Quaker Handbook 2017
QUAKER HANDBOOK
THE HANDBOOK OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
of the Religious Society of Friends,
Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa
New Zealand,
Te Hahi Tuhauwiri
Originally published in November 2000 in Christchurch by the Religious Society of Friends
after an interim partial publication in December 1999
This version incorporates the changes agreed from time to time by Yearly Meeting up to August 2015.
The Handbook Revision Committee recognises that much material is out of date, and substantial revision is planned.
WEBSITE www.quaker.org.nz
ISBN 0-473-07349-8
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The Handbook is published here in eight sections as shown below. Each section can be viewed as a separate page, or downloaded separately:
1. Introduction, History, Questions & Counsel
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Some History
1.3 Maori name
1.4 Diversity
1.5 Questions & Counsel
2. Worship, Life and Witness
2.1-2.1.4 Meeting for Worship
2.1.5-2.1.14 Ministry
2.2 Rights & responsibilities of being a Quaker
2.2.1-2.2.6 Members and attenders
2.3 Quaker Concerns
2.4 Quaker Testimonies
3. Decision-making
3.1 General
3.2 Conducting meetings for business
3.3 The sense of the meeting
3.4 The meeting and its clerk
4. Structures: Monthly Meetings
4.1 Definitions
4.2 Responsibilities of a Monthly Meeting
Responsibilities of a Recognised Meeting
4.3 Appointments
4.4 Recording minutes and information
4.5 Property & Finances
4.6 Annual report to Yearly Meeting
4.7 Suggestions for clerks
4.8 Nominations committee
4.9 Membership
4.10 Marriages according to Friends' usage
4.11 Funerals
Testimonies concerning deceased Friends
4.12 Other special meetings for worship
5. Structures: Yearly Meeting
5.1-3 General, Appointments, Attendance
5.4 Yearly Meeting Documents
Documents in Advance
Minutes of YM
List of Members and Attenders
5.5 Standing Committee
5.6 Finance
Society of Friends NZ Trust Board
Meeting House Building Fund
Wanganui Educational Settlement Trust (WEST)
School Trust Administration Committee (STAC)
The John Holdsworth Endowment Fund
The NZ Friends Assistance Fund
QIET
5.7 Continuing Committees
5.7.5 YM Nominations Committee
5.7.6 Quaker Peace & Service (QPS)
5.7.8 Extension Committee
Summer Gathering Coordinating Committee
5.7.13 NZ Friends Newsletter Committee
5.8 Other groups within Yearly Meeting
5.9 Representation on World Quaker Bodies
Friends' World Committee for Consultation (FWCC)
Wider Quaker Fellowship
5.10 Links with other Organisations
5.10.2 Conference of Churches Aotearoa/NZ
5.10.6 Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)
5.10.7 Public Questions / Agency on Social Issues
6. Elders, Overseers, Pastoral Care
6.2 Eldership
6.3 Oversight
6.4 Clearness Meetings
7. Children, Information, etc.
7.1 Children & Young People
7.3 Website
7.4 Historical Manuscripts
7.5 Tapestry Photos
7.6 Quaker classics
STATEMENT ON PEACE — 1987
BICULTURAL ISSUES — MINUTE OF 1988-9
STATEMENT OF AFFIRMATION & RECONCILIATION — 1992
STATEMENT ON MAORI-PAKEHA ISSUES — 1995
STATEMENT OF SOCIAL CONCERN — 1998
STATEMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY — 2000
Procedures in cases of sexual harassment & abuse — 1999
Detailed procedures for Quaker marriages and civil unions – 2017