Humboldt Friends Meeting Committee Descriptions 2026

(originally drafted in 2007 and revised in 2018)

 

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   All committees are encouraged to re-read Faith & Practice 110-112, and other parts of Faith & Practice, such as descriptions of similar positions or committees within Yearly Meeting (Faith & Practice section 6), may also be useful. M&O terms are 3 years. All others are 2 years. Terms begin June 1 and conclude at the end of May. Nominating committee members serve for one year (January to December). Term lengths can be flexible depending on the needs of individuals.

 

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Finance Committee

   

Activities will include the following:

• Prepares and presents the annual budget.

• Leads discussion on changes to the Meeting's community contributions.

• Prepares and sends annual budget/donation letter to members and attenders.

• Explores cost-saving possibilities.

• Researches costs and explains differences.

• Periodically performs an audit for accuracy.

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   Finance Committee is authorized to make up to $100 in adjustments during the fiscal year.

Please also see Faith & Practice pages 118, 182.

 

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First Day Committee

 

   This committee helps provide a First Day program to children in the preschool to 6th grade years. Older children will be supported as needed. More specifically, the responsibilities of this committee are the following:

• Create a structure and curriculum that ensures consistency for young attenders and allows for a variety of teachers to participate.

• Directly teach children on topics related to, or in support of, Quaker history, beliefs, process, values and what Friends do during silent worship.

• Recruit others to teach the children as well, providing curriculum assistance and advice as needed.

• Help the Meeting identify and conduct Meeting-wide activities that include the children (e.g., special events, inter-generational Seekers, family MFW, etc.).

 

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Hospitality Committee

 

   This committee will have one member, a clerk who will be responsible for recruiting volunteers for Meeting events like potlucks or brunches.

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Library and Building Committee

 

   This committee helps maintain and improve the physical items at Meeting, including the library, building, and written materials. More specifically, the responsibilities of this committee are the following:

• Operate the library and inform meeting of new acquisitions, purchase new books and journals, and sort and clean out books at times.

• Ensure the library/storage closet, periodicals display, and bulletin boards are maintained and possibly improved.*

• Ensure that bathroom supplies (toilet paper, soap, and paper towels) are adequate.

• Identify and help the Meeting address other building needs as appropriate.

• Communicate and coordinate with representatives of Subud and the preschools concerning building issues.

 

*  It is not the committee’s responsibility alone to maintain the closet, but the committee is responsible for calling for work parties to work on the closet, etc.

 

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Ministry and Oversight (M&O) Committee

 

   The M&O Committee has a variety of responsibilities, including the following:

• Identify ways to nurture the spiritual health of the Meeting community, including the spiritual health of Meeting for Worship, Meeting for Worship for Business, Seekers, and individuals.

• Consider the needs of Friends and attenders, remaining sensitive to confidentiality.

• Assess the Meeting’s programs, in part to identify unmet needs, recognize tasks done well, and avoid duplication.

• Oversee other committees of the Meeting and prepare the State of the Meeting report.

• Attend MFW, business meetings, and Meeting activities such as Seekers as much as possible.

• Consult Faith & Practice, pages 114-118, for a more complete understanding of M&O duties.

• Ensure Advices and Queries are read aloud each month during worship.

• Identify potential written materials for the guest book table and maintain adequate copies.

• Provide guidance for new volunteers for facilitating Seekers or being Opener or Closer.

 

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Nominating Committee

 

   The Nominating Committee is a spirit-led group that is responsible for identifying and recommending Friends and attenders to serve in various roles across the community. Its purpose is to consider the gifts, skills, interests, and spiritual growth of the individuals in relation to the needs of the Meeting.

Committee responsibilities include:

• Nominating officers (e.g., Clerk, Assistant Clerk, Treasurer and other key positions.

• Appointing members for various committees, such as Finance, First Day, Peace and Social Concerns, Hospitality, Library and Building, Ministry & Oversight.

• Filling vacancies that occur during the year, ensuring all committees have adequate representation.

• Maintaining accurate descriptions of committee duties and updating them as needed.

• Presenting slates of candidates to the Meeting for Business for approval.

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Peace and Social Concerns Committee

 

   This committee helps facilitate and oversees Meeting involvement in peace and social justice activities locally, nationally and internationally. The following tasks are guidelines:

• Monitor and when appropriate coordinate with local, national, and international groups and activities which support Quaker and Humboldt Friends Meeting issues such as peace, the environment, criminal justice, poverty, racism, and other social concerns. Organizations include Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), Friends Committee on Legislation of California (), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and others.

• Support and coordinate when needed individual Friends who have specific peace and social justice concerns.

• Help facilitate collective witness on Meeting social concerns issues including letter writing, visits to the offices of legislators, demonstrations, and letters to the editor.

• Propose and facilitate Seekers topics on peace and social concerns of interest to the entire Meeting. 

 

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Electronic Communications

 

   This committee’s primary responsibility is oversight and updating of the Meeting’s website. On rare occasions, the committee may be asked to research other internet and electronic issues. Some of the committee’s tasks include:

• Updating basic Meeting information (times, Seekers topics, etc.) on the website.

• Posting monthly newsletters in the password protected section of the website. Seekers handouts, Friends’ creative work, and Inspirations will be posted in public sections of the website.

 

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Archivist

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   The Archivist preserves the written records of the Humboldt Friends Meeting, including newsletters, membership applications, meeting history, newspaper clippings, and other relevant documents. Newsletters are printed on archival grade paper and stored in binders. Membership application letters and other documents containing personal information of members and attenders are stored in a fire-resistant file box at the meetinghouse.

 

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Correspondence Clerk

 

   Duties include: retain the mailbox key and pick up the mail on a regular basis. Sort and direct correspondence to the appropriate person or bring to the Meeting for review. Remove HFM from unwanted mailing lists as appropriate. Maintain and update the magazine rack as needed.

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Greeter

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   The Greeter welcomes all to meeting on First Day. As new visitors approach the front door, offer them the Welcome to HFM Flyer and answer any questions. To minimize disruptions during Meeting for Worship, the Greeter gathers latecomers outside the Meetinghouse door and admits them as a group at 11:00. When appropriate, at rise of MFW and after announcements, offer to answer questions and thank them for coming.

 

Other descriptions perhaps needed: Descriptions may be useful for other committee and officer positions such as the List Server Administrator, and PacYM Representative (addressed in Faith & Practice page 175).  If individuals serving in these capacities wish to draft a short description and send it to M&O, feel free to do so.

 

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