Ellen Bennett — Recording Clerk
Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends met for the conduct of business on Sunday, July 17, 2022, with 9 people attending from the Meetinghouse and 6 by Zoom.
- Meeting Opening
Meeting members were invited into worship holding Helen Clarkson and her family in the Light. Helen, a longtime and beloved meeting member, passed away July16th.
2. Approval for Clerk of the Day
Rene Cote shared that Bob Eaton announced he would be stepping down immediately, as Meeting Clerk. M&C recommended that Leslie Manning serve as interim clerk for the meeting, with great appreciation.
The recommendation was approved.
3. Approval of Minutes from June 26 — Tess Hartford
In item # 2 of the May minutes, the request was made to delete the sentence beginning with “There followed a discussion.”
With this correction, the minutes were approved.
New Business
4. Clerk of the Day asked the Meeting to consider the following New Business item early in the meeting agenda due to the time availability of the requester.
Ellis Noetzel, a young and faithful attender of Meeting, would like to attend Friends Camp. Her family requests support for the cost of attending. This is the only request that the Meeting had this year and the money is available.
Meeting approved the request.
Reports from Committees
5. Ministry and Counsel — René Cote
Bob Eaton resigned his position as clerk effective immediately. Approval is not needed for this request. Nominating Committee is aware of the resignation, and Leslie Manning will inform Quarterly Meeting of the changes.
Katherine (Kitsie) Hildebrand requests that the Meeting accept her resignation as a member of Durham MM. M&C recommends the Meeting accept the resignation, with tremendous sadness and regret, as well as deep and abiding gratitude for her many years of service. Kitsie and her family will always be in the Meeting’s thoughts and prayers. There will be a letter from M&C to Kitsie.
The Meeting approved her request, with sadness.
6. Finance Committee — Sarah Sprogell
A verbal summary was given. Expenses are significantly lower than budgets due to vacant staff positions, and though weekly contributions are down, the meeting’s financial position is good. Contributions may now be sent to the Finance Committee at the Meeting’s address.
Heidi Todd has been hired as bookkeeper. She began her work the end of June.
A family contribution has been made covering the full cost of rebuilding the stone pillars at the Lunt Cemetery. The family has historical connections to the Cemetery. In consultation with the new bookkeeper, the finance committee will determine how gifts such as these are recorded. Clerk will work with the Recording Clerk and finance committee to draft an acknowledgment of the gift.
The Meeting accepted the Finance Committee report.
7. Trustees Report — Sarah Sprogell
Trustees recommend that the meeting join a solar farm to reduce its electric bill, and would like approval to proceed with exploration of solar farms and eventual sign-up. Friends who are not in attendance at Meeting for Business may submit any questions or comments about joining a solar farm to Trustees, who meet the first Sunday of the month.
Knowing that Trustees will proceed with due diligence and good research, the Meeting approved Trustees request to proceed on the Meeting’s behalf.
8. Nominating Committee — Mey Hasbrook
The committee reminds Meeting that there will be a meeting in the fall (suggested date, Oct. 30th) to discern the role of Treasurer moving forward.
The Meeting approved the recommendation for a called meeting in October.
Committee recommends that Mey Hasbrook join the Communications Committee, term to begin in January 2023. Mey asked for early approval so that she may sit in on meetings to determine how she might best fit.
Meeting approved the nomination.
Clerk reminds Meeting that we are seeking an auditor for cemetery funds.
9. Peace and Social Concerns —Ingrid Chalufour
Ingrid summarized the committee report noting particularly: DMM has a presence in the wider Durham community; letter to Brunswick Town Council has been received and is “in the queue,” and the social justice enrichment project in Pownal, Freeport, Auburn and Friends School of Portland is going very well. The meeting expressed its thanks to this diligent group. Clerk recommended that this be shared so as to appear in New England Yearly Meeting’s newsletter.
Report is accepted with gratitude.
The Meeting was reminded that similar initiative needs to be taken with our US senators with regard to H.R. 6707: Advancing Equality for Wabanaki Nations Act. A letter on behalf of DMM, drafted by Clerk with help from Shirley Hager and Friends Committee on Maine Public Policy, will be sent to Maine senators. This measure passed the US House with bipartisan support.
New Business
10. It is the practice of NEYM to name representatives to their Annual Sessions, who will then report back to each monthly meeting in August or September. Clerk asked if any members would be attending. Responding were Mey Hasbrook, Sarah Sprogell (in discernment),
Portland Friends Meeting is having a special event around the Cuba Trip on July 24. Members are encouraged to attend.
In lieu of Meeting for Business in August, Members suggested a gathering on 8.21, following Meeting for Worship, for sociability and friendship. Kim and Mey and Leslie agreed to help plan the gathering.
Meeting approved a social gathering on 8.21.
Meeting Closing
Durham Monthly Meeting will hold its next Meeting for Business on 9.18.22. Should it be necessary to conduct business before then, please contact the clerks of M&C.
Margaret Wentworth led all in prayer for closing.
Respectfully submitted, Ellen Bennett, Recording Clerk
Note: Special mention was made that 7.17. 22 is the second anniversary of Sukie Rice’s death. Members paused for a moment of silence in remembrance, and two members spoke personally of her importance to them.
Attachments:
DMM Business Meeting 22.07.17 Agenda
DMM Business Meeting Minutes 22.06.26
DMM Business Meeting Ministry and Counsel Report
DMM Business Meeting Budget
DMM Business Meeting Trustees Report
DMM Business Meeting Nominating Committee Report
DMM Business Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Report
