Meeting for Sufferings: Review group agreed for listed informal groups
Meeting for Sufferings agreed to recommend the setting up of a review group to consider the status of informal groups
Meeting for Sufferings (MfS) agreed to recommend the setting up of a small short term review group to consider the status of informal groups within Quakers in Britain. Quaker faith & practice (13.19) explains that ‘listed informal groups are independent groups through which Friends may share affirmation, or carry out witness’.
Juliet Prager, deputy recording clerk, introduced the subject and explained the background to the request to appoint a review group. She talked about some of the issues involved.
She explained that there are a wide range of different groups and a variety of ways in which they are structured and governed. This has created confusion and concerns.
It was stated: ‘Some organisations were set up by Quakers but now have very little direct engagement with the Society. Some have a strong relationship with Britain Yearly Meeting committees or clerks; some operate within Area Meetings; and others have little or no contact. Some have “Quaker” in their name, but there’s no consistent understanding about what this means. Some individuals publish “Quaker” material with little or no oversight from any Quaker body.’
At present there is no method for removing groups from the list and a number of Quaker-related organisations, similar to those that are ‘recognised’, are not included on the list.
It was recommended that there should be more clarity in the way listed informal groups were recognised. The benefits of a more formal method of recognition would include greater effectiveness, a better management of reputational risk, improved coordination, help with fundraising, support for Friends acting under concern and improved communication with different Quaker bodies.
It was felt that a review group could help by clarifying and strengthening the links between independent Quaker bodies, Quaker Meetings and Yearly Meeting. It could assist with practical suggestions for the future: for instance, ways of clarifying points of contact, identifying opportunities for partnerships and supporting vulnerable groups.
MfS agreed to establish a review group. Terms of reference would be brought to the next meeting of MfS.
