M i n u t es

Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting= and Association

Representative Meeting #108 (Spring= )

Nashville Friends Meeting

Fourth Month, Third Day, 2004 -- 9:= 00 am

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108 - 1 Opening

The Meeting opened with silent waiting. (Friends attending are listed in Appendix A)

The clerk, Sharon Annis, read from Preparation f= or Worship by Thomas Green (booklet, Quaker Home Service, 1983, p.1, originally published in 1952.)

The wo= rship of God is the primary purpose of the religious life. A desire that God may be glorified= on earth as He is in Heaven is what distinguished true Christian service from altruism. A passion for justi= ce or the natural emotion of pity may inspire a social reformer, but the Christ l= ike love of men which can outlive their indifference, ingratitude, and hostility has its roots in fellowship with God. If Worship is neglected or allowed to deteriorate in quality then the moral and humanitarian concerns of a religious society will eventually lose their vitality.>Wi= thout me ye can do nothing.108 - 2 Agenda

The agenda was presented and approved.

108 - 3 Announcements

Sharon Annis and Penelope Wright welcomed us to Representative Meeting and introduced us to the facilities.

108 - 4 Minutes of Concern=

Foxfire meeting minutes on standards of government The general feeling = from monthly meetings was that the minute produced interesting discussion but was not ready to take to yearly meeting.

Minute -- The minute will be referred back to Foxfire Meeting for whatever ac= tion they may choose to take.

Atlanta Minute on support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and war tax resistance S= everal monthly meetings minuted their own support for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting = and also indicated that the minute should come before our yearly meeting.<= /o:p>

Minute -- We recom= mend that yearly meeting endorse Atlanta=3Ds minute= .

Minute regarding the Yearly Meeting Peace and Social Concerns committee S= everal monthly meetings supported the general purpose of the committee but made suggested changes in the organization and wording of the charges of the committee. The clerk read a n= ew draft that incorporated recommendations from monthly meetings. Discussion clarified that this com= mittee will not have a gate-keeping role, but will instead have a shepherding role= .

Minute -- We recom= mend that the revised version be brought to Yearly Meeting for consideration. In addition, we recommend that the committee should consist of three to five core members with additions as needed.

108 - 5 Treasurer=3Ds Report

David Ciscel presented the attached report. (Appendix B) The current deficit in the actual = 2004 budget is due to the cash flow during the fiscal year. The budgeted deficit for 2004 would result in spending down our non-earmarked assets if income is also as projected. The treasurer repo= rted that it is most helpful if monthly meeting make their assessment payments i= n several payments over the year and payments are most appreciated in the fall.<= /o:p>

Minute -- Friends accepted the report with thanks.

108 - 6 Ecological Concerns Network<= /span>

Susan Carlyle presented the following proposed m= inute for consideration for presentation to Yearly Meeting:

For over a decade, diverse groups throughout the= world have endeavored to create an Earth Charter that sets forth fundamental ethi= cal principles for a sustainable way of life.&= nbsp; The main commitments of the Charter are:

1. Respect the Earth and life in all its diversity.=

2. Care for the community of life with understanding compassion, and love.

3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable and peaceful.

The Earth Charter is a hopeful document. It seeks a way of life that includ= es the interconnections between peace, economic and social justice, and ecological integrity.

If all nations, government and non-government organizations, and faith communities endorsed the Earth Charter and impleme= nted its principles, the world would be significantly improved in the areas that have been concerns of Friends for centuries.

We of the Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association of the Religious Society of Friends (SAYMA) find the Earth Char= ter to be consistent with Quaker testimonies.&= nbsp; We affirm its substance and encourage its application at all levels = of social organization (local, global, public, private and corporate).

We endorse the Earth Charter as a guide consiste= nt with our faith for spiritual practice and for social action

By endorsing the Earth Charter, SAYMA signifies = its commitment to the spirit and aims of the document and will continue its wor= k on the implementation of its principles.

Minute -- Friends = agreed to present this minute for consideration at Yearly Meeting.

10= 8 - 7 Faith and Practice Revision Committee

Kristi Estes submitted the report. (Appendix C)

Minute -- Friends accepted the report with thanks.

10= 8 - 8 Name Change

Some Friends asked whether the question of a pos= sible name change should be coming from the Faith and Practice Revision committee. Also, an opportuni= ty to further consider the name change at an interest group at yearly meeting cou= ld be helpful.

Minute -- Friends = asked that Faith and Practice no longer consider this issue. The question will be presented at a yearly meeting interest group and perhaps in other formats at yearly meeting. The clerk will find a facilitator for the interest group. Friends will be asked at a session of yearly meeting whether and how= to proceed with consideration of a name change.

10= 8 - 9 Finance Committee<= /p>

Chris Berg presented the following report for the committee:

1. = Liability Insurance: The treasurer will endeavor to get quotes for SAYF auto travel, incident coverage during Yearly Meeting, and bonding for the SAYMA treasurer.

2. = Incorporati= on: The Finance Committee commits to s= erious investigation of incorporation of SAYMA as a not-for-profit corporation. The motivation is to seek relief f= rom possible tax liability for proceeds as Apr= ofits@ in years when not all our resources are expended. The major obstacle = is the requirement to incorporate according to the laws of a particular state, whi= ch entails duties of responsiveness to mail or legal process at a recorded address.

3. = Handbook Process: Finance Committee co= mmits to drafting language regarding budget submissions and detail needs from SAYMA committees in an annual process, hopefully is a manner that generates a good draft budget for Spring Representative meeting.

4. = Prompts: Finance Committee commits to prompt SAYMA committees and clerks for budget and related information in a timely manner.

5. = Budget Details: A copy of the SAYMA Treasurer report will be made available to monthly meeting clerks or SAYMA representatives (as desired) as of late March of each year.

The following items are under consideration:

-- Rural Southern Voice for Peace. A recommendation to withhold payme= nt made in December is confirmed and pending information still being expected.=

-- Wider Quaker Organizations. Costs for these activities appear = to be rising both for delegates and the needs of these organizations. Finance Committee anticipates requ= esting further funds in the upcoming 2005 budget.

-- Delegates to Representative Meeting will be provided with travel cost forms; cost reports are requested, whether or not reimbursement is sought.

Minute -- Friends accepted the report with thanks.

10= 8 - 10 = ; Announcement

The clerk announced that the Southeast Regional = Office (SERO) of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) sent packets of information to be taken to the monthly meeting by their representatives.