Time-sensitive Public Statements

Conditions Where Making Statements/Taking Action is warranted:  Between Monthly Meetings with attention to Business, situations may arise where action by the Monthly Meeting may be requested.  This could include, but would not be limited to, collaborating with other organizations in joint statements or actions; signing petitions and letters of concern as an organization; sending letters of concern to other Friends Meetings (monthly, quarterly, or yearly) affected by wars, terrorism and natural disasters; and making time-critical comments to public officials.

Process for Deciding Appropriate and Urgent Action:  When time allows, the presiding clerk(s) should seek approval from the regular Monthly Meeting.  However, if a time-sensitive action is required, the presiding clerk(s) should consult with the clerk of Ministry & Counsel (M&C) and members of M&C to reach clarity on whether action is urgent and appropriate.  At least three people should be involved in this discernment.

If they do reach clarity on action, the presiding clerk(s) and/or the clerk of Ministry & Counsel are expected to represent the Monthly Meeting’s historical testimony and minutes, along with the experience of the wider body of the Religious Society of Friends.  We trust that they will exercise discernment and restraint in any exercise of this authority, mindful of their responsibility to preserve the integrity of Friends’ witness to the Light.

Statements made by the presiding clerk(s) and/or clerk of Ministry & Counsel should be anchored in our faith as Friends; articulate how the statement is linked to our testimonies, our Faith and Practice, and past minutes approved by the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends (NEYM) and our Monthly Meeting; and use the resources of the Yearly Meeting’s members known to share deeply the relevant concern.  Statements made should be approved by the presiding clerk, the clerk of M&C, and as many other members of M&C as are available.  Care should be taken that statements made do not interfere with or interrupt ongoing discernment of the Monthly Meeting.

Furthermore, these Friends may ask an individual member to speak for the Monthly Meeting in a specific instance in which the individual can draw on their expertise in the relevant area of concern.

Notification to Membership:  Notification of any public action taken under this policy should be shared with the Monthly Meeting at the same time as any statement is shared with the public.  At the next Monthly Meeting, the presiding clerk and/or clerk of Ministry & Counsel are expected to report on any such statements and actions they have taken in the interim between meetings of that body; these should also be reported in the annual State of Society report.  Actions and joint statements with other bodies should be archived in the Monthly Meeting records.