F+November+2010

November 23, 2010

1. Centering worship 2. Approve minutes from last meeting approved 3. Quick update from CFS Board Executive Committee on approval of proposed changes in the language on the WIKI current statement “The mandate of the School Life Committee is to oversee the Quaker dimension of school life, and to initiate special events on Quaker history and practice. It strives to provide a forum for dialogue with members of the wider community and gives particular attention to the school’s connection with the Durham and Chapel Hill friends Meetings. The Afghan Sister Schools Project is under the care of the School Life Committee. The Committee includes representatives from Board, Parent Meeting, CFS staff, and students from all school units.” suggested amendments for clarity “The mandate of the School Quaker Spiritual Life Committee is to oversee the Quaker dimension of school life, and to initiate special events on Quaker history and practice. It strives to provide a forum for dialogue with members of the wider community and gives particular attention to the school’s connection with the Durham and Chapel Hill Friends Meetings. The Afghan Sister Schools Project Partnership (ASSP) is under the care of the School Life Committee. The Committee includes representatives from the Board, the Parent Meeting Parent-Staff Association, the ASSP , CFS staff, and students from all various school units.” Still an open question as to how this committee works with/ interfaces with the Board. Could this be on the agenda in January? Perhaps a member of the governance committee could join us. Board also needs to look at what they want from us. Division of labor – how does it work? The “mandate” may need a deeper rewrite to reflect more accurately what we do. 4. Quick update from Charlie on PSA "Quakerly" activities Marybeth discussed with Charlie a presentation to the Executive Committee – information sharing, questions. Charlie will meet with them next week. Natasha and Charlie will share their Quaker pilgrimage to England on January 27. A meeting for worship will be included. In his meeting next week, Charlie will discuss with the PSA EC other ways to share the Qauker nature of the school. For example – Irene McHenry’s presentation. Barbara asks for literature to read – on behalf of a parent who is also a religion professor and wants more information about Quakerism. FGC website, Marsha will look for titles. Invite him to MFW. Include the 2 Meetings in the publicity loop. (info is in the December Update) 5. Update from Marsha on CFS Board Executive Committee & Mike Hanas thoughts on FCE Accreditation timing Re: FCE accreditation process. Marsha sought guidance from Mike on timing. Mike says it will be a staff driven process and probably not start immediately. No need for this committee to plunge in straight away. Let staff get started and then come back to this committee to see how we may support the process. IN the meantime, we are still accredited by FCE. 6. Introduction/Discussion/Brainstorming of a new charge for the committee from Mike Hanas: to develop a proposal for a "Friends in Residence" or "Friends Speaker" series Idea that surfaced when Board working on long range plan – having a “Friends in Residence” or “Friends Speaker” series. Could be an annual event – involving the larger community. Mike would like to see if this committee might take on the task of creating a program like this. Mike would try support the project with funding. How do folks feel? What might ideas be? F in R might be someone coming in for 2-3 days and offer various activities with students, staff, parents. Visit could include a major speech to the community. Could it be coordinated with the community read some years? Maybe have someone who embodies Quaker faith in action – currently involved in peace and justice work. Would be good to have someone who could include the Meetings. Quaker theater group (traveling troupe out of Philly)– a production about Benjamin Franklin and his slaves – heartfelt and provocative. Residency speaks to me more than one night speaker. First thought was someone from Pendle Hill, but let’s not ignore possible resources in our own community. Important for the person to experience us – like Andre (Prep School Negro). Invitation to look at our Quaker History – this might something to weave into our learning. Elise Boulding – Quakerism is not a tidy package.... This is specifically to touch the Quaker aspect – not just any wonderful speaker. Purposeful narrowing of the focus. Rich Quaker heritage here – Beverly Scarlet. If this year, we have to get moving very soon. Late April, early May earliest possible. Connie Toverud coming in April. Check with Friday meeting, look at calendar, other conflicts – but stay flexible. Experiment with setting up a date for next year – fall? Maybe driven by who we want – generate a list of people and options. First work to come up with a list? Link with Meetings – perhaps a Saturday to Wednesday time frame. All school MFW Wednesday? Event Wednesday night? Meeting could be involved in planning and/or logistics – perhaps hospitality. Either Adult Religious Ed committees might help. Ask Meetings for their ideas of people. Read descriptions of summer workshops that FGC folks offer. Pay attention to our light now as we do this. Piedmont Friends Fellowship will be here weekend of March 19, 2011. Leaning toward planning something in the fall (or other) of next year. Come in on Friday or Saturday – stay through Wednesday (ideal). Start collecting ideas of peoples/ programs – from Meetings, community. Meetings involved in some manner (ideally) – a deeper level of conjoining. How to collect ideas? Ask Irene. Put out the word to Meeting folk – probably via committees. Send names to Marsha. Charlie and Jamie will help Marsha cull lists. 7. Quick review of other possible actions/activities we want to commit to for early 2011 from our brainstorming in October Better coordination of ongoing service projects school has committed to – support for, how to nurture those relationships. How do we work in partnership with parents to move forward various projects – i.e. Newton Grove. These are public witness of the Quaker nature of the school - in what way might this committee support that. ASSP as model? MFW – should we have it – when? how often? Maybe ask PSA? Schedule all school MFW at 8:45 and include parents? Get Friday Meeting’s sense of inviting wider community? Include a pot luck. Maybe 3 times a year- evening – potluck, MFW, Q & A.    8. Review of action steps agreed upon during the meeting *. Sharing of Quaker moments......   George – MS Day of the Dead Meeting for Worship – names of people we miss written on big kites, imitating South American traditions. Could speak into the silence about those people. Martha – She and Peter asked to write an article for // Health and Healing // – the Healthy Children column. What was it like back at the very beginning when segregation was the rule and Quakers were speaking to the equal value of all persons? Good to stop and think about it. Leon enjoyed the spirit with which her advisee group raked leaves as a service day project. They raked and tidied the Durham Early School playground. They did it with such grace, energy, and joy. During clean-up, kids tidying the recycling, saw magazine parts that could be reused and took on the task of going through the recycling and finding pieces that could be used again. Jamie share that US just spent time in service days. Jamie also went with Anthony to the Rotary Club to talk about service learning – especially trip to Newton Grove. Students very articulate sharing their experiences. Barbara tells of seasonal nature walks, drawing pictures in their journals about what they have experienced. A walk of wonder and discovery. Today the wind was blowing the leaves around and the students were running and catching and diving and full of joy. Jane went with daughter to presentation at US talking about adolescent sexuality. Presenter was amazed at what kids here are offered. Contrast with what kids are offered elsewhere. Conversations for students and for parents happened after film. Charlie attended US forum – young man from Charlotte, gay, physically challenged, undocumented immigrant. He spoke to how these things are not what defines who he is. 9. Settle out.