# HG changeset patch
# User Henry S. Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
# Date 1711624028 0
# Node ID 772de13b9cb90985d0055fb60ec3d9fe58ded64e
# Parent  afef22d1d7c8d1c0d84f9839094e7b6785a2b5bd
more background, TL;DR

diff -r afef22d1d7c8 -r 772de13b9cb9 QiS/What_are_QiS.txt
--- a/QiS/What_are_QiS.txt	Wed Mar 27 13:24:54 2024 +0000
+++ b/QiS/What_are_QiS.txt	Thu Mar 28 11:07:08 2024 +0000
@@ -1,4 +1,22 @@
-A bit of history, to set the scene.
+I have struggled at the last two threshing meetings about the proposed
+governing document for Quakers in Scotland (QiS) to adequately convey
+my concerns.  This document attempts to do better, not only with
+respect to what I think is wrong, but also by suggesting how it could
+be fixed.
+
+It's not short, and there's an even longer appendix of background
+detail, so here's the punchline:
+
+  SESAM Trustees should advise SESAM that SESAM _should not_ agree to
+  joining QiS without substantial changes to the governing document,
+  distinguishing between the charity and the church and making their
+  relationship explicit, following the model of the governing document
+  for Britain Yearly Meeting (the charity).
+
+
+Some extensive background, which has informed my thinking.  Thanks to
+Jackie Noltingk, Erica Thomas and Lesley Richards for helpful answers
+to my questions.
 
 The General Meeting for Scotland (GM) mailing list were told
 (2023-11-17), in regard to
@@ -190,5 +208,21 @@
    matters should set out the arrangements for trusteeship."
    
 
+Prison Chaplains
+
+QF&P (13.54) gives area meetings responsibility for appointing prison
+chaplains and "General Meeting for Scotland is responsible for
+providing [their names] to the governors of all prison establishments
+in the area meeting area".
+
 Registering officers
-Prison visitors
+
+A similar story, without the involvement of GM, obtains for
+registering officers.  "Each area meeting shall appoint a suitable
+Friend as registering officer ... the area meeting ... shall report
+[the appointment] to the Recording Clerk without delay, by minute
+signed by the clerk ... The Recording Clerk is required to certify all
+such appointments ... in Scotland, to the Registrar General for
+Scotland"; "The registering officer, acting on behalf of the area
+meeting, ..." (QF&P 16.22,23)
+