Meeting for Worship for Business

Sunday, October 5, 2003

Present: Don Woodside (clerk), Rex Barger, Mona Callin, Ian Graham, Roberta McGregor, Andy Muller, Helen Paulin, Betty Preston, Dick Preston, Beverly Shepard, Louise Trepanier, Harriet Woodside (recording clerk)

1. The meeting began with open worship.
2. The minutes of September 4, 2003 M4W4B were read and accepted.
3. Matters arising
   1. Wissa Family (Ian Graham and Louise Trepanier)

      We have $3000 earmarked in our budget to support this family should they succeed in emigrating to Canada. Ian read a summary of the family's situation (see attached). Recently the family has been told their case for emigrating to Canada is weak. However, they have been advised that they can pay US$6000 to have their entire refugee case translated and sent to the Canadian Embassy as this might help their case. The concern Ian and Louise brought forward is whether HMM wishes to continue our support.

      HMM wishes to keep our commitment to the Wissa family but we feel we need more information. A request will go to Meeting as a whole for volunteers to form a small group, which will include Louise, to seek further clarification of the Wissa's situation. We ask this group to learn what the International Office for Migration (IOM) is, to explore the legitimacy of the request for US$6000 for translation, to seek clarification of the process for seeking refugee status and, if possible, to learn why the Wissas have been told they have a low chance of being successful in emigrating to Canada. We suggested that the group contact the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission on Refugees), the Office of Immigration in Hamilton, and local MPs, to ask questions and advocate for the family. We ask that a report that describes what the group has learned come to the Dec M4W4B or sooner if possible. HMM will then decide if we will engage in further advocacy on behalf of the Wissas.

   2. Inner Listening in Spiritual Discernment Workshop (Ian Graham)

      This workshop will be held on eight Sundays starting October 26th. See the HMM website for details. Anyone who is interested should speak with Ian.

   3. Filming of M4W4B

      Last May Chanda Chevannes asked if she could film a M4W4B. At that time we felt we needed to reflect further on this request. We talked about holding a simulated M4W4B as an alternative to filming an actual M4W4B. Today we considered Chanda's request again and agreed we would invite her to film a simulation which could recreate discussion of previous issues. We felt uncomfortable with the filming of a real M4W4B because of its potential effect on our decision-making. The clerk will invite Chanda to come to one of the next two M4W4Bs and he will offer to talk with her about our reservations regarding filming an actual meeting. She can then decide if she wants to film a simulation.

4. Reports
   1. Nominating Committee

      It is requested that Nominating Committee submit an up-to-date membership list of 2003/04 committees to the newsletter editor.

   2. Library Committee

      Everyone is reminded to complete a Library Committee survey.

   3. Treasurer's Report (Andy Muller)

      The treasurer submitted a consolidated balance sheet and statement of actual numbers to date (see attached). We have budgeted for a $5000 deficit and right now we are running at a $12,000 deficit. It was noted that quite a few people make their donations in the last month of the year.

      We considered how to spend the money to be used for refugees that has accumulated in the Dunford Bequest. The clerk will ask Darlene James and Richard Douglass-Chin to investigate the possibilities of making a donation to the Hamilton Ecumenical Committee on Refugees and/or the St. Joseph's Immigrant Women's Association and to bring a recommendation back to M4W4B in November. Dick will talk with the CFSC staff person on refugees to see if CFSC needs money for a refugee project and he will give this information to Richard and Darlene.

      The treasurer expressed a concern about accumulating funds and whether this is in accord with our obligations under the Charities Act. We will pursue this matter and get clarification.

5. New Business
   1. CYM budget (see attached)

      CYM has let monthly meetings know that their difficult financial situation is worsening. CYM is requesting an increase in our donation as a meeting and/or as individual friends. The Finance Committee will meet, and may invite other knowledgeable friends, for a discussion to consider this request. They will bring a recommendation to M4W4B in November or December.

6. Correspondence
   1. HMM received a request for increased donations from CFSC. We will remind them that we doubled our yearly donation recently.
7. The next meeting will be Thursday, November 6, 2003 at 7pm.
8. The meeting closed with open worship.