will complete
We ended withsilent worship.
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business, August 8, 2010
Present: Wilmer Rutt (Clerk), Donna Cech (Recording Clerk), Judith Erickson, Burke Shipley, Helen Dickinson, Jim Holmes, Pam Timme, Adrian Fisher, Joan Pine (Visitor from ILYM Ministry & Advancement Committee & Evanston MM), Deb Smith (Evanston MM)
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action – Anna Alexa would have been very concerned about the food issues which may arise due to the fires in Russia, and flooding through Poland. Anna was one of the founding members of the meeting and a long time member of the Oak Park Friends Meeting who passed away about 15 years ago.
Committee Reports Submitted (to view these reports go to the respective committee pages)
Treasurer’s Report (Valerie Lester)
Website Committee (Judy Erickson)
Finance Committee – No report
Adult Religious Education (Judy Erickson)
Teen Religious Education – No report
Children’s Religious Education (Wil Rutt)
Nominating Report – No Report
Ministry and Oversight Committee Minutes (Pam Timme)
Peace and Justice Committee (Kelly Maynard)
Newsletter Committee – No report
Ad Hoc Joint Committee of OPFM Children’s Religious Ed and Finance Committees (Kelly Maynard)
New Business
Review of format revisions of meeting minutes and agenda (see Action Item table below).
Filling vacant OPFM committee and meeting positions (see Action Item table below). Discussion continued on topics related to the role of Nominating Committee, Naming Committee and term limits on clerkship/membership on committees. Support expressed for utilizing Naming Committee. Information will be collected regarding Naming Committee for next month and discussion will be continued.
OPFM thanks Joan Pine and Deb Smith for attending the Meeting with Concern for Business this month.
Action Items
|
Issue/Recommendation
---------------------------------------------------- The Ministry & Oversight Committee recommends that OPFM accept Patricia McMillen's resignation and send her a letter. ---------------------------------------------------- Ministry and Oversight Committee is interested in the possibility of a periodic pancake breakfast. The breakfast would be held at the Art League. The purpose of the meeting would be to increase awareness and interest in the meeting, not fundraising. 57th Street Meeting and Evanston Meeting hold monthly pancake breakfasts – Evanston meeting accepts donations and any profit is donated to a meeting fund. 57th Street Meeting felt that this event helped interest families with children to attend. Recommendation: Once a volunteer is available to lead this, a pancake breakfast will be held in lieu of a monthly potluck. Cost can come out of the offerings. ---------------------------------------------------- New format for minutes, agenda reviewed. Suggestions made to add table of contents or agenda of action items to the beginning of the agenda. It would be helpful if all reports come in utilizing the same font and format. |
Action/To Be Done By
-------------------------------------- Recommendation of the committee approved and resignation approved. An amendment to second paragraph of letter was proposed and accepted: “We, at Oak Park Friends Meeting recognize ….” Wil Rutt will send letter (as amended), signed by Meeting Clerk. ---------------------------------------- Clerk will notify meeting that we approved the concept of a pancake breakfast ask membership as to interest in attending a pancake breakfast. If interest is expressed, a call will be put out for volunteers. ---------------------------------------- Wil will contact committee chairs regarding format/font. Clerk will add agenda to beginning of monthly agenda. |
We ended with silent worship.
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minutes, Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business, July 11, 2010
(There was no Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business in June.)
Present: Wilmer Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Burke Shipley, Helen Dickinson, Patricia McMillen, Kelly Maynard, Pam Timme
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action – Son of Beth Schobernd, birthright Quaker from Illinois is currently working to save Sea Turtles on the coast of Florida.
Selection of Interim Clerk of Children’s Religious Education Committee: Will Rutt has been serving as interim clerk through search for Children’s Religious Educator. BS proposed that Will Rutt remain interim clerk of the Children’s Religious Educ. Committee. OPFM acknowledges that Will Rutt will continue as interim clerk of the committee, until Nominating Committee can bring candidates for permanent committee clerk to the meeting. Nominating Committee will solicit OPFM membership for a clerk for Children’s Religious Education Committee.
Clarification of Children’s Religious Education staff position status: an individual was offered the position by Children’s Religious Ed Committee. Employee status, supervisory issues have not been resolved; Individual hired is volunteering until OPFM resolves employer issues of supervision and payroll.
OPFM confirms that Amanda Sneed is the choice for OPFM children’s religious educator. The Children’s Religious Education committee will supervise the children’s religious educator’s performance in duties related to children’s religious education. Finance Committee will oversee all HR functions related to payroll, insurance, and other issues with financial impact related to the employment of a children’s religious educator. The finance committee will bring any recommendations with financial impact to the OPFM for approval. An Ad Hoc committee, composed of members of the Children’s Religious Education and Finance Committees to be clerked by Kelly M., will report back to the OPFM Meeting with a Concern for Business in August, with procedures related to employment of the Children’s Religious Educator.
The Finance Committee seeks approval from OPFM to purchase insurance necessary to employee children’s religious educator. Finance Committee has received one quote for approximately $725 for insurance including Workman’s compensation insurance. This is approximately $300.00 more than our current liability insurance. OPFM approves Finance Committee to purchase insurance necessary to employ the Children’s Religious Educator.
OPFM membership was reviewed. A question was raised as to how meeting communicates with members who have not been active in the past year. The Ministry & Oversight Committee reviews these issues on a regular basis.
The Peace and justice Committee recommends that OPFM become an endorsing member of the national religious campaign against torture. This endorsement involves members of the organization signing the following endorsement. (This Resolution also appears in the Minutes of P&J Committee of May 23, 2010.)
A Model Resolution for Religious Institutions for Endorsing U.S.-Sponsored Torture: A Call for a Commission of Inquiry
"WHEREAS one of our core principles as Friends is our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all persons; and
"Whereas torture violates the basic dignity of the human person, degrades everyone involved -- from policy-makers to perpetrators to victims -- and contradicts our nation’s most cherished values; and
"Whereas torture is inherently wrong and immoral, because it is designed to break the human soul and the human body; and
"Whereas reliable evidence available to the public has shown that the United States has engaged in torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in response to the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, including a report produced by the International Committee of the Red Cross and made known to the public in February of 2009 that concluded: '[T]he ill-treatment to which [detainees] were subjected while held in the CIA[Central Intelligence Agency of the United States]program, either singly or in combination, constituted torture.'; and
"Whereas the full story on the scope, breadth and depth of U.S. sponsored torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment has yet to be fully revealed; and
"Whereas public awareness, acknowledgement, and understanding of what the United States has done with respect to the use of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are necessary in order to make sure that our nation never again engages in this conduct;
"Therefore, be it resolved that the Oak Park Friends Meeting endorses the following statement “U.S.-sponsored Torture Now: A Call for a Commission of Inquiry”:
"The United States must never again engage in torture. Torture is immoral, illegal and counterproductive. It causes profound and lasting harm, especially to its victims but also to its perpetrators. It contradicts our nation’s deepest values and corrupts the moral fabric of our society.
"We call for an impartial, nonpartisan, and independent Commission of Inquiry. Its purpose should be to gather all the facts and make recommendations. It should ascertain the extent to which our interrogation practices have constituted torture and "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment". Understanding the causes, nature and scope of U.S.-sponsored torture is essential for preventing it in the future and eliminating it from our system without loopholes. U.S. law will determine the extent of any criminal culpability.
"As people of faith, we know that brokenness can be healed – both in individual lives and in the life of the nation. All religions believe that redemption is possible. Learning the truth can set us on a path toward national healing and renewal.
"The United States must never again allow itself to be driven by blinding fears and bitter resentments in responding to national tragedy. The use of torture only serves to undermine our security in a dangerous world.
"Nothing less than the soul of our nation is at stake in confronting U.S.-sponsored torture and completely renouncing its use. Let the U.S. reaffirm its values by establishing a Commission of Inquiry."
OPFM approved becoming an endorsing member. Peace and Justice Committee and Clerk of the Meeting will convey information to National Religious Campaign against Torture.
Finance Committee recommends keeping reserves with Community Bank. OPFM approved keeping reserves with Community Bank.
New Business - None
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
(There was no Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business in June.)
Present: Wilmer Rutt (clerk), Donna Cech (recording clerk), Judith Erickson, Burke Shipley, Helen Dickinson, Patricia McMillen, Kelly Maynard, Pam Timme
Silent Worship
Quaker Practice in Action – Son of Beth Schobernd, birthright Quaker from Illinois is currently working to save Sea Turtles on the coast of Florida.
Selection of Interim Clerk of Children’s Religious Education Committee: Will Rutt has been serving as interim clerk through search for Children’s Religious Educator. BS proposed that Will Rutt remain interim clerk of the Children’s Religious Educ. Committee. OPFM acknowledges that Will Rutt will continue as interim clerk of the committee, until Nominating Committee can bring candidates for permanent committee clerk to the meeting. Nominating Committee will solicit OPFM membership for a clerk for Children’s Religious Education Committee.
Clarification of Children’s Religious Education staff position status: an individual was offered the position by Children’s Religious Ed Committee. Employee status, supervisory issues have not been resolved; Individual hired is volunteering until OPFM resolves employer issues of supervision and payroll.
OPFM confirms that Amanda Sneed is the choice for OPFM children’s religious educator. The Children’s Religious Education committee will supervise the children’s religious educator’s performance in duties related to children’s religious education. Finance Committee will oversee all HR functions related to payroll, insurance, and other issues with financial impact related to the employment of a children’s religious educator. The finance committee will bring any recommendations with financial impact to the OPFM for approval. An Ad Hoc committee, composed of members of the Children’s Religious Education and Finance Committees to be clerked by Kelly M., will report back to the OPFM Meeting with a Concern for Business in August, with procedures related to employment of the Children’s Religious Educator.
The Finance Committee seeks approval from OPFM to purchase insurance necessary to employee children’s religious educator. Finance Committee has received one quote for approximately $725 for insurance including Workman’s compensation insurance. This is approximately $300.00 more than our current liability insurance. OPFM approves Finance Committee to purchase insurance necessary to employ the Children’s Religious Educator.
OPFM membership was reviewed. A question was raised as to how meeting communicates with members who have not been active in the past year. The Ministry & Oversight Committee reviews these issues on a regular basis.
The Peace and justice Committee recommends that OPFM become an endorsing member of the national religious campaign against torture. This endorsement involves members of the organization signing the following endorsement. (This Resolution also appears in the Minutes of P&J Committee of May 23, 2010.)
A Model Resolution for Religious Institutions for Endorsing U.S.-Sponsored Torture: A Call for a Commission of Inquiry
"WHEREAS one of our core principles as Friends is our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all persons; and
"Whereas torture violates the basic dignity of the human person, degrades everyone involved -- from policy-makers to perpetrators to victims -- and contradicts our nation’s most cherished values; and
"Whereas torture is inherently wrong and immoral, because it is designed to break the human soul and the human body; and
"Whereas reliable evidence available to the public has shown that the United States has engaged in torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in response to the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, including a report produced by the International Committee of the Red Cross and made known to the public in February of 2009 that concluded: '[T]he ill-treatment to which [detainees] were subjected while held in the CIA[Central Intelligence Agency of the United States]program, either singly or in combination, constituted torture.'; and
"Whereas the full story on the scope, breadth and depth of U.S. sponsored torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment has yet to be fully revealed; and
"Whereas public awareness, acknowledgement, and understanding of what the United States has done with respect to the use of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are necessary in order to make sure that our nation never again engages in this conduct;
"Therefore, be it resolved that the Oak Park Friends Meeting endorses the following statement “U.S.-sponsored Torture Now: A Call for a Commission of Inquiry”:
"The United States must never again engage in torture. Torture is immoral, illegal and counterproductive. It causes profound and lasting harm, especially to its victims but also to its perpetrators. It contradicts our nation’s deepest values and corrupts the moral fabric of our society.
"We call for an impartial, nonpartisan, and independent Commission of Inquiry. Its purpose should be to gather all the facts and make recommendations. It should ascertain the extent to which our interrogation practices have constituted torture and "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment". Understanding the causes, nature and scope of U.S.-sponsored torture is essential for preventing it in the future and eliminating it from our system without loopholes. U.S. law will determine the extent of any criminal culpability.
"As people of faith, we know that brokenness can be healed – both in individual lives and in the life of the nation. All religions believe that redemption is possible. Learning the truth can set us on a path toward national healing and renewal.
"The United States must never again allow itself to be driven by blinding fears and bitter resentments in responding to national tragedy. The use of torture only serves to undermine our security in a dangerous world.
"Nothing less than the soul of our nation is at stake in confronting U.S.-sponsored torture and completely renouncing its use. Let the U.S. reaffirm its values by establishing a Commission of Inquiry."
OPFM approved becoming an endorsing member. Peace and Justice Committee and Clerk of the Meeting will convey information to National Religious Campaign against Torture.
Finance Committee recommends keeping reserves with Community Bank. OPFM approved keeping reserves with Community Bank.
New Business - None
We ended with silent worship
Respectfully submitted by: Donna Cech, Recording Clerk
