CMM 2020-07-12

Minutes of Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting of

the Religious Society of Friends

Seventh Month 12^th, 2020

Seventeen Friends gathered by Zoom connection and entered into quiet worship.  We accepted the minutes of Sixth Month [1] as posted on the website.

07.1  Ministry and Counsel:  Sara S reported on a special meeting of M&C and Property Committees to consider preparations for future Hybrid/Blended Meetings in which people will be present both in the Meetinghouse and remotely via Zoom.  An ad hoc committee [including Rich K, Michael E, Mark B, and James F] has been formed to research and explore the technology needed.  Friends with insights to share on this are encouraged to reach out to this committee.

07.2  COVID-19 ad hoc Group:  Jennifer shared a report citing the task group’s recommendations for eventually reopening the meeting house.  They feel that we could begin hybrid/blended meetings as soon as the technology task force is ready.  Although the medical conditions are becoming more favorable, a sudden change in the pandemic could cause our in-person presence to be suspended with short notice.

07.3  Peace, Social, & Earthcare Concerns Committee (PSECC):  Faith reported on the PSECC meeting with Jeanne Hruska from NH ACLU.  PSECC will take up Mark’s request to consider how we might reference the fact that we are on the land of the Pennacook [4] people.  Kathy U reminds us that Governor Sununu has set up a commission to review police accountability.  Rich sent a letter to the commission on behalf of the meeting re: the “8 Can’t Wait [5]” national campaign.

07.4  Finance Committee:  The bookkeeper shared our current income statement for the first month of our new fiscal year.  Income year-to-date: $1,415, total expense year-to-date: $1,140, net income year-to-date: $275.  Greg noted that our liquid assets are significantly in excess of our current liabilities.  He recommends that we wait until we hear from the ad hoc Hybrid/Blended Meeting Committee before we consider how much money to allocate to new technology for our future hybrid/blended meetings.

After a brief time of quiet worship, Meeting adjourned, purposing to meet again on the Third Sunday of Eighth Month due to the annual sessions schedule.

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.

NB. The Balance 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.

Do we have the resources to support our obligations? YES

Variable Assets Less Current Liabilities and Replacement Reserve = $3,791

Joint meeting of Property and Ministry and Counsel committees

Hybrid/blended Meetings for Worship [17]

Seventh Month 2020

Ministry and Counsel held a special meeting with the Property Committee to discuss how to handle hybrid/blended Meetings for Worship.

• — “Hybrid/blended Meetings” means people will be present both in the Meetinghouse and remotely via Zoom
• — While it seems possible that we might have a blended meeting for some time, the need for this might change over time.  We decided to prepare in a way that could be used long term.  All of the equipment can be used for other meeting functions such as presentations during workshops or other events.
• — After discussion about the best approach, we settled on the following:

• Large screen/monitor (not projection)
  • This will be mounted on the Southeast wall or on a cart or stand that can be moved as needed.
• A wall mount could involve a cabinet or curtain to cover the screen when not in use.  We will need to make sure we can deal with any light issues that make it hard to see the screen.  (Curtains, etc.)
• Microphone on a fixed full-sized stand.  People with a testimony to share will walk up to the microphone.  We might need a microphone-bearer to take the microphone to people who are unable to walk to the stand.  The bearer would wear gloves and hold the microphone for the speaker.
• Computer(s):  Following the Pendle Hill model, we might use more than one computer: one to handle the video and audio feeds, one to handle the traffic and administrative tasks.  We may want more than one image to be viewed over Zoom.
• Social Distancing:  Ministry and Counsel will need to consider social distancing needs, including seating arrangements that can accommodate camera angles and screen viewing in the Meeting Room.
• Speakers that will let people in the Meetinghouse hear what our remote Friends are saying.  We will need to take steps to eliminate feedback if the speakers also amplify voices in the Meetinghouse.  Depending on the efficacy of the speakers, we might need additional support for those with hearing aids.  We discussed how this can be complicated by different hearing aid systems.  There is a preference for wireless speakers.

We formed an ad hoc committee to explore this further:

• Michael E, convener
• Mark B
• James F
• Richard K

This group will bring to the Meeting a set of recommendations for further discussion, including the possibility of a phased-in approach that lets us start with the simplest approach and expand as needed.  We will consider solutions that can work for the foreseeable future, because we don’t know how long the pandemic will last.  And these solutions might benefit others who can't physically attend Meeting, even after the pandemic has subsided.  [Interim Notes and Ideas are at https://www.concordfriendsmeeting.org/Hybrid-BlendedMeetings [18] – this comment added 2020-07-28 by web clerk]

COVID–19 ad hoc Group, July, 2020

COVID–19 ad hoc Group Report for CFM Consideration [19]

Seventh Month 2020

The three weeks that have passed since the state began its phased reopening have not seen a surge of cases.  This gives us some feeling of reassurance that socially distant worship in the Meetinghouse could start soon blended with an ongoing Zoom meeting.  There needs to be coordination between M&C, the ad hoc technology committee and property committee to make sure this is done in as safe a manner as possible.  Our sense is that we need to remain vigilant for a renewed surge in cases and be prepared to cancel the Meetinghouse part of weekly worship with short notice.

We have not settled on a way to keep the number of people low enough to ensure easy socially distancing.  Perhaps a sign up in advance should be instituted but that might not be needed since we think many Friends will still prefer to join worship via Zoom.  [10 to 15 was mentioned as reasonable numbers to assume for this].  Meeting for Worship with attention to business and fourth Sunday programming may need to be largely over Zoom since we do not think Friends should eat together in the Meetinghouse.  (Those who stay could eat outside at least 6 feet apart or in their cars).

There are some rules that Friends should agree to for everyone's safety.

1. Masks should be kept on while in the Meetinghouse and in the front if closer than six feet to someone you do not live with.
2. Windows should remain at least partially open whenever Friends are there. [Property committee will need to work on air circulation/disinfection before heating season begins]
3. For now, the fellowship room, kitchen and classrooms will not be used.
4. A designated greeter is the only person opening the front door and other doors will remain open to and from the Meeting room and bathrooms.
5. After using a toilet, the lid should be shut before flushing.  Any surface touched (such as handles) should be wiped with disinfectant on leaving.  [Using gloves is also helpful but only if they do not become contaminated so disinfecting surfaces is still needed.]
6. Friends need to avoid lingering to converse indoors.  We know that socializing is important to our Meeting community but it is wiser currently that it happen outdoors at appropriate distance or virtually.
7. While there may be a need to keep higher risk individuals away for now, setting rules about this didn't seem good to us.  Friends are likely to be able to assess their own risk and not come to the Meetinghouse though reminders about risk may need to be given [via announcements, on our website and posted at the Meetinghouse].

J. J.

Peace, Social, and Earthcare Concerns Committee Report

Peace, Social, and Earthcare Concerns Committee Notes [20] (via Zoom)

Seventh Month 2, 2020

Attending:  Faith S, clerk; Richard K; Charlie F; J. J. S; Wendy L; Kathy U; Jeanne Hruska from NH ACLU, guest.

Committee meeting began with silent worship.

Discussion was centered around mass incarceration, which is directly related to police racial bias.  In New Hampshire disproportionately more Blacks and people of color [POC] are arrested, which means that Blacks and POC are disproportionately incarcerated.  (KU read today, 7/3/2020, that Blacks are 1.7% of New Hampshire’s population, but almost 17% of prison population.)

Jeanne Hruska detailed three bills which have key items related to the above issue.  All three NH bills had bipartisan support and passed both houses.

HB 1645

• The bill requires police to report misconduct
• Ban on chokeholds
• Continuance of bail reform

HB 1558

The bill reforms student discipline guidelines, delineating specific disciplines for specific reasons and limit days of suspension.  Youth need to be in school.  Again, Black students and POC receive suspensions disproportionately, and it has been shown that this discipline tactic is a pipe line to incarceration.

HB 1162

If a youth is taken out of the family home and is placed in foster care, etc. the lawyer assigned to the case must stay with the youth even after placement.  Also, families will not have to pay court ordered costs.

Jeanne Hruska recommends:

• Contact Governor Sununu to let him know that you want him to sign these bills into law.
• Contact candidates who are running in your district and ask specifically, “Do you think POC and Blacks are incarcerated disproportionately?”  Try to make them answer.
• The county attorneys play an important role in this issue.  Ask those wh are running for county attorney the same question NH needs more people running for county attorney.  It was suggested that the NH Bar Association and Criminal Defenders Association would help promote this.

Discussion points:

• Looking at what police are allowed to donow is key to disproportionate incarceration.
• Funding for police went up during the same period that social work funding went down.  There is social work and there is police work.
• Discussion on pretextual stops.
• Jeanne placed information in Zoom chat room.  Wendy agreed to copy and send to committee members

Thank you to Jeanne Hruska.

Meeting was adjourned.

Notes taken by Kathy U