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127
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1 *Meeting for Sufferings Appeal Review Group final report*
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2
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3 QF&P provides for an process of appeal to MfS with respect to
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4 decisions of an Area Meeting and disputes between Area Meeting.
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5 Experience with this process has been less than wholly positive, and
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6 MfS commissioned a review. The review group reported with
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7 recommendations for a narrowed and simplified process, including a
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8 preference for a "conflict transformation" approach (as opposed to
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9 "conflict resolution") and an explicit place for mediation before
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10 things get to Sufferings.
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11
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129
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12 We approved these recommendations, and specific changes to QF&P will
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127
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13 be forthcoming.
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14
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129
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15 We called Area Meetings' attention to the recommendation in QF&P that
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16 they should have a "conciliation group".
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17
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128
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18 There as some questioning of the value of the phrases "conflict
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19 resolution" _or_ "conflict transformation" _or_ any other language
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20 which raises expectations of success which cannot be met or fear of
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21 coercion.
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22
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127
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23 In this context Friends are reminded that Quaker Life can provide help
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24 and guidance to Meetings which are taken by surprise/taken aback by
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128
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25 apparently irresolvable internal conflict, and that asking for help
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26 _early_ is essential to avoid exacerbating aspects of a situation
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27 through ignorance.
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127
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28
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128
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29 The review group also suggested that beyond the narrow matter of an
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30 appeals procedure, the larger question of how we deal with conflict as
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31 a Society, as Meetings and as individuals needs to be considered.
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32
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33 In this context we were reminded that difficulties around Membership
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34 often arise from "lack of familiarity with Quaker ... processes" and
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35 that accordingly care for a Ministry of Teaching in our meetings is
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127
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36 necessary to help promote this familiarity.
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