1. Overview and Approval of Agenda
2. Opening Worship
3. Approval of Last Meeting's Minutes
4. Statement of Process: Clerk referred to an article by Deborah Haines: "A Practical Mystic's Guide to Committee Clerking" from Friends and Clerking: FGConennections, Spring 2004. To remain grounded in Quaker process, as a spiritual process, some basics that are suggested are (a) allow silence before and after each person speaks (b) listen attentively and respectfully (c) do not react to or critique what others have said (c) express your own concerns and insights... speak from your own experience (d) expect to speak only once during consideration of a given item
5. A Friend asked what Faith and Practices were? Another Friend responded that it is a collection of Quaker writings that acts as a guide in making decisions that will resonant with Quaker principles.
6. Treasurer's Report: Submitted (see attached).
7. SERLF Report: Clerk Sarah Kinsel added that $500.00 had been repaid to the SERLF which may be reflected in line item: Plus SERLF loans repaid this year $700.00.
8. Snack Room: Annie reports that things are going well overall but there is still a shortage.
People are not putting in enough money to cover the costs of the items. Methods were suggested:
An I.O.U system, sliding scale, 8MB subsidizing, having a person write down what they bought and how much
they paid for it, donations of free food, and having healthy food snacks in the vending machines. Clerk Sarah Kinsel
suggested that we continue to brainstorm, and may think about changing the policy. She also suggested getting together
with Annie if there were further ideas.
Clerk Sarah Peterson suggested that since this was a project that Annie had nurtured and developed she should go ahead
and modify it. Annie agreed to do so. Annie also stated that she is now able to use the dishwasher which is making her
work much easier.
9. Candidate for Nominating Committee Eileen Kinch was approved.
10. Nominating Committee Business: Job Descriptions Clerk of the Committee presented and read the job description and distributed the Friends Journal article (see attached). The Nominating committee asked that the job description be seasoned for a period of one month and that any concerns be brought to their attention before the next 8MB meeting Friday, March 4th. This job description will most likely be used as a template in the future review of all committee job descriptions.
11. A Friend asked if there was a process for leaving a committee, or laying down membership. Do they let the clerk know, understand why, and then bring it to theNominating Committee? It was agreed there was need for written guidelines for releasing an individual from service on a committee and laying down of a committee or position, making sure we note both the discernment process and the leading. The Nominating Committee is asked to create a template for this process. The Spring Banquet This has been as AD Hoc Committee in the past. The new committee has yet to be formed. Historically this committee was nominated at the beginning of the second semester. April 29th was proposed and approved as the date. Volunteers were requested. There is a meeting planned for this Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eileen Kinch's house with more information to be posted on the list serve and in TWIC. The need for volunteers was stressed.
Information Gathering Calls: job descriptions for different committees are in the student handbook (pages 10-11). The committee will begin to call on all the ESR students currently on campus. Please consider serving, and don't wait to be called upon. If a job or committee appeals to you let a Nominating Committee member know.
Other Committee Check-Ins
12. Worship Committee: Our Clerk has resigned. Annie is now acting clerk. We are in the process of producing our survey. The questions have been formulated with the means of distribution planned i.e. at Common Meal, in student mail boxes, and via the student list serv. A service lead by Khulood Kittaneh is planned for in the late spring but the date has yet to be confirmed. The worship liaison system is working well.
13. Common Meal Committee: There are a few openings and they are asking for suggestions.
14. Community Life: On sabbatical for further discernment. They are not able to take on other things. Asking the question what do we feel we are called to do? Lack of members is an issue.
15. Pastoral Care Committee: Have not met; will meet soon.
16. Report for Faculty Meeting Upcoming Board of Trustees Meeting Clerk Sarah Kinsel reported that at the faculty meeting the loss of Wellness Center benefits for students, faculty, and staff was being considered for June of this year. A minute had been written in opposition to this proposal to be presented to the Board of Trustees Meeting. It was felt that this was not in right order and detrimental to the morale of all concerned. It was asked that the budget be looked at in a more holistic way. Mac is our representative at the Board of Trustees and perhaps he will be able to report more fully on this subject at the next meeting.
17. Quaker Education Sub-Committee: Originally called on to look into the concept of a workshop for ESR students about Clerking. Through the sub-committee' exploration of this topic via conversations with students, faculty and the wider ESR community, our focus has deepened. We began by asking several faculty members what a session or workshop about Clerking might look like if they were to present it. That question evolved and shifted into an exploration of how ESR teaches Quakerism. Through a series of conversations with Steve Angell, Professor of Quaker Studies and Clerk of the ESR Faculty Meeting, his support of our question of how ESR teaches Quakerism brought him to suggest 8MB bring the query to ESR Faculty Meeting. Action Item: Ask for continued support in this shift of emphasis. Also ask that others interested in Quaker Education, more specifically non-Quaker students, join in this exploration and conversation. This we pose to you in the Spirit of continuing revelation.. . the Quaker Sub-Committee
18. A Friend suggested that we suggest this informally to the faculty first rather than present a formal minute. The Clerk also thought that an informal approach would be more appropriate. Move forward to open dialogue with faculty in an informal way before formulating a formal minute.
19. Closing Worship
Attending: Sarah Kinsel, Sarah Peterson, Eileen Kinch, Jeff Wolfe, Jeff Brotemarkle, Adriana Cabrera-Velasquez, Eric Benner, Annie Glen, Donne Hayden, Lisa Lundeen, Abby, Sarah Enimer, and Joanna McClelland
Respectfully Submitted, Joanna McClelland