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author Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
date Mon, 01 Apr 2024 16:34:28 +0100
parents e516458a4f69
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34 joining <name>QiS</name> without substantial changes to the governing document, 34 joining <name>QiS</name> without substantial changes to the governing document,
35 distinguishing between the charity and the church and making their 35 distinguishing between the charity and the church and making their
36 relationship explicit, following the model of the governing document 36 relationship explicit, following the model of the governing document
37 for Britain Yearly Meeting (the charity).</p> 37 for Britain Yearly Meeting (the charity).</p>
38 <p>An updated GD needs to make explicit provision for the possibility 38 <p>An updated GD needs to make explicit provision for the possibility
39 of SESAM-the-church continuing <emph>as</emph> an Area Meeting while laying 39 of SESAM (the church) continuing <emph>as</emph> an Area Meeting while laying
40 down SESAM-the-charity. There must be clarity on SESAM-the-church's 40 down SESAM (the charity) <emph>should it decide to do so</emph>. There must be clarity on SESAM (the church)'s
41 status with respect to <name>QiS-the-church</name> and thus with respect to the 41 status with respect to <name>QiS</name> (the church)</p>
42 trustees of <name>QiS-the-charity</name>.</p>
43 </blockquote> 42 </blockquote>
44 <p>In what follows I'll start by identifying the problems I see with the GD, and go on to 43 <p>In what follows I'll start by identifying the problems I see with the GD, and go on to
45 outline the kind of changes I think would improve it, to the point 44 outline the kind of changes I think would improve it, to the point
46 where SESAM would support the creation of the <name>QiS-the-charity</name> and 45 where SESAM would support the creation of <name>QiS</name>, both church and
47 would participate in <name>QiS-the-church</name>.</p> 46 charity, take its place as part of <name>QiS</name> (the church) and consider
47 laying down SESAM (the charity) in favour of <name>QiS</name> (the charity).</p>
48 </div> 48 </div>
49 <div> 49 <div>
50 <title>Problems with the GD</title> 50 <title>Problems with the GD</title>
51 <p>The GD uses "Quakers in Scotland" for both the charity and the church, without 51 <p>The GD uses "Quakers in Scotland" for both the charity and the church, without
52 ever explicitly acknowledging that they are distinct. Sometimes 52 ever explicitly acknowledging that they are distinct. Sometimes
67 (<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>), 67 (<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>),
68 which embodies the same confusion*.</p> 68 which embodies the same confusion*.</p>
69 <p>But <emph>why</emph> are these problems for SESAM, and even granted that they are, why do 69 <p>But <emph>why</emph> are these problems for SESAM, and even granted that they are, why do
70 they need to be fixed <emph>now</emph>?</p> 70 they need to be fixed <emph>now</emph>?</p>
71 <p>They are problems because the existing Area Meetings' responsibilities 71 <p>They are problems because the existing Area Meetings' responsibilities
72 and activities as a worshiping body, governed by Meetings for Worship 72 and activities as a worshipping body, governed by Meetings for Worship
73 for Church Affairs of their membership as set out in Quaker Faith and Practice (QF&amp;P), are largely 73 for Church Affairs of their membership as set out in Quaker Faith and Practice (QF&amp;P), are largely
74 distinct from their responsibilities and activities as a charity, 74 distinct from their responsibilities and activities as a charity,
75 governed by trustees. The former consist of, for example, the spiritual and 75 governed by trustees. The former consist of, for example, the spiritual and
76 pastoral care of their members and their witness to their communities, grounded in our 76 pastoral care of their members and their witness to their communities, grounded in our
77 testimonies, whereas the latter focus on 77 testimonies, whereas the latter focus on
78 maitaining the Area Meeting's legal status and financial well-being. 78 maintaining the Area Meeting's legal status and financial well-being.
79 As for Britain Yearly Meeting, whose succinct self-characterisation 79 As for Britain Yearly Meeting, whose succinct self-characterisation
80 recently has been "A simple church supported by a simple charity", so 80 recently has been "A simple church supported by a simple charity", so
81 it should be for Area Meetings. QF&amp;P has useful 81 it should be for Area Meetings. QF&amp;P has useful
82 guidance on this relationship throughout section 15. 15.03 is 82 guidance on this relationship throughout section 15. 15.03 is
83 particularly relevant:</p> 83 particularly relevant:</p>
98 responsibility, which the law expresses as <span>"[they</span> must] seek, in good 98 responsibility, which the law expresses as <span>"[they</span> must] seek, in good
99 faith, to ensure that the charity acts in a manner which is consistent 99 faith, to ensure that the charity acts in a manner which is consistent
100 with its purposes"</item> 100 with its purposes"</item>
101 </list> 101 </list>
102 <p>A clear separation between the church and the charity is a simple first step towards the necessary clarifications.</p> 102 <p>A clear separation between the church and the charity is a simple first step towards the necessary clarifications.</p>
103 <note class="footnote"><p>* Indeed SESAM-the-charity's own governing document is also based on a 103 <note class="footnote"><p>* Indeed SESAM (the charity)'s own governing document is also based on a
104 similar, more recent, template for non-incorporated Area Meetings from 104 similar, more recent, template for non-incorporated Area Meetings from
105 Quaker Life 105 Quaker Life
106 (<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>), 106 (<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>),
107 and so also suffers from these problems.</p> 107 and so also suffers from these problems.</p>
108 <p>East of Scotland AM 108 <p>East of Scotland AM
114 others.</p></note> 114 others.</p></note>
115 </div> 115 </div>
116 <div> 116 <div>
117 <title>A note on terminology</title> 117 <title>A note on terminology</title>
118 <p>For clarity, hereafter 118 <p>For clarity, hereafter
119 I'll call <name>QiS</name>-the-charity the <name>SCIO</name>, short for the (proposed) "Scottish Charitable 119 I'll call <name>QiS</name> (the charity) the <name>SCIO</name>, short for the (proposed) "Scottish Charitable
120 Incorporated Organisation" and I'll call <name>QiS</name>-the-church the <name>RSFS</name>, short 120 Incorporated Organisation" and I'll call <name>QiS</name> (the church) the <name>RSFS</name>, short
121 for the "Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Scotland".</p> 121 for the "Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Scotland".</p>
122 </div> 122 </div>
123 <div> 123 <div>
124 <title>Improving the GD</title> 124 <title>Improving the GD</title>
125 <div> 125 <div>
136 <div> 136 <div>
137 <title>The future of the Area Meeting(s)</title> 137 <title>The future of the Area Meeting(s)</title>
138 <p>The GD should make it explicit that in the first instance 138 <p>The GD should make it explicit that in the first instance
139 the four Area Meetings, as well as General Meeting for Scotland, will 139 the four Area Meetings, as well as General Meeting for Scotland, will
140 continue to exist and function after the creation of the 140 continue to exist and function after the creation of the
141 <name>SCIO</name> and the RSFS. These five will constitute the <name>Constituent Meetings</name> of the 141 <name>SCIO</name> and the <name>RSFS</name>. These five will constitute the <name>Constituent Meetings</name> of the
142 RSFS.</p> 142 <name>RSFS</name>. Initially membership of the <name>RSFS</name> will be defined as
143 <p>The GD should specify that transfer from the Constituent Meetings</p> 143 membership of any of the Constituent Area Meetings.</p>
144 <p>The GD should specify that transfer from the Constituent Meetings of</p>
144 <list> 145 <list>
145 <item>their assets, properties and trusteeship to the <name>SCIO</name></item> 146 <item>their assets, properties and trusteeship to the <name>SCIO</name></item>
146 <item>their spiritual and pastoral activities and responsibilities to the 147 <item>their spiritual and pastoral activities and responsibilities to the
147 <name>RSFS</name></item> 148 <name>RSFS</name></item>
148 </list> 149 </list>
149 <p>of will be at their discretion as to both timing and substance.</p> 150 <p>will be at their discretion as to both timing and substance. Membership
151 matters should not be transferred to the <name>RSFS</name> until such time as
152 QF&amp;P recognises the <name>RSFS</name> as a body that can carry out the relevant
153 procedures per QF&amp;P chapter 11.</p>
150 <p>We feel strongly that many of our spiritual and pastoral activities 154 <p>We feel strongly that many of our spiritual and pastoral activities
151 are best served in smaller constituencies that the <name>RSFS</name>. We 155 are best served in smaller constituencies that the <name>RSFS</name>. We
152 understand that some Area Meetings need to unburden themselves quickly 156 understand that some Area Meetings need to unburden themselves quickly
153 of some of their responsibilities, but we hope that they will wish to 157 of some of their responsibilities, but we hope that they will wish to
154 retain some of them, particularly membership, pastoral care and 158 retain some of them, particularly membership, pastoral care and
170 business.</p> 174 business.</p>
171 <p>The above is intended to allow for a structure for the governance of the 175 <p>The above is intended to allow for a structure for the governance of the
172 <name>RSFS</name> very like the way in which Yearly Meeting and 176 <name>RSFS</name> very like the way in which Yearly Meeting and
173 Meeting for Sufferings together provide governance for Britain Yearly Meeting 177 Meeting for Sufferings together provide governance for Britain Yearly Meeting
174 (the church).</p> 178 (the church).</p>
179 <p>The appointment of trustees, of a Treasurer who is <emph>ex officio</emph>
180 a Trustee, of a Nominations Committee and amending the GD should all be
181 identified in the GD as matters reserved to the <name>RSFS</name> in session.</p>
175 </div></div> 182 </div></div>
176 183
177 <div> 184 <div>
178 <title>Some extensive background, which has informed my thinking.</title> 185 <title>Some extensive background, which has informed my thinking.</title>
179 <p>Thanks to Jackie Noltingk, Erica Thomas and Lesley Richards for 186 <p>Thanks to Jackie Noltingk, Erica Thomas and Lesley Richards for
205 clearly needs more work to discern what this might look like. It 212 clearly needs more work to discern what this might look like. It
206 will take time. That idea is not part of what we are asking you 213 will take time. That idea is not part of what we are asking you
207 about here."</p> 214 about here."</p>
208 <p>In fact the document laid before us in the special Area Meeting on 215 <p>In fact the document laid before us in the special Area Meeting on
209 15 January (Draft of 2023 12 29c.docx) had a lot to say about the 216 15 January (Draft of 2023 12 29c.docx) had a lot to say about the
210 body. Or did it? As I read it at the time it did't clearly 217 body. Or did it? As I read it at the time it didn't clearly
211 distinguish between the charity and the body, using the phrase 218 distinguish between the charity and the body, using the phrase
212 "Quakers in Scotland" in what I found to be confusing ways.</p> 219 "Quakers in Scotland" in what I found to be confusing ways.</p>
213 <p>A new draft (Draft of 2024 03 21.docx) has just been made available, 220 <p>A new draft (Draft of 2024 03 21.docx) has just been made available,
214 with only modest changes from the earlier draft. I'll take it as 221 with only modest changes from the earlier draft. I'll take it as
215 definitive with respect to what we will have before us on 6 April. 222 definitive with respect to what we will have before us on 6 April.
262 (Quakers) [in Britain] East Scotland Area Meeting (abbreviated as 269 (Quakers) [in Britain] East Scotland Area Meeting (abbreviated as
263 East Scotland Area Meeting) is based on the template provided by 270 East Scotland Area Meeting) is based on the template provided by
264 Quaker Life 271 Quaker Life
265 (<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>). 272 (<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>).
266 The template does not make any overt distinction between the church 273 The template does not make any overt distinction between the church
267 and the charity, to my embarassment. However the phrases "(East 274 and the charity. However the phrases "(East
268 Scotland) Area Meeting in session" clearly refer to the church, and 275 Scotland) Area Meeting in session" clearly refer to the church, and
269 in "3. Object The object of East Scotland Area Meeting" it is 276 in "3. Object The object of East Scotland Area Meeting" it is
270 evidently the charity.</p> 277 evidently the charity.</p>
271 <p>This sentence, taken unchanged from the template, is of note: "If 278 <p>This sentence, taken unchanged from the template, is of note: "If
272 at a meeting of East Scotland Area Meeting the members decide that 279 at a meeting of East Scotland Area Meeting the members decide that
285 <title>South East Scotland</title> 292 <title>South East Scotland</title>
286 <p>The governing document for the Religious Society of Friends 293 <p>The governing document for the Religious Society of Friends
287 (Quakers) in Britain: South East Scotland Area Meeting [referred to 294 (Quakers) in Britain: South East Scotland Area Meeting [referred to
288 below as South East Scotland Area Meeting or the area meeting and 295 below as South East Scotland Area Meeting or the area meeting and
289 formerly known as South East Scotland Monthly Meeting] likewise is 296 formerly known as South East Scotland Monthly Meeting] likewise is
290 based on the Quaker Life template. "Subject to the matters set out 297 based on the Quaker Life template, sharing its lack of clarity on church
298 versus charity, to my embarrassment. "Subject to the matters set out
291 below the resources of the area meeting shall be administered in 299 below the resources of the area meeting shall be administered in
292 accordance with this governing document by the trustees..." is 300 accordance with this governing document by the trustees..." is
293 clearly talking about the charity, whereas "Amendments to this 301 clearly talking about the charity, whereas "Amendments to this
294 governing document shall be agreed by South East Scotland Area 302 governing document shall be agreed by South East Scotland Area
295 Meeting in session and recorded by minute of the area meeting." 303 Meeting in session and recorded by minute of the area meeting."
320 <p>"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> 328 <p>"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>
321 <p>"General Meeting itself meets quarterly for business</p> 329 <p>"General Meeting itself meets quarterly for business</p>
322 <p>"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> 330 <p>"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>
323 <p><link href="https://www.quakerscotland.org/general-meeting">https://www.quakerscotland.org/general-meeting</link></p> 331 <p><link href="https://www.quakerscotland.org/general-meeting">https://www.quakerscotland.org/general-meeting</link></p>
324 </blockquote> 332 </blockquote>
325 <p>GM's governing document is here: <link 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</link>. It appears to be based on the Quaker Life template for Area Meetings. Section <name>12. Constituent Meetings</name> says "i) General Meeting for Scotland consists of all the local Meetings in Scotland."</p> 333 <p>GM's governing document is here: <link 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</link>. It appears to be based on the Quaker Life template for Area Meetings.</p>
334 <p>Section <name>12. Constituent Meetings</name> says "i) General Meeting for Scotland consists of all the local Meetings in Scotland."</p>
326 <p>QF&amp;P (13.54) gives area meetings responsibility for appointing prison 335 <p>QF&amp;P (13.54) gives area meetings responsibility for appointing prison
327 chaplains and "General Meeting for Scotland is responsible for 336 chaplains and "General Meeting for Scotland is responsible for
328 providing [their names] to the governors of all prison establishments 337 providing [their names] to the governors of all prison establishments
329 in the area meeting area".</p> 338 in the area meeting area".</p>
330 <p>A similar story, without the involvement of GM, obtains for 339 <p>A similar story, without the involvement of GM, obtains for