The Clerk coordinates
the business of the Meeting. The Clerk sees to it that all pertinent
business and concerns are presented clearly
to
the Monthly Meeting in good order for its deliberate consideration,
united action, and appropriate execution. The following guidelines
apply generally to the Clerk of any Friends Meeting or committee.
The
Clerk is a member of the Meeting,who enjoys the confidence of its
membership and who, in turn, respects and cherishes its
individual members and attenders. He or she seeks the leading of
the Spirit for corporate guidance. It is essential for the Clerk
to be
familiar with Faith and Practice and other Quaker literature.
The
Clerk should be able to comprehend readily, evaluate rightly, and
state clearly and concisely an item of business or concern that
comes to the Meeting. He or she should be able to listen receptively
to what is said, and, through spiritual discernment, to gather
the sense of the Meeting at the proper time.
The
Clerk attends Meeting for Worship and keeps close to the work of
committees, in all of which he or she should be considered
an ex officio member. In order to be aware of the condition of the
Meeting, it is essential that the Clerk attend Meetings of the
Worship and Ministry and the Oversight Committees.
The Clerk presides at all Business Meetings. (An Alternate Clerk
may preside when the Clerk is unable to be present.)
The Clerk
prepares the agenda, and encourages committee Clerks and others
to provide reports, concerns, proposals, and other materials in
advance. The Clerk’s care in preparing the agenda, and judgment
of
the relative urgency of each item, greatly facilitates the Meeting’s
business. The Clerk makes sure that someone responds to any
correspondence that comes to the Meeting.
The Clerk sets
the pace of the Meeting to assure full and balanced expression of
the views of the members. He or she does not express
personal opinions, but if an essential viewpoint has not been
presented, the Clerk asks the Meeting for permission to offer
it. If
the Clerk is led to take a strong position on a controversial
matter, the Alternate Clerk or another appropriate person is asked
to
preside and take the sense of the Meeting.
As
actions are taken, the Clerk makes sure that assignments are clear
and responsible persons and committees are notified promptly
in writing.
The Clerk signs
all official papers and minutes, including minutes of sojourn and
travel, letters of introduction and
certificates of transfer or removal. If legal documents and minutes
are involved, it is good practice for both the Clerk and the
Recording Clerk to sign.
The Clerk also
endorses travel minutes and letters of introduction presented by
visiting Friends.
The Clerk ensures that the activities of the Monthly Meeting
are coordinated with those of its Quarterly and Yearly Meeting and
that representatives to these gatherings are appointed. Reports,
minutes
and other concerns must be communicated to the proper officers
on schedule. Business and concerns received from Quarterly and
Yearly Meeting must be delivered to the proper persons and
committees and to the Meeting as a whole.