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annotate QiS/What_are_QiS.html @ 578:d87ad190e398

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author	Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
date	Tue, 19 Nov 2024 09:44:14 +0000
parents	d55fe21333e7
children

rev	line source
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d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	110 .footnote {width: 100%; font-size: 80%; float: none; clear: none}</style><title>SESAM and the Quakers in Scotland draft proposal</title></head><body style="font-family: DejaVu Sans, Arial; background: rgb(254,250,246)"><div style="text-align: center" class="head"><h1>SESAM and the Quakers in Scotland draft proposal</h1><hr/><div class="byline">Henry S. Thompson</div><div class="byline">1 April 2024</div><div class="copyright">Copyright © 2024 <a href="http://www.ltg.ed.ac.uk/~ht/">Henry S. Thompson</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC-BY-SA</a></div></div><div class="body"><div><h2>1. Introduction</h2><p>I have struggled at the last two threshing meetings about the proposed
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	111 governing document (now version of 2024-03-21, hereafter GD) for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	112 Quakers in Scotland (<b>QiS</b>) to adequately convey my concerns. In
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	113 writing this I'm attempting to do better, not only with respect to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	114 what I think is wrong, but also by suggesting how it could be fixed.</p><p>It's not short, and there's an even longer appendix of background
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	115 detail, so this section provides a summary.</p><p>In their cover letter for the draft GD sent to SESAM Trustees on
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	116 2024-01-06, the <b>QiS</b> Coordinating Group says</p><blockquote xmlns="" xmlns:x="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">"The Options for Scotland group [proposes] that we form a <i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">single
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	117 charity</i> and that we form a <i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">single body</i>. The idea of a single
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	118 body clearly needs more work to discern what this might look
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	119 like. It will take time. That idea is not part of what we are
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	120 asking you about here." (emphasis added)</blockquote><p>Not including a story about "the body" (which I'll call "the church" for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	121 now) is the primary source of the problems the GD presents for SESAM. Until
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	122 this is fixed I recommend that:</p><blockquote xmlns="" xmlns:x="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	123 <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">SESAM Trustees should advise SESAM that SESAM <i>should not</i> agree to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	124 joining <b>QiS</b> without substantial changes to the governing document,
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	125 distinguishing between the charity and the church and making their
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	126 relationship explicit, following the model of the governing document
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	127 for Britain Yearly Meeting (the charity).</p>
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	128 <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">An updated GD needs to make explicit provision for the possibility
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	129 of SESAM (the church) continuing <i>as</i> an Area Meeting while laying
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	130 down SESAM (the charity) <i>should it decide to do so</i>. There must be clarity on SESAM (the church)'s
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	131 status with respect to <b>QiS</b> (the church)</p>
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	132 </blockquote><p>In what follows I'll start by identifying the problems I see with the GD, and go on to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	133 outline the kind of changes I think would improve it, to the point
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	134 where SESAM would support the creation of <b>QiS</b>, both church and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	135 charity, take its place as part of <b>QiS</b> (the church) and consider
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	136 laying down SESAM (the charity) in favour of <b>QiS</b> (the charity).</p></div><div><h2>2. Problems with the GD</h2><p>The GD uses "Quakers in Scotland" for both the charity and the church, without
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	137 ever explicitly acknowledging that they are distinct. Sometimes
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	138 context makes clear which they are referring to, but not always.</p><p>There are two problems here:</p><ol class=" alpha"><li>The lack of a clear distinction between the two, exemplified
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	139 further by the calling letter for GM on 6 April 2024, which
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	140 describes the matter before the Meeting once as "a single Quaker
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	141 body" and once as "a single Quaker charity / body";</li><li>The very limited nature of what is said, or more often implied,
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	142 about the church. This is acknowledged in the quote above: "[the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	143 body] is not part of what we are asking you about here".</li></ol><p>These problems arise in large part because, perfectly understandably,
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	144 the <b>QiS</b> Coordinating Group evidently started with a template for governing documents for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	145 (English/Welsh) CIOs made available by Quaker Life
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	146 (<a href="https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/cio-constitution-template-agreed-2014">https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/cio-constitution-template-agreed-2014</a>),
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	147 which embodies the same confusion*.</p><p>But <i>why</i> are these problems for SESAM, and even granted that they are, why do
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	148 they need to be fixed <i>now</i>?</p><p>They are problems because the existing Area Meetings' responsibilities
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	149 and activities as a worshipping body, governed by Meetings for Worship
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	150 for Church Affairs of their membership as set out in Quaker Faith and Practice (QF&P), are largely
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	151 distinct from their responsibilities and activities as a charity,
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	152 governed by trustees. The former consist of, for example, the spiritual and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	153 pastoral care of their members and their witness to their communities, grounded in our
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	154 testimonies, whereas the latter focus on
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	155 maintaining the Area Meeting's legal status and financial well-being.
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	156 As for Britain Yearly Meeting, whose succinct self-characterisation
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	157 recently has been "A simple church supported by a simple charity", so
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	158 it should be for Area Meetings. QF&P has useful
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	159 guidance on this relationship throughout section 15. 15.03 is
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	160 particularly relevant:</p><p> "The law may assume that authority for determining action
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	161 passes to the trustees and the meeting may choose to do
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	162 this. However, under Gospel Order, the ultimate authority will
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	163 still lie with the gathered meeting."</p><p>The reasons these problems need to be fixed <i>now</i> are</p><ol class=" "><li>In general, because the current lack of clarity on the governance
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	164 structure of <b>QiS</b> makes it impossible for the members of SESAM to know how and to what
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	165 extent they will have any say in what happens to their assets and property.</li><li>In particular, because it is laid on Area Meeting
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	166 trustees to manage the assets of the Area Meeting in such a way as to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	167 support the charitable objects of the Area Meeting, and without a
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	168 clear understanding of how that will continue to be true once those
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	169 assets are transferred to the <b>SCIO</b>, they would fail in that
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	170 responsibility, which the law expresses as <span>"[they</span> must] seek, in good
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	171 faith, to ensure that the charity acts in a manner which is consistent
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	172 with its purposes"</li></ol><p>A clear separation between the church and the charity is a simple first step towards the necessary clarifications.</p><div class="note footnote"><small><i><p>* Indeed SESAM (the charity)'s own governing document is also based on a
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	173 similar, more recent, template for non-incorporated Area Meetings from
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	174 Quaker Life
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	175 (<a href="https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/governing-document-for-am-cc-approved-11-2022-final">https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/governing-document-for-am-cc-approved-11-2022-final</a>),
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	176 and so also suffers from these problems.</p>
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	177 <p>East of Scotland AM
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	178 and North of Scotland AM's governing documents are also based on the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	179 non-incorporated Area Meeting template. Stewardship of North of
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	180 Scotland Quaker Trust is identified as a responsibility of NSAM
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	181 Trustees in their Terms of Reference. West of Scotland's document is
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	182 shorter, and perhaps based on an early template, compared to the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	183 others.</p></i></small></div></div><div><h2>3. A note on terminology</h2><p>For clarity, hereafter
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	184 I'll call <b>QiS</b> (the charity) the <b>SCIO</b>, short for the (proposed) "Scottish Charitable
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	185 Incorporated Organisation" and I'll call <b>QiS</b> (the church) the <b>RSFS</b>, short
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	186 for the "Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Scotland".</p></div><div><h2>4. Improving the GD</h2><div><h4>4.1. Distinguishing the charity and the church</h4><p>The GD should make a clear distinction between the <b>SCIO</b> and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	187 the <b>RSFS</b>, modelled on the distinction found in the governing document of
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	188 "Britain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	189 (Britain Yearly Meeting)" as registered with the Charity Commission
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	190 (charity no. 1127633). Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) is (an English)
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	191 Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Its governing document defines
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	192 that lengthy name as the charity and "The Religious Society of Friends
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	193 (Quakers) in Britain" as the church.</p></div><div><h4>4.2. The future of the Area Meeting(s)</h4><p>The GD should make it explicit that in the first instance
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	194 the four Area Meetings, as well as General Meeting for Scotland, will
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	195 continue to exist and function after the creation of the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	196 <b>SCIO</b> and the <b>RSFS</b>. These five will constitute the <b>Constituent Meetings</b> of the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	197 <b>RSFS</b>. Initially membership of the <b>RSFS</b> will be defined as
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	198 membership of any of the Constituent Area Meetings.</p><p>The GD should specify that transfer from the Constituent Meetings of</p><ul class=" "><li>their assets, properties and trusteeship to the <b>SCIO</b></li><li>their spiritual and pastoral activities and responsibilities to the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	199 <b>RSFS</b></li></ul><p>will be at their discretion as to both timing and substance. Membership
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	200 matters should not be transferred to the <b>RSFS</b> until such time as
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	201 QF&P recognises the <b>RSFS</b> as a body that can carry out the relevant
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	202 procedures per QF&P chapter 11.</p><p>We feel strongly that many of our spiritual and pastoral activities
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	203 are best served in smaller constituencies that the <b>RSFS</b>. We
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	204 understand that some Area Meetings need to unburden themselves quickly
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	205 of some of their responsibilities, but we hope that they will wish to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	206 retain some of them, particularly membership, pastoral care and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	207 eldership.</p><p>Accordingly, the GD should make clear that for those things
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	208 <i>not</i> transfered to the <b>SCIO</b> and/or the <b>RSFS</b>, Constituent
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	209 Meetings will remain as parts of the Religious Society of Friends
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	210 (Britain), governed by the relevant parts of QF&P.</p></div><div><h4>4.3. Governance of the <b>RSFS</b></h4><p>The GD should specify how the <b>RSFS</b> operates as a Quaker
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	211 Meeting. There should be an annual Meeting for Worship for Church Affairs open
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	212 to all members. At least in the short term the Clerks of the Constituent
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	213 Meetings should serve as the clerking team for this, with one of their number
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	214 actually serving as the Clerk on the day. Other Meetings could be held when
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	215 required. At least three representatives of each Constituent Meeting must be
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	216 present for any Meeting of the <b>RSFS</b> to be able to conduct
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	217 business.</p><p>The above is intended to allow for a structure for the governance of the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	218 <b>RSFS</b> very like the way in which Yearly Meeting and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	219 Meeting for Sufferings together provide governance for Britain Yearly Meeting
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	220 (the church).</p><p>The amendment of the GD and the appointment of trustees, of a Treasurer who is <i>ex officio</i>
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	221 a trustee and of a Nominations Committee should all be
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	222 identified in the GD as matters reserved to the <b>RSFS</b> in session.
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	223 There should be at least one trustee from each Constituent Area Meeting.</p></div></div><div><h2>5. Some extensive background, which has informed my thinking.</h2><p>Thanks to Jackie Noltingk, Erica Thomas and Lesley Richards for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	224 helpful answers to my questions, and to Kathryn Gulliver and Piers Voysey for sending
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	225 me copies of their AM's governing documents.</p><div><h4>5.1. Mostly about QiS</h4><p>The General Meeting for Scotland (GM) mailing list were told
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	226 (2023-11-17), in regard to</p><p> "(1) The possibility of merging our existing 6 charities into a
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	227 single body, Quakers in Scotland.</p><p> "(2) How we might organise all our concerns and worship more
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	228 effectively as a single charity."</p><p>that</p><p> "The first step for (1) is to agree a governing document to replace
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	229 the six comparable documents that apply to our existing charities."</p><p>and</p><p> "Friends will hear more requests soon to join in important
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	230 discussions relating to (2)."</p><p>I've searched my inbox without success for any request to "join in
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	231 important discussions relating to (2)" until, possibly, the invitation
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	232 from <b>QiS</b>-CG (2024-03-11) to two "information and discussion sessions
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	233 on progress with work towards having a single body and charity for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	234 Quakers in Scotland".</p><p>However the cover letter from <b>QiS</b> (2024-01-06) sent to SESAM Trustees
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	235 says</p><p> "The Options for Scotland group [proposes] that we form a single
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	236 charity and that we form a single body. The idea of a single body
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	237 clearly needs more work to discern what this might look like. It
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	238 will take time. That idea is not part of what we are asking you
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	239 about here."</p><p>In fact the document laid before us in the special Area Meeting on
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	240 15 January (Draft of 2023 12 29c.docx) had a lot to say about the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	241 body. Or did it? As I read it at the time it didn't clearly
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	242 distinguish between the charity and the body, using the phrase
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	243 "Quakers in Scotland" in what I found to be confusing ways.</p><p>A new draft (Draft of 2024 03 21.docx) has just been made available,
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	244 with only modest changes from the earlier draft. I'll take it as
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	245 definitive with respect to what we will have before us on 6 April.
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	246 It hasn't changed much, if anything, of what I've found that makes me
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	247 uneasy about agreeing to adopt it.</p></div><div><h4>5.2. Existing models of church and charity structures</h4><div><h4>5.2.1. Britain Yearly Meeting</h4><p>The charity is Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, and Britain
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	248 Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers),
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	249 Charity number: 1127633</p><p>The governing document for this
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	250 (<a href="https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/bym-governing-document-revised-min34-bym2014">https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/bym-governing-document-revised-min34-bym2014</a>)
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	251 begins with the following definitions:</p><ol class=" alpha"><li>The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain refers to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	252 the church in England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	253 the Isle of Man, including all its local meetings for worship and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	254 its constituent meetings for church affairs as well as all their
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	255 work [referred to below as <b>the Society</b>].</li><li>Britain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	256 (Quakers) [<b>Britain Yearly Meeting</b>] refers to the centrally held
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	257 and managed policy, property, employment and work of the charity
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	258 constituted by this document.</li><li>Yearly Meeting in session [<b>Yearly Meeting</b>] refers to the annual
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	259 assembly that is open to all members of the Society.</li><li>Area Meetings are the main local meetings for church affairs and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	260 these are the level of the Society at which individual membership
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	261 is held. Each Area Meeting is a separate charitable entity and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	262 may be registered as such with the Charity Commission.</li><li><i>Quaker faith & practice</i> is the current edition of the Book of
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	263 Christian discipline of the Religious Society of Friends
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	264 (Quakers) in Britain</li><li>Meeting for Sufferings is the standing representative body of the Society.</li><li>The term Friend refers to a member of the Society.</li></ol><p>Note that there are two clearly distinguished entities, "the church"
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	265 and "the charity". The charity is governed by the above referenced
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	266 governing document, the church by the Red Book.</p><p>Subsequent articles make clear that the Society, embodied in Yearly
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	267 Meeting in session and Meeting for Sufferings, is responsible for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	268 amending the governing document, appointing Britain Yearly Meeting
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	269 trustees, among them the BYM Treasurer, approving their terms of reference and appointing their
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	270 clerks.</p></div><div><h4>5.2.2. East of Scotland</h4><p>The governing document for the "Religious Society of Friends
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	271 (Quakers) [in Britain] East Scotland Area Meeting (abbreviated as
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	272 East Scotland Area Meeting)" is based on a template provided by
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	273 Quaker Life
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	274 (<a href="https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/governing-document-for-am-cc-approved-11-2022-final">https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/governing-document-for-am-cc-approved-11-2022-final</a>), which is distinct for the one for CIOs.
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	275 The template does not make any overt distinction between the church
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	276 and the charity. However the phrases "(East
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	277 Scotland) Area Meeting in session" clearly refer to the church, and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	278 in "3. Object The object of East Scotland Area Meeting" it is
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	279 evidently the charity.</p><p>This sentence, taken unchanged from the template, is of note: "If
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	280 at a meeting of East Scotland Area Meeting the members decide that
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	281 it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Area Meeting or to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	282 amalgamate with another Area Meeting <i>and this is agreed by Meeting
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	283 for Sufferings</i>, the trustees shall have the power to realise any
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	284 assets held by or on behalf of the Area Meeting. Any assets
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	285 remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	286 liabilities shall, <i>with the agreement of Meeting for Sufferings</i>, be
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	287 given or transferred to another Area Meeting, to Britain Yearly
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	288 Meeting, or to some other charitable institution or institutions
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	289 having objects similar to that of the area meeting and failing that
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	290 for such other charitable purpose as Britain Yearly Meeting shall
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	291 direct." [Emphasis added]</p></div><div><h4>5.2.3. South East Scotland</h4><p>The governing document for the "Religious Society of Friends
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	292 (Quakers) in Britain: South East Scotland Area Meeting [referred to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	293 below as South East Scotland Area Meeting or the area meeting and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	294 formerly known as South East Scotland Monthly Meeting]" likewise is
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	295 based on the Quaker Life template, sharing its lack of clarity on church
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	296 versus charity, to my embarrassment. "Subject to the matters set out
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	297 below the resources of the area meeting shall be administered in
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	298 accordance with this governing document by the trustees..." is
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	299 clearly talking about the charity, whereas "Amendments to this
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	300 governing document shall be agreed by South East Scotland Area
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	301 Meeting in session and recorded by minute of the area meeting."
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	302 it's the church. The dissolution clause is again taken from the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	303 template, with the addition of GM for Scotland to the allowed
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	304 dispositions.</p></div><div><h4>5.2.4. Dundee Friends Property Trust</h4><p>This was governed by a 130-odd-year-old deed
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	305 of trust, superseded in 2009 by a governing document, which I
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	306 can't find online. From the 2020 Annual Report:</p><p>"New trustees are appointed by the remaining trustees, who are
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	307 bound to select individuals in sympathy with the conditions of
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	308 the original Trust Deed and who shall, if possible, be
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	309 representative of Dundee Local Meeting. The majority of Trustees
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	310 shall be drawn from Dundee Local Meeting."</p></div><div><h4>5.2.5. North of Scotland</h4><p>Their governing document is also based on the Quaker Life template.
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	311 Stewardship of North of Scotland Quaker Trust is identified as a
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	312 responsibility of NSAM Trustees in their Terms of Reference.</p></div><div><h4>5.2.6. General Meeting for Scotland</h4><blockquote xmlns="" xmlns:x="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	313 <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">"There are five Trustees of General Meeting for Scotland who have responsibility to the Office of the Scottish Charity Registrar (OSCR) for the right ordering of General Meeting.</p>
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	314 <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">"General Meeting itself meets quarterly for business</p>
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	315 <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">"General Meeting acts on behalf of Britain Yearly Meeting in such procedures as may be required by the Scottish Parliament and Scottish legal affairs."</p>
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	316 <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">[From <a href="https://www.quakerscotland.org/general-meeting">https://www.quakerscotland.org/general-meeting</a>]</p>
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	317 </blockquote><p>GM's governing document is here: <a href="https://www.quakerscotland.org/sites/quakerscotland.org/files/documents/Governing%20Document%20amended%202021.pdf">https://www.quakerscotland.org/sites/quakerscotland.org/files/documents/Governing%20Document%20amended%202021.pdf</a>. It appears to be based on the Quaker Life template for Area Meetings.</p><p>Section <b>12. Constituent Meetings</b> says "i) General Meeting for Scotland consists of all the local Meetings in Scotland."</p><p>QF&P (13.54) gives area meetings responsibility for appointing prison
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	318 chaplains and "General Meeting for Scotland is responsible for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	319 providing [their names] to the governors of all prison establishments
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	320 in the area meeting area".</p><p>A similar story, without the involvement of GM, obtains for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	321 registering officers. "Each area meeting shall appoint a suitable
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	322 Friend as registering officer ... the area meeting ... shall report
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	323 [the appointment] to the Recording Clerk without delay, by minute
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	324 signed by the clerk ... The Recording Clerk is required to certify all
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	325 such appointments ... in Scotland, to the Registrar General for
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	326 Scotland"; "The registering officer, acting on behalf of the area
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	327 meeting, ..." (QF&P 16.22,23)</p></div></div><div><h4>5.3. The new structure for Wales and the Southern Marches</h4><p>The "Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Wales and the Marches
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	328 - Cymdeithas Grefyddol y Cyfeillion (Crynwyr) yng Nghymru a’r
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	329 Gororau" [know as Cynar] is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	330 (CIO, comparable to an <b>SCIO</b>). Its constitution (linked from
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	331 <a href="https://www.symudymlaen2.org/">https://www.symudymlaen2.org/</a>) says that the members of the CIO are
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	332 "all members of the Constituent Area Meetings". The constitution
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	333 describes "General meetings of the members of the CIO", and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	334 mandates at least an Annual General Meeting. The Clerks of the
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	335 Constituent Bodies (the AMs and CCQW) constitute the "clerking
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	336 team" who set the agenda for GMs and provide a Clerk for each of
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	337 them from among their number. At least two members from each
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	338 Constituent Body must be present for a GM to be quorate. The
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	339 Convenors of the NomComms of the Constituent bodies constitute a
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	340 NomComm for the CIO, and prepare nominations for the trustees and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	341 the Treasurer. There must be at least one trustee from each
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	342 Constituent Body.</p><p> I'm told that "AM trustees will cease to exist, Cymar trustees will
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	343 fulfil the role of AM trustees, but for all 4 AMs and CCQW, so once
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	344 the assets have been handed over, bank accounts closed down and
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	345 final report and accounts prepared, then they can be released by
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	346 their respective AMs and leave the rest to [Cymar] to deal with."</p><p> It's not clear to me how this accords with QF&P 4.02
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	347 (<a href="https://qfp.quaker.org.uk/passage/4-02/">https://qfp.quaker.org.uk/passage/4-02/</a>) which says "Each area
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	348 meeting is a separate charitable entity and it may be required to
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	349 be registered as such with the relevant charity regulator. Area
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	350 meetings which are registered or preparing for registration will
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	351 operate under a formal governing document, which amongst other
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	352 matters should set out the arrangements for trusteeship."
d55fe21333e7 as circulated to Trustees et al. Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk> parents: diff changeset	353 </p></div></div></div></body></html>

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