Present: Don Woodside (clerk), Roberta McGregor, Jean Johnson, Carol , Helen Brink, Rex Barger, Ian Graham, Carol Leigh Wehking, Beverly Shepard, Harriet Woodside, Susan Wortman (recording clerk)
1. Meeting began with open worship.
2. The minutes of June, 2003 M4W4B were read and accepted with the following clarification: 5.1 The $300 donation to Peace Research Institute Dundas is to be over and above the currently budgeted $525.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Loans and Donations We considered the recommendations from the Loans and Donations Ad Hoc Committee Report which was presented to the June M4W4B, and published in the June newsletter. We would like further clarification on a number of issues including the clerk's discretionary fund, the 'excess' funds in the Meeting available for loans, and the method by which loans are requested. We ask the committee (as members are willing, and with other interested members of Meeting) to revisit these issues, and bring forward another report to M4W4B.
3.2 Filming of M4W4B was held over
3.3 Review of Sunday M4W4B; days and times for this year After discussion concerning the relative merits of Monday and Thursday nights, and Sunday afternoons, we decided that for the next year, we will hold M4W4B in the first week of each month, on alternating Thursday nights at 7pm, and Sunday afternoons at 1:30, after a lunch potluck. The clerk will consult with First Day School Committee co-clerks and suggest that the longer First Day School outings on the first Sunday of the month be held on the months when M4W4B is held on a Thursday. Accordingly, the next M4W4B will be Sunday, October 5, 1:30, following a pot-luck lunch.
3.4 Hosting of Home Mission and Advancement (HMAC) HMM will be hosting HMAC on October 24-26. The clerk will announce the need for someone to coordinate this event. Six to eight people will need to be billeted and fed for the weekend.
4. Reports - none presented
5. New Business
5.1 Insulation Fund We considered the issue of the Insulation Fund, its slow growth, and the need to insulate the Meeting House. We agreed that it would be desirable for the Meeting to make a contribution to this fund, to be considered at budget time. We ask the treasurer to remind us regularly of the fund. Jean Johnson will prepare a chart of the fund's progress.
5.2 Request for use of the Meeting House We received a request from the Buddhist-based World Mountain mediation group for regular use of the Meeting House. We agreed to offer them alternating Sunday nights, with the proviso that if we needed the main meeting room, they would have to reschedule, or use another room in the Meeting House. The clerk will communicate our decision to this group.
5.3 Potlucks: dates and times: The usual timing for potlucks is to gather at 6pm, eat at 6:30pm and program at 8pm.
Wednesday, September 17 - "Together Again" Following on last years' positive experience, we will meet to share what we did over the summer, and what is interesting us coming up in the fall. The clerk will announce this after M4W the next two Sundays. Harriet will let First Day School co-clerks know, so as to involve the children of Meeting.
Thursday, October 16 - "Spiritual Friendship as a Spiritual Practice" presented by Ian Graham and Dick Preston. This potluck will be open to the public. Harriet will notify the Spectator.
(to be confirmed) Friday, November 21 - "Human Rights and Employment" presented by Roy Adams, Professor Emeritus, McMaster School of Business, Industrial Relations. Ian will pursue an offer from Professor Adams, with this date.
5.4 Friends Committee in Unity with Nature (FCUN) Statement on International Investment and Trade Helen Brink read to us an Interfaith Statement on International Trade and Investment, (see attached, with accompanying letter). We agreed to write a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, as well as the Chairman of the World Bank, indicating our strong support for this statement. Helen will write this letter. At the October M4W4B we will set a date for a brown bag discussion of this topic.
5.5 Meeting topics for spiritual formation Ian brought forward a proposal for a Workshop on Inner Listening (see attached). It will be published in the newsletter for consideration by the Meeting, and will be discussed at the October M4W4B.
6. Correspondence
6.1 Half Yearly Meeting (HYM) new date HYM will be held Saturday, November 1, in Toronto.
7. Next M4W4B will be on Sunday, October 5, at 1:30, following a potluck lunch.
8. Meeting closed with open worship.