From the Friends General Conference website, November 12, 2025
Friends General Conference Adopts New Governance Model, by Rashid Darden
The newly adopted governance model aims to better serve meetings, broaden service opportunities, and strengthen inclusion.
Friends General Conference (FGC), a North American association of Quaker meetings, has adopted a new governance structure. The change aims to better serve meetings, enhance diversity, expand volunteer opportunities, and align decision-making with FGC’s mission and values.
The decision came during FGC’s Central Committee Annual Sessions after several years of discernment. Sessions were held October 23–26 at the Mother Boniface Spirituality Center in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Overview of the Two-Tier Model
Outlined in the FGC Governance Working Group Final Report, the new model replaces the long-standing Central and Executive Committee system. It creates a two-tier structure composed of a Governing Board and a Representatives Council. This framework meets Pennsylvania’s legal requirements for membership associations and helps FGC stay responsive to its members.
The Governing Board, with 12 to 22 members, will meet at least quarterly. It will handle fiduciary oversight, budget approval, and the appointment and evaluation of the General Secretary. The board will also guide the organization’s overall direction and spiritual integrity.
The Representatives Council will serve as a larger, participatory body. It connects FGC’s affiliated meetings, program committees, and staff. Meeting several times a year, the Council promotes communication, discernment, and collaboration across FGC’s network of Friends. It also approves members of the Governing Board, ensuring accountability within the association.
This structure simplifies representation for affiliated meetings. Each Yearly Meeting will now name two representatives instead of using proportional representation. This change makes participation easier and allows meetings to balance their work with FGC and other Quaker organizations. Monthly Meetings directly affiliated with FGC will also have representatives, deepening community connection.
Advancing Equity and Inclusion
The new framework advances FGC’s commitment to equity. It creates dedicated representation for Friends of Color, Young Adult Friends, Young Friends, and LGBTQ+ Friends. These voices will play an active role in shaping decisions and direction. Built-in evaluation and accountability measures will track FGC’s progress toward diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism goals. Together, these steps strengthen FGC’s vision of an interracial, intergenerational community guided by Spirit.
Friends also asked for clearer boundaries between governance and program work. Previously, representatives were expected to serve on both the Central Committee and a program committee, which required a heavy time commitment. Now, Friends can choose to serve in governance, program work, or both. This flexibility opens more paths for participation.
Continuity
Leadership continuity remains strong. Marvin Barnes of Detroit (MI) Friends Meeting (Lake Erie Yearly Meeting) will continue as Presiding Clerk. Treasurer Colby Abazs of Duluth-Superior (MN) Friends Meeting (Northern Yearly Meeting) and Recording Clerk David Nachman will also continue in their roles. Melissa Rycroft of Pennsdale (PA) Monthly Meeting (Philadelphia Yearly Meeting) has been appointed Rising Presiding Clerk and will assume the position in 2026.
The governance overhaul emerged from deep consultation and reflection across the FGC community. The Governance Working Group, led by clerk Paul Mangelsdorf of Atlanta (GA) Monthly Meeting (SAYMA) and supported by FGC Treasurer Colby Abazs, guided the process. FGC also honors former Associate Secretary for Organizational Cultural Transformation Vanessa Julye of Kea’au (HI) Friends Worship Group. Her leadership and recent retirement mark the close of decades of faithful service.
FGC leaders describe the new model as a more faithful, responsive, and inclusive system. It aims to sustain FGC’s mission of nurturing Quaker spiritual life and witness for years to come.
For more information or to read the full Governance Working Group report, visit the FGC Governance Restructure hub.
