BULLS HEAD-OSWEGO MONTHLY MEETING
of the Religious Society of Friends
Minutes of Meeting of November 8, 2009
Present: Karen Snare, Clerk; Lee Haring, Recording Clerk for the Day; Mary Foster Cadbury, Val Suter, Christopher Cadbury, Caroline Webster, Vonn New, Elisabeth Prenot, Carol Rice, Sybil Perry, John Perry.
The meeting opens with a few moments of worshipful silence.
2009-55. The clerk reads a letter from Elisabeth Prenot requesting readmittance to membership; the letter is referred to the Committee on Ministry and Counsel.
2009-56. At the recommendation of Ministry and Counsel, the meeting receives the application for transfer of Kathleen Scanlon from Purchase Monthly Meeting, and she is accepted into membership. Vonn New and the Hospitality Committee are asked to plan a welcoming party for Friends recently admitted to membership.
2009-57. For the Committee on Ministry and Counsel, Val Suter announces future pot luck events from November 2009 through March 2010. Details will be put in the meeting calendar. The committee is considering the roles of meeting clerks, pursuant to minute 2009-50, and is organizing Friendly Bunches.
2009-58. The clerk reads several items of correspondence and appeals for funds, which have been received by the meeting. Specific requests have come from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, the Alternatives to Violence Project, William Penn House, Earlham College, and Earlham School of Religion.
Then adjourned to meet at the appointed time and place in December.
Karen Snare, Clerk
Lee Haring, Recording Clerk for the Day
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Friends Committee on National Legislation
has issued an action alert concerning the health care bill now making its way through Congress. Please click on the link above to respond.
has issued an action alert concerning the health care bill now making its way through Congress. Please click on the link above to respond.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
MINUTES BULLS HEAD OSWEGO MONTHLY MEETING FOR BUSINESS 10/11/2009
Present: Janet Carter, Christopher Cadbury, Mary Cadbury, John Perry, Sybil Perry, Elisabeth Prenot, Christopher Sammond, Denise Sherman, Karen Snare, Caroline Webster, Mary Williams.
Meeting began at 12.30 after a brief opening silent worship.
2009-48 Denise Sherman agreed to act as recording clerk for the day.
2009-49. Mary Cadbury reported for the Nominating committee that they have not as yet been able to name a recording clerk. The Meeting approved their recommendation to name 3 people who will serve for 3 months each, to cover the period of October 2009 through June 2010. At this time Nominating committee brings forward the names of Lee Haring, to serve through December 2009, and Nancy Sorel, to serve in the spring of 2010. We will consider these nominations and bring them forward for approval at the next Monthly Meeting. No one has as yet been named for the winter of 2010. John Perry has agreed to mail the minutes to Friends who don't get them by email, and to print an acid-free copy to be sent to Swarthmore Library.
2009-50 As a result of Nominating committee’s struggle to fill the office of recording/assistant clerk, they proposed the following:
As we worked on discernment of how to present names for clerks - presiding, recording, and/or assistant clerks - we began to understand that there are differing views of the task of each of these appointees. And these differing expectations mean that among all of us present at monthly meetings for business, notions at cross purposes with each other may surface without our realizing or understanding what is happening.
Therefore we suggest that it is time to again look together at our meeting for worship for the purpose of business. What is the role of the clerk? Of the recording clerk? Of each member present? What is our vision of the meeting for business? How do we feel about the process of discernment? About following our leadings?
The Meeting referred this to Ministry & Counsel for their consideration, adding the further question of whether to find a different time for Meeting for Business.
2009-51 Mary Williams, clerk of Finance committee, submitted the third quarter Treasurer’s report, (attached) noting that our contributions are at 60% of our budget, which is higher than in previous years. Sybil Perry noted that the contribution of money for a planting in honor of Marge Currie is from Sonia Blumenthal, for an azalea to be planted in the spring.
2009-52 Karen Snare and Christopher Sammond reported on Budget Saturday, held 10/10/09. There were approximately 20+ Monthly Meetings represented, as well as regional Treasurers. At the start of the deliberations the budget contained a $33,000 shortfall. During the day $7000 was cut out of the budget. The Friends who were gathered pledged $5000, ending with a budget with a $21,000 shortfall. There was a clear sense that the budget had been cut as much as possible, and that the money budgeted will be expressly supporting things that are very important to Friends. The Yearly Meeting will send a letter to Friends explaining this, and will ask if Friends might be able to contribute more, either corporately or individually.
2009-53 Denise Sherman brings the following minute from Ministry & Counsel:
We have never gotten any calls from anyone searching for a meeting on our phone. We recommend eliminating the phone and that expense. In order to have a phone number to publish in the case that someone might call in the future, we recommend publishing the phone numbers of the clerk of the Meeting and the clerk of Ministry & Counsel in any place we currently list a Meeting number.
Friends approve in principle, but asked Mary Williams, with Vonn New to explore ways of obtaining a low cost permanent phone number for the Meeting. They will report their findings to Ministry & Counsel to consider and bring back to Monthly Meeting.
2009-54. Purchase Monthly Meeting has sent a letter of transfer of Membership for Kathie Scanlon. This is forwarded to Ministry & Counsel for their consideration.
Meeting closed at 1.50 pm, to meet again on November 8 at 12:30pm.
Meeting began at 12.30 after a brief opening silent worship.
2009-48 Denise Sherman agreed to act as recording clerk for the day.
2009-49. Mary Cadbury reported for the Nominating committee that they have not as yet been able to name a recording clerk. The Meeting approved their recommendation to name 3 people who will serve for 3 months each, to cover the period of October 2009 through June 2010. At this time Nominating committee brings forward the names of Lee Haring, to serve through December 2009, and Nancy Sorel, to serve in the spring of 2010. We will consider these nominations and bring them forward for approval at the next Monthly Meeting. No one has as yet been named for the winter of 2010. John Perry has agreed to mail the minutes to Friends who don't get them by email, and to print an acid-free copy to be sent to Swarthmore Library.
2009-50 As a result of Nominating committee’s struggle to fill the office of recording/assistant clerk, they proposed the following:
As we worked on discernment of how to present names for clerks - presiding, recording, and/or assistant clerks - we began to understand that there are differing views of the task of each of these appointees. And these differing expectations mean that among all of us present at monthly meetings for business, notions at cross purposes with each other may surface without our realizing or understanding what is happening.
Therefore we suggest that it is time to again look together at our meeting for worship for the purpose of business. What is the role of the clerk? Of the recording clerk? Of each member present? What is our vision of the meeting for business? How do we feel about the process of discernment? About following our leadings?
The Meeting referred this to Ministry & Counsel for their consideration, adding the further question of whether to find a different time for Meeting for Business.
2009-51 Mary Williams, clerk of Finance committee, submitted the third quarter Treasurer’s report, (attached) noting that our contributions are at 60% of our budget, which is higher than in previous years. Sybil Perry noted that the contribution of money for a planting in honor of Marge Currie is from Sonia Blumenthal, for an azalea to be planted in the spring.
2009-52 Karen Snare and Christopher Sammond reported on Budget Saturday, held 10/10/09. There were approximately 20+ Monthly Meetings represented, as well as regional Treasurers. At the start of the deliberations the budget contained a $33,000 shortfall. During the day $7000 was cut out of the budget. The Friends who were gathered pledged $5000, ending with a budget with a $21,000 shortfall. There was a clear sense that the budget had been cut as much as possible, and that the money budgeted will be expressly supporting things that are very important to Friends. The Yearly Meeting will send a letter to Friends explaining this, and will ask if Friends might be able to contribute more, either corporately or individually.
2009-53 Denise Sherman brings the following minute from Ministry & Counsel:
We have never gotten any calls from anyone searching for a meeting on our phone. We recommend eliminating the phone and that expense. In order to have a phone number to publish in the case that someone might call in the future, we recommend publishing the phone numbers of the clerk of the Meeting and the clerk of Ministry & Counsel in any place we currently list a Meeting number.
Friends approve in principle, but asked Mary Williams, with Vonn New to explore ways of obtaining a low cost permanent phone number for the Meeting. They will report their findings to Ministry & Counsel to consider and bring back to Monthly Meeting.
2009-54. Purchase Monthly Meeting has sent a letter of transfer of Membership for Kathie Scanlon. This is forwarded to Ministry & Counsel for their consideration.
Meeting closed at 1.50 pm, to meet again on November 8 at 12:30pm.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Monthly Meeting for Business September 13, 2009
Present: Mary Foster Cadbury, Christopher Cadbury, Bob West, Nettie West, Val Suter, Caroline Webster, Vonn New, & Karen Snare.
Minutes are numbered from the beginning of the calendar year.
The meeting opened with silent worship
2009 – 40 Vonn New volunteered to serve as Recording Clerk for the day. The meeting approved.
2009 – 41 Mary foster Cadbury reported for the Nominating Committee. The committee brought forward the name of Elisabeth Prenot for service on Hospitality.
The meeting approved.
The Nominating Committee is still seeking a person to serve as recording Clerk, and may ask several Friends to share the job.
Val Suter reported for Ministry and Counsel
2009 – 42 The committee brought the following letter of introduction for Carol Rice:
“Dear Friends,
This letter is to introduce our dear Friend and member Carol Rice, who is traveling in the United States and visiting Meetings. We send you our greetings through her, and commend Carol to your loving care.”
The letter was approved, and will be sent to Carol, who is already traveling.
2009 – 43 Val brought a recommendation for two grants from the Ricketson Education Fund, to assist with tuition to Oakwood Friends School. This recommendation has been seasoned by the clerk, the treasurer, and the clerk of Finance Committee, in addition to Ministry and Counsel. It is recommended that we grant $1000 to a Bulls Head attender, and $500 to a member of another meeting in Nine Partners Quarter.
The meeting approved.
2009 – 44 Announcements from Ministry and Counsel:
Sign-up begins next week for new Friendly Bunches.
Upcoming potlucks – 9/20 – Friends recollect Yearly Meeting Sessions.
10/18 – Peter Lang on Thomas Kelly
Val brought a number of letters received for Friends far away to share with the meeting. The letters will be in the Gathering Room.
Ministry and Counsel is discussing whether or not there is a need to maintain a telephone at Bulls Head meetinghouse. A recommendation will be forthcoming.
2009 – 45 Bob West reported for Finance Committee. He presented a spreadsheet (below) showing our budget, covenant donations to New York Yearly Meeting, and annual balance over the last 5 years. It was noted that last year we donated $11,500 to NYYM, and ended the year with a deficit of $2,329, and that contributions to the meeting have decreased over the last several years.
Finance Committee recommended that 2010’s covenant donation to NYYM be $10,000. We may increase this donation to a maximum of $12,000 in January, 2010, if we have a surplus over actual expenses for 2009. The meeting approved.
2009 – 46 The meeting asks Finance Committee to consider changing the meeting’s fiscal year to July 1 – June 30, in order to more accurately report our likely covenant donation in time for NYYM’s “Budget Saturday”
2009 – 47 In order to provide feedback of priorities to NYYM Financial Services Committee, Friends plan a discussion of which programs of Yearly Meeting are of particular concern to us. This will be held Sunday, September 27 at rise of meeting, over a brown bag lunch. Friends who are not able to be present are invited to send written comments to the clerk.
Karen Snare, clerk
Vonn New, acting recording clerk
Minutes are numbered from the beginning of the calendar year.
The meeting opened with silent worship
2009 – 40 Vonn New volunteered to serve as Recording Clerk for the day. The meeting approved.
2009 – 41 Mary foster Cadbury reported for the Nominating Committee. The committee brought forward the name of Elisabeth Prenot for service on Hospitality.
The meeting approved.
The Nominating Committee is still seeking a person to serve as recording Clerk, and may ask several Friends to share the job.
Val Suter reported for Ministry and Counsel
2009 – 42 The committee brought the following letter of introduction for Carol Rice:
“Dear Friends,
This letter is to introduce our dear Friend and member Carol Rice, who is traveling in the United States and visiting Meetings. We send you our greetings through her, and commend Carol to your loving care.”
The letter was approved, and will be sent to Carol, who is already traveling.
2009 – 43 Val brought a recommendation for two grants from the Ricketson Education Fund, to assist with tuition to Oakwood Friends School. This recommendation has been seasoned by the clerk, the treasurer, and the clerk of Finance Committee, in addition to Ministry and Counsel. It is recommended that we grant $1000 to a Bulls Head attender, and $500 to a member of another meeting in Nine Partners Quarter.
The meeting approved.
2009 – 44 Announcements from Ministry and Counsel:
Sign-up begins next week for new Friendly Bunches.
Upcoming potlucks – 9/20 – Friends recollect Yearly Meeting Sessions.
10/18 – Peter Lang on Thomas Kelly
Val brought a number of letters received for Friends far away to share with the meeting. The letters will be in the Gathering Room.
Ministry and Counsel is discussing whether or not there is a need to maintain a telephone at Bulls Head meetinghouse. A recommendation will be forthcoming.
2009 – 45 Bob West reported for Finance Committee. He presented a spreadsheet (below) showing our budget, covenant donations to New York Yearly Meeting, and annual balance over the last 5 years. It was noted that last year we donated $11,500 to NYYM, and ended the year with a deficit of $2,329, and that contributions to the meeting have decreased over the last several years.
Finance Committee recommended that 2010’s covenant donation to NYYM be $10,000. We may increase this donation to a maximum of $12,000 in January, 2010, if we have a surplus over actual expenses for 2009. The meeting approved.
2009 – 46 The meeting asks Finance Committee to consider changing the meeting’s fiscal year to July 1 – June 30, in order to more accurately report our likely covenant donation in time for NYYM’s “Budget Saturday”
2009 – 47 In order to provide feedback of priorities to NYYM Financial Services Committee, Friends plan a discussion of which programs of Yearly Meeting are of particular concern to us. This will be held Sunday, September 27 at rise of meeting, over a brown bag lunch. Friends who are not able to be present are invited to send written comments to the clerk.
Karen Snare, clerk
Vonn New, acting recording clerk
Friday, September 11, 2009
August, Called Meeting for Business
Bulls Head-Oswego Monthly Meeting Called Meeting for Business
8/30/ 2009
Present: Adam Pinsker, Denise Sherman, Mary Williams, David Cardall, Sam Adams, Mary Foster Cadbury, Christopher Cadbury, Sybil Perry, John Perry, Caroline Webster, Janet Carter, Elisabeth Prenot, Bill Leicht, Leif Anderson, Julia Giordano, Anna Margaret Birkel, Valerie Suter.
Minutes are numbered from the beginning of the calendar year.
The meeting opens in worshipful silence.
2009 – 38 The meeting appoints Denise Sherman as clerk for the day and Valerie Suter as recording clerk for the day.
2009 – 39 The meeting approves the recommendation from Ministry and Counsel to hold the annual meeting for worship and the September Meeting for Business at our Oswego meetinghouse on September 13, 2009.
The meeting adjourns to meet again on September 13.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie J. Suter, recording clerk for the day
July Monthly Meeting for Business
Bulls Head-Oswego Monthly Meeting for Business
July 12, 2009
Present: John Perry, Sybil Perry, Mary Foster Cadbury, Christopher Cadbury, Julia Giordano, Henry Muller, Mary Williams, Caroline Webster, Vonn New, & Karen Snare.
Minutes are numbered from the beginning of the calendar year.
The meeting opened in worshipful silence.
- Mary Williams presented the Treasurer’s Report for the second quarter (attached).
The Finance Committee plans to send a letter in August and a postcard in November, in hopes of raising enough income to meet the budget.
- Sybil Perry reported for Ministry and Counsel.
Valerie Suter has been named as clerk of the committee.
The curriculum, "Relating to Early Friends: their experience and ours." has been approved for use in the Spiritual Nurture group.
A potluck is planned for August 16. The program will be ‘A Day of Fun’.
The annual report from the committee is attached.
- The meeting’s representative to the Meeting for Discernment is unable to attend summer sessions. Vonn New volunteered to be alternate representative. The meeting approved.
- The clerk read a list of requests for funds. Details are in the Gathering Room.:
Quaker House
Pendle Hill
Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns
Food Bank of the Hudson Valley (note – the meeting donates $100 annually)
The meeting closed with silent worship at 1:15pm
Karen Snare, clerk
June Monthly Meeting for Business
Bulls Head-Oswego Monthly Meeting for Business
June 14, 2009
Present: John Perry, Sybil Perry, Mary Foster Cadbury, Christopher Cadbury, Carol Rice, Kathie Scanlon, Bob West, Nettie West, Val Suter, Vonn New, & Karen Snare.
Minutes are numbered from the beginning of the calendar year.
The meeting opens in worshipful silence.
2009-22 Vonn New volunteered to be recording clerk for the day. The meeting approved.
2009-23 Clerk brings a question to the body regarding mail that comes to Meeting soliciting funds, and whether she should bring these requests to the body. The Meeting does not have funds to respond to these requests; however Friends would like to hear about the requests in order to respond individually. Kathie Scanlon volunteers to coordinate placement of the literature somewhere in the Gathering Room. A list will be read at each Meeting for Business
The clerk read a list of current requests:
- Greta Mickey, peace concerns coordinator for NYYM and former BH member, requests funds for a return trip to the Rep of Georgia to work with AVP there.
- Earlham School of Religion.
- FUM – Kaimosi Hospital
- Friends Journal
- The Redemption Center
- FUM Summer Mission Project 2009 Bikes for Boys in Belize
2009-24 Mary Foster Cadbury for the Library committee suggests a meeting of all concerned about the organization and use of the Gathering room building. Friends agree to hold this meeting on August 9 after meeting for worship. Mary Foster Cadbury agrees to facilitate. Friends are invited to submit ideas to Mary in advance.
2009-25 For the library committee, Mary Foster Cadbury reports that Friends are not borrowing books very much. She is asking if it would be useful to purchase books that might be given to new attenders. She presents lists of materials acquired in 2008 and so far in 2009, which is attached and will be posted to the website. A suggestion is made that some books may be given to prison worship groups.
The clerk will be expecting annual reports from the other committees in the next few months.
2009-26 Val Suter reports for M&C: M&C recommends accepting the request for transfer for membership for Carol Rice from Purchase Meeting. The meeting agrees.
2009-27 M&C recommends accepting the request for transfer for membership for Caroline Besse Webster from Hartford Meeting. The meeting agrees.
2009-28 M&C reports that $373 was spent on Marge Currie’s memorial. $128 of that was received in donations.
2009-29 A request from the NYYM Indian Affairs committee in the form of a questionnaire is forwarded from M&C to the body for consideration. The clerk reads the questions and Friends respond. The clerk will email our responses to the committee. Sybil Perry agrees to be the liason between Bulls Head Meeting and the YM IA committee. A suggestion is made that M&C consider Yearly Meeting work on Indian Affairs as a topic for a future program.
2009-30 The body suggests to M&C a future program on the work of the yearly meeting and our participation in its various committees.
2009-31 Mary Foster Cadbury, as clerk of Nine Partners QM, brings a request the Bulls Head Meeting hosts QM on May 2, 2010. The meeting agrees and several members express appreciation for the opportunity to work together to make preparations. The meeting requests that Trustees coordinate work days and take responsibility for the preparations.
2009-32 Val Suter reports for the Naming committee. The committee recommends that John Perry be named to the nominating committee for a 3 year term. The meeting approves.
2009-33 The Nominating Committee will consist of 3 members instead of 4 and is requested to tell the monthly meeting if they feel they need another member.
Meeting closes with silent worship at 2:20 p.m.
Karen Snare, clerk
Vonn New, recording clerk for the day.
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