204th Session (2024)

The 204th session of Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting was held June 12-16, 2024 on the campus of Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. The theme was “Joy”.

Fourth Day, 6/12/2024, 3–5 PM

1. Opening worship. Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting gathered in centering worship at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, for its 204th annual session.

2. Roll Call of Representatives. The Recording Clerk asked various officers, staff and representatives to be recognized.
Yearly Meeting officers:

Presiding Clerk: Barry Zalph
Assistant Presiding Clerk: Rachel Ernst Stahlhut
Recording Clerk: Cecilia Shore
Assistant Recording Clerk: Lisa Cayard
Treasurer: Wilson Palmer
Assistant Treasurer: absent
Committee Clerks:
Ad Hoc Restructuring Committee: Paul Buckley
Auditing Committee: absent
Braddock Fund: Wilhelmina Branson
Budget and Finance Committee: David Garman
Children’s Program Committee: Hannah Branson
Earthcare Committee: Allen McGrew
Nominating Committee: Rick Boyce
Personnel Committee: Stephen Angell
Religious Nurture and Education Committee: Rex Sprouse
Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policy: Susan Lee Barton
Yearly Meeting Planning Committee: Martha Viehmann and Ben Griffith
Youth Services Committee: Peggy Spohr
Quarterly Meeting Clerks:
Miami: Nikki Coffey-Tousley
Whitewater: Peggy Spohr
Monthly Meeting representatives: (These names include those Friends who identified themselves over the course of the
sessions as designated representatives of their respective monthly meetings.)
Bloomington: Rex Sprouse
Campus: absent
Clear Creek: Jane Stowe
Community: Lisa Cayard
Dayton: Phil Henry
Eastern Hills: Wilson Palmer and Martha Viehmann
Fall Creek: Ellen Hodge
Fort Wayne: Terre Holada
Lafayette: absent
Lexington: Ben Griffith and Peter Hardy
Louisville: Cindi Goslee
Miami: absent
North Meadow: Eric Hailperin-Lausch
Oxford: Andrew Garrison, Steve Angell, Lolita Holmes
White Rose: absent
Yellow Springs: Bruce Heckman, Carol Simmons
Yearly Meeting staff:
Administrative Assistant: Susan Lee Barton
Youth Secretary: Adam Funck
Administrators:
Statistician: Peter Hardy
Website Administrator: Daniel Day
Records Coordinator: absent
Quaker Quill Editor: Cecilia Shore
Publications Coordinator: absent
Registrar: Eric Wolff

3. Introductions. The clerk asked Friends who had not already done so, to introduce themselves, who were Ellen Hodge, Debbie Davis, Patricia Griffith, Lolita Holmes, Jana Schroeder, and Michael Birkel. Friends who are representing organizations also introduced themselves. They were: Megan Fair, Right Sharing of World Resources, and Jana Schroeder, American Friends Service Committee.

4. Clerk’s Introduction. The clerk reminded of us the spiritual sources of our business practices.

5. Agenda Review. The clerk suggested moving the land acknowledgment to tomorrow. Friends approved the agenda as proposed.

6. Letters of Introduction and Traveling Minutes. The assistant clerk read a letter of introduction for Megan Fair from Right Sharing of World Resources which focused on her passion for supporting Quakers to share abundance throughout the world. Her home meeting is in Wilmington OH, and the letter wished us blessings in our meeting. The letter is appended. The clerk read a letter from Tom Rockwell and Shawn McConaughey from Western Yearly Meeting encouraging greater collaboration across different branches of Friends in the face of widespread divisiveness in the greater society, speaking reconciliation to these forces, based on our own deep connection as Friends. They expressed their intention to visit us next year and invited us to their yearly meeting sessions July 11-14. The letter is appended.

7. Thanks to our regular staff as well as Annual Sessions special staff members. The clerk expressed gratitude to Susan Lee Barton, Administrative Assistant, for her support. He thanked Adam Funck, Audrey Roepcke-Malhotra and Alondra Barrera Garcia who will be working with the youth group, and the staff (Lupe Raab, Maria Hernandez, Paz Santana and Megan Raab who will be working with the younger children. He also thanked Liz Virgo, Zoom technician.

8. Appointment of visitors to youth meetings for business. The clerk asked for one or more volunteers to visit the children and youth during their business meetings. Ellen Hodge offered to serve as the youth visitor. The clerk will check again tomorrow regarding the children’s visitor.

9. Epistle Summary–Rick Boyce. Rick Boyce presented the summary of Epistles received by Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting. Most gatherings were hybrid in-person and video meetings. Many meetings were based on themes related to community, coming out of the pandemic. Others focused on spiritual deepening and acting in accordance with our testimonies, such as: war, the damage inflicted by colonialization to indigenous societies, and climate change. Several meetings are struggling with low membership as well as concerns related to aging members and leaders. Friends accepted this report, which is appended.

10. State of Society Report—Rex Sprouse. Rex Sprouse presented the Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting State of Society report, which summarized central themes of the individual reports of the monthly meetings. The report is appended in the Reports in Advance. The report was accepted.

11. Consent Agenda. In order to free up space on the agenda for business meeting sessions, the clerk explained the recommendation to accept selected written reports that appear in the Reports in Advance without discussion on the floor of the Yearly Meeting in Friday session. If a Friend has concerns about an agenda item, the clerk requests advance notice prior to Friday.

  • Administrative Assistant’s Report
  • Executive Committee Report
  • Quaker Quill Report
  • Records Coordinator Report
  • Religious Nurture and Education Committee Report.
  • Website Administrator’s Report
  • Youth Services Committee Report
  • Spring Grove Trustees Report

There was a discussion of the process distinction between approving decisions made in sessions, and accepting reports prepared by committees. There was also a request for numbering minutes.

12. Review and approval of minutes. The minutes were reviewed, corrected, and provisionally approved. pending the addition of numbers to minutes.

13. Closing worship. The session closed at 4:45 pm with a brief period of waiting worship. Friends will reconvene Sixth Month 13, 2043, at 10:00 am.

Fifth Day, 6/13/2024, 10 AM–12:15 PM

14. Opening worship. Friends gathered at the appointed hour in centering worship.

15. Roll Call of Representatives. The Recording Clerk asked representatives who were not recorded yesterday to be recognized. The final list is recorded in the minutes for 6/12/24.

16. Introductions. The clerk asked all those in attendance to introduce themselves, including those participating via Zoom: Marci Ankrom, Gretchen Castle (Earlham School of Religion), Christine Carver, Gini Emigh, Elaine Emmi, Mike Fallahay, Karen Francis, Nicholas Hall, JP Lund, Ed Morris, Steve Olschevsky, Deema Romer, Ibad Shahrani, Sandy Stephens, Hanae Togami (Friends General Conference), Yoshiya Togami, and Liz Virgo.

17. Review of Agenda. The Clerk reviewed several changes to the agenda. The agenda was approved as revised.

18. Land Acknowledgement. The clerk read the following land acknowledgement, written by Barry Zalph and Martha Viehmann, who consulted with George Ironstrack (Myaamia) of the Myaamia Center at Miami University.

We meet today in the traditional homeland of the Shawnee Nation and the Myaamiaki, or Miami Nation. These indigenous peoples encountered European colonizers beginning in the late 17th century CE. For about 100 years, the native inhabitants alternately distanced themselves from, negotiated treaties with, and fought to preserve their treaty rights with the colonizers. The land in the vicinity of current-day Richmond, IN was cleared of its native inhabitants by the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. The US government removed these indigenous nations from their homelands, pushing them first into northern Ohio before removing them to the west. The Myaamia and Shawnee people were put on flatboats, and white settlers in Cincinnati would have seen them as they passed on the Miami-Erie canal and the Ohio River. By the time of their forced removal to Oklahoma, the Miami and Shawnee populations had dwindled by 90-95% as a result of diseases, starvation, and war imposed upon them by Europeans in the name of their Christian religion.

Beginning with papal bulls in the late 15th century CE, the rulers and lawmakers of predominantly Christian nations including the United States brutally enacted policies based on the self-serving notion that non-Christian peoples had no claim to humanity, human rights, or homelands. Such policies have persisted in some form in the United States into the present. Quakers in the United States have had a profoundly mixed record in our relations with indigenous peoples. Some of the notorious Indian boarding schools established by the US government to Christianize and “civilize” indigenous children were run and supported by Quakers. These schools removed children from their families and forbade them any contact with or practice of their native culture and religion. I pray that we who are not from an Indigenous community will learn to see not only the history of genocidal acts on which our country is built but also the perspectives of past and present Native people who are in our communities, serving in the US government, creating Pulitzer Prize winning works of fiction and poetry, and so much more. May we learn from them and value their ways of living. Our community and nation are also built on the stolen profits of enslavement of and discrimination against people of African descent. That stolen property produced and sustains a persistent gap in wealth and well-being. I pray that we who are not African American learn to value Black lives and perspectives. And may we all become more aware of ways in which we unwittingly perpetuate white supremacist culture as we wrestle with the challenge of living up to our Quaker beliefs. May the Divine Light that is in each of us illumine and transform this body as we undertake the work of decolonization and anti-racism.

19. Clerk’s Introduction. The clerk reminded us of the theme of this annual meeting, Joy. He reflected on the Spirit-led and high-quality work of our committees. He commended to Friends’ attention the importance of business seasoned by committees.

20. Reading of Letters of Introduction and Traveling Minutes. The clerk asked for any letters or minutes from other bodies. There were none.

21. Miami Quarterly Meeting Report – Nikki Coffey-Tousley. Nikki Coffey-Tousley reviewed some highlights of the written report which is appended in the Reports in Advance. Friends accepted this report.

22. . Whitewater Quarterly Meeting Report – Christine Carver. Christine Carver presented her report, which is appended to these minutes. Friends accepted this report.

23. Traveling Ministry report – Diann Herzog. Diann Herzog reported on her traveling ministry. The report is appended to these minutes. In addition to her experiences, she reflected on the importance of intervisitation. Friends accepted this report.

24. Additional Agenda Review. The clerk reviewed additional adjustments to the agenda. These were approved.

25. Friends General Conference report: Hanae Togami. Hanae Togami, of the FGC Ministry on Racism, presented a report which is appended to the minutes. Gratitude was expressed for the report, and we were urged to bring greater attention to work such as this.

26. Friends Music Camp report – Carol Simmons. Carol Simmons reviewed the report (appended in the Reports in Advance) which focused on their search for a new site for next year. A concern was raised about donation checks to the camp which have not yet been cashed. In response to an inquiry, some information was provided as to why the arrangement with Earlham College had not worked out. Friends accepted the report.

27. Minute of Appreciation for Richard Mitchell—Rick Boyce. Rick Boyce presented a minute of appreciation from the Nominating Committee to Richard Mitchell (Lexington Meeting) for his service to the committee, and yearly meeting. The minute was approved and is appended to the minutes.

28. Nominating Committee initial report–Rick Boyce. Rick Boyce presented the initial report from Nominating Committee. There are still a few vacancies, which Nominating Committee will seek to fill during annual sessions. Friends are encouraged to contact members of the nominating committee to volunteer or suggest names for open positions. Friends accepted the report

29. Ad Hoc Restructuring Committee initial report – Paul Buckley. Friends were urged to pay close attention to the report, which is appended in the Reports in Advance. These proposals will be considered in Friday’s session. Paul Buckley, Susan Lee Barton, Ben Griffith, Daniel Day, and Rex Sprouse read the report aloud. The clerk expressed gratitude for the work done by the committee. The report was accepted.

30. Review and approval of minutes. The minutes were reviewed, corrected, and approved.

Fifth Day, 6/13/2024, 3:30–5:00 PM

31. Opening worship. Friends gathered at the appointed hour in centering worship.

32. Roll Call of Representatives. The recording clerk asked OVYM officers, staff, and representatives of committees and meetings to identify themselves. The final list is recorded in the minutes for 6/12/24.

33. Introductions. The clerk asked Friends who were not present at the previous sessions to introduce themselves, including those participating via Zoom: Connie Collett, Elizabeth Terney, Spencer Thomas, Chris Perry.

34. Agenda Review. The clerk shared changes to the agenda and asked for others. This revised agenda was approved.

35. Letters of Introduction and Traveling Minutes. The Assistant Clerk read a letter of introduction from FWCC for Diane Zappas with wishes for closer ties among Friends in the Americas. She also read a letter from Central Philadelphia monthly meeting for Jon Watts, who has been carrying a concern for using modern technology on behalf of Quakers today

36. Request for volunteers to visit children’s business meeting. Jane Stowe is willing to serve.

37. Treasurer’s Report – Wilson Palmer. The treasurer responded to questions about the report, which is appended. We have received donations from all meetings but Lafayette, Lexington, and White Rose, but we are within $3,000 of meeting our budget for funds from constituent meetings. We accepted the report with gratitude.

38. Budget and Finance Committee report and proposed budget – David Garman. David Garman indicated that a draft budget was approved by Executive Committee, but it did not take into account some changes that depend on decisions that will be made at sessions. Friends accepted the report, which is appended in the Reports in Advance. The clerk indicated that when we approach decisions in these sessions that would involve funding, those decisions will be made explicit. If those new expenses are approved in these sessions, we will agree on a range of new costs that can be approved by Executive Committee. Friends approved the proposed budget.

39. Task Force on Adult Sexual Misconduct: report and proposal, first reading – Susan Lee Barton and the task force. Susan Lee Barton referred Friends to the Report in Advance and reminded the body that if we approve this proposal we will need to support it, not just financially, but in time and spiritual accompaniment. Carol Simmons reminded us that these matters can be difficult in a close community. David Garman indicated that the proposal would bring in an external trainer, which might cost approximately $4000. Gail Koehler indicated that we are not proposing to investigate or treat sexual trauma. We are proposing to minister to one another in cases of incidents of sexual trauma. A question was raised about our ability to fund this amount. The clerk explained that we have reserve funds that we can use for actions that the yearly meeting feels led to take. Dayton Meeting discussed the proposal and felt that it would be helpful for meetings if the document highlighted the procedure earlier in. A question was also raised about a portion of the document that discusses gathering information, and how that is different from investigation. We would be trying to inquire what happened, and what the needs are by the parties and their spiritual communities, not to conduct a legal investigation. In response to an inquiry, Gail Koehler described the expertise of the consultants with whom the task force has been working. One Friend suggested that the proposal should include funding toward healing for survivors. Another Friend suggested a revision of the definition of rape to include anal penetration. Friends accepted the report.

40. Statistical Report – Peter Hardy. Peter Hardy thanked Susan Lee Barton for her terrific support in collecting this information, previous statisticians, and others who have helped him learn this role, and submitted data. He did get information from every meeting except White Rose. Each meeting should appoint a statistician to collect the data for an annual report. He showed a graph of our membership over the past 6 years in each quarter. Membership is declining slowly, probably comparable to other religious organizations. Reasons for the decline are various—people pass away, and their lives change. The treasurer requested information about membership for determining proportional shares. A Friend inquired about age and attendance data, which will be included in the final report. A Friend reminded us that FGC has requested us to collect data on racial backgrounds of members and attenders. We discussed this in Executive Committee and did not find unity among meetings to collect this. Executive Committee did respond to this concern by getting a group to construct a series of queries on anti-racism to be addressed by s, some of whom have taken these up. The statistical report IS APPENDED. We accepted the report with gratitude.

41. Minute of appreciation to Peter Hardy and Susan Lee Barton for collecting these data. We are thankful to the statistician and administrative assistant for their dedication and persistence in collecting, summarizing and presenting these helpful and informative data. Friends approved the minute.

42. Review and approval of minutes. The minutes for this session were reviewed, corrected, and approved.

43. Closing worship. The session closed at 5:05 pm with a brief period of waiting worship. Friends will reconvene 6-14-24 at 10 AM.

Sixth Day, 6/14/2024, 10:00 AM–12:15 PM

44. Opening worship. Friends gathered at the appointed hour in centering worship.

45. Clerk’s introduction. The Assistant Presiding Clerk introduced herself and explained that she would be clerking today’s meeting. She reminded us that we collectively can find the direction Spirit is leading us.

46. Roll Call of Representatives. The recording clerk asked OVYM officers, staff, and representatives of committees and meetings to identify themselves. The final list is recorded in the minutes for 6/12/24.

47. Introductions. The clerk asked Friends who were not present at the previous sessions to introduce themselves, including those participating via Zoom. These included: Diane Zappas (FWCC) Chris Harmer, Deborah Jordan, Melanie Hunt, Gwen Halsted, Dan McGregor, Michael Gill, and Jennifer Snow Wolff.

48. Letters of introduction and traveling minutes. There were none.

49. Agenda Review. The clerk reviewed the agenda, which was approved.

50. Consent agenda, for approval. The clerk asked for acceptance of all other reports submitted in advance without discussion. The list is provided in the 6-12-24 session at minute number 12. The body accepted these reports.

51. American Friends Service Committee Report—Jana Schroeder and Cindi Goslee. Jana Schroeder and Cindi Goslee highlighted some points from the report which is appended in the Reports in Advance. Jana Schroeder reminded us that AFSC focuses on Just Peace, Just Economies and Just Migration. Please see the table in the lobby for more information. Cindi encouraged us to become involved with AFSC, e.g., through their Weekend Readings, or serving as a yearly meeting representative. Jana shared some specific actions noting that a member of this yearly meeting, Jennifer Bing, coordinates action on Israel and Palestine. There are weekly worship meetings focused on peace in the Middle East. There are also political actions suggested weekly. Times for these weekly activities are in the report. Meetings are encouraged to support the Apartheid-Free pledge. Friends accepted the report.

52. Proposal for Fellowship Gatherings and Gatherings Committee – Ad hoc Restructuring Committee. The Ad hoc Restructuring Committee is bringing two proposals for 3-year-experiments, which are appended in the Reports in Advance. The first is for a Gatherings Committee that would facilitate at least 3 inter-meeting gatherings per year. One Friend indicated that quarterly meetings (at least in his quarter) had been revitalized in recent years, and inquired whether this action was necessary at this time. Paul Buckley (clerk of the committee) reminded us that this is not a proposal to replace quarterly meetings, but rather opportunities to get to know one another across the yearly meeting, independent of quarters. Another Friend inquired about funding for these gatherings. Paul suggested that these gatherings could be modeled after quarterly meetings, which do not make use of funding. The proposed $1,000 would be used, e.g., to allow small meetings to rent spaces or provide childcare to support a meeting; or to support admission fees, e.g, field trips to a museum. Wilson Palmer (treasurer) reminded us that, at least in the short term, we don’t need to worry about having the money; our focus should be on how Spirit is leading us. A Friend reminded us to have faith in our committees. Another Friend asked about whether there were people who would be led to serve on the committee— the clerk of nominating committee told the committee he thought so. A Friend expressed the concern that the proposal would drain energy from quarterly meetings, and that the quarterly meetings ensure that every meeting has the opportunity to host a gathering and meet Friends from other meetings. Quarterly meetings are also organized bottomup, rather than top-down from the yearly meeting. Another Friend values the fact that these gatherings would be open to anyone across the yearly meeting. Friends expressed enthusiasm for the support of a variety of program ideas, the support for child care, and potential for outreach. Friends approved the proposal.

53. Proposal for Social Action Coordinator – Ad hoc Restructuring Committee. Paul Buckley emphasized that the purpose of this position is to empower, support, cross-fertilize and encourage social justice activities within monthly meetings, i.e., to help us to do the work that we are called to do in the world. Again, this is a three-year experiment. Travel and expenses would be reimbursed, and it would be a paid position. Friends have expressed interest in a position such as this. In response to an inquiry, it was noted that the coordinator could also facilitate Earthcare work, when it makes sense to do so. The estimate of the annual expenses would be $1000, whereas the stipend is estimated to be $5000 annually. A Friend expressed gratitude that the committee had planned for support, supervision and oversight of this position, and noted that we need to be clear about the need for annual reporting to the yearly meeting. One Friend inquired about the relationship between the gatherings committee and the work of the social action coordinator. The focus of this proposal is facilitating connections between groups and individuals—especially the latter, who expressed to the committee the feeling of being isolated. One Friend inquired about the scope of the job: the person would be expected to support work for peace, justice, climate, etc. Another Friend asked how this position would coordinate with other Quaker organizations such as FCNL and QEW—we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Friends pointed out that a local coordinator could facilitate connections to broader Quaker organizations. Communications is an important part of this proposal—not just what we are already doing, but making meetings aware of what other opportunities are out there. This is to strengthen and connect monthly meetings. Friends united in approval of the proposal. A Friend urged Executive Committee to pay close attention to both the income and expense sides of the budget.

54. Minute of appreciation for the Ad hoc Restructuring Committee. Friends laid down the Ad hoc Restructuring Committee with deep gratitude for their hard work and discernment. Their names are: Susan Lee Barton, Annie Blanchard, Paul Buckley, Christine Carver, Daniel Day, Ben Griffith, Peter Hardy, and Rex Sprouse, and Rachel Ernst Stahlhut.

55. Review and approval of minutes. The minutes for this session were reviewed, corrected, and approved.

56. Closing worship. The session closed at 12:10 pm with a brief period of waiting worship with attention to joy. Friends will reconvene Sixth Month 15, 2024 at 10:00 am.

Seventh Day, 6/15/2024, 10:00 AM–12:15 PM

57. Opening worship. Friends gathered at the appointed hour in centering worship.

58. Roll Call of Representatives. The recording clerk asked OVYM officers, staff, and representatives of committees and meetings to identify themselves. The final list is recorded in the minutes for 6/12/24.

59. Introductions. The clerk asked Friends who were not present at the previous sessions to introduce themselves, including those participating via Zoom. They were: Christine Snyder and Ezra Virgo.

60. Clerk’s Introduction. The clerk recalled Rev. Rhetta Morgan’s message about the miracle of our existence and ability to be connected, and reminded us that the One who makes this miracle is continuously available to us as we conduct business and make decisions.

61. Agenda Review. The clerk reviewed the agenda, including some changes from the originally posted one. Friends approved the agenda as revised.

62. Task Force on Adult Sexual Misconduct proposal – Susan Lee Barton and other members of the Task Force: Gail Koehler, Carol Simmons, David Garman. The committee has taken into account a number of suggestions, including making the procedures more salient, clarifying the distinction between reporting to OVYM and a legal investigation, a form for reporting, and a proposal to review this policy at least every 3 years. The section on responding to allegations has been clarified and now includes a suggestion that monthly meetings develop their own policies in advance of any such reports. Resources are suggested for the discernment of monthly meetings’ policies regarding allegations of this nature. The steps for responding to allegations were clarified, as well as steps to prevent further harm. Confidentiality and transparency are both important and need careful discernment by trained persons. Follow-up steps were reviewed, as well as steps for healing in the individuals and the community. The committee suggests that Budget and Finance consider funding for somatic healing of survivors. Records about the incident and its sequelae should be kept. Information was added about the incidence of sexual abuse to women, girls and transgender persons. Throughout, terms referring to gender have been changed to Friends, the definition of rape expanded to include anal penetration, as well as minor wording changes. Friends are reminded that false or malicious allegations are harmful to us all.

The committee recognizes that this material is difficult, especially for those who have been impacted by such traumas. The committee thanks the body for their willingness to take up this task. If the proposal is approved, individuals will be sought to serve on the team to be trained to deal with such incidents. Discussion points included:

  • Stage 6 of the procedure: Record keeping: the passive voice should be changed to be more specific. The OVYM office has a locked cabinet for storage regarding such incidents. Additional improvements to this section will be adopted.
  • The importance of confidentiality was stressed, and the broadness of a response team was questioned. What is envisioned is not the whole team being involved with an individual incident, but a very small number, which may or may not include persons who hold specific roles, e.g., the clerk.
  • Who will carry this forward? There are some who are willing to arrange trainings. Religious Nurture and Education is named in the document to follow-up and name the response team. Since Religious Nurture and Education has many tasks in the coming year, Executive Committee will help to delegate follow-up.
  • How does this policy address incidents within monthly meetings? We are reminded that Friends are not hierarchical and the yearly meeting cannot dictate to monthly meetings. Our experience has been that the availability of an OVYM policy will encourage monthly meetings to start considering their own responses to such situations. Monthly meetings may adopt some or all of this policy and may make alterations to it. We already make clear to youth and teens our standards of expected behavior, and if this policy is adopted, we would be enabled to have such conversations about adult behavior. We are reminded that misconduct happens not only in monthly meetings but at the yearly meeting level.
  • “Love is the first motion.” We need to be clear in the policy that we are a spiritual community and seek to act lovingly with one another.
  • This is a long document—those who follow up on this might consider a mini statement for reference in case of crisis. The group will ask Executive Committee to implement this.
  • The suggestion is made to encourage early contact of survivors and prompt reporting to prevent further incidents.
  • Please recall that if the response team does not include the Administrative Assistant, that person will be a third set of eyes on the allegations.
  • Our elders carry spiritual wisdom and love for this community. We need to name those gifts and express our gratitude and respect for the work that they do.
  • The document is heavily weighted toward the presumption that accusations are valid, which is good, but it would be helpful to be clear about that.
  • A survivor (and others) expressed that we need to hold love for the accused/perpetrator as well.

The clerk reminded us that the document clearly states that this is a work in progress, and that full implementation will take a while, but that Executive Committee would be tasked with taking immediate steps toward implementation and to review the document as changes are needed.

A Friend from Religious Nurture and Education committee indicated her willingness to participate in follow-up, and it was noted that Religious Nurture and Education committee will be involved in this work. The body approved this proposal with gratitude. The current version is appended to these minutes.

63. Minute of Appreciation for the Task Force on Adult Sexual Misconduct. The Task Force was released from service, with deep gratitude for the thoughtfulness, sensitivity and thoroughness of their work. Their names are: Susan Lee Barton, Adam Funck, David Garman, Gail Koehler, and Carol Simmons.

64. Braddock Fund Proposal—Christine Snyder. Christine read the proposal, which is appended to these minutes. She also commented that Wilmington College has another donor-restricted fund which operates successfully along the proposed lines. A Friend suggested that we approve this proposal and ask Budget and Finance to consider an annual contribution. She noted that the availability of Pell grants is contingent on political support, which may not always be available; what happens if they are discontinued? Wilmington College has had a continuing commitment to this work, regardless of political administrations. Friends approved the proposal.

65. Nominating Committee Report, final for approval – Rick Boyce. The final report is appended. Rick Boyce thanked the members of the committee and those who have agreed to serve. He focused on presenting the names which have been added since the reports in advance. He noted that the Gatherings committee needs members; if interested, speak to your monthly meeting’s representative to Executive committee. We remain understaffed for Youth Service and Children’s Committee. Planning committee also welcomes additional hands. This slate of nominations was approved.

66. Review and approval of minutes. The minutes for this session were reviewed, corrected and approved.

67. Closing worship. The session closed at 12:40 pm with a brief period of waiting worship. Friends will reconvene Sixth Month 16, 2024 at 10:00 am.

Seventh Day, 6/15/2024, 10:00 AM–12:15 PM

68. Opening worship. Friends gathered at the appointed hour in centering worship.

69. Roll Call of Representatives. The recording clerk asked OVYM officers, staff, and representatives of committees and meetings to identify themselves. The final list is recorded in the minutes for 6/12/24.

70. Introductions. The recording clerk asked Friends who were not present at the previous sessions to introduce themselves, including those participating via Zoom. They included: Rebekah Miller Afsari, Salman Afsari, Gloria Stearns Bruner, Terry Reynolds, and Blaise Rzeszut.

71. Clerk’s Introductions. The clerk welcomed Friends to the final session of Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting’s 204rth annual sessions.

72. Agenda Review. The clerk reviewed the agenda for today, which includes one change from earlier. We approved the revised agenda.

73. Report from Visitors to Youth and Children’s sessions. Ellen Hodge checked in with the youth program, but did not attend a business session. Jane Stowe visited the children’s program when Megan Fair presented to them about the work of RSWR and engaged them in comparing their living situations with those of children in other countries.

74. Planning Committee report—Martha Viehmann and Ben Griffith. The committee reports that they grow together in love for one another and the yearly meeting. We held in gratitude the Earlham staff, our committees and volunteers, and all who have shared in love and joy. Earlham leadership is in transition, so please hold the committee in the Light as they seek a site for our sessions next year. We will sing a thank you to the kitchen staff at lunch. Please submit evaluations. We also thanked Liz Virgo and Ben Griffith for their Zoom support. The report was accepted with gratitude.

75. Adult Epistle – Steve Angell, Melanie Hunt, Elizabeth Terney. Elizabeth Terney presented the epistle, which is appended to these minutes. Friends made some suggestions for small changes. Peter Hardy offered to translate our epistle into French. We approved the epistle as revised.

76. Children’s Epistle. Hannah Branson presented the epistle from the Children’s Program, which is appended to these minutes. Friends accepted with delight the epistle as read. We were reminded that epistles traditionally begin with the greeting: “To Friends everywhere.”

77. Registrar’s Report – Eric Wolff. The registrar presented his report, which is appended to these minutes. Friends were pleased with the use of discounts to encourage new attenders. The report was accepted with deep appreciation and gratitude.

78. Minutes of Appreciation.

  • Friends thanked Earlham College and their staff for allowing us to be here and for their welcome and service.
  • Friends thanked the Clerks’ table for their Spirit-led service. We express appreciation to Rachael Ernst Stahlhut and Lisa Cayard for their commitment over the past 4 years to clerking the meeting.
  • Friends thanked the workshop leaders for the profound experiences they provided.
  • Friends thanked all the volunteers who helped with sessions in many capacities.
  • Friends thanked Eric Wolff who has overcome health issues to give outstanding service, as well as Ben Griffith and Martha Viehmann, who have done amazing work on Planning Committee.
  • We thanked those who have assisted with technology Ben Griffith, Liz Virgo and Earlham staff: Carter Brownrobie and Knoll Benson.
  • We thanked Gloria Stearns Bruner for the service that she has given with a smile to many people.
  • We thank all those who have held the concern for young people’s attendance and rejoice in the many young people who are here.
  • We thank those who worked in the bookstore: Wilson Palmer and Pat Zarowin.
  • We express deep gratitude to Susan Lee Barton for all the outstanding work that she does in service to the yearly meeting.
  • We thank Kevin Bruner for his ministry of transportation.

79. Adult Young Friends Epistle. Theodore Saar, who attends Earlham College meeting for worship, read the epistle which is appended to these minutes. Friends accepted the epistle.

80. Youth Epistle. Adam Funck presented the youth epistle, which is appended to these minutes. Friends accepted the epistle.

81. Review and approval of minutes. Friends approved the minutes as read and corrected.

82. Closing worship. The meeting closed at 11:15 am with a brief period of waiting worship.

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