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author Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
date Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:02:12 +0000
parents c9212f59d14e
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1 I have struggled at the last two threshing meetings about the proposed
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2 governing document (the version of 2024-03-21, hereafter GD) for
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3 Quakers in Scotland (QiS) to adequately convey my concerns. In
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4 writing this I'm attempting to do better, not only with respect to
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5 what I think is wrong, but also by suggesting how it could be fixed.
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6
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7 It's not short, and there's an even longer appendix of background
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8 detail, so here's a summary:
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9
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10 SESAM Trustees should advise SESAM that SESAM _should not_ agree to
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11 joining QiS without substantial changes to the governing document,
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12 distinguishing between the charity and the church and making their
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13 relationship explicit, following the model of the governing document
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14 for Britain Yearly Meeting (the charity).
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15
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16 An updated GD needs to make explicit provision for the possibility
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17 of SESAM-the-church continuing _as_ an Area Meeting while laying
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18 down SESAM-the-charity, drawing on the proposed approach to
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19 preserving AMs in Wales. There must be clarity on SESAM-the-church's
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20 status with respect to QiS-the-church and thus with respect to the
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21 trustees of QiS-the-charity.
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22
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23 I'll start by identifying the problems I see with the GD, and go on to
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24 outline the kind of changes I think would improve it, to the point
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25 where SESAM would support the creation of the QiS-the-charity and
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26 would join QiS-the-church.
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27
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28 A note on terminology
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29
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30 In their cover letter for the draft GD sent to SESAM Trustees on
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31 2024-01-06, the QiS-CG says
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32
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33 "The Options for Scotland group [proposes] that we form a _single
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34 charity_ and that we form a _single body_. The idea of a single
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35 body clearly needs more work to discern what this might look
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36 like. It will take time. That idea is not part of what we are
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37 asking you about here." (emphasis added)
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38
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39 Above I used "QiS-the-charity" to refer to such a charity and
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40 "QiS-the-church" to refer to such a body. For simplicity, hereafter
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41 I'll call the former "the SCIO", short for "the Scottish Charitable
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42 Incorporated Organisation" and the latter "the RSFS", short for "the
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43 Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Scotland".
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44
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45 Problems with the GD
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46
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47 1. The church and the charity
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48
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49 Making a distinction between the SCIO and the RSFS is explicitly
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50 modelled on the distinction found in the governing document of
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51 "Britain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
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52 (Britain Yearly Meeting)" as registered with the Charity Commission
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53 (charity no. 1127633). Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) is (an English)
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54 Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Its governing document defines
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55 that lengthy name as the charity and "The Religious Society of Friends
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56 (Quakers) in Britain" as the church.
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57
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58 The GD uses "Quakers in Scotland" (QiS) for both of these, without
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59 ever explicitly acknowledging that they are distinct. Sometimes
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60 context makes clear which they are referring to, but not always.
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61
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62 There are two problems here:
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63
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64 a) The lack of a clear distinction between the two, exemplified
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65 further by the calling letter for GM on 6 April 2024, which
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66 describes the matter before the Meeting once as "a single Quaker
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67 body" and once as "a single Quaker charity / body";
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68
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69 b) The very limited nature of what is said, or more often implied,
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70 about the RSFS. This is acknowledged in the quote above: "the
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71 body is not part of what we are asking you about here".
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72
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73 These problems arise in large part because, perfectly understandably,
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74 QiS-CG evidently started with the template for governing documents for
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75 (English/Welsh) CIOs made available by Quaker Life
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76 (https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/cio-constitution-template-agreed-2014),
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77 which embodies the same confusion.
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78
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79 Indeed SESAM-the-charity's own governing document is also based on a
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80 similar, more recent, template for non-incorporated Area Meetings from
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81 Quaker Life
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82 (https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/governing-document-for-am-cc-approved-11-2022-final),
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83 and so also suffers from these problems [footnote: East of Scotland AM
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84 and North of Scotland AM's governing documents are also based on the
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85 non-incorporated Area Meeting template. Stewardship of North of
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86 Scotland Quaker Trust is identified as a responsibility of NSAM
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87 Trustees in their Terms of Reference. West of Scotland's document is
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88 shorter, and perhaps based on an early template, compared to the
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89 others.]
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90
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91 But _why_ are these problems, and even granted that they are, why do
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92 they need to be fixed _now_?
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93
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94 They are problems because the existing Area Meetings' responsibilities
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95 and activities as a worshiping body, governed by Meetings for Worship
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96 for Church Affairs of their membership defined in QF&P, are largely
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97 distinct from their responsibilities and activities as a charity,
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98 governed by trustees. The former consist of, for example, the spiritual and
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99 pastoral care of their members and their witness, grounded in our
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100 testimonies, to their communities, whereas the latter focus on
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101 maitaining the Area Meeting's legal status and financial well-being.
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102 As for Britain Yearly Meeting, whose succinct self-characterisation
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103 recently has been "A simple church supported by a simple charity", so
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104 it should be for Area Meetings. Quaker Faith and Practice has useful
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105 guidance on this relationship throughout section 15. 15.03 is
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106 particularly relevant:
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107
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108 "The law may assume that authority for determining action
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109 passes to the trustees and the meeting may choose to do
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110 this. However, under Gospel Order, the ultimate authority will
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111 still lie with the gathered meeting."
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112
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113 This needs to be fixed _now_ because it is laid on Area Meeting
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114 trustees to manage the assets of the Area Meeting in such a was as to
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115 support the charitable objects of the Area Meeting, and without a
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116 clear understanding of how that will continue to be true once those
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117 assets are transferred to the SCIO, they would fail in that
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118 responsibility, which the law expresses as "[they must] seek, in good
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119 faith, to ensure that the charity acts in a manner which is consistent
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120 with its purposes".
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121
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122
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123 2. The future of the Area Meeting(s)
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124
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125
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126 ---------------
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127 Some extensive background, which has informed my thinking.
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128
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129 Thanks to Jackie Noltingk, Erica Thomas and Lesley Richards for
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130 helpful answers to my questions.
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131
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132 The General Meeting for Scotland (GM) mailing list were told
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133 (2023-11-17), in regard to
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134
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135 "(1) The possibility of merging our existing 6 charities into a
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136 single body, Quakers in Scotland.
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137
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138 "(2) How we might organise all our concerns and worship more
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139 effectively as a single charity."
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140
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Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
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diff changeset
141 that
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
142
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
143 "The first step for (1) is to agree a governing document to replace
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
144 the six comparable documents that apply to our existing charities."
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
145
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
146 and
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
147
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
148 "Friends will hear more requests soon to join in important
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
149 discussions relating to (2)."
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
150
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
151 I've searched my inbox without success for any request to "join in
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
152 important discussions relating to (2)" until, possibly, the invitation
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
153 from QiS-CG (2024-03-11) to two "information and discussion sessions
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
154 on progress with work towards having a single body and charity for
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
155 Quakers in Scotland".
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
156
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
157 However the cover letter from QiS (2024-01-06) sent to SESAM Trustees
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
158 says
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
159
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
160 "The Options for Scotland group [proposes] that we form a single
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
161 charity and that we form a single body. The idea of a single body
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
162 clearly needs more work to discern what this might look like. It
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
163 will take time. That idea is not part of what we are asking you
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
164 about here."
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
165
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
166 In fact the document laid before us in the special Area Meeting on
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
167 15 January (Draft of 2023 12 29c.docx) had a lot to say about the
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
168 body. Or did it? As I read it at the time it did't clearly
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
169 distinguish between the charity and the body, using the phrase
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
170 "Quakers in Scotland" in what I found to be confusing ways.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
171
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
172 A new draft (Draft of 2024 03 21.docx) has just been made available,
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
173 with only modest changes from the earlier draft. I'll take it as
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
174 definitive with respect to what we will have before us on 6 April.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
175 It hasn't changed much, if anything, of what I've found that makes me
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
176 uneasy about agreeing to adopt it.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
177
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
178 More background: What do we already have as models for how charities
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
179 and their trustees work. I'm reasonably familiar with two examples,
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
180 which guide my thinking in this matter.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
181
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
182 1. The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, and Britain
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
183 Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers),
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
184 Charity number: 1127633
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
185
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
186 The governing document for the latter charity
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
187 (https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/bym-governing-document-revised-min34-bym2014)
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
188 begins with the following definitions:
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
189
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
190 *Definitions*
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
191
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
192 a. The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain refers to
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
193 the church in England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
194 the Isle of Man, including all its local meetings for worship and
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
195 its constituent meetings for church affairs as well as all their
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
196 work [referred to below as *the Society*].
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
197
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
198 b. Britain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
199 (Quakers) [*Britain Yearly Meeting*] refers to the centrally held
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
200 and managed policy, property, employment and work of the charity
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
201 constituted by this document.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
202
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
203 c. Yearly Meeting in session [*Yearly Meeting*] refers to the annual
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
204 assembly that is open to all members of the Society.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
205
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
206 d. Area Meetings are the main local meetings for church affairs and
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
207 these are the level of the Society at which individual membership
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
208 is held. Each Area Meeting is a separate charitable entity and
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
209 may be registered as such with the Charity Commission.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
210
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
211 e. _Quaker faith & practice_ is the current edition of the Book of
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
212 Christian discipline of the Religious Society of Friends
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
213 (Quakers) in Britain
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
214
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
215 f. Meeting for Sufferings is the standing representative body of the Society.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
216
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
217 g. The term Friend refers to a member of the Society.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
218
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
219 * Highlighting added
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
220
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
221 Note that there are two clearly distinguished entities, "the church"
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
222 and "the charity". The charity is governed by the above referenced
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
223 governing document, the church by the Red Book.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
224
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
225 Subsequent articles make clear that the Society, embodied in Yearly
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
226 Meeting in session and Meeting for Sufferings, is responsible for
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
227 amending the governing document, appointing Britain Yearly Meeting
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
228 trustees, approving their terms of reference and appointing their
342
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
229 clerks, among them the BYM Treasurer.
340
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
230
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
231 2. Area meetings in Scotland governing documents
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
232
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
233 * The governing document for the Religious Society of Friends
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
234 (Quakers) [in Britain] East Scotland Area Meeting (abbreviated as
342
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
235 East Scotland Area Meeting) is based on the template provided by
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
236 Quaker Life
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
237 (https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/governing-document-for-am-cc-approved-11-2022-final).
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
238 The template does not make any overt distinction between the church
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
239 and the charity, to my embarassment. However the phrases "(East
340
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
240 Scotland) Area Meeting in session" clearly refer to the church, and
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
241 in "3. Object The object of East Scotland Area Meeting" it is
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
242 evidently the charity.
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
243
342
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
244 This sentence, taken unchanged from the template, is of note: "If
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
245 at a meeting of East Scotland Area Meeting the members decide that
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
246 it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Area Meeting or to
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
247 amalgamate with another Area Meeting _and this is agreed by Meeting
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
248 for Sufferings_, the trustees shall have the power to realise any
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
249 assets held by or on behalf of the Area Meeting. Any assets
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
250 remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
251 liabilities shall, _with the agreement of Meeting for Sufferings_, be
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
252 given or transferred to another Area Meeting, to Britain Yearly
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
253 Meeting, or to some other charitable institution or institutions
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
254 having objects similar to that of the area meeting and failing that
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
255 for such other charitable purpose as Britain Yearly Meeting shall
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
256 direct." [Emphasis added]
340
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
257
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
258 * The governing document for the Religious Society of Friends
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
259 (Quakers) in Britain: South East Scotland Area Meeting [referred to
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
260 below as South East Scotland Area Meeting or the area meeting and
342
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
261 formerly known as South East Scotland Monthly Meeting] likewise is
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
262 based on the Quaker Life template. "Subject to the matters set out
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
263 below the resources of the area meeting shall be administered in
340
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
264 accordance with this governing document by the trustees..." is
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
265 clearly talking about the charity, whereas "Amendments to this
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
266 governing document shall be agreed by South East Scotland Area
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
267 Meeting in session and recorded by minute of the area meeting."
342
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
268 it's the church. The dissolution clause is again taken from the
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
269 template, with the addition of GM for Scotland to the allowed
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
270 dispositions.
340
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
271
342
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
272 * Dundee Friends Property Trust was governed by a 130-odd-year-old deed
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
273 of trust, now superseded in 2009 by a governing document, which I
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
274 can't find online. From the 2020 Annual Report:
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
275
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
276 "New trustees are appointed by the remaining trustees, who are
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
277 bound to select individuals in sympathy with the conditions of
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
278 the original Trust Deed and who shall, if possible, be
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
279 representative of Dundee Local Meeting. The majority of Trustees
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
280 shall be drawn from Dundee Local Meeting."
340
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
281
349
c9212f59d14e problem section complete (but not great)
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 348
diff changeset
282 * North of Scotland AM is also based on the Quaker Life template.
c9212f59d14e problem section complete (but not great)
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 348
diff changeset
283 Stewardship of North of Scotland Quaker Trust is identified as a
c9212f59d14e problem section complete (but not great)
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 348
diff changeset
284 responsibility of NSAM Trustees in their Terms of Reference.
c9212f59d14e problem section complete (but not great)
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 348
diff changeset
285
340
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
286 * General Meeting for Scotland
aa9bb951af40 getting started on input to QiS-CG
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
diff changeset
287
342
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
288 * The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Wales and the Marches
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
289 - Cymdeithas Grefyddol y Cyfeillion (Crynwyr) yng Nghymru a’r
97ced423ec4c more background
Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents: 340
diff changeset
290 Gororau [know as Cynar] is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
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291 (CIO, comparable to an SCIO). Its constitution (Linked from
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292 https://www.symudymlaen2.org/) says that the members of the CIO are
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293 "all members of the Constituent Area Meetings". The constitution
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294 describes "General meetings of the members of the CIO", and
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295 mandates at least an Annual General Meeting. The clerks of the
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296 Constituent Bodies (the AMs and CCQW) constitute the "clerking
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297 team" who set the agenda for GMs and provide a clerk for each of
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298 them from among their number. At least two members from each
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299 Constituent Body must be present for a GM to be quorate. The
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300 Convenors of the NomComms of the COnstituent bodies constitute a
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301 NomComm for the CIO, and prepare nominations for the trustees and
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302 the Treasurer. There must be at least one trustee from each
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303 Constituent Body.
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304
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305 I'm told that "AM trustees will cease to exist, Cymar trustees will
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306 fulfil the role of AM trustees, but for all 4 AMs and CCQW, so once
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307 the assets have been handed over, bank accounts closed down and
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308 final report and accounts prepared, then they can be released by
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309 their respective AMs and leave the rest to [Cymar] to deal with."
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310
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311 It's not clear to me how this accords with QF&P 4.02
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312 (https://qfp.quaker.org.uk/passage/4-02/) which says "Each area
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313 meeting is a separate charitable entity and it may be required to
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314 be registered as such with the relevant charity regulator. Area
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315 meetings which are registered or preparing for registration will
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316 operate under a formal governing document, which amongst other
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317 matters should set out the arrangements for trusteeship."
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318
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319
344
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320 Prison Chaplains
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321
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322 QF&P (13.54) gives area meetings responsibility for appointing prison
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323 chaplains and "General Meeting for Scotland is responsible for
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324 providing [their names] to the governors of all prison establishments
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325 in the area meeting area".
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326
340
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327 Registering officers
344
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328
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329 A similar story, without the involvement of GM, obtains for
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330 registering officers. "Each area meeting shall appoint a suitable
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331 Friend as registering officer ... the area meeting ... shall report
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332 [the appointment] to the Recording Clerk without delay, by minute
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333 signed by the clerk ... The Recording Clerk is required to certify all
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334 such appointments ... in Scotland, to the Registrar General for
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335 Scotland"; "The registering officer, acting on behalf of the area
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336 meeting, ..." (QF&P 16.22,23)
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337