DQM 2014-01-26
DRAFT MINUTES for DOVER QUARTERLY MEETING of FRIENDS
Attending at Dover Friends Meetinghouse – Dover, NH
26th of First Month 2014
2014-01.1 Dover Quarterly Meeting met at Dover on 26th of First Month 2014.
Following a generous potluck lunch, we gathered to hear a presentation by Tom Jackson (Dover MM) about the movement to divest from fossil fuels and related companies. Tom presented a proposed minute from Dover Friends regarding divestment and the need to end the use of fossil fuels for the sake of the environment.
We then gathered for a brief meeting for the conduct of business. Friends were present from Weare (1), Gonic (1), Concord (2), Arnie Alpert (NH-AFSC), and Dover (8).
2014-01.2 Minutes of Ninth Month 2013 were approved without correction.
2014-01.3 N.H. AFSC
Arnie Alpert reported that AFSC-NH is paying close attention to the New Hampshire statehouse and publishes the weekly Statehouse Watch newsletter. Arnie is also appearing weekly on the radio via WNHN, 94.7 FM. He reported that prospects in the N.H. House are “pretty good” for repeal of the death penalty, but are a bit uncertain in the Senate, and he encouraged Friends to contact their senators.
Arnie is available to visit meetings to talk more about the work of AFSC-NH.
2014-01.4 Meeting Officers
Marian expressed her wishes to step down as clerk of the Quarter, and Muriel Farrar has also expressed her wish to be replaced as treasurer. Bill Woodward (Dover MM) offered to take over the duties of treasurer. Jay Smith, who has been serving as assistant clerk, agreed to take over as clerk in the fall.
2014-01.5 Sister Meeting in Holguin, Cuba
The co-clerks of the Puente de Amigos Committee, Leonard and Mary Ann Cadwallader, are traveling to Cuba with a group from Hanover Monthly Meeting, first to Havana to establish a sister relationship with the Havana meeting, and then to Cuba Yearly Meeting in Gibara. They have offered to carry letters and we wish to take advantage of the opportunity to send a letter to our sister meeting in Holguin. Sara Hubner volunteered to write the letter.
2014-01.6 Next Meeting
Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled to be at Riverwoods with the Exeter Worship Group, and Marian would like to talk with us about her travel among Friends in Uganda and Tanzania.
After some discussion regarding the cost/benefit of visiting in Exeter, Friends agreed to ask the Exeter Worship Group to host us.
Jay Smith expressed his concern regarding the vitality of Dover Quarter. He also suggested talking about the controversy within the Yearly Meeting about or relationship with Friends United Meeting concerning FUM’s employment policy that does not permit the employment of any person who is part of a couple living together without being married.
Sara and Marian volunteered to work on publicity for our next meeting, at Exeter.
Jay will contact Debbie Humphries (Hartford MM) about speaking to us at our June meeting and asked for flexibility to change the date of the meeting in order to accommodate Debbie’s schedule.
After a period of open worship, Meeting adjourned, purposing to meet at Dover on 3/30/14, God willing.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara Hubner, Recording Clerk
