Updates frm the Clerk March, 2016 Dear AFSC Gvernance Vlunteers: This letter is anther update n AFSC gvernance. It is really my reflectins n the recent annual meeting and f sme imprtant gvernance decisins. I hpe yu find it helpful alng with the attachments, particularly thse f yu wh were unable t attend. Please feel free t send me any cmments yu might have. Reflectins n the 2016 Crpratin meeting The Crpratin held its annual meeting in early March. Just lking at the draft minutes again (see attached) reminds me f hw ur time tgether was infrmative and, at times, a mving experience. Like a gathered meeting, a theme emerged in unanticipated frm. It began with a stirring pening by the Rev. Dr. William Barber II, the passinate and visinary leader f the Mral Mndays Mvement in Nrth Carlina. He engaged us with his preacher vice and encuraged us t participate in what he called Third Recnstructin. Like the recnstructin that fllwed ur emancipatin frm American slavery and like the challenges t segregatin and Jim Crw successfully waged by the civil rights mvement a century later, in this new era we find urselves called t a mral and plitical awakening with the ptential t mve us beynd fear and resistance t even higher levels f spiritual cmmunity and human relatinship. Barber invited us t climb ut f the dark valley f racial divisins and the petty plitics f fear int the sunny heights f cmpassin and mutual respect. We have dne this twice befre; during this third recnstructin, he tld us, we culd d it again. Pam and Rn Fergusn, C-Pastrs f Winchester Friends Church in Winchester, IN, had a simpler message. Thrugh wrd and sng, they encuraged us t hld true t ur Quaker message f the sacredness f human life, a message that has been imbedded in the witness and testimnies f Friends since ur beginnings. They shared the Old Testament example f prphet Elijah sending his captured enemies hme t be with their families. While Barber encuraged us t be steadfast in the face f resistance as we campaign fr what is right and mral, the Fergusns reminded us that if we can see ur adversaries as friends, we wuld ne day admnish them t g in peace. (Fr mre n these presentatins: http://afsc.rg/blgs/acting-in-faith) A later panel discussin f yung leaders linked the spntaneus prtests against plice brutality in African American cmmunities in the United States with the resistance f Palestinian yuth thusands f miles away. These yung peple, wh participate in AFSC prgrams in vastly different cmmunities, elquently expressed by their lives and their wrds the universality and passin f the human desire fr liberatin. Clerk s Ntes March 2016 1
Opprtunities fr wrship were spread amng plenary sessins and small grup discussins thrughut the weekend. They reinfrced these themes and culminated, during ur clsing wrship sessin, with the sense f challenge that ur witness as Friends and ur humble wrks f simplicity, equality, and integrity are needed as much as ever in these trubled times. And, that the expressin f cmpassin made pssible by human life and revealed in the divinely inspired human spirit is a message that a cynical wrld still wants and needs t hear. Many f us left with a renewed cmmitment t seek ut pprtunities and challenges, t add ur Friendly vices t the grand chrus f thse inside and utside f AFSC wh still dare t speak truth t pwer while seeking the belved cmmunity. THE BOARD MEETING. On the First Day which fllwed, the AFSC Bard heard abut recrd levels f grants and individual dnatins, and the success f ur still quiet Centennial Campaign. We were als reminded f the vlatility f ur funding, and hw this requires us t be even mre watchful and prudent regarding ur incme and expenses. We wrked tgether t better understand hw we can reinfrce the cmmnalities and synergies amng ur varius prgrams t enhance their prfile and effectiveness. We acknwledged ur new cmmitment t investing in ways that prtect the envirnment. We talked abut the steps we had taken and wuld cntinue t take twards racial justice, trying t discern ways t imprve ur decisinmaking that will help cunteract the pernicius systemic and structural racism that surrunds us and invades every institutin, including ur wn. When we were dne, it was clear t me, and I believe t thers, that the risk and seriusness f the wrk in which AFSC is engaged is made wrthy by the hpe and lve we cntinue t prduce. We are invited t a banquet f lve and liberatin, prepared in the presence f thse wh think themselves t be ur enemy but whm we knw t be ur friends. Each f us wh participates in this endeavr, whether as dnr, staff persn r vlunteer, is privileged t cntribute t this unique and enduring service we call the AFSC. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. Over the next year, the Bard will be wrking n ur Gals and Objectives, a preliminary draft f which is attached. Neither a wish list nr rutine cmmittee chres, this is a list f present challenges we feel called t address. Please send me any cmments r suggestins that yu think might be helpful as the Bard cnsiders adpting them this June. Suggestins received by April 15 will be mst helpful. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. The next Crpratin meeting will celebrate the first ne hundred years f the American Friends Service Cmmittee. It will be held April 19-23, 2017, in Philadelphia, cinciding with the date the Service Cmmittee was actually frmed. During the meeting, a Centennial Summit will bring tgether current and frmer staff, dnrs, vlunteers, lcal Quakers, schlar-activists, and alumni, as well as yuth leaders, interns and fellws. Clerk s Ntes March 2016 2
AMICUS BRIEFS. On February 20, 2016, AFSC endrsed tw Friend f the Curt briefs. One f them was filed in US v. Texas, which asks the Supreme Curt t cnsider the cnstitutinality f President Obama s Deferred Actin fr Parents f Americans (DAPA) initiative that wuld expand the Deferred Actin fr Childhd Arrivals (DACA) prgram t millins f undcumented parents f U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. In Cmmnwealth v. Laltaprasad, a Massachusetts judge sentenced a drug ffender t serve less time than required by the mandatry minimum created by the Cntrlled Substances Act. The state appealed, and the defendant argued that a judge culd give a lwer sentence in certain situatins. AFSC jined the amicus brief in supprt f judicial discretin nting the mandatry minimum sentencing structure vilated equal prtectin standards, resulting in the mass incarceratin f Peple f Clr. As a result f the filing, the District Attrney annunced he wuld recnsider the Cmmnwealth s appeal. Advcates feel this is a significant, albeit shrt term, success. Please Nte: The Standing Nminatins Cmmittee always appreciates recmmendatins and selfnminatins fr participatin n AFSC cmmittees. Use r share this nline gvernance recruitment frm with thers: http://www.afsc.rg/actin/gvernance-recruitment In Peace, Phil Lrd Presiding Clerk f the Bard American Friends Service Cmmittee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 267-679-5025 Attachments: Draft Crpratin minutes Bard Gals and Objectives Clerk s Ntes March 2016 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION March 3-5, 2016 Friends Center, Philadelphia, PA DRAFT Minutes PRESENT: Jhn A. Adams, Alvar Alvarad, David Bantz, Carl Bartles, Wendy A. Batsn, Duglas Bennett, Dulany Bennett, Tny Berla, Jnathan R. Betz-Zall, Harld Branam, Sandy Branam, Christine Spee Braun, Bethanne Bruninga-Sclar, Sara Burke, Marj Byler, Ruth Anne Chilldres, Claire M. Chen, Richard Crl, Susan Czzens, Shan Cretin, Anna Darrah, Jhn Deikis, Eduard I. Diaz, Laura Dungan, David Duvall, Bb Eatn, Rhea Taylr Eskew, Benjamin Fire-Walker, James A. Fletcher, Jhn S. Fletcher, Becky Flry, Peter Fsl, Ann M. Francis, Patric Garrisn, Lisa Gasstrm, Lu Grdh, Brewster Grace, Tm Head, Patti Hughes, Susan Ikenberry, Rhnda Impink, Betty Ann Janssn, Bill Jenkins, Carlyne Lamar Jrdan, Arnld Karr, Ann Kjellberg, Peter Klpher, Ted Klyce, Jane Krause, Jane Kresen, Herbert Lester, Jean Lester, Sam Lwe, Phil Lrd, Chester McCy, Jessica McCy, Nancy Mellr, Richard Mrse, Susan Murty, Anne S. Nash, Katherine Nrthrup, Jan Raducha, Phyllis Reynlds, Paula Rhdes, Richard Ristw, David R. Rbinsn, Miriam Jlee Rbinsn, Rbert Riley Rbinsn, Bridget Rrem, Marjry Rubin, Dan Schlitt, Jana Schreder, Daniel A. Seeger, Allen Stckbridge, Lee Ann Swarm, J. Jacques van der Water, Nikki Vangsnes, Minerva Velez-Glidden, Hal Weaver, Marcy Wenzler, Rbin Whitely, Carline K. Wildflwer, Jyce Inspira Williams, Greg Williams, Peter Wdrw, Jay Wrrall, Bb Yeats. REGRETS: Victria Albright, Peter T. Andersn, David Barrws, Rbert Bartles, Sara Burke, Hward Cell, Rebecca Bergus, Jhn Braxtn, Janine Brutn, Frank Chapman, Peter Crysdale, Cara Curtis, Mace Davis, Niels de Terra, Diane Dennis, Michael Dennis, Frederick Dettmer, Edward Dty, Jada M. Drew, Alisn Duncan, Eugenia Durland, William Durland, Mnica Elkintn-Englund, Benjamin Frisch, Marilee Gabriel, Dnald Gann, Linda Garrisn, Ben Griffith, David Henkel, Laura Herman, Emily Higgs, Jada S. Jacksn, Andrea Jilvec, Drthy Kakimt, Jennifer Karsten, Amanda Kemp, Peter O. Lane, Patty J. Lyman, Hannah MacNrlin, Kara Newell, Frank Massey, Graciela Martinez, Duglas Mertz, Karla Mran, Sharn Mullally, Dieg Navarr, Jann E. Neurth, Kate Nlan, Jules Palmer, Trayce Petersn, Dn Reeves, Seth Reichenbach, Carle Y. Rein, Letitia Sandy Rbsn, David Rutschman, Lella R. Smith, Jhn A. Snyder, Ann Strmquist, Cynthia Terrell, Gladys Tiffany, David Treber, Carlyne VandenDlder, Lynn Zeleski. GUESTS: Ahmad Abuznaid, Rev. William Barber II, Arthur Edwin Cheney, Clara Diaz, Christie Duncan-Tessmer, Pam Fergursn, Rn Fergursn, Gail P. Fletcher, Bruce Janssn, Martha Klpher, Keik Kub, Linda Ltz, Yazan Meqbil, Chris Mhr, Brad Parker, Jhn Salzberg, Rev. Gladwyn Uzell. April 2017 Crpratin
46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 STAFF: Samantha Brwn, Genevieve Beck-Re, Jennifer Bing, Laura Byce, Alyssa Chatten, Dn Davis, Lucy Duncan, Greg Ellitt, Jerry Elster, Tni Etheridge, Kamau Franklin, Mark Graham, Anna Ha, Keith Harvey, Sheena Hendn, Tnya Histand, Kenyatta James, Khalik James, Raed Jarrar, Kerri Kennedy, Bb Leming, Rachel Madenyika, Eisha Masn, Ralph Medley, Farajii Mhammed, Tm Mre, Nawal Musleh, Tabitha Mustafa, Richelle Ogle, Lee O Neill, Judy Pluciennik, Harld Pugh, Layla Razavi, Brant Rsen, Jshua Saleem, Willa Streater, Diana Talyansky, Cynthia Tarasci, Andrew Tmlinsn, Dustin Washingtn, Alissa Wilsn, Karla Zarate-Ramirez, Mary Zerkel. THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 On Thursday evening, the Rev. William Barber II spke n Mral Mndays, plice militarizatin and wrking fr justice. FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016 New Crpratin members attended an rientatin as thers visited with friends ver breakfast. Crpratin members and guests were invited t share their stries abut AFSC fr the Centennial Peace Wrks website. Everyne gathered fr wrship at 9 AM. C16-01: Welcme frm the Clerk Phil Lrd, presiding clerk, welcmed thse present and invited everyne t cntinue in the spirit f the discussins with Rev. Barber the previus evening. He als recgnized the Friends Relatins Cmmittee (FRC) and staff members wh planned this meeting. Phil nted that sme cnfusin has arisen regarding when new Bard members terms begin. The Bard had acted t make the terms begin n the Mnday fllwing the Annual Meeting, but realized later that this wuld require a change t the Bylaws. Fr this year, then, new Bard members terms wuld start n Sunday as usual. C16-01: Apprval f Agenda Friends apprved the agenda as intrduced by the Presiding Clerk. C16-02: Rll Call f Yearly Meetings Phil invited thse present t stand as their yearly meeting was annunced. Alaska Friends Cnference Baltimre YM Great Plains YM Illinis YM Intermuntain YM 91 92 93 94 95 Iwa YM [CON] Iwa YM [FUM] Lake Erie YM New Assciatin f Friends New England YM April 2017 Crpratin 2
96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 New Yrk YM 105 Piedmnt Friends Yearly Meeting & Nrth Carlina YM [FUM] 106 Assciatin Nrth Carlina YM [CON] 107 Suthern Appalachian YM & Nrthwest YM 108 Assciatin Nrth Pacific YM 109 Suth Central YM Nrthern YM 110 Sutheastern YM Ohi Valley YM 111 Western Assciatin f RSF Pacific YM 112 Western YM Philadelphia YM 113 Wilmingtn YM C16-03: Apprving and Affirming New Crpratin Members Jane Kresen, Standing Nminating Cmmittee (SNC) clerk, nted the sacred space in which this meeting was happening - the hand-hewn seats, the tiny bit f beauty n the walls. The Nminating Cmmittee s respnsibility is t create a gvernance cmmunity representing all branches f Friends and AFSC s cnstituencies. The cmmittee met three times face-t-face, and twelve times by phne. Guided by the Bylaws and varius guidelines and reprts, cmmittee members talked with 150 peple and filled 44 psitins. They relied heavily n names in the electrnic gvernance system/database. Jane praised staff fr their wnderful supprt, and recgnized SNC members. The Crpratin was then asked t act n nminees fr Crpratin service as Members-at-Large (CORP Supprting Paper 03a) and as Yearly Meeting Appintees (CORP Supprting Paper 03b) C16-03: Apprving and Affirming New Crpratin Members The Crpratin apprved the appintment f new at-large members and affirmed the appintment f yearly meeting appintees. The name f David Henkel was added t list f members at large, fllwing clarificatin f his respnse t the invitatin t cntinue. C16-04: Standing Nminating Cmmittee Reprt Jane Kresen reviewed nminatins fr the Bard, fficers, and members f the Friends Relatins Cmmittee. a) Nminatins t the Bard f Directrs (CORP Supprting Paper 05a) The slate fr Bard f Directrs was presented, including several peple with prir Bard experience and several peple wh will be serving n the Bard fr the first time. Crpratin actin was held ver until Saturday mrning. (See C16-12) b) Nminatins t the Friends Relatins Cmmittee (CORP Supprting Paper 05b) C16-04b: Standing Nminating Cmmittee Reprt April 2017 Crpratin 3
151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 The Crpratin apprved the appintment f new members f the AFSC Friends Relatins Cmmittee as prpsed. c) Nminees fr Bard Officers and the Bard Executive Cmmittee (CORP Supprting Paper 05c) This item was prvided fr the Crpratin s infrmatin. The slate f Bard fficers and members f the Bard Executive Cmmittee was scheduled fr Bard apprval n Sunday. Tw new peple were recmmended fr ne year terms: Jhn Adams, fr assistant clerk, and Jana Schreder, fr recrding clerk. They will jin Susan Czzens, treasurer, Phil Lrd, presiding clerk, and Shan Cretin, general secretary wh serve n the Bard Executive Cmmittee in an ex-ffici capacity and Paula Rhdes, as an at-large member. C16-05: Revisins t the AFSC Bylaws (CORP Supprting Paper 04) Marcy Wenzler thanked Crpratin members fr participating in the advance calls, which included a review f the prpsed revisin t Article 3, Sectin 2 f the Bylaws. This change wuld expand the time fr Crpratin meetings frm February 15 t April 15 thrugh t May 15. This will prvide mre flexibility fr scheduling the 2017 Crpratin meeting and Centennial Summit. C16-05: Revisins t the AFSC Bylaws The Crpratin apprved the prpsed change in the Bylaws regarding the timing f the annual meeting f the Crpratin. C16-06: Peace Wrks Part f AFSC s Centennial Celebratin After previewing the new Peace Wrks website, Ralph Medley, frm AFSC s Cmmunicatins Department staff, invited Crpratin members t share their stries thrugh a vide recrding r writing. He nted, Yur stries are wven int the histry f AFSC and will be shared as part f AFSC s Centennial. C16-07: Reprt frm the 2015 Ad Hc Cmmittee t Name the Standing Nminating Cmmittee (CORP Supprting Paper 06) Dulany Bennett, clerk, intrduced nminees fr the Ad Hc Naming Cmmittee. C16-07: Reprt frm the 2015 Ad Hc Cmmittee t Name the Standing Nminating Cmmittee The Crpratin apprved the appintment f prpsed new members f the Standing Nminating Cmmittee. April 2017 Crpratin 4
197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 C16-08: Appintment f the 2016 Ad Hc Cmmittee t Name the Standing Nminating Cmmittee (CORP Supprting Paper 07) Lisa Gasstrm asked the Crpratin t apprve the current members f the Naming Cmmittee fr service again next year. This break in traditin was recmmended due t difficulties in filling varius psitins, including membership n the Standing Nminating Cmmittee, ver the past year. C16-08: Appintment f the 2016 Ad Hc Cmmittee t Name the Standing Nminating Cmmittee The Crpratin apprved the name f ne new member t serve n the Naming Cmmittee fr 2016 and agreed that current members will cntinue fr anther year, with ne exceptin. The Crpratin apprved Dulany Bennett cntinuing as clerk f the Naming Cmmittee. C16-09: Nminatins t Epistle Wrking Grup Daniel Seeger reviewed the prpsed slate f Crpratin members t serve n the Epistle Wrking Grup f the Friends Relatins Cmmittee. Lee Ann Swarm als agreed t serve. C16-09: Nminatins t Epistle Wrking Grup The Crpratin apprved the names f thse prpsed t serve n the Epistle Wrking Grup. C16-10: Apprval f Minutes f the 2015 Crpratin Meeting (CORP Supprting Paper 09) C16-10: Apprval f Minutes f the 2015 Crpratin Meeting The Crpratin apprved the minutes f the meeting f March 6-7, 2015 as circulated. C16-11: General Secretary s Reprt (CORP Supprting Paper 10) Reflecting n Rev. Barber s bservatins that peple are pulled int using wrds that dn t cnvey their experience, and the imprtance f bringing yung peple int a diverse mvement cmmitted t peaceful and mrally just cmmunities, Shan Cretin nted AFSC is ding bth. AFSC prgrams reach ut t yuth wh live with pverty, vilence and ppressin, using a mdel that weaves tgether healing, experiential educatin, stry-telling, activism, music and fun. Leadership develpment is mre than skill-building, it s creating space fr them t becme advcates in their cmmunities and lead all f us in a multi-generatinal mvement. After Wrld War I and Wrld War II, AFSC sent many yung peple int the field f war t pick up the pieces, t feed the hungry and rebuild cmmunities. Althugh pacifists were held accuntable when diplmacy failed t prevent Wrld War II, thse prmting war were nt held April 2017 Crpratin 5
243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 accuntable fr millins f deaths. Shan emphasized that it is n lnger enugh t g in after a war t patch things tgether. We must change the narrative that allws war t happen. Mrever, militarizatin has affected ur prisns, schls, plicing, and the brder; taking up tax dllars needed fr ther things. AFSC is wrking t change the narratives arund us that venerate vilence, and perpetuate ppressin. It is imprtant t change hw we envisin the future and then wrk t bring abut peace and justice. In discussin with Crpratin members, Shan als described AFSC s Gverning under the influence and Nrth Krea prgrams, as well as wrk with yung African Americans. C16-12: A Call t Actin fr Quakers: A Reprt frm the Friends Relatins Cmmittee (Crpratin Supprting Paper 11) Daniel Seeger, clerk f Friends Relatins Cmmittee, pened his remarks nting that Friends have affirmed a unity f Spirit and matter. Friends have cmmuned with Gd thrugh effrts t address needs in the wrld, fcusing n balance, rder, harmny and peace. Jana Schreder, a member f the cmmittee, intrduced staff frm the Friends Liaisn ffice; Lucy Duncan, Greg Ellit, and Genevieve Beck-Re explained their areas f respnsibility with prjects including Let yur Life Speak cards, Acting in Faith blg, placement f articles with Friends Jurnal and vides fr Quaker speak, mnthly Calls fr Spirited Actin featuring AFSC staff, the Scial Change Ministry pilt prject, and 39 Questins fr White Peple. Staff als prvides supprt fr the Quaker Palestine/Israel Netwrk and the Quaker Netwrk t End Mass Incarceratin. Lcal meetings were encuraged t use these activities in supprt f AFSC prgrams. During the lunch perid, Greg Ellitt and Lucy Duncan met with meeting liaisns and ther Crpratin members t discuss 11 ways yur Quaker meeting/church can wrk with AFSC fr just peace. After a perid f wrship sharing, Crpratin members participated in wrkshps with AFSC staff including: Transfrmative Justice: Directly cuntering retributive justice paradigm Facilitatrs: Jerry Elster & Dustin Washingtn Welcming Immigrants and Refugees: Respnding t Islamphbia and Anti- Immigrant Sentiment Facilitatrs: Raed Jarrar & Layla Razavi N Way t Treat a Child: Wrking t end the detentin f Palestinian children by Israel Facilitatrs: Jennifer Bing, Yazan Meqbil, Nawal Musleh & Brad Parker Humanize nt Militarize: Respnses and Resistance t Militarism Facilitatrs: Tni Etheridge, Farajii Mhammed & Mary Zerkel Shared Security with QUNO: Wrking fr peace in an interdependent wrld Facilitatrs: Rachel Madenyika, Andrew Tmlinsn & Alissa Wilsn April 2017 Crpratin 6
289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 During dinner, gatherings were held fr Third Wrld Calitin members and Allies Engaged in Racial Equity Wrk. The evening prgram, When I see them, I see us: Plicing in a cmmunity under ccupatin, hw we resist acrss mvements and prmte alternatives was mderated by Kamau Franklin, reginal directr fr the Suth. Presenters were: Ahmad Abuznaid f Dream Defenders, Jshua Saleem f AFSC s St. Luis ffice, and Tabitha Mustafa f Piece by Peace, AFSC s New Orleans ffice. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016 The Crpratin meeting pened with prgrammed wrship led by Pam and Rn Fergusn. Their presentatin was entitled: Change the Stry, Change the Wrld: Telling the Truth abut Militarism. Minutes fr actins taken the previus day were read and apprved. C16-13: Standing Nminating Cmmittee Reprt (cnt.) (Crpratin Supprting Paper 05a) Jane Kresen, SNC clerk, intrduced the slate fr the Bard f Directrs. C16-13: Standing Nminating Cmmittee Reprt The Crpratin apprved appintments t service n the Bard f Directrs, including fur new members, ne cntinuing member t a full term, tw members fr secnd terms, as well as ne new ex-ffici member. C16-14: Reprt frm the Treasurer (Crpratin Supprting Paper 14) a. Financial Reprt fr FY 2015 and FY 2016 Susan Czzens, treasurer, pened this reprt by recalling Richard Fster s writing n simplicity. Lee O Neill, chief financial fficer, reviewed the financial reprt fr 2015FY, nting expenses were limited t $36 millin; while bequests were lw, AFSC received the highest level f grants since 2004, and the endwment increased t $46 millin. (Last year, the endwment generated $2.7 millin fr perating expenses.) Reserves were $13 millin, and retirement liabilities were $7 millin. First quarter incme fr FY2016 was strng; expenses are belw budget which is typical fr this time f year. Lee nted mst funds g twards prgram csts including salaries. AFSC s prgram/ management rati rse slightly as a result f hiring staff fr the Curageus Acts Campaign, but is still within the same range as 8 cmparable rganizatins. In discussin, Crpratin members and staff addressed the impact f vlatility in the stck market, as well as effrts t increase the number f dnrs and cntributins t the Endwment t prvide greater financial stability. April 2017 Crpratin 7
333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 b. Curageus Acts Capital Campaign Thmas Mre, Develpment Department directr, reprted that the Curageus Acts capital campaign started in 2014 with the idea f laying a fundatin fr AFSC s next 100 years. While building the endwment, cntributins als supprted new internships and fellwships, as well as strengthened varius prgrams. Mst f the riginal gal f $35 millin, was raised a year ahead f schedule. The Bard will be asked t apprve a gal f $40 millin. Supprters were encuraged t share their stries in Peace Wrks, t help dnrs see the peple behind the rganizatin. Tm thanked all thse wh made cmmitments t the campaign, and intrduced several staff members wrking n the campaign. Over lunch, three current interns and fellws spke abut their experiences. c. Fssil Fuel Investments In respnse t the Crpratin s request last year, Susan reprted that the Bard had made a cmmitment t divest frm fssil fuels and will be cnsidering additinal steps. Staff will be develping a base line fr AFSC s carbn ftprint. C16-15: Clerk s Reprt Phil Lrd annunced that this year s nminee fr the Nbel Peace Prize was the Nnvilent Peacefrce, which wrks with cmmunities t build lcal capacity t reduce vilence and prvide unarmed prtectin f civilians. Over the past year, Phil attended several gatherings including the Fellwship f Friends f African Descent, f which he was a funding member. Cnversatins there lifted up the imprtance f being true t ne s self. T be an African American Quaker helps thers see hw t braden the Religius Sciety f Friends; just being a Quaker is a revlutinary act. In tday s atmsphere f religius intlerance and inequality, ur Testimnies and ur vices are needed. Over the past year, the Bard addressed a number f issues including structural racism, crss unit prgramming, and internal cmmunicatins. It was a bit shcking t hear the term structural racism applied t AFSC, but the Bard understd this was abut systems, which reflect sciety at large. Actually, AFSC is n the cutting edge fr wanting t address structural racism, and t create the kind f systems that will help the rganizatin mve frward. Discussins abut crss-unit prgramming fcused n ways t facilitate and increase cllabrative prgramming, reflecting AFSC s cmmitment t wrk lcally and have natinal-transnatinal impact. These cnversatins highlighted the imprtance f hearing the vices f peple affected by AFSC s wrk, including Friends; the challenge is hw t d this better at the higher levels f the rganizatin. The new Bard Cmmittee n Cmmunity, Equality and Justice did much t help all f these discussins g frward, including wrking ut the Third Wrld Calitin s rle in the new structure. The theme f cmmunicatins was als present in all these discussins. The new Clerk s Ntes is intended t keep gvernance vlunteers infrmed abut what the Bard is thinking abut and what ther cmmittees are ding. April 2017 Crpratin 8
378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 [fr ACTION] Crpratin Supprting Paper XX T be apprved by the Crpratin, April 2017 Referring back t Rev. Barber s Thursday evening talk abut mral fusin, Phil nted that we are called t be inclusive nt divisive, t speak truth t pwer abut systemic prcesses like the schl t prisn pipeline. We are cmpared t 18 th century Friends wh were making pwerful statements; we must cntinue t cmmunicate special messages such as equality and integrity. C16-16: The Rle f the Crpratin in AFSC Crpratin members were invited t reflect n hw AFSC culd nurture Friends mnthly and yearly meetings and make their spiritual jurney mre prfund, as well as ways t deepen relatinships between AFSC, the Religius Sciety f Friends and the cmmunities affected by its wrk. Cmments related t AFSC wrk in the wrld: We need t reach ut t thers wh have lst jbs, t disaffected rural yuth, and bring them tgether with thers t learn and grw while still yung. Given what is happening in the presidential campaign, lift up the testimnies f peace, equality, simplicity and integrity. Are we as individuals willing t take risks, r t suffer, t be in partnership with cmmunities f clr? We need a new term, such as wrking fr planetary healing, t address water, fd, and human rights. Is it pssible t develp an exhibit like Eyes Wide Open t engage the public abut mass incarceratin? Let s wrk fr unity - lcally, in ur yearly meetings, and by building natinal calitins. Remember there is a frce and Pwer that mves peple; we must stand up fr justice, fr what is right. On deepening the relatinship between AFSC and Friends: Nt nly d Quakers need t feel engaged with AFSC, but AFSC as an rganizatin needs t feel engaged with Quakers. Sme have experienced a discnnect between AFSC and Friends ver the last 30 years; healing is needed. Read mnthly meeting s newsletters; see what AFSC can learn abut lcal Quaker interests and activities. Smetimes it can be hard t bring AFSC int ur meetings; try simple things like newsletter annuncements and sharing literature. Hw can AFSC invlve mre peple in prgrams, even if we are nt in a cmmunity where prgrams are ffered? Fllwing this sessin, Crpratin members met with their reginal directrs, and participated in a secnd rund f wrkshps. C16-17: Clsing Wrship and Reading f the Epistle Fllwing a perid f wrship, a member f the Epistle Cmmittee, Ted Klyce read the draft. A number f suggestins were ffered. As several cmmittee members had already departed, the draft was referred t the Friends Relatins Cmmittee fr further attentin. Phil Lrd Peter Wdrw Shan Cretin Linda Ltz Presiding Clerk Recrding Clerk General Secretary Recrder April 2017 Crpratin 9
PROPOSED OUTLINE OF 2016 BOARD GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 1) Develp prcesses and prcedures fr the inclusin f the feedback and perspectives f thse mst affected by ur wrk fr use at all levels f decisin making within the rganizatin. [Gal One] a) Cnduct a cmparative survey and assessment f current prcesses used by AFSC prgrams fr feedback regarding the prgram wrk frm cmmunities mst affected. [BCEJC] b) Implement mdified Beynd Diversity framewrk fr assessing impact f decisins n marginalized cmmunities. [BCEJC] c) Develp a structure fr Reginal TWC Cmmittees [BCEJC] 2) Strengthen gvernance crdinatin and accuntability thrugh regular gvernance evaluatin and imprved gvernance t gvernance cmmunicatins. [Gal Tw] a) Assess the wrk f the new Bard cmmittees and regularize prcess fr triennial evaluatins f the Bard, Bard Cmmittees and Executive Cmmittees [BGOV] b) Establish new pprtunities fr cmmunicatins amng gvernance entities and staff. [BEC] c) Institute first year f cllabrative (crss-unit) prgram and assess effectiveness [BPC] d) Develp prcedures and criteria fr staffing gvernance cmmittees [BEC] 3) Clarify Gvernance leadership rle regarding prgram [Gal Tw] a) Clarify prcess and timeline fr recnciling reginal prgram gals and rganizatinal budget limitatins. [Stewardship/BPC/BGOV] b) Develp cmmn standards fr prgram evaluatin [ECCG/BPC] c) Develp categrical descriptin f all AFSC prgrams identifying key characteristics that wuld be useful fr identifying and understanding prgram pririties. [BPC] d) Cnduct a search fr a General Secretary [Ad Hc] e) Mnitr prgress n BCECJ Recmmendatins regarding structural racism. [BJEC] f) Assess prgress and begin prcess f strategic planning [Ad Hc] 4) Increase pprtunities fr Quaker feedback and participatin in AFSC wrk a) Prvide pprtunities fr and mnitr feedback frm Friends regarding AFSC prgram. [FRC] b) Extend vlunteer utreach and fundraising t cmmunities mst affected by ur wrk [Stewardship] c) Mbilize Bard/Crpratin/EC members and cmmunity vlunteers fr participatin in the 100th Year anniversary [Stewardship/FRC] d) Expand Quaker Scial Justice Ministry [FRC] March 6, 2016 Bard meeting 1