Tag: first day school ad hoc committee

November 2019 Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

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Meeting for Business for Mohawk Valley Friends Meeting Sunday, November 3rd, 2019

In attendance were, Isabelle Haines, clerk, Mary Ellen Blakey, Barbara Gold, Mark Hemendiger, Todd Thomsen, Ami Corleto-Bales and David Corleto-Bales, recording clerk.

The meeting began with a gathered silence.

There was a reading of the acknowledgement of the original Haudenosaunee ownership of the land where the meeting house sits.

1. The minutes from the October 6th MVFM business meeting were read and were approved after a few corrections and clarifications.

2. There was a reading of the vision statements for the MVFM’s future. Alex Haines-Stephan has been attempting to set measurable goals for the vision statements and asked for assistance in this regard.

3. The treasurer’s report prepared by Alex Haines-Stephan was read;

    a) Checking account, $442.28

    b) Savings account, $2,685.43

    c) Peaceweek account, $3,264.51

     Expenses:

    d) NYSEG, $37.03

    e) Mirabito, $100.00

     Donations:

    f) $208.41

     *It was reported that the outstanding annual expenses that are due before the end of the year are $200 for Mirabito, approximately $65 to NYSEG and the $800 Covenant donation.

4. A First Day School Report was delivered by Ami Corleto-Bales. The ad hoc committee on First Day School met in September and decided on a few topics and a schedule. The curriculum will be built around specific books, and lesson plans will eventually be available for any person to step in and teach. The goal is to have a set program format that could be replicated by anyone.

5. The Building and Grounds Report mentioned the water pump problem necessitates the water pump being shut off during the week at the breaker.

6. A letter was read by Isabelle Haines in regards to Judy Damkoeller who is now in a retirement home in Herkimer, NY. She requests visits from fellow Quakers. Her address is the Foltsbrook Home, 104. N. Washington Street, Herkimer, 13350. Telephone number, 315-866-6964.

7. Mary Ellen Blakey reported that the Friends Advocacy Team will be in Washington, D.C. to meet with the Public Policy Institute regarding the Authorization of Military Force Act from 2001/2002. They will be in Washington from Nov. 12 to the 17th, and will also meet with the staff of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and personally with Rep. Anthony Brindisi to advocate for this bills overturn.

The meeting ended in a gathered silence.

The next MVFM business meeting will be on Sunday, December 1st.

Approved: December 1, 2019

July 2019 Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

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Mohawk Valley Friends Meeting for worship with concern for business Sunday, July 7th, 2019,

Attending were: Isabelle Haines, clerk, Elisabeth Prenot, Ami Corleto-Bales, and David Corleto-Bales, recording clerk.

The meeting began with a gathered silence.

There was an acknowledgment of the original Haudenosaunee ownership of the land where the meeting house sits.

The minutes from the June 2nd business meeting were read and approved.

The Peacemaker Prize for 2019 was given to Clinton High School student Kimberly Rivera. The prize was presented by Liseli Haines on June 5th.

Treasury Report, was presented by Alexander Haines-Stephan in absentia,

   a. Checking, $665.56

   b. Savings, $3,221.73

   c. Peaceweek, $3,261.73

   d. Expenses, $216.84

   e. NYSEG, $26.84

   f.  Mirabito, $90.00

   g. Mirabito pre-pay, $100.00

   h. Donations, $510.00

First Day Ad Hoc Committee Report–
 a. The goal is to have a First Day school class every week instead of once a month

   b. Practice for settling in silence.

   c. Baskets full of material to be created in case a substitute has to teach the class.

   d. Discernment asked for Friends who could serve as teachers. Three teachers have already volunteered.

Interfaith Luncheon–

    It was decided that the meeting at this time was not ready to host the Interfaith Luncheon for August or September. Elisabeth will look into whether or not it is possible for us to book the luncheon to be held at the meeting house at a date far into the future so that it could be better planned.

Building and Grounds Report–

    The summer workday will be at the rise of meeting on Sunday, July 14th. Friends were encouraged to send ideas for tasks to Liseli.

Interfaith coalition will have a panel discussion about religions and other organizations that are “built around peace.” They are looking for volunteers to talk about this subject. Elisabeth volunteered to be on the panel but asked for some assistance to prepare. Some resources for her were suggested. The panel will meet between Sept. 14th and the 22nd, but the exact date has not yet been set.

The meeting ended in shared silence.

Approved August 4th 2019 

April 2019 Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

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April 7, 2019

Present: Isabelle Haines, Clerk; Mark Hemendiger; David Corleto-Bales, recording clerk; Ami Corleto-Bales; Mary Ellen Blakey; Barbara Gold; and Elisabeth Prenot.

The meeting began with the acknowledgement of the original Haudenosaunee ownership and stewardship of the land where the meeting house sits, and a gathered silence.

The minutes from the March 3rd business meeting were read and approved.

In absentia Treasurer’s Report, (from Alex Haines-Stephan)

 a. Checking account–438.00
 b. Savings account–2,919.82
 c. Peace week–3,759.45
 d. Expenses–215.56; i) 90.00, Mirabito Propane, ii) 100.00 Mirabito pre-pay, iii) 25.56 NYSEG
 e. Donations–20.00
There was no information regarding the link for the PayPal account that was set up by the treasurer in this report.

Building and Grounds Report, from Mark Hemendiger:

Six mouse traps were set to deal with the problem of mice in the meeting house; one mouse was caught. Little evidence of mice in the meeting house has been found of late, since the weather has improved.

Friends were reminded to lower the toilet seat so that mice won’t drown in the toilet bowl.
A spring work day will be set at a future date. Probably in May.

The State of the Meeting Report summary, by Buffy Curtis, was read by Elisabeth Prenot. Friends approved the summary with a few edits. The clerk will submit the approved summary.

Advocacy Team Meeting, will be on April 14th, at John Bailey’s house in Hamilton, at 3:30.
    a. On Thursday, April 18th, the Advocacy Team will be meeting with Rep. Anthony Brindisi in Utica to ask him to vote to rescind the 2001-02 “AUMF” bill, (Authorization for Use of Military Force) that was been invoked 30 times in the last 18 years.
    b. The Advocacy team will also meet will the staffs of Sen.Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s on the afternoon of the same day to discuss the same issue.

Visions and Desires for the Future which were discussed in the last few months during discernment of the state of our Meeting will be addressed through working groups and ad hoc committees.

It was proposed that First Day School will be the first desire to be addressed.      Elisabeth Prenot, Isabelle Haines, and Ami Corleto-Bales volunteered to form an ad hoc committee to make a plan for a weekly First Day School program.

A proposal was made for the meeting to host a screening of a documentary film, ”The Last Refuge”, about the role of immigrants in the rehabilitation of Utica. This film screening could serve as an outreach and be open to the public. Ami Corleto-Bales will contact the filmmakers about this.

“Next Door Clinton”, which is a community event forum for the village of Clinton and surrounding area could be used to offer the use of the meeting house for outside groups. Mark Hemendiger will look into this.

Religion Presentation at Utica College;
        a. There will be a presentation of various religious faiths at U.C.’s Newman Center on Tuesday, May 7th at 4:30 p.m.

        b. Elisabeth Prenot was asked to present her Quaker beliefs in response to student questions. Isabelle Haines will accompany her.  Friends approved this.

Potluck was confirmed for Sunday, April 21st after meeting.

The next business meeting was set for Sunday, May 5th.

The business meeting ended with gathered silence.

Minutes read and approved 5/5/2019