SESAM and the Quakers in Scotland proposal

The future of the Area Meeting(s) +

The GD should make it explicit that in the first instance +the four Area Meetings, as well as General Meeting for Scotland, will +continue to exist and function after the creation of the +SCIO and the RSFS. These five will constitute the Constituent Meetings of the +RSFS.

The GD should specify that transfer from the Constituent Meetings

+ + their assets, properties and trusteeship to the SCIO + their spiritual and pastoral activities and responsibilities to the + RSFS + +

of will be at their discretion as to both timing and substance.

We feel strongly that many of our spiritual and pastoral activities +are best served in smaller constituencies that the RSFS. We +understand that some Area Meetings need to unburden themselves quickly +of some of their responsibilities, but we hope that they will wish to +retain some of them, particularly membership, pastoral care end +eldership.

Accordingly, the GD should make clear that for those things +not transfered to the SCIO and/or the RSFS, Constituent +Meetings will remain as parts of the Religious Society of Friends +(Britain), governed by the relevant parts of QF&P.

+Governance of the <name>RSFS</name> +

The GD should specify how the RSFS operates as a Quaker +Meeting. There should be an annual Meeting for Worship for Church Affairs open +to all members. At least in the short term the Clerks of the Constituent +Meetings should serve as the clerking team for this, with one of their number +actually serving as the Clerk on the day. Other Meetings could be held when +required. At least three representatives of each Constituent Meeting must be +present for any Meeting of the RSFS to be able to conduct +business.

The above is intended to allow for a structure for the governance of the +RSFS very like the way in which Yearly Meeting and +Meeting for Sufferings together provide governance for Britain Yearly Meeting +(the church).