Summary of minutes
Friends gathered in a regular business meeting on First Month 11, 2009
During the opening worship the clerk read the 1st SEYM query on religious meetings.
The 4th quarter treasurers report, the Cash Reconciliation, and a proposed budget for next year were presented.
A proposed committee list for next year was presented.
The Liaison committee reported they have declined a facilities request from a Medical Signs group and that the Universal Dance of Peace group will be ending their usage of the building.
The Buildings & Grounds committee reported on vermin control and parking problems.
A Friend reported that he and his wife will be visiting Guilford and Tampa Friends on behalf of the SEYM Worship and Ministry Committee.
A Friend reported he will be visiting the Fort Myers Friends as an AFSC representative.
We received a report that the BiLingual Coop Preschool is down to 13 students.
The concern expressed in previous meetings over the reduced size of our meeting was reviewed. After discussion Friends approved the following minute
The Miami Friends Meeting will publish on the website recorded minutes and a summary of meeting actions and activities after approval by the monthly business meeting.
We received a report of an organizational meeting on conscientious objection which was held First Month 10 in the meetinghouse.
The meeting closed with a reading of the Advices and silence purposing to meet again on Second Month 8.
Friends gathered in a regular business meeting on Second Month 8, 2009. During the opening worship the clerk read the 2nd SEYM query on meetings for worship with a concern for business. At 12:12 the clerk opened the Miami Friends Meeting Corporation meeting. Friends approved the state of the meeting report. Friends approved Third Month 7 for a Meeting retreat with a concern for outreach. The Treasurer's report and 2009 budget were presented. Friends approved the budget. The Buildings and Grounds committee reported on roof, tree, and vermin work and plans for electrical work. Several future ideas for projects were also mentioned. The Bartram committee reported on a meeting with the user organizations. The Non-Violence Project is seeking Federal recognition to permit direct funding. The nominating committee presented a proposed the committee list for next year. Friends approved with one Friend standing aside and asking that his disapproval be recorded. Friends were reminded that additional participants were needed for several committees and that anyone interested should speak to the nominating committee. One of our members has been appointed to the board of Pro-Nica. The meeting is looking forward to reports from her in this capacity. The Recorder's report was presented. Friends agreed to discuss up the problem of oversubscribing of attenders further at the retreat. The Liaison committee reported on building use last year (attached). First Month minutes were approved and a summary was approved for publication on the website. Friends approved a Secretary/Treasurer and Director(s) for the Miami Friends Meeting Corporation and the Amigos Corporation. At 1:43 the clerk closed the Miami Friends Meeting Corporation meeting The meeting closed with a reading of the Advices and silence purposing to meet again on Third Month 8.
Miami Friends Meeting / Business Meeting / Third Month 8, 2009
Friends gathered in a regular business meeting . Present were 14 members and attenders.
Query read from SEYM Faith and Practice 3rd on participation in meetings.
Co-clerk reported on the retreat held third month 7, 2009 at a Friend's home. Report accepted. Committees asked to move forward on projects.
Amount to be given to youth ProNica trip is $600. Co-clerk will forward an email and direct where the check should be made out to.
Committee Clerks were reported for:
Finance: Concerned on how the budget got "loaded". Decided to pay another loan. Discussed young friends ProNica trip.
Membersip Care and Counsel: Two Friends to serve as co-clerks. It was suggested that the recording clerk have less responsibility for the list of members and attenders. MCC co-clerk suggested MCC tally the membership instead of the recording clerk as it is done now.
Worship and Ministry: Would like to meet more frequently, not before Meeting for Worship so that they are able to attend MFW.
Peace and Social Concerns: Only action item- ProNica teen trip. Concern about AVP to help some with trip to yearly meeting and bullying.
Meeting co-clerk suggested certain minutes be put on YouTube so that others can learn about Quaker values.
A Friend reported a concern that a minute is needed on violence not just domestic. In the last year violence including murders have occurred to people her family knew. Friend to talk about violence and bullying at tri county meeting next 1st day. Friend will be teaching teachers and educators HIPP. Sponsored by the Sarasota Peace Center. Following day will be at Sarasota reporting on the ProNica trip.
Another Friend: Ban on assault weapons not re-instated. Suggested we voice our concern.
Other co-clerk: Discussed Quaker influence via AVP as one way to work towards peace.
B&G Has not met.
Friend Reports 3rd month 3rd zoning appeals meeting. Written report submitted. Plan on demolishing the house and building 4 two story houses west of Bartram House. Friend spoke in opposition. Argued against the change because of increased traffic and population density, irresponsible behavior in the past including renting to an irresponsible commune. No other opposition was present. Despite opposition the change was approved. Friend was authorized to appeal on the meeting's behalf. He is thanked for his hard work.
Tape on North side of building was removed because a warning was given to us. Tape was put up by neighbor.
Tree surgeon parked his huge truck on our driveway. Truck was in our property on 1st day (today). Friends complained. B&G to decide on a parking policy.
Liason: Our user group "Beloved Community" has left our meeting house. Miami Center for Spiritual Living wants to change to 5th day in the Library. 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th evenings are available.
Hospitality has not met.
Library: One member & clerk.
Bartram House: Two co-clerks.
Minutes from last meeting was read by recording clerk and approved.
Co-clerk closed the meeting with advices from the 3rd month Query and silence.
Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business / fifth day, fourth month, 2009
Opened at 12:17 PM with silence
Present were David Landowne, Peter Forest, Gerry Osulivan, Steve Donachie, Charlotte Shea, Win Shea, Floyd Daniels, Warren Hoskins clerk, Andrew Jason recording clerk.
4th month query read: How do Friends care for one another?: Mutual Care.
Charlotte noted that the advices deal mainly with children. Not a lot to say how to assist those who are living alone or living in need.
David reported from W&M that they have been discussing Cormac and his chaplaincy. He is going to be a chaplain at a hospital. He needs a license and needs to be certified. They have asked that his religious organization to endorse his chaplaincy. They have had two clearness committees. W&M brought a minute to endorse Cormac.
ÒWhereas Cormac Ryder Levenson, having grown up as a member of the Miami Friends Meeting and presently planning to enter a ministry of clinical pastoral care, the Miami Friends Meeting endorses Cormac Ryder Levenson for his ministry as a certified chaplain for five years beginning on the tenth day of the fourth month of 2009 with the possibility of renewal upon request.Ó
Peter objected because we are being asked to endorse him as a hired pastor, against Quaker norms. Peter also asked that our previous recorded ministry of Eduardo Diaz be reviewed.
Peter agreed to stand aside saying he feels separated from our meeting.
Minute submitted, attached, and will be submitted to Yearly Meeting for approval of our process.
Finance: Continunig to pay down the debt for the roof. Down to about $10,000.
Steve D.: B&G Has met and selected Steve as clerk. Work day done last week for painting and clean up.
The zoning change for the neigboring property to Bartram House, in spite of Peter's objection at the hearing, was approved. The fee and expenses for filing an appeal estimated to be about $2,400. Peter figures it would not be worth it as we will probably not get the decision overturned. We agreed not to appeal.
Floyd enquired about the electrical permit at BH. Andrew to follow up as we have not heard from Alzate Engineering.
MCC met. Concerned about members and attenders who are alone or in need. Will have a MCC + W&M combined meeting. Talked about a telephone tree to keep up with members and attenders at large. Do we recognize children membership especially when parents do not attend? Questions about dropping members. Hope to keep a list of beloved roster. In addition to be posted on the bulletin board have them emailed. There has not been a substantial change in membership this year.
Yearly meeting: Letter from Wendy Geiger asking for someone at this meeting to be a traveler visitor (intervisitation). Make sure we visit other meetings at least once a year. Charlotte asks to be approved and was approved.
Charlotte is FCNL rep but is willing to have more than one. Looking for more.
Hospitality: Floyd is clerk. Next meeting after yearly meeting. Possibly a work day. Making rearangements of kitchen setup. Good job on roaches. Big ants are still there.
Warren reported that last 1st day he visited the Ft. Laud. Friends meeting. It was very small with a Korean congregation marching and doing some type of excercise. Only one Fort Lauderdale Friend, Brian Humprhrey, one attender, one visitor from North and a visitor from England who came with his sister.
Peter reports that Liason has not met this month but our meetinghouse has been used inappropriately. Group left lights on. Kitchen not left clean. Thursday was ok so it was probably the Thursday night group. Suggests we should drop in if we are in the area to see if it is being used properly. Hot weather is here and it is important to turn off the AC which was left on.
Advices to match with Query
Closed meeting in silence at 1:46 PM
Miami Monthly Meeting / Meeting for Woship with a concern for Business
8 Friends gathered the third day of fifth month at 12:12 PM in silent worship.
The clerk opened with the reading of the 5th query regarding religious education.
Membership Care and Council committee reported that they met and had a short meeting . They divided up the care list. It still needs to be adjusted. They also discussed the need for joint Woship and Ministry meeting.
They expressed the need for a meeting for learning on the topic of membership which was held. They are still sending birthday cards.
Friend from Worship and Ministry reported that there will be a meeting for learning on an Introduction to Quakerism two weeks from today.
Treasurer reported a "big picture" page showing Cash Reconcilliation. Last loan payback will be done probably this month. They are still working on the budget.
Friend reported that the same % of non residents as nonresidentes give money to the meeting.
The need to follow up and remind people that their donations are needed was brought up. One Friend said that we are reluctant to ask more than once a year.
Friend noted that we need professional painting. Also would like to see about needs in the community that Quakers have usually addressed. Things such as the the current indigent community.
Friend from the Finance comittee suggested it is best if Finance does not think of projects for the meeting. Leave it to others.
Friend reported that a letter from South East Yearly Meeting was received indicating that the Yearly Meeting W&M approved our process of endorsing Cormac Levenson to the Board of Professional Chaplains which certify chaplains.
The Southeast Yearly Meeting minute is as follows:
09YBM02 Minute from Worship & Ministry Southeastern Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, meeting in annual session at Leesburg, Florida, in the fourth month, 2009, endorses the process followed by MMM in their endorsement of Cormac Ryder Levenson and affirm that the authority on this process rests with the Miami Monthly Meeting.
We have learned of the death of a former member of this meeting, residing in Arkansas. Minute suggested.
Fifth Query read, Education.
Closed with silence at 12:42 PM
david at landowne.org
