Present: Sheila Hoyer, Marielke Nieuwerth (treasurer), Daniel Schulz, Maarten Spreij (Dutch NCP), Rachel Bryers (clerk), Bronwen Thomas, Marion Luksenberg, Paul Sladen (elder), Eszter Pocsy (Hungary NCP), Jude Kirton-Darling, Anneke Spreij, Peggy Brett (recording clerk), Hanna Nohe (German NCP), Anna Dunford, Megan Bastick, Yves Makolo, Jonathan Riddell (charitable committee treasurer), simon gray (Britain NCP), and Bettina Gray.
We welcome each other to Annual Meeting at Quaker House, Brussels, and look forward to our weekend together, and being joined by more friends when transport allows. We have also received greetings from Aidan McCartney, Jan Caspers, Mike Eccles and Ellen Ryberg.
We remind ourselves of the diversity of languages spoken and so of the necessity of clarity when speaking. In particular we should attempt to speak slowly and avoid complicated expressions. We also remind ourselves to ask for translation or clarification if we need it.
We were introduced to, or reminded of, the Quaker Business Method, which will be used in our sessions.
We appoint the following Friends to Nominations Committee for the duration of this Annual Meeting:
We have enjoyed hearing about the activities of Young Friends at the national level from National Contact Persons: simon gray from Britain; Maarten Spreij from the Netherlands; Hanna Nohe from Germany; and Aidan McCartney’s written report from Ireland. We also heard news from French, Belgian, Hungarian and Congolese participants. The written reports will be attached to these minutes. We were particularly interested to hear of the contact between the Quaker Youth Pilgrimage and Young Friends in the Netherlands, and of the discovery in Germany of lost Dutch Quaker texts. We were delighted to learn of the canoeing trip undertaken jointly by German and Russian Young Friends as part of an ongoing exchange. Although we have not heard from them directly we are glad to learn that Russian and other Eastern European Friends are intending to apply to attend the World Gathering of Young Friends next year. It was with especial pleasure that we heard from Yves Makolo about his experiences of Quakers and their projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We eagerly anticipate further opportunities to share our experiences and ideas.
Jude Kirton-Darling and Hannah Nohe have read us the epistle of Spring Gathering 2004 held in Pornichet, France. We are pleased to hear that it went so well. We thank the organising committee for their hard work and for bringing to our attention certain concerns they had. Their report will be attached to these minutes and made available to the next planning committee. With regard to the concerns raised we would request Friends to consider their use of the e-mail list and be aware that information from different sources can cause unnecessary confusion, and that with regard to the organisation of specific events the information should come from or through the planning committee. Although we value the chance to communicate and share our experiences outside of gatherings and appreciate that e- mail helps unite the scattered EMEYF community, we would remind Friends of the need to be aware of limitations to the number of e- mails it may be possible for some Friends to read.
We ask Communications Committee to consider EMEYF’s policy on allowing those under 18 to attend events. Although we do not wish to exclude anyone because of age, it is desirable that there be clear guidelines on our own policy and the legal obligations in such circumstances. We note that other issues which concerned the organising committee may be discussed when we consider the role of the Gatherings Coordinator.
We are glad to hear that planning is going well for Spring Gathering 2005, which will be held between the 20th and 26th March in Kindergoed near Ermelo in the Netherlands. The theme will consider building and breaking down walls at various levels, from the personal to the wider social context. We encourage the planning committee to make contact with those organising the World Gathering of Young Friends and to consider the links between the two events. We offer the committee our support and encourage Friends to attend the gathering.
We have decided to hold Spring Gathering 2006 in Spain, in accordence with the desire expressed both last year and this to increase our contact with Young Friends in Southern Europe. We ask Nominations Committee to find two Young Friends to serve on the planning committee, reminding them of the possibility that Young Friends outside Spain and other Spanish Friends may be asked to help with local arrangements if local Young Friends feel they are not able to deal with all the needs. We also considered and look forward to the possibility of holding a future Spring Gathering in Eastern Europe, as this would be easier for Eastern European and Middle-Eastern Young Friends to attend.
Our treasurer, Marielke Nieuwerth, has presented the accounts for 2003, which were examined before Communications Committee, we therefore approve these accounts.
Marielke Nieuwerth has presented the accounts for 2004 to date. We note that the 2004 payments from Europe and Middle-East Section (EMES) and Netherlands Yearly Meeting cover their donations from both 2003 and 2004. We thank EMES, Young Friends General Meeting (YFGM) and Switzerland and Netherlands Yearly Meetings for their generous donations. We are now able to reclaim tax on UK donations, which can be arranged through Jonathan Riddell, our Charitable Treasurer. We also thank the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, which is now funding the costs of our secretary in Brussels. The expenditure on stationary and sundries is now covered by the total amount paid to the Quaker Council for European Affairs staff costs and so will no longer appear as a separate item. We thank our treasurers Marielke Nieuwerth, Jonathan Riddell, and Sarah Davies.
Marielke Nieuwerth has presented the budget for 2005. We agree that the €250 budgeted for ‘Willy and Penn’ be paid to EMES as a contribution towards the cost of ‘Among Friends’. Friends are reminded to let EMES know if they would like to receive copies. We approve the increase for travel costs to Communications Committee to enable both Marielke Nieuwerth and the new treasurer to attend. We agree to set aside money for travel to visit Young Friends in Europe and the Middle-East, and will discuss how this will work in a later session.
We approve this budget, subject to change by Communications Committee.
We have heard from Susan Seymoor about the wide range of courses and other opportunities at Woodbrooke, and the possible use of the Catchpool fund to enable Young Friends to attend. We encourage Friends to take advantage of these opportunities. In particular we would like the new treasurer to attend the course on being a Quaker treasurer, and remind planning committees of Spring Gatherings of the possibility of using the fund to bring speakers from Woodbrooke. They are also reminded that they should contact Woodbrooke as early as possible if they wish to do this.
If Friends have further ideas for uses for the fund or ways of strengthening the relationship between EMEYF and Woodbrooke they are warmly invited to contact Susan.
EMEYF has expressed a concern that we would like to support and build relationships with Young Friends throughout Europe and the Middle East, especially where they are isolated or are a new Young Friends group which has not had previous contact with EMEYF. We feel that we would like to support Young Friends involved in EMEYF to visit isolated or new Young Friends groups. This may take a variety of forms: 1) Appointing a Visiting Friend or Visiting Friends for a period of time, who would undertake any visits EMEYF suggests. 2) Incorporating visiting into the role of elders. 3) EMEYF initiating suggestions of destinations, and finding individuals for each individual visit. A mixture of these methods could be used, with flexibility to take into account the interests and commitments of Young Friends active in EMEYF.
Financial support can be gained from: 1) EMEYF funds. 2) John Warder fund. 3) Preparation and training at Woodbrooke through the Catchpool fund. 4) Link with the YFGM International Secretary’s budget to encourage Young Friends from other countries to travel to YFGM. Links could also be made with the EMES team of visiting friends, who meet annually at Woodbrooke for mutual support.
There is potential in the future, if the right individual is found, to extend the role of the Visiting Friend, including providing training or short workshops, and Woodbrooke, with the Catchpool fund, could help prepare the individual for this role.
We ask that everyone helps to spread the word to isolated Young Friends, asking them to contact our Secretary if they would like to invite someone from EMEYF to visit. In the first year, we ask Communications Committee to approach individuals for specific visits. We will review progress at Annual Meeting next year.
We approve the new job description for the Gatherings and Communications Co-ordinator. We ask this Co-ordinator to update and keep up to date the Gatherings guidelines. They should also liaise with the editor of ‘Among Friends’ and encourage Young Friends to write articles for ‘Among Friends’. We also ask the Co-ordinator to link with Jonathan Riddell, the website co-ordinator, and ensure that the information provided in different places is consistent.
We ask the co-ordinator to consider whether the two parts of the role, gatherings and communications, complement each other, and to report back to Annual Meeting next year on this and any other concerns with the new job description.
We agree that we would like to use the remainder of the Dina van Dalfsen Legacy (£772) to organise a gathering on peace and reconciliation with Charles Tauber in Croatia. We ask Marielke Nieuwerth to investigate the possibilities and Annual Meeting next year to consider this further.
We have heard from Paul Sladen about some of the things he and Anja Nuttin have done as Elders over the last year (and some of the things they haven’t done). We thank them for their work and offer our support and encouragement for the future. We send greetings to Anja, who was not able to be here, and hope that she feels better soon.
We heard about the Taize trip from Paul Sladen, Hanna Nohe, Anneke Spreij and Rachel Bryers, who were among those who went. We were interested to hear their reflections on being part of a community of 5000 people, and from Hanna about remaining silent for two days. We hope these and other Friends will be encouraged by their experiences to return to Taize.
Jan Caspers, our representative on the Europe and Middle-East Section Executive Committee, has sent us a report of his time on the Executive Committee. We thank him for all the work he has done during his term, and we are pleased to note his comment that having an EMEYF representative on the committee is positive for all concerned, with promise of further developments. His report is available for anyone who wishes to see it.
We were enthused by the report on the progress of planning the World Gathering of Young Friends and offer our support and encouragement to all those who are working so hard to make it happen. We urge Friends to get involved with the process and to submit open applications (by 10th December). We have agreed that the World Gathering may use the EMEYF European bank account to collect donations from European Friends, which will then be transferred into their British bank account in one go. We look forward eagerly to the World Gathering itself and are glad of the opportunity to be involved.
We appoint the following people to the following positions:
James O'Regan
Anneke Spreij
Barbara Johnson
Aidan McCartney, starting as soon as he feels able to. We will ask Jan Caspers to continue on the Executive Committee until Easter. If neither Jan nor Aidan is able to attend EMES Annual Meeting we will appoint someone else for this one meeting.
Dawn-Marie Rafferty, Aino Vesanen, Kathryn Lum (subject to consent)
Paul Sladen, we ask Paul to report back on the meeting and the possible future role of EMEYF within it.
We ask Paul Sladen and Anja Nuttin as our elders to act as visiting friends, and encourage them to call on the skills and availability of others if they feel the need.
We thank everyone finishing their terms of office for all of their hard work.
In a short discussion on the Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA), we were pleased to hear simon gray’s positive report on the work and attitude of the QCEA Council. We encourage interested Friends to speak to him. We acknowledge that problems have occurred and wish to uphold those seeking a peaceful and agreeable resolution.
We decide to hold Annual Meeting 2005 in Germany on 28-30 October 2005 and warmly invite everyone to join us there.
We are grateful for the warm welcome we have received here in Quaker House, Brussels. In addition to those received at the start of the weekend, we have received greetings from Bronwyn Harwood (EMES FWCC Executive Secretary), Nancy Irving (FWCC General Secretary), Joseph Anougu (Associate Secretary, FWCC), Linley Gregory (former Executive Secretary, Asia West Pacific Section of FWCC), and John Fitzgerald (co-clerk of World Gathering of Young Friends Europe Based Committee).
We thank Marielke for her work as treasurer, Sarah for hers as EMEYF secretary, and Marion, Hanna and Jude for acting as interpreters during this Annual Meeting. We thank all of the participants for their patience in long sessions. We look forward to Bob Ward’s workshop on interfaith relations tomorrow and thank him in advance for finding the time to do this with us. Finally, in a year which has been very active in this respect, we wish to congratulate those recently married or engaged, and those who have produced or will produce future Young Friends!
Signed on behalf of EMEYF
Rachel Bryers (clerk)
Peggy Brett (recording clerk)
The report from the Spring Gathering 2004 planning group is available for anyone who wishes to see it.
National Contact Persons reports from Britain, Germany and the Netherlands will be sent around the EMEYF list as soon as possible.
It has been a busy year in the Irish Young Friends calendar. There were the usual much loved gatherings such as the New Year Gathering, Moyallon Camp and the Yearly Meeting of Young Friends in Ireland. Also for the second time we held a Retreat Weekend in the beautiful Mourne Mountains where we discussed how to share our faith with the people around us. The fellowship at the gatherings has been strengthened by more meetings on a regional level to share together on a more regular basis. Young Friends in Northern Ireland continue to meet for shared meal and a Bible study once a month while Young Friends in Dublin have established a monthly discussion group.
One of the great joys of this year has been the 350th Anniversary of Friends in Ireland. There have been a lot of special events including an extended Yearly Meeting sessions at Easter which Young Friends took an active part in. We organised a coffee shop one day to raise money for charity. We have taken an active role in the World Gathering of Young Friends as well. Several Young Friends serve on organising committees and we have also been fundraising for the gathering. We look forward to the World Gathering next year and sharing the themes from the gathering will all Irish Friends. Finally a big hello to everyone gathering for Annual Meeting and Blessings on you as you meet.
God Bless
Aidan McCartney
Additional notes:
There were 21 Young Friends at YMYFI (Yearly Meeting of Young Friends in Ireland). There are about 35-40 active Young Friends in the 18-35 age group.