After the usual early morning worship and breakfast activities, Friends gathered once again for plenary. Each year, NPYM highlights a different Quaker organization; this year it was American Friends Service Committee. Susan Segal from the Pacific Northwest Regional Office and Patricia Sellick, regional director for the Middle East, both shared about their programs. Friends were particularly moved by Patricia’s stories of AFSC’s work with youth in Gaza.
After hearing from Friends, the Youth Committee incorporated a few revisions to the proposed Youth Safety policy. The policy was approved, with the understanding that it can be revised after one year. Friends also heard an update from the Faith & Practice Committee. The section on Annual Session is completed, while the Monthly Meeting section is available for seasoning and commentary. Both sections can be read online.
The Site Committee reported that NPYM’s Annual Session will meet again at PLU in 2012, Juy 18-22nd. Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, will be the site for Annual Session in 2013 and 2014.
In plenary 6, Friends heard from Junior Friends who traveled to Jamaica last summer on a service trip. Junior Friends worked with an international organization to plan the trip themselves, and spent over a week doing homestays and teaching American games and sports to children 6-16. They reported the immersive cultural experience was eye-opening and life-changing.
Friends also approved the Nominating slate and the budget, which included a $4 increase in the assessment. This increase was necessary to support an increase in the travel budgets for representatives to other Quaker organizations. There had been no increase since 1998. Friends expressed some concerns about the financial burden this would place on meetings; it was suggested that NPYM could send a fundraising letter to Friends, and that those who were able could increase their contributions to their monthly meetings in order to support the increased assessment.
The Youth Committee also shared a written report, and spoke about their excitement regarding plans for the coming year. Their most ambitious project is the conduct an accurate census of the children and youth in NPYM, and to obtain reliable contact information for them and their families. This will further the Youth Committee’s work to make NPYM’s youth programs better-known and more accessible to families. The committee also noted that for the first time ever, they have a fundraising goal for the Youth Opportunity Fund, an endowed pool of money that provides small grants to support the spiritual lives of youth in NPYM.
Ministry & Oversight also offered a brief but energetic report, listing the slew of activities they have encouraged, sponsored and supported over the past year. Most innovative of these was conference call-ins to bring together Friends around a specific topics. They anticipate offering more of these in the coming year.
At the rise of plenary, Friends moved to the hallway, where dozens of Friendly organizations had staffed displays available to inform everyone of their missions and programs. The hallway buzzed with conversation for nearly two hours. Others took naps, went for walks, or in the case of Children’s Program, played Capture the Flag.
Evening interest groups, committee meetings, an open mic night, contra dance, and “Lavender and Grey” gathering of queer/allies all kept everyone engaged, entertained, and hopping from party to party. Ever the weighty ones, Junior Friends held a business meeting that lasted longer than any of these other activities.