The following information is provided to help Meeting members and attenders understand how the Meeting works and to emphasize how much we depend on everyone's participation to keep our community running smoothly.

OFFICERS

The CO-CLERKS are responsible for convening Meetings for Worship for the Conduct of Business, guiding deliberations, and carrying out the Meeting's instructions.

The RECORDING CLERK is responsible for preparing an accurate record of the proceedings at Meetings for Business.

The TREASURER is responsible for the receipt, custody, and disbursement of Meeting funds, under the guidance of the Stewardship & Finance Committee. The Treasurer reports to the Meeting periodically.

The RECORDER records births, deaths, marriages, and changes in membership and marital status, and forwards to the Yearly Meeting Interchange listings and reports. Recorder's Report Updated 4 March 2007.

The SCHEDULING COORDINATOR is the liaison with the school and with Meeting committees and individuals regarding times and locations of various activities.

The EDITOR puts notices in the weekly bulletins (if received by Thursday evening) and articles in the monthly newsletter (if received by the 13th of the previous month). The Editor maintains the mailing list and, with lots of help, updates the annual Directory.

The LIBRARIAN encourages others' interest in reading and supports efforts to collect and make readily available reading materials for people in the Meeting.

The ARCHIVIST keeps all permanent files and records, the history of the Meeting.

COMMITTEES

(Asterisk indicates open only to Meeting members; others are open to all.)

* PASTORAL CARE is concerned primarily with the spiritual well-being of the Meeting's Individual members. PC receives, considers, and recommends Meeting action on membership applications; sets up clearness committees for membership, marriages, and personal concerns; responds to ill, troubled, or needy Friends; assists individuals who have a death in the family; and provides a friendly Ear each week at the rise of Meeting to hear concerns and questions about the Society of Friends, BFM, or personal issues. The committee also links each member and attender with a "personal ear" who calls them at least once a year (but is always available to respond to their concerns) to learn ways the Meeting can better support those in its community. PC meets on Committee Night. Annual Report Updated 9 June 2007. See also BFM's 1996 Minute on Marriages and Ceremonies of Commitment.

*MINISTRY & WORSHIP is concerned primarily with what happens when the Meeting gathers for worship (including Meetings for Worship for the Conduct of Business). Members of this committee bring closure to Meetings for Worship and make the announcements. The committee is responsible for special meetings such as weddings and memorial meetings. The committee drafts an annual report on the Spiritual State of the Meeting. It meets on Committee Night.Spiritual State of the Meeting

* NOMINATING nominates Meeting officers, members of committees, and Meeting-appointed representatives to other organizations. The committee also educates the Meeting about BFM committee work and facilitates committee-related transitional activities in December/January. It meets once a week in evenings for five or six weeks in September and October; other times as the need arises. E-mail access is helpful. To contact the Nominating Committe please send e-mail to: nominating@bethesdafriends.org.

* AD HOC COMMITTEE TO NOMINATE THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE. This typically consists of Friends who left the Nominating Committee the previous December 31. It finds people to fill Nominating Committee slots that fall vacant the following January 1. Since the Nominating Committee draws from the same membership pool, the ad hoc committee should complete its' work before September.

The AUDITORS conduct an annual audit of the Treasurer's records and report to Meeting for Business. Annual Report Updated 7 December 2007.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION has as its mission to foster spiritual growth and development in the Meeting. It arranges programs for both newcomers and seasoned Friends on Quaker faith and practice, readings and discussion of Quaker history and testimonies, Bible study, prayer and meditation, and shared reflections on our spiritual experience. It meets on Committee Night.Annual Report Updated 27 August 2006.

ADVANCEMENT & OUTREACH welcomes newcomers and visitors, helps them connect with Meeting community activities, and furthers community action and involvement in keeping with our Quaker testimonies. It also organizes Spring Fling to raise money for Ramallah School scholarships, responds to messages on the telephone tape, and publishers the BFM Services Exchange. It meets on the first Monday after Meeting for Business. Annual Report Updated December 2007.

CHILD CARE oversees care provided to children less than five years of age during Meeting for Worship and Meeting for Business. Professional child care givers are assisted by volunteers from the Meeting. The committee meets quarterly. Annual Report (updated 17 Dec 2006) and Child Care Policies and Procedures.  

FELLOWSHIP & HOSPITALITY oversees hospitality after Meetings for Worship, and potlucks on the second Sunday of most months, although direct responsibility rotates monthly among all committees. It provides hospitality for special occasions, such as memorial meetings or Interim Meeting Day of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. It meets as needed. Annual Report Updated Dec 2007 and Hospitality Instructions.

FRIENDLY EIGHTS organizes a monthly evening (October through April) with a simple shared meal and fellowship of participants in groups of eight on a rotational basis. It meets as needed. To contact the Friendly Eights Committee please send e-mail to: friendly8s@bethesdafriends.org.Annual Report Updated 28 August 2007.

LIBRARY is responsible for the acquisition, care, and circulation of the Meeting's books and videos. Annual Report Updated 9 June 2007.

PEACE & SOCIAL JUSTICE has as its mission to further the prospects for peace by deepening the Meeting's engagement in peace building and social justice and by empowering all of us as individuals. Advocacy, education, vigils, and financial support of community groups are among the ways the committee pursues this mission as well as through its liaison with the American Friends Service Committee, Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Quaker UN Office, and other like-minded groups. The committee is essentially self-constituted with oversight by Nominating. There are no term limits. It meets the Monday after the third Sunday of each month. Annual Report Updated 4 Feb 2007. See also BFM's Peace Epistle.

PUBLICATIONS supervises the contract for the monthly newsletter, the weekly bulletin, and the Directory. It meets as needed. Last Annual Report Updated 27 August 2006. [NOTE: Effective 2007, Publications is now a subcommittee of Advancement & Outreach.]

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION organizes the First Day religious education for children in the Meeting, including the recruiting of teachers and getting appropriate educational materials. It also organizes the Christmas pageant each year. It meets third Sundays at 9:30a.m. and as needed. To learn more about First Day School please send e-mail to: 1stdayschool@bethesdafriends.org. Annual Report Updated 27 August 2006.

STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE is responsible for preparing the annual budget, raising the funds to meet the approved budget, providing guidance and support to the Treasurer, and ensuring proper care and use of Meeting investments and property. It meets on Committee Night.

REPRESENTATIVES, LIAISONS, & COORDINATORS

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE liaisons participate in AFSC regional activities concerned with peace education, conflict resolution, prison conditions, and support for the poor, and human rights.

BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING representatives attend interim representative meetings and the Annual Gathering of Friends in the Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Others from the Meeting serve on Yearly Meeting committees, including the Camping Committee.

BETHESDA HELP representatives organize food collections in BFM, attend a bi-monthly meeting of the Bethesda Help board, and report to Peace & Social Justice. Others from BFM act as drivers or officers of the day in assisting people in need to get to medical appointments, receive food, or obtain financial assistance.

CATOCTIN WEEKEND COORDINATORS. One weekend is reserved for BFM at Catoctin Quaker Camp, with opportunities to enjoy the mountains, camp, hike, sing, share meals, worship, stargaze, birdwatch, and pick strawberries. The Coordinators make the arrangements and publicize the events.

COMMUNITY MINISTRY OF MONTOGMERY COUNTY representatives are commissioners who attend the monthly meetings of representatives from 65 congregations in Montgomery County, with a special focus on poverty. They report to Peace & Social Justice.

LITERATURE TABLE. The goal of the literature table is to carry out the ministry of the written word by providing a regular opportunity to members and attenders of the meeting to obtain works that enhance and nourish their spiritual life. Annual Report

FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION liaisons help to distribute the monthly newsletter, organize letter-writing tables, and report to Meeting for Business on Friends Committee on National Legislation ( FCNL). FCNL is the Quaker lobby in Washington, advocating positions on social concerns and justice that are consistent with Quaker beliefs. Annual Report Updated Feb 2008.

The MARY WOLCOTT-LUCY FOSTER EDUCATIONAL FUND representative helps to publicize the educational fund and to review applications for the distribution of scholarship funds to Friends.

WILLIAM PENN HOUSE liaisons keep us informed about the meetings, seminars, and workshops at William Penn House on Capitol Hill and are members of its board. Annual Report. Updated 22 September 2007.