Reno Monthly Meeting
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
497 Highland Avenue, Reno, NV 89512-2219
Phone: (775) 329-9400 E-mail: Clerk @ renofriends.org

Committees and Clerks

The Reno Monthly Meeting follows traditional Quaker practice for organizing and sustaining a Meeting for Worship. The work of the Meeting takes place through its officers and committees.We use the traditional Quaker name of "clerk" for an officer or head of a committee. All work is voluntary and done through committees or the Meeting acting as a whole. Discussion, planning, and approval of the Meeting's activities is done through a Monthly Meeting for Business.

For more about particular people, go to Meet the Reno Friends!

2010 Directory (password is required)
2009 Directory (password is required)
2008 Directory (password is required)
2007 Directory (password is required)

Reno Friends Officers and Committees (2009)

Clerk of Meeting: John (subs Doug, Betsy, Shane)
Clerks of Worship: Doug, Shane, Beth, Betsy, John
Recording Clerk: Shane (1/2 time) and Doug (1/4 time) and Betsy (1/4 time)
Oversight: Jay as clerk, Wanda, Beatrice, Caroline
Meetinghouse Openers: Neil and Steve
Finance: Doug (Treasurer), Katie, Andy
Religious Education: Clerk slot empty, Beth (program for older children first three weeks of month), Erin H. (younger children), Tom and Corrine as occasional helpers
Buildings and Grounds: John, Neil, Rebecca and Erin S. can help
Peace and Social Concerns: Shane as clerk, Jay, Tom, Jim
Committee of Aesthetics\Hospitality: Caroline as clerk, Beatrice, Patsy, Steve, Dawn H. (laundry), Tim may also be able to help
Quaker Baker: Caroline, sub Patsy
Nominating Committee: Beth, Caroline
Ministry Committee: Beth as clerk, Caroline, Shane
Unity with Nature Representative: Dawn E
Librarians: Caroline, Patsy, Bill
Phone Manager: Steve
Webmaster: Elliott
Newsletter: Jenny (compiles & writes), Tom (e-mails), Erin R.(hard copies)
Calendar: Shane
Meeting Directory: Joan
Quarterly and Yearly Representative: Beth
Elder Holding Meeting in the Light: Dorothy

Description of Responsibilities for Officers and Committees

The terms for officers and committees run for one year, beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31, with the exception of the nominating committee, whose terms run for three years.

OFFICERS

The Clerk presides at Meetings for Worship and Business, oversees the agenda of all business proceedings, carries out the instructions of the Meeting -- including reminding others of responsibilities arising out of Meeting for Business, and signs all official papers. The Clerk keeps the Meeting's master calendar and keeps a schedule of the use of all three buildings on our grounds. The Clerk is an ex officio member of all Meeting's committees. The Clerk also has the responsibility to coordinate the activities of Reno Friends with both Quarterly and Pacific Yearly Meeting and to present the State of the Meeting report to the clerk of M&O of Quarterly Meeting by May 1.

The Associate Clerk works closely with the Clerk, assisting as need be and presides over Business and Worship Meetings when the Clerk is absent or unavailable.

The Treasurer is responsible for the custody and disbursement of funds for the Meeting and preparation of financial reports of the Meeting's accounts. The Treasurer receives contributions, makes payments, manages bank accounts and periodically reports the Meeting's financial status during business meetings.

The Recording Clerk takes the minutes of the Meetings for Business and any other sessions that require a written record. After consulting with the Clerk, this Recorder then sends copies of the completed minutes to all Clerks and to the Webmaster.

The Librarian keeps the library in order, purchases books and pamphlets, displays appropriate publications, and keeps track of and organizes written materials for the Meeting.

The Phone Manager regularly checks the messages left on the Meeting's answer machine and responds to them as needed -- either dealing directly with the caller or referring them to others.

STANDING COMMITTEES

The Nominating Committee considers and recommends members of the officer and committee positions. It also serves as a standing committee during the year to make recommendations to fill any vacancies, which may arise during the year.

The Oversight Committee is responsible for the care of the members and regular attenders of Reno Friends and oversees the corporate life of the Meeting. It considers and recommends action on requests for membership and arranges clearness committees as needed. The Oversight Clerk maintains the membership records and presents written statistical information to Yearly Meeting once a year. It looks after individual members and attenders who may have special needs. The committee encourages visitation and fellowship within the Meeting.

The Ministry Committee fosters and strengthens the spiritual growth of the Meeting community. Ministry meets regularly to review the Meeting for Worship, discussion groups, worship sharing and other community activities. It strives to nurture and to deepen the quality of worship for each attender, thus enhancing the experience for all.

The Finance Committee helps prepare the annual budget and provides advice to the Treasurer on financial matters, which may arise during the year.

The Religious Education Committee oversees and staffs the running of the First Day School. They provide the curriculum and direction that learning takes for the children of the Meeting. Religious Ed is responsible on a regular basis for the cleaning and organizing of all rooms of their building, as well as after First Day School. The committee also promotes activities which foster fellowship between the children and adults within the Meeting.

The Peace and Social Concerns Committee fosters the Meeting's testimonies and outreach to the wider community. It promotes workshops and other activities, which lead to and draw people from the wider community. PCS is responsible for the recommendation and designation of monetary donations to charitable organizations. Members of this committee (or their appointees) act as representatives or liaisons to FCNL, AFSC and FWCC and report any pertinent information gathered from those organizations to Meeting.

The Buildings & Grounds Committee looks after the Meeting House, Cottage, First Day School, and all grounds. It oversees routine and special maintenance of the buildings and grounds and maintains the safety of the site. This committee coordinates workdays, as needed, and proposes and carries out authorized construction or improvements.

The Hospitality Committee looks after kitchen cleanup following worship and other activities that the Meeting may host. They make sure the Meeting House and Cottage's bathroom, kitchen and meeting areas are kept clean on a regular basis. Hospitality oversees the washing of any laundry generated by the Meeting and stocks necessary household supplies (such as toilet paper and paper towels) that may be needed in the Meeting House, First Day School or Cottage. Once a month, a representative delivers donated items to the Interfaith Hospitality Network. It also arranges for the birthday cakes on special celebration days. Members of this committee make a point of greeting newcomers and guests and encouraging them to sign the guest book.

The Newsletter Committee gathers information about Meeting activities, writes news items and produces and distributes the Reno Friends Newsletter every other month. They keep an updated list of email addresses available for online distribution of the newsletter.

The Meeting Directory Committee keeps track of address additions and changes and reports these to the newsletter committee. Once a year, it publishes and distributes an updated directory that lists all members, regular attenders and others that have a close relationship with our Meeting.