CMM 2011-09-11

Minutes of Meeting for Worship for Business

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting

Religious Society of Friends

9^th Month 11, 2011

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting gathered in Meeting for Worship for Business.  Friends present were:  8

The meeting began with a period of silent worship.

9.1  Seventh Month Minutes:  The meeting reviewed and approved the minutes of meeting for worship for business from the 7^th Month 2011.

Names in Minutes:  Friends discussed when it is appropriate to identify individuals by name in the minutes.  Friends were reminded that because opinions may come from the spirit, rather than the individual expressing that opinion, we should be cautious about when it is appropriate to name a member specifically.  Similarly it was brought to our attention that other meetings do not list those in attendance at business meeting by name.  It was decided that this practice should be discussed at a future meeting.

9.2  Don Booth’s Memorial Minute:  With great joy and thanks to those members who crafted it so lovingly, the meeting heard the memorial minute for Don Booth.  The minute was approved subject to potential changes from Lois Booth.  The co-clerks of the meeting will share the minute with Lois in advance of the next business meeting.  If there are no changes it will be forwarded directly to Quarterly Meeting, scheduled for October 30^th at North Sandwich Meeting.

9.3  Building Use Policy:  Review of the proposed Building Use Policy offered by the Property Committee.

The meeting asked the Property Committee to set a specific rental rate and a sexton’s hourly rate in order to clarify the cost of the rental.  The Committee will investigate the practices of other churches and will determine appropriate fees.

To be added to the application and reviewed by the Property Committee:

• the Meeting may require that the renters have general liability insurance;
• specific information about the number of children expected to attend and the renter’s plan for the supervision of children.

Additionally, the Committee is asked to review the specific issues around the care of children with a friendly lawyer.

9.4  Landscaping:  The Landscaping Committee shared their draft landscaping plan and was authorized to implement the plan, taking into consideration the meeting’s feedback.

9.5  Financial Report:  The meeting heard a report of the meeting’s current fiscal standing. (Attached?)  The meeting decided that it is important to continue to encourage members and attenders to consider donating on a monthly basis. The clerks will do so at future Meeting for Worship.

It was suggested that the Meeting consider acquiring a 12-ft. step ladder.  The clerks will make an  announcement to this effect in the event that we may be able to find a donation.

9.6  Program Announcements:

• Ministry and Counsel is working to reawaken the tradition of 4^th Sunday programming.
• M&C will be starting a 1^st Sunday “Introduction to Quaker Worship” program before meeting.
• M&C is in the process of planning a series of programs (a film, the “Awakening the Dreamer” program) with the Canterbury Community Church.

Minutes accepted when signed,

Ruth Heath, Co-Clerk

Alisa Barnard, Recording Clerk

NB. The Income & Expenses Sheet was created with two decimal points, which were removed for readability, the cents being unimportant to the overall understanding.  This can have the effect of throwing off any given sum by a dollar due to compounded rounding.  —  Prepared by Greg Heath and Chris Haigh.