Minutes from Monthly Meeting for Business, 5th month

1. The meeting opened with a period of silent worship. Eleven Friends were present. The clerk read the Queries for the fifth month and Friends reflected on how our daily activities affect our openness to the spirit and how we can encourage others to reach their full potential talents.
2. Treasurer’s report: Income for the fourth month was $1215 and expenses were $1762. Donations of $172 to the Food Pantry were forwarded to them. Income continues to lag behind the amount needed to meet monthly expenses.
3. Ministry and Oversight committee report: The committee has considered the request for transfer of membership for one member from Clear Creek Monthly Meeting to Amesbury Friends Meeting, and recommends accepting this request. Meeting approved this transfer. A memorial minute for Cecile Holvik was read and approved as written. M&O also continues to reflect on the transition time after worship as well as guidelines for greeters and what is appropriate to put out on the Wymondham room table.
4. Website: Todd Vandenbark reported that a draft website for the Meeting is ready. He needs input on what the Meeting wants to do with this. Considerations include where we want to host this?, do we want to buy a domain name?, do we want to set up a blog?, should the site design be kept simple for easier access by the blind?, privacy issues? Meeting approved having Todd register a domain name once the website is complete. This will cost $10/year.
5. Correspondence:
• We received a DVD titled “The 11th Hour” from OVYM P&SC committee. A viewing time for this will be scheduled.
• We received a survey from the Food Pantry. Local needs have more than doubled over the past 5 years. They are asking us to consider in what ways we could contribute.
6. There will be an FGC conference “Out of the living silence” held at Bradford Woods, Aug 14-17, 2008. Meeting approved providing some financial assistance for someone who is interested in attending.
7. Concerning the covenanting process for OVYM, if they need a number, we intend to continue contributing at the same level that we have been.
8. Calendar of events was reviewed.
9. The minutes were read and approved.
10. Meeting closed with a brief period of waiting worship.