Meetings for Discernment Steering Committee (2023)
The Meetings for Discernment are an ongoing experiment of the Yearly Meeting. At Summer Sessions, 2020, this experiment was made a standing function of the yearly meeting.
2020-07-50. Barbra Bleecker (Montclair) presented a proposal (attached) that the Meetings for Discernment become a standing function within the yearly meeting. Due to technical difficulties, the proposal was read by our reading clerk, Robin Mallison Alpern. A recommendation for improving the process of the Meeting for Discernment will be forwarded to its steering committee. There being no hesitations expressed, the Meeting for Discernment is now approved as a standing function of the yearly meeting.
Purposes and Objectives
The Steering Committee serves as the facilitating body for the Meetings for Discernment.
Functions and Activities
The Steering Committee discerns the structure and focus of each Meeting for Discernment, including queries or particular matters to be held in worship.
The Steering Committee oversees logistical arrangements, including discerning which Friends to invite to serve as clerks, elders and note takers for each Meeting for Discernment. For Meetings held outside of Yearly Meeting Sessions, the Steering Committee offers specific meetings or Regions/Quarters/Half Yearlies to serve as the host, and appoints a Steering Committee member as liaison with the host Meeting for local arrangements. The Steering Committee may also choose to hold Meetings online.
The Steering Committee produces advance materials for and reports on each Meeting for Discernment and prepares an annual report for the Yearly Meeting. It disseminates these to the Meetings for Discernment appointees, Monthly Meeting clerks, and the wider Yearly Meeting body.
The Steering Committee may offer recommendations to Yearly Meeting committees, to the body of the Yearly Meeting, and/or to Monthly and Regional Meetings and Worship Groups.
The Steering Committee ensures the Meeting for Discernment accomplishes its functions and activities.
Organization
The Steering Committee annually appoints its clerk or co-clerks and a recording clerk or notetaker. The Steering Committee clerk or another appointee represents the Meetings for Discernment in the Yearly Meeting budget process and when invited, at Sessions Committee and Liaison Committee.
Method of Appointment to the Steering Committee
Nominating Committee, in consultation with The Meeting for Discernment Steering Committee, appoints approximately six at-large members to serve on the Steering Committee. At-large members serve for staggered three-year terms and may be reappointed for a second consecutive three-year term.
The Yearly Meeting Clerk, the Assistant Clerk and the General Secretary serve as ex officio members of the Steering Committee. In addition, the clerks or named representatives of General Services, Ministry, and Witness Coordinating Committees are asked to serve on the Steering Committee.
Meeting Times and Places
The Steering Committee meets monthly by conference call, at Yearly Meeting sessions, and at other times as needed. In addition, members of the Steering Committee are expected to participate in the Meetings for Discernment.
Finances
The Yearly Meeting operating budget provides money for Steering Committee expenses. These expenses may include: administrative and program facilitation needs, travel expenses for those serving the Meetings for Discernment (including Steering Committee members) and others, as funds are available. These funds are administered by the Steering Committee.