Meeting for Sufferings: Central nominations committee
Central Nominations reported on how they are working under new terms of reference
Christine Habgood-Coote and Terry Faull, the clerks of the central nominations committee (CNC), reported on how they are working under their new terms of reference, which were adopted by Yearly Meeting (YM) in 2016. They will report to YM in 2019, but have been asked to give annual reports to Sufferings in the meantime.
Christine Habgood-Coote noted that the size of CNC has dropped more quickly than expected as Friends have asked to be released. She said: ‘We are asking a lot of Friends who are sitting on CNC and as clerks. We worry about the burden we are placing on them. If you’ve got someone who is sitting on Central Nominations, please do not ask them to do anything else.’ As for the new ways of working, she said ‘the consideration of names now happens mostly in the search groups. Potential nominees are approached for informal discussions early in the process, and we think this has been very helpful in testing our discernment and theirs.’
CNC is working on better communications, including the use of clerks’ mailings. Addressing the challenges in finding Friends to serve, Terry Faull said: ‘How can we involve all Friends in the central work of Britain Yearly Meeting, including younger Friends, those with disabilities and those with work or other commitments?’
Working in new ways is an evolving process, ‘and we believe that CNC has made an encouraging start,’ Terry concluded. In response to a question, Terry said that engaging more Friends could involve changing how, when, where and how often committees meet, and that is part of the discussion to be had between CNC and the other committees.
Christine added that younger Friends might not serve a full three years because their circumstances often change, but the experience of serving even for one year is invaluable for the future. Sufferings minuted acceptance of the report.
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Meeting for Sufferings: Central nominations committee
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8 Jun 2017 | by Harry Albright
This is a very interesting observation. It is difficult getting younger Friends to serve on committees because of their own circumstances of change.
There is also the problem of Friends moving house. I was on Central Nominations Committee. , Representing central England Quakers. (Warwickshire Monthly Meeting), I moved to the Isle of Wight at the end of 2006. I joined the Hampshire and Islands Area Meeting. which is nearly 11 years ago now. I don’t know whether one can go on a Central Nominations Committee, again (considering the huge changes, and length of time since I’ve served as a representative for a different AM). I am willing to help if you need me. I am already a rep on QLRC. I don’t know whether that stops me being asked to go on Central Nominations Committee?
In reply to overburden Friends by asking them to go on CNC, as well as been on other committees. I believe it is up to the individual to make that decision, As they know best themselves whether they are capable of doing several jobs or not. Some people thrive on being involved in Quakers.
I hope this helps,
Marlêne Cantan-Taylor
By Marlêne Cantan-Taylor on 8th June 2017 - 11:53
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