How can I explore simplifying?
You can:
- watch short videos of the eight talks in the Simpler Meetings series, run in conjunction with Woodbrooke, or read the text of the talks below. There are four more topics too. It is good to cover the Fundamentals and Roles topics first, and then move on to the others. The links to videos will take you to YouTube's own site.
- discuss them in a group of role-holders, watching them together, or sending links in advance,
- ask role-holders in other meetings what they do,
- have a session for your area or local meeting using some of the videos and a facilitator,
- join with neighbouring area meetings or local meetings to consider questions together,
- talk with your local development worker or email supportmeetings@quaker.org.uk
- have a Woodbrooke Where You Are session - e-mail learning@woodbrooke.org.uk
- share your ideas, changes and successes with the Quaker Life team at supportmeetings@quaker.org.uk
- let other Quaker meetings know what is working well for you.
Fundamentals
- watch new video on fundamentals on YouTube
- download document on Fundamentals of simpler meetings (PDF)
Roles
- watch new video on simplifying roles on YouTube
- download document on Simplifying Roles in Quaker meetings (PDF)
Area meeting trustees, treasurers and property
- watch new video on simplifying for area meeting trustees, treasurers and property on YouTube
- download document on simplifying for area meeting trustees, treasurers and property (PDF)
Small meetings
- watch new video on simpler ways for small meetings on YouTube
- download document on simpler ways for small meetings (PDF)
Simpler ways without a meeting house
- watch new video on simpler ways without a meeting house on YouTube
- download document on simpler ways without a meeting house (PDF)
Areas working together and structural changes
- watch new video on area meetings working together and structural changes on YouTube
- download document on area meetings working together and structural changes (PDF)
Here are resources prepared by groups in different parts of Britain on how area meetings can work together, including structural changes:
Changes in Wales and the Marches
The four area meetings in Wales and the Marches agreed in principle in autumn 2020 to form a new single charity, together with Crynwyr Cymru/Quakers in Wales. The area meetings will continue to meet, without being separate registered charities. The aim is to simplify structures and strengthen Quaker life and witness in Wales and the Marches. As an interim step, the area meetings have each appointed at least three trustees from their own membership, plus one from each of the other area meetings. So all four areas are only needing 12 trustees in total. To find out more, here are resources produced by the Symud Ymlaen / Moving Forwards group:
- Watch this video celebrating the move on YouTube
- Watch this video explaining the interim step of sharing trustees on YouTube
- Read the Summary Sept 2020 ENGLISH (PDF) or Report Summary Sept 2020 WELSH (PDF)
- Read the Full Report Sept 2020 ENGLISH (PDF) or Full Report Sept 2020 WELSH (PDF)
- Read the Appendices Sept 2020 ENGLISH (PDF) or Appendices Sept 2020 WELSH (PDF)
Changes in London
The seven area meetings in London are considering a proposal to create a single charity, while their area meetings continue:
In Yorkshire the GRASP group have produced this report:
Imagining ways with Zoom
- watch this new video on imagining ways with Zoom on YouTube
- download document on imagining ways with Zoom (PDF)
Moving forwards
- watch this new video on moving forwards with simplifying on YouTube
- download document on moving forwards with simpler meetings (PDF)
Here are four more topics, not covered in the Simpler Meetings Series sessions:
Area meetings
- watch short video on simplifying area meetings on YouTube
- download document on simplifying area meetings (PDF)
Grouping meetings differently
- watch short video on grouping meetings differently on YouTube
- download document on grouping meetings differently (PDF)
Local meetings changing
- watch short video on local meetings changing on YouTube
- download document on local meetings changing (PDF)
A poem about simpler meetings
- watch short video of a poem about simpler meetings and sustainability on YouTube
- download simpler meetings poem (PDF)
Model policies
You can find model policies on the area meeting trustees page.