CMM 2011-01-09

Minutes of Meeting for Worship for Business

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting

Religious Society of Friends

1st Month 9, 2011

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting gathered in Meeting for Worship for Business at the meetinghouse in Canterbury, NH. Friends present were:  14

The meeting began with a period of silent worship.

1.1  Amending Minutes:  The meeting discussed procedure around changing and approving minutes.  It was agreed that specific changes to the minutes will only be recorded in the revised copy of the minutes that will be circulated to the meeting.

1.2  Report from meeting of the Committee of Clerks.

The clerks of the committees met on 1st Month 5, 2011 at the home of Alisa Barnard and reported the following:

  • Ruth agreed to follow up with first time visitors
  • The clerks were asked to work with their committees to create a committee job description
  • Committees were asked to consider what type of web presence that they would like on the Concord Friends Meeting website
  • Clerks discussed division of labor between committees
  • Hand drying
  • Hospitality Committee Picture board proposal
  • Committees were asked to create “wish lists” and submit them to the clerks
  • Library
  • Expense reimbursements
  • The Hospitality Committee has made a request of Nominating Committee to nominate 2 more members

Pending issues:  best procedures for job sign ups; committees will continue to think about this

1.3  Budget Committee Report:

The Budget committee reported:

  • Income through 12/10: $5,229.84
  • Expenses through 12/10: $6,235.18
  • Total Budget through 12/10: $9,887.26

The budget committee was asked to consider employing a more structured system for soliciting funds for operating expenses, perhaps through a monthly donation. It was suggested that members and attenders reconsider the amount that they may give in a year, specifically in light of the fact that operating expenses (i.e. heat, hospitality) are proving to be somewhat greater than anticipated. In making donations, individuals are asked to specifically state the intended destination of their contribution.

1.4  Hospitality Report:

The Hospitality Committee will hang a shopping list on a clipboard in the kitchen that anyone can add to as necessary.

The committee is assuming responsibility for assigning individuals to the job of final clean up

New meeting time: 3rd Sunday at 8:45 am

The committee is working on generating a proposal for a Photo board in the lobby

The meeting was asked to consider whether or not we would like the Hospitality Committee to provide food and drinks for fellowship after worship each week.

Hospitality budget - $660 is currently budgeted under the Hospitality Committee which the meeting was informed is dedicated to advertising; the committee requested that the meeting approve an increase to the budget in order to cover the cost of kitchen staples, food, etc. Friends approved a proposal to dedicate $150 raised during the SERVV and calendar fundraisers to the Hospitality Budget as a stop gap measure until the committee, in consultation with the Budget Committee, can request a specific amount for their budget.

The meeting was reminded that the Treasurer has authority to write checks for any item that was approved in the budget, regardless of the amount of money raised over the year to date provided funds are available.

1.5  Updated Contact List:

The meeting approved the clerks request that they be permitted to remove the names of individuals who have not attended meeting for years from the Contact List.

1.6  Ministry and Counsel Committee Report:

New meeting time: 4th Sunday, rise of meeting

Working on developing a Quaker education program that will begin in February

Will be putting a sign on the entrance in front of the bathrooms directing Friends to use the other door when entering the building.

The meeting approved a request from Carolyn Sutcliffe to transfer her membership to North Sandwich Meeting.

1.7  Housing Committee Report:

The Housing Committee shared with the meeting a list of anticipated costs associated with the completion of the meetinghouse. The committee requested input from the meeting that may help them in prioritizing incomplete tasks.

1.8  Youth Religious Education Committee Announcements:

The Quarterly Meeting program at the end of January will be focused on youth religious education and will include in intergenerational (and fun!) activity.

Linda Peters has stepped down as a teacher.

Anyone interested in occasionally serving as an assistant teacher with the children should contact the YRE committee.

Minutes accepted when signed,

Greg Heath, Clerk

Alisa Barnard, Recording Clerk

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