Tag: vision statement

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

October 2019 Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

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Sunday, October 6th, 2019.

In attendance were Isabelle Haines, clerk; Alex Haines-Stephan, treasurer; Elisabeth Prenot; Scott Ferguson; Jeanne Smith; and David Corleto-Bales, recording clerk.

The business meeting began with a gathered silence.

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

Alex Haines-Stephan read the minutes from the MVFM business meeting of September 1st, 2019. They were approved.

Friends heard the revised vision statement that was made by Buffy Curtis and Liseli Haines. There were six statements, all using the word “envision.”  Friends proposed that the vision statement could be read at the beginning of each business meeting to remind the meeting of the envisioned path. Friends suggested the addition of “measurable goals” to be linked to the vision statement so that any progress in the six areas can be noted and those outcome assessments can be presented during the monthly business meetings.

Friends proposed that the next potluck, (Sunday, Oct. 20th) would be a good time to discuss the mission statement answering the question of “Who are we and what do we want people to know about us?”

Friends heard the treasurer’s report from Alex Haines-Stephan:

   a) Checking, $370.90

   b) Savings, $2,584.87

   c) Peaceweek, $3,263.81

   Expenses:

   a) NYSEG, $35.12

   b) Mirabito Pre-pay, $100.00

   c) Insurance, $982.00

   d) Donations, $148.00

    *It was noted that the meeting has not paid the $800 covenant donation or any other donations this year.

There was no building and grounds report.

Friends heard about the Sept. 30th discussion group. It was a good discussion about the topic, “What were our original operating instructions?” The next meeting and topic have not yet been set.

The May Quarterly Meeting will be held at the Unadilla Friends Church hosted by Our meeting. If Unadilla chooses a topic, then the MVFM would need to come up with a program. Liseli will inquire of the UFM about what topics they are interested in and what format they would like.

The next MVFM business meeting was set for Sunday, November 3rd. 

The business meeting ended with a gathered silence.

Approved 11/3/2019

September 2019 Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business

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Sunday, September 1, 2019

(In attendance was Isabelle Haines, clerk, Liseli Haines, Elisabeth Prenot, Buffy Curtis, Ami Corleto-Bales, David Corleto-Bales, recording clerk)

The meeting began in a gathered silence.

There was an acknowledgement of the original ownership of the land where the meeting house sits by the Haudenosaunee people.

The minutes of the last business meeting of Sunday, August 4th were read and approved.

Friends received the treasurer’s report in absentia:
 a) Checking, $1,134.02  b) Savings, $3,484.35  c) Peaceweek, $3,262.43

 Expenses were as follows:
a) NYSEG, $42.41 b) Mirabito pre-pay, $100 c) Mirabito for the year, $938.79
 

Donations were $50.

     It was noted that the insurance bill has come but has not yet been paid.

Friends received the building and grounds report. All light bulbs in the meeting house have been replaced with LED lights and friends are asked if they want to plant anything on the grounds to talk to Mark Hemendiger.

Friends considered the question of creating a fundraising ad hoc committee. Alex 

Haines-Stephan volunteered to be a financial consultant. This will be brought up at next month’s meeting.

Friends received a letter from Ami Corleto-Bales requesting for membership in the meeting, and also for her son, Samuel Corleto-Bales. Alex Haines-Stephan and Elisabeth Prenot will be on the clearness committee and an e-mail will be sent to find additional members willing to be on the committee. This will be brought to the next business meeting.

Friends approved a request from the Indivisible Mohawk Valley’s “Defund Hate” rally to add the name of the meeting to a list of sponsors. The rally will be Friday, September 13th at the Oneida Square roundabout at 5 p.m.

Friends agreed that the “vision statements” for the MVFM should be reworded. Buffy Curtis and Liseli Haines will work on editing the statements.

Friends heard a letter from the Mohawk Valley Interfaith Council announcing a book discussion group that will be held at the Dunham Library in Whitesboro on the third Monday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. It will start on October 21st.

Friends heard a proposal to start a once a month discussion group which will examine a query, a book, etc. A date was not set for this possible group meeting at this time.

Friends were asked by the clerk for a volunteer to send out e-mail newsletters or announcements.

The next business meeting was set for Sunday, October 6th.

The business meeting ended in a gathered silence.

Approved October 6, 2019