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footnote, 3.1 done for now
author Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
date Sun, 31 Mar 2024 15:04:08 +0100
parents f94493498cc6
children a47144b6c809
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352:f94493498cc6 353:e40a88f7113e
4 <doc> 4 <doc>
5 <head> 5 <head>
6 <title>SESAM and the Quakers in Scotland proposal</title> 6 <title>SESAM and the Quakers in Scotland proposal</title>
7 <author>Henry S. Thompson</author> 7 <author>Henry S. Thompson</author>
8 <date>29 Mar 2024</date> 8 <date>29 Mar 2024</date>
9 <style>.alpha {list-style-type: lower-alpha}</style> 9 <style>.alpha {list-style-type: lower-alpha}
10 .footnote {width: 100%; font-size: 80%; float: none; clear: none}</style>
10 </head> 11 </head>
11 <body> 12 <body>
12 <div> 13 <div>
13 <title>Introduction</title> 14 <title>Introduction</title>
14 <p>I have struggled at the last two threshing meetings about the proposed 15 <p>I have struggled at the last two threshing meetings about the proposed
15 governing document (the version of 2024-03-21, hereafter GD) for 16 governing document (now version of 2024-03-21, hereafter GD) for
16 Quakers in Scotland (<name>QiS</name>) to adequately convey my concerns. In 17 Quakers in Scotland (<name>QiS</name>) to adequately convey my concerns. In
17 writing this I'm attempting to do better, not only with respect to 18 writing this I'm attempting to do better, not only with respect to
18 what I think is wrong, but also by suggesting how it could be fixed.</p> 19 what I think is wrong, but also by suggesting how it could be fixed.</p>
19 <p>It's not short, and there's an even longer appendix of background 20 <p>It's not short, and there's an even longer appendix of background
20 detail, so here's a summary:</p> 21 detail, so here's a summary:</p>
32 trustees of <name>QiS-the-charity</name>.</p> 33 trustees of <name>QiS-the-charity</name>.</p>
33 </blockquote> 34 </blockquote>
34 <p>I'll start by identifying the problems I see with the GD, and go on to 35 <p>I'll start by identifying the problems I see with the GD, and go on to
35 outline the kind of changes I think would improve it, to the point 36 outline the kind of changes I think would improve it, to the point
36 where SESAM would support the creation of the <name>QiS-the-charity</name> and 37 where SESAM would support the creation of the <name>QiS-the-charity</name> and
37 would join <name>QiS-the-church</name>.</p> 38 would participate in <name>QiS-the-church</name>.</p>
38 </div> 39 </div>
39 <div> 40 <div>
40 <title>A note on terminology</title> 41 <title>A note on terminology</title>
41 <p>In their cover letter for the draft GD sent to SESAM Trustees on 42 <p>In their cover letter for the draft GD sent to SESAM Trustees on
42 2024-01-06, the <name>QiS</name>-CG says</p> 43 2024-01-06, the <name>QiS</name> Coordinating Group says</p>
43 <blockquote>"The Options for Scotland group [proposes] that we form a <emph>single 44 <blockquote>"The Options for Scotland group [proposes] that we form a <emph>single
44 charity</emph> and that we form a <emph>single body</emph>. The idea of a single 45 charity</emph> and that we form a <emph>single body</emph>. The idea of a single
45 body clearly needs more work to discern what this might look 46 body clearly needs more work to discern what this might look
46 like. It will take time. That idea is not part of what we are 47 like. It will take time. That idea is not part of what we are
47 asking you about here." (emphasis added)</blockquote> 48 asking you about here." (emphasis added)</blockquote>
77 body is not part of what we are asking you about here".</item> 78 body is not part of what we are asking you about here".</item>
78 </list> 79 </list>
79 <p>These problems arise in large part because, perfectly understandably, 80 <p>These problems arise in large part because, perfectly understandably,
80 <name>QiS</name>-CG evidently started with the template for governing documents for 81 <name>QiS</name>-CG evidently started with the template for governing documents for
81 (English/Welsh) CIOs made available by Quaker Life 82 (English/Welsh) CIOs made available by Quaker Life
82 (https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/cio-constitution-template-agreed-2014), 83 (<link href="https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/cio-constitution-template-agreed-2014">https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/cio-constitution-template-agreed-2014</link>),
83 which embodies the same confusion.</p> 84 which embodies the same confusion*.</p>
84 <p>Indeed SESAM-the-charity's own governing document is also based on a 85 <p>Indeed SESAM-the-charity's own governing document is also based on a
85 similar, more recent, template for non-incorporated Area Meetings from 86 similar, more recent, template for non-incorporated Area Meetings from
86 Quaker Life 87 Quaker Life
87 (https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/governing-document-for-am-cc-approved-11-2022-final), 88 (<link 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</link>),
88 and so also suffers from these problems [footnote: East of Scotland AM 89 and so also suffers from these problems.</p>
89 and North of Scotland AM's governing documents are also based on the
90 non-incorporated Area Meeting template. Stewardship of North of
91 Scotland Quaker Trust is identified as a responsibility of NSAM
92 Trustees in their Terms of Reference. West of Scotland's document is
93 shorter, and perhaps based on an early template, compared to the
94 others.]</p>
95 <p>But <emph>why</emph> are these problems, and even granted that they are, why do 90 <p>But <emph>why</emph> are these problems, and even granted that they are, why do
96 they need to be fixed <emph>now</emph>?</p> 91 they need to be fixed <emph>now</emph>?</p>
97 <p>They are problems because the existing Area Meetings' responsibilities 92 <p>They are problems because the existing Area Meetings' responsibilities
98 and activities as a worshiping body, governed by Meetings for Worship 93 and activities as a worshiping body, governed by Meetings for Worship
99 for Church Affairs of their membership defined in QF&amp;P, are largely 94 for Church Affairs of their membership as set out in QF&amp;P, are largely
100 distinct from their responsibilities and activities as a charity, 95 distinct from their responsibilities and activities as a charity,
101 governed by trustees. The former consist of, for example, the spiritual and 96 governed by trustees. The former consist of, for example, the spiritual and
102 pastoral care of their members and their witness, grounded in our 97 pastoral care of their members and their witness to their communities, grounded in our
103 testimonies, to their communities, whereas the latter focus on 98 testimonies, whereas the latter focus on
104 maitaining the Area Meeting's legal status and financial well-being. 99 maitaining the Area Meeting's legal status and financial well-being.
105 As for Britain Yearly Meeting, whose succinct self-characterisation 100 As for Britain Yearly Meeting, whose succinct self-characterisation
106 recently has been "A simple church supported by a simple charity", so 101 recently has been "A simple church supported by a simple charity", so
107 it should be for Area Meetings. Quaker Faith and Practice has useful 102 it should be for Area Meetings. Quaker Faith and Practice has useful
108 guidance on this relationship throughout section 15. 15.03 is 103 guidance on this relationship throughout section 15. 15.03 is
114 <p>This needs to be fixed <emph>now</emph> because it is laid on Area Meeting 109 <p>This needs to be fixed <emph>now</emph> because it is laid on Area Meeting
115 trustees to manage the assets of the Area Meeting in such a was as to 110 trustees to manage the assets of the Area Meeting in such a was as to
116 support the charitable objects of the Area Meeting, and without a 111 support the charitable objects of the Area Meeting, and without a
117 clear understanding of how that will continue to be true once those 112 clear understanding of how that will continue to be true once those
118 assets are transferred to the <name>SCIO</name>, they would fail in that 113 assets are transferred to the <name>SCIO</name>, they would fail in that
119 responsibility, which the law expresses as "[they must] seek, in good 114 responsibility, which the law expresses as <span>"[they</span> must] seek, in good
120 faith, to ensure that the charity acts in a manner which is consistent 115 faith, to ensure that the charity acts in a manner which is consistent
121 with its purposes".</p> 116 with its purposes".</p>
117 <note class="footnote">* East of Scotland AM
118 and North of Scotland AM's governing documents are also based on the
119 non-incorporated Area Meeting template. Stewardship of North of
120 Scotland Quaker Trust is identified as a responsibility of NSAM
121 Trustees in their Terms of Reference. West of Scotland's document is
122 shorter, and perhaps based on an early template, compared to the
123 others.</note>
122 </div> 124 </div>
123 <div> 125 <div>
124 <title>The future of the Area Meeting(s)</title> 126 <title>The future of the Area Meeting(s)</title>
125 </div> 127 </div>
126 </div> 128 </div>
168 which guide my thinking in this matter.</p> 170 which guide my thinking in this matter.</p>
169 <p>1. The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, and Britain 171 <p>1. The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain, and Britain
170 Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), 172 Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers),
171 Charity number: 1127633</p> 173 Charity number: 1127633</p>
172 <p>The governing document for the latter charity 174 <p>The governing document for the latter charity
173 (https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/bym-governing-document-revised-min34-bym2014) 175 (<link 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</link>)
174 begins with the following definitions:</p> 176 begins with the following definitions:</p>
175 <list type="enum" class="alpha"> 177 <list type="enum" class="alpha">
176 <item>The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain refers to 178 <item>The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain refers to
177 the church in England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and 179 the church in England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and
178 the Isle of Man, including all its local meetings for worship and 180 the Isle of Man, including all its local meetings for worship and
205 <p>2. Area meetings in Scotland governing documents</p> 207 <p>2. Area meetings in Scotland governing documents</p>
206 <p> * The governing document for the Religious Society of Friends 208 <p> * The governing document for the Religious Society of Friends
207 (Quakers) [in Britain] East Scotland Area Meeting (abbreviated as 209 (Quakers) [in Britain] East Scotland Area Meeting (abbreviated as
208 East Scotland Area Meeting) is based on the template provided by 210 East Scotland Area Meeting) is based on the template provided by
209 Quaker Life 211 Quaker Life
210 (https://www.quaker.org.uk/documents/governing-document-for-am-cc-approved-11-2022-final). 212 (<link 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</link>).
211 The template does not make any overt distinction between the church 213 The template does not make any overt distinction between the church
212 and the charity, to my embarassment. However the phrases "(East 214 and the charity, to my embarassment. However the phrases "(East
213 Scotland) Area Meeting in session" clearly refer to the church, and 215 Scotland) Area Meeting in session" clearly refer to the church, and
214 in "3. Object The object of East Scotland Area Meeting" it is 216 in "3. Object The object of East Scotland Area Meeting" it is
215 evidently the charity.</p> 217 evidently the charity.</p>
253 <p> * General Meeting for Scotland</p> 255 <p> * General Meeting for Scotland</p>
254 <p> * The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Wales and the Marches 256 <p> * The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Wales and the Marches
255 - Cymdeithas Grefyddol y Cyfeillion (Crynwyr) yng Nghymru a’r 257 - Cymdeithas Grefyddol y Cyfeillion (Crynwyr) yng Nghymru a’r
256 Gororau [know as Cynar] is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation 258 Gororau [know as Cynar] is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
257 (CIO, comparable to an <name>SCIO</name>). Its constitution (Linked from 259 (CIO, comparable to an <name>SCIO</name>). Its constitution (Linked from
258 https://www.symudymlaen2.org/) says that the members of the CIO are 260 <link href="https://www.symudymlaen2.org/">https://www.symudymlaen2.org/</link>) says that the members of the CIO are
259 "all members of the Constituent Area Meetings". The constitution 261 "all members of the Constituent Area Meetings". The constitution
260 describes "General meetings of the members of the CIO", and 262 describes "General meetings of the members of the CIO", and
261 mandates at least an Annual General Meeting. The clerks of the 263 mandates at least an Annual General Meeting. The clerks of the
262 Constituent Bodies (the AMs and CCQW) constitute the "clerking 264 Constituent Bodies (the AMs and CCQW) constitute the "clerking
263 team" who set the agenda for GMs and provide a clerk for each of 265 team" who set the agenda for GMs and provide a clerk for each of
271 fulfil the role of AM trustees, but for all 4 AMs and CCQW, so once 273 fulfil the role of AM trustees, but for all 4 AMs and CCQW, so once
272 the assets have been handed over, bank accounts closed down and 274 the assets have been handed over, bank accounts closed down and
273 final report and accounts prepared, then they can be released by 275 final report and accounts prepared, then they can be released by
274 their respective AMs and leave the rest to [Cymar] to deal with."</p> 276 their respective AMs and leave the rest to [Cymar] to deal with."</p>
275 <p> It's not clear to me how this accords with QF&amp;P 4.02 277 <p> It's not clear to me how this accords with QF&amp;P 4.02
276 (https://qfp.quaker.org.uk/passage/4-02/) which says "Each area 278 (<link href="https://qfp.quaker.org.uk/passage/4-02/">https://qfp.quaker.org.uk/passage/4-02/</link>) which says "Each area
277 meeting is a separate charitable entity and it may be required to 279 meeting is a separate charitable entity and it may be required to
278 be registered as such with the relevant charity regulator. Area 280 be registered as such with the relevant charity regulator. Area
279 meetings which are registered or preparing for registration will 281 meetings which are registered or preparing for registration will
280 operate under a formal governing document, which amongst other 282 operate under a formal governing document, which amongst other
281 matters should set out the arrangements for trusteeship." 283 matters should set out the arrangements for trusteeship."