BYMT/10/03/17 Prospects

We have received a paper from the Clerk “Prospects – developing the discussion” with an appendix from Gillian Ashmore on some developments since October 2009 (T/10/03-4). We have spent substantial time in two sessions discussing and developing our vision for the centrally managed work of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), looking ahead to the period covering both the current Framework for action and beyond. We have also reflected on some aspects of the Yearly Meeting for which we do not have direct responsibility.

We see the core purpose of BYM as maintaining and developing the faith community of Quakers. We acknowledge the importance of the centrally managed work in fostering the worship and witness of Friends. We recognise that the centrally managed work encompasses three strands: church, charity and business. In our discussion we have explored the relationships between these three strands.

A key aspect of the centrally managed work is the provision of services which will support and enable Friends throughout the Yearly Meeting in their work and in realising the aspirations expressed in A Framework for action. We hope that imaginative ways may be found to develop and organise these services, such as we already see in the development of advocacy work.

We question whether the current committee structure provides the most effective and efficient means by which central work is discerned and monitored, while recognising the essential value of wide participation. Many Friends have skills and experience which are not currently being used to assist Quaker work. We need structures and mechanisms which are appropriate to Friends’ lifestyles today and which will not deter some Friends from accepting service.

We sense that the governance costs of BYM are probably too high for the times in which we live and for the size of the organisation. We urge Friends to be bold in considering and accepting different ways of achieving good governance which are nevertheless consistent with our faith, rooted as it is in the worshipping communities.

We could make more effective use of resources by being more willing and able to withdraw from or hand on areas of work where others are also working and where the distinctive Quaker voice is not vital.

We encourage the continuing exploration of collaboration with the Woodbrooke Trustees and remain open to the potential for collaboration and partnership with other bodies.

We reaffirm our vision for Friends House as expressed in our paper of July 2008, which is attached to this minute. As part of this, we confirm the role for Friends House in generating income to support Quaker work and we encourage Friends House (London) Hospitality Ltd to develop proposals to increase this potential.

We send this minute to Meeting for Sufferings, clerks of central and standing committees, Management Meeting and Friends House (London) Hospitality Ltd. We hope it will be read widely by other Friends.