Quaker Earthcare Witness Fall Meeting

October 5–8, 2006

Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico

Present for some or all of the meeting: David Abazs, Lisa Abazs, Colby Abazs, Tremayne Abazs, Marcia Ankrom, Daniel Baker, Stan Becker, Jack Bradin, Betsy Clark, Michael,Clark, Louis Cox, Buffy Curtis, Susan Dietrich, Gaynell Doehne, Ed Dreby, Bill Durland, Genie Durland, Bob First, Nancy First, Gail Fletcher, John Fletcher, Janet Frieswyk, Marshall Gibson, Mary Gilbert, Lynda Goin, Dick Grossman, Gay Grossman, Liseli Haines, Ruth Hamilton, Jan Hartsough, Marilyn Hayes, Doug Holdread, Lori Holdread, Bill Howenstine, Alice Howenstine, Catherine Isabel, Michael Jokinen, eric joy, Chelsea Kesselheim, Donn Kesselheim, Mary Jo Klingel, Hollister Knowlton, Judy Lumb, Steve McConnell, Pat Morrison, Sarah Pavlovic, Noel Pavlovic, John Payton, David Richman, Richard Rouse, Joyce Rouse, Ned Stowe, Bill Swafford, Ruah Swennerfelt, Lynda Taylor, Roy Taylor, Geoff Tischbein, Roy Treadway, Carolyn Treadway, Alice Wald, Rolene Walker, Paul Wehr, Chris Wehr, David White, Bar bara Williamson, Robert Wixom, Ruth Zwirner, Rod Zwirner,

Plenary Session I—Thursday, October 5

The meeting opened at 7:35 p.m. Barbara Williamson, Clerk; Jack Bradin, from Spiritual Nurturance; and Hollister Knowlton, Alternate Clerk, introduced themselves. Hollister served as Recording Clerk for this session.

Ghost Ranch Greeting

Jim Mackey, who has lived and worked at Ghost Ranch with his wife for 16 years, greeted Friends and explained that Arthur Pack donated Ghost Ranch to the Presbyterian Church. Asked about Georgia O'Keefe, Jim explained that she lived here for about 50 years. The house she lived in from 1949 until 1986 is in Abiquiu. Asked why it is called Ghost Ranch, Jim said that the place had once been homesteaded by two cattle men who were stealing cattle from neighboring herds. Not wanting people to discover their operations, they planted stories about ghosts and flying cows.

Introductions

Friends introduced themselves by Yearly Meeting. Intermountain, Baltimore, Southeastern, New England, Philadelphia, North Pacific, South Central, Western, New York, Piedmont Friends Fellowship, Illinois, Pacific, Southern Appalachian (and Association), and Great Plains Yearly Meetings were represented. In addition, Friends from unaffiliated Wyoming Monthly Meeting introduced themselves.

Naming Committee

Clerk Barbara Williamson asked for two volunteers to serve on a naming committee to identify a new member of the Nominating Committee. This member will replace Alice Howenstine who is rotating off Nominating Committee. Donn Kesselheim and Roy Taylor agreed to serve on the Naming Committee.

Review of Draft Budget for 2007

Steve McConnell reviewed the draft budget, noting where significant changes had been made from the 2006 budget, and asked Friends to review it before it is brought forward for approval on Friday.

Spiritual Nurturance Committee

Jack Bradin introduced the bells to be used to call Friends into meeting and the chimes that will be used to remind Friends to return to silence during MfWfB. Remembering their recent loss, Friends held our Amish brothers and sisters in the Light. Ruah asked that Friends also hold in the Light Gay Grossman, who just lost her mother; Ken Lawrence and his wife Sara, who has just been hospitalized; and Ed Dreby, whose father recently died. Barbara Williamson asked that we hold her nephew, who just lost his five-day-old son, in the Light. Alice Wald asked that we hold the Earth in the Light as we seek God's guidance on how to protect it.

Nominating Committee

Ed Dreby thanked Alice and Noel for their service this past year and noted several recommendations.

Discussion of Alice Wald's Letter

Roy Taylor noted that there seems to be insufficient time allotted in our business sessions for discussion of the questions the letter raises. How do we move forward as an organization in a time when long-distance travel is becoming more and more unsustainable? What are we doing between Steering Committee meetings to make best use of our time when together? How can we support each other? Hollister Knowlton read Alice Wald's posting to the QEW discussions list, which initiated this discussion (Attachment A).

Making our Meetings Carbon Neutral

Ruah reminded Friends that at our Spring meeting we approved adding an amount to the Steering Committee registration fee to cover the cost of offsetting the carbon emissions we generate in getting to and holding our meetings. As long as we continue to travel to come together, it seems right that we should make an effort to offset the emissions we are generating. Ruah utilized the Native Energy website to calculate the cost to offset emissions from our Spring meeting, which was about $200. She estimates that the cost for this meeting will be about $300. She did not add this cost to the registration fee. Following this meeting, QEW will send a check to Native Energy for $300 and charged to meeting expenses.

Roy Taylor asked for clarification as to how Native Energy is offsetting our carbon emissions. Susan Dietrich asked that we consider becoming not just carbon neutral, but carbon negative. Bill Howenstine asked that we challenge ourselves to change our own lifestyles to reduce our carbon emissions.

Friends observed silence at 9:18 p.m and the meeting closed at 9:26 p.m.

Plenary 2—Friday, October 6

The meeting began with silence at 1:00 p.m. Alternate Clerk Hollister Knowlton broke the silence at 1:08 with the following reading:

When we let Spirit
Lead us
It is impossible
To know
Where
We are being led.
All we know
All we can believe
All we can hope
Is that
We are going
Home
That wherever
Spirit
Takes us
Is where
We Live.

And also read:

The rising winds
And falling springs,
Birds, beasts, all things
Adore him in their kinds,
Thus all is hurl'd
In sacr'd hymns, and order, the great chime
And symphony of nature. Prayer is
The world in tune.
—Henry Vaughn

Introductions

Clerk Barbara Williamson welcomed Friends, especially those just joining us, and those from Intermountain Yearly Meeting.

Ruah's announcements

o At the end of the table in the registration area are books by Alan Kesselheim, which Ruah reviewed for Be Friending Creation. Twelve copies are available free, although gifts to QEW are appreciated. After the current supply is exhausted, Friends can leave their addresses, and Don will make sure all receive a copy.

o The Cenacle in Chicago wants to acknowledge its special relationship with QEW by offering a one-night complimentary stay, including breakfast, for one QEW Steering Committee member anytime during the next year. Anyone wishing to avail themselves of this offer should contact Ruah.

o Next fall's annual meeting will be on a Thursday through Monday and not held on Columbus Day week end. There will be an option of coming early for a bike ride.

Introduction of Ned Stowe

Ned has been a lobbyist at FCNL for over 10 years. Recently, reflecting Friends' concern on energy policy and climate change, Ned has been assigned to work full time on these issues. This change is an indication that QEW is making a difference. Every two years FCNL asks 1100 meetings to participate in its legislative priority-setting process. The number of meetings participating that identify environmental issues as a priority is growing. Energy policy is second only to FCNL's previous work in the priorities indicated by meetings participating in this year's process. It is clear that climate and energy policy will be a big focus in the next Congress. There will be many opportunities for FCNL to work with Congress on these issues. Ned indicated that he is here at the QEW annual meeting to listen to our concerns. He is interested in discerning what unique contribution Friends can make to policy-making on these issues. What would a Quaker energy policy and portfolio look like? The clerk invited every one to sign on to FCNL's legislative action network.

Ruah suggested that Friends support FCNL through monthly contributions. Through a show of hands, several Friends indicated that they plan to attend the FCNL annual meeting, where participants will find unity on a statement of legislative priorities for the 110^th Congress. At the annual meeting, Friends will meet in small groups for worship sharing on the draft priority statement. The annual meeting is open to any Friend and to non-Friends as well.

Although FCNL has not worked directly on population issues, it recognizes that these issues are an important part of consumption and energy use and are considered in its underlying analyses. Friends are reminded that they can communicate with any member of Congress on any issue through the FCNL web site. Although FCNL is non-partisan, the most recent issue of its newsletter provided a tally of how all members of Congress voted on a set of issues on FCNL's agenda. This information may be helpful in deciding how to vote.

Finance Committee

Steve McConnell presented three standard minutes regarding handling finances for Friends' approval:

Minute 2006-1001. Sarah Pavlovic is appointed QEW Treasurer for the ensuing year or until a successor is appointed and qualified. The Treasurer is authorized to open and close bank accounts in the name of Quaker Earthcare Witneess. APPROVED.

Minute 2006-1002. Steve McConnell, Clerk of QEW Finance Committee and Barbara Williamson, Clerk of the QEW Steering Committee, are named as alternate signers, individually, of all bank accounts of QEW. APPROVED.

Minute 2006-1003. The Steering Committee approves the withdrawal of all money in excess of the principal investment of $30,000 available at the end of the 4^th quarter of 2006 from the New England Yearly Meeting pooled funds account to be distributed in January 2007. APPROVED.

Steve reported that QEW's current financial status is healthy and that there are no cash flow problems. A copy of the latest financial statement was made available on the registration table.

Steve reviewed the terms of the Bradin challenge grant offered at the spring 2006 meeting. The goal was to raise $1,400 from Steering Committee members. If this were done, Jack Bradin pledged to contribute an additional $500. $1,590. toward this challenge was raised. Of the 40 members on the Steering Committee, 17 donated to this effort. It is not too late to contribute.

Regarding the current year budget, we have a month to go and our contributions are short of the budgeted amount by $15,000. We have raised about $65,000 of a total budget of $82,000. To make up this shortfall, we will ask a few targeted individuals to see if they can give a little more. Don Kesselheim indicated that he would be going to Wyoming Monthly Meeting to try to bring in a few new members.

We will be asking members to increase their annual contributions to QEW next year. In addition to renewal letters, Ruah will be sending out fall fund-raising letters in November.

Sarah Pavlovic urged Friends to consider something that is working for her. Consider giving to QEW monthly. She indicated that she and Noel give to QEW monthly on their credit card. Ruah sends us a confirmation of the charge each month. Such giving helps QEW count on steady income throughout the year. Currently, QEW receives $900 each month from those making monthly contributions. Monthly gifts via credit care can be as little as $5 per month and can be made either by credit or debit card. Our goal for this meeting is to increase the amount QEW receives from monthly gifts to $1000 per month. Eleven steering committee members are currently giving on a monthly basis. Monthly gifts can also be made through automatic checks drawn on your checking account and sent by your bank. Although there are transaction fees for credit card transfers, they are quite small.

Last spring Steve gave each Steering Committee member packages to use in recruiting new QEW members. Did Friends use these and with what success? QEW received at least a couple of new members from this effort. Friends expressed willingness to try this again. Please ask Ruah to send you flyers for use in membership recruitment. She will also bring some to the spring meeting in Chicago.

In reviewing the budget for 2007, Steve referred Friends to the attached draft budget (Attachment B) and line-by-line description (Attachment C). Note that the column entitled "Actual through Aug 31" in the budget is actually for 10 months.

Last spring the Steering Committee talked about creating a fund to pay expenses of attending a Steering Committee meeting of those in yearly meetings whom we believe would make a significant contribution to the work of QEW. The budget is increased with a line item for this purpose in the amount of $1,000 in the Program and Outreach section under the "visitation travel" line item. The amount allocated to each person using this line item would be about $250 to pay for room and board while attending a Steering Committee meeting. This would allow four people per year to draw on this fund. Ruah said she thought we could get a grant for $500 to cover part of this proposed amount. This fund increases our budget to $92,793. The fund would be called the "leavening fund" and Nominating Committee would have the authority to draw on it. It is important that Nominating Committee remember this is something under its purview.

Minute 2006—1004. Friends approved the budget as presented.

See Attachment D for the submitted written report from the Finance Committee.

Nominating Committee

Ed Dreby referred Friends to the attached slate (Attachment E)

Minute 2006-1005. Friends approved a proposal to change the by-laws in fall 2007. This proposal would change the appointment of the Treasurer to a 3-year term with a 2-term limit.

In response to a question, Sarah Pavlovic will be able to serve two more years if she is willing.

Changes in the slate were noted as follows:

2006-9 at-large SC members—John Payton, Jennifer Vyhnak, and Rod Zwirner. This leaves two slots open. The Committee will bring forward two names to fill these slots at the spring 2007 meeting.

Steering Committee officers—clerk, alternate clerk, recording clerk, treasurer, and clerk of the Publications Committee

John Payton's affiliation should be changed to Illinois/Northern

Minute 2006-1006. Friends approved the slate with the exception of the section called "appointees," which had already been approved.

Committee and interest group clerks were reminded of their responsibility for updating their sections of the QEW web site in a timely fashion.

Bob Wixom urged Friends to look at two exhibits available on the display table, giving examples of what Friends can do in their communities. One is on the Sustainability Fair held in Columbia, MO, which had 20 exhibits on issues such as population and compact fluorescent light bulbs. The other is poster for use in state parks.

Sustainability: Faith & Action

The Committee is looking forward to future approval of the Men for Men program by Continuing Counsel. Questions about this program should be directed to Dick Grossman. Two revised documents on the program are on the display table and attached to these minutes. (Attachments F and G)

This month U.S. population will reach 300m. Tomorrow night during the sharing of our gifts, Stan Becker will make a presentation on this issue. The Sustainability Committee will write a public awareness piece on this issue that Friends can take home to submit to local newspapers. The statement will address the consequences of this population milestone and suggest future actions that we can take to address it. The statement will be available this week end. The Committee is also planning with the Publications Committee to solicit short stories from SC members on changes they have made in their lives to promote sustainability. These stories will be posted on the QEW web site. Such stories may be useful to meetings struggling with these issues. Has consideration been given to revising the brochure on Walking Gently on the Earth in light of this population milestone?

QNL presentation

Ed Dreby referred Friends to the attached "Recommendations from QNL," (Attachment H) of which there are two, with an explanation of the proposed changes: (1) QNL should be laid down as an interest group, (2) an alternate FCNL representative from QEW should be appointed.

Ed explained that everything QNL does could be done as well by a small group of three people working between Steering Committee meetings. The original QNL had three purposes: (1) to strengthen support within Friends of FCNL's work on an earth restored; (2) publish an eco-bulletin; and (3) explore the relationship between economics and sustainability. The latter is taking place within Friends Testimonies and Economics, a collaboration between the Environmental Working Group of PYM and QEW. FTE has issued a report on these issues.

Section 1d) of the proposal should include a statement similar to the statement in Section 1c), "and report annually to the Steering Committee about their activities."

Minute 2006-1007—APPROVED with the addition of the wording in section 1d).

Bill Hownestine asked Friends the following questions to illustrate how much things have changed over the last 2 years.:

· How many came to this meeting principally in a hybrid car?

· How many came principally by bus?

· How many came principally by train?

Hollister explained that Continuing Counsel has prepared a worship sharing for Friends around Alice Wald's letter for next plenary session. We will spend about 20-30 minutes sharing. We realize that more time is needed for consideration of the issues Alice has raised. At the April SC meeting we will allocate time for small groups and a plenary to continue this work, based on today's worship sharing.

Joyce will be the host for sharing of gifts tomorrow night.

Mary Gilbert closed the meeting with a song based on an e.e. cummings poem, "I thank you God for this amazing day."

Plenary 3—Friday, October 6

The meeting began with silence at 3:30 p.m.

Alternate Clerk Hollister Knowlton gave the following reading:

You visit the earth and water it,
you greatly enrich it,
The river of God is full of water …
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
The hills gird themselves with joy,
The meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.
Psalm 65:9, 12-13

Worship sharing

After some silence Friends shared the following thoughts and reflections on Alice Wald's letter (Attachment A). Copies of the letter were made available to all who entered the meeting for worship sharing. There will be further sharing on the issues the letter raises at our spring meeting in Chicago next spring.

o …The sentence about "trading pollution credits…" hit me the hardest. I ask myself, "If I pay for credits, where does [that money] come from?" Does it come at the expense of the other contributions I might make to other nonprofit organizations? Or out of our movie and entertainment budget? Have I really compensated? I really need to take it out of my [own carbon emissions by] driving less, mowing less.

o There are many queries implicit in the letter. Are Friends able to respond fast and powerfully enough to the current crisis to make a difference? My initial thought was "no" because we are too slow, but look at slavery and war. We have made a difference in the past, hopefully we can again.

o Have we come together to be leaders in Earthcare? To witness that something may change? This is an important task and we are self-charged with that task. We can so easily get lost in process and lose sight of the opportunity to lead.

o [I] struggle with how to integrate—first, a need for programmatic focus instead of spreading ourselves across many issues; second, the urgency of harmful climate change; and third remembering that our mission is within the Society of Friends. So we need to be about the business of building capacity.

o I was called by a woman from a meeting, hoping that her meeting would incorporate energy efficiency into its building. When I provided her with resources, the woman said, "This is why QEW exists. I knew if I called you, you could help." We forget what a rich resource we are. We can be examples in our own lives, but also by what we do as an organization.

o I share the concern about the energy used. But getting together is places like this brings in new people, so there is value in it. Maybe we could change to an every other year system or to regional meetings. My concern is about keeping going in between—sustaining our work.

o NEYM talked about having committee meetings by phone, but we felt we couldn't be gathered in the Spirit if not in each others' presence. So, we decided that nothing of substance would be discussed by phone or email. Schumacher said _ about dilemmas that tug in opposite directions _ these occasions are a blessing because we can't figure them out and then we turn to God.

o When we talk about leadership among Friends, we think of John Woolman, Lucretia Mott, George Fox, but we miss the mark if we don't think of Jesus. An important teaching of his was being the salt of the earth _ that one has to die to what we were before we are transformed. We have to give up what we were, just as a seed gives up being a seed to become a plant. What is it we are called to die to? We must be the change we wish to see in the world.

o I agree with much of Alice Wald's letter _ especially the copping out part. But I also agree with Mary Gilbert that we need to meet. Might we need to choose a spot accessible to public transportation, especially since we spend so much time inside?

o What kind of universe are we working in? Living in? So much of what I hear is about scarcity. The whole concept of sustainability feels not clean to me spiritually. We are living in a universe of love and compassion and sharing. The change needs to come about deep within each of us. What have I done? We done? To help make the transition to a universe of love instead of fear?

Introductions

Alternate clerk, Hollister Knowlton invited people joining us for the first time at this session to introduce themselves. Spiritual Nurturance was asked to check with Ruah about the names of Friends unable to join us so that we can hold them in the Light and send them cards.

Ad Hoc Committee on Use of Barnes Gift

The ad hoc committee considering how QEW might use the Bob Barnes gift to move its mission forward (Hollister, John, and Ed) distributed its proposal (Attachment I). The proposal is that we allocate time at our spring meeting in April to engage Friends active in earthcare concerns in their yearly meetings—both those who have been previously involved in QEW and those who have not—in a "structured dialogue" to share successes and strategies for integrating earthcare into YM beliefs and practices and to explore ways QEW might assist yearly meeting committees achieve their goals. "Structured dialogue" is a process used by AFSC to gather information on areas of concern through facilitating listening and sharing.

The Barnes gift would be used to pay room and board expenses of YM participants who would not otherwise be attending the spring SC meeting and who would be coming specifically to participate in the "structured dialogue." Details on how many Friends could be accommodated in this process and a proposed budget is still need to be worked out. To complete these proposal details, the ad hoc committee recommends expanding itself to include Bill Cahalan, new clerk of an earthcare committee in Ohio Valley YM; Roy Taylor, co-clerk of an earthcare committee in Southern Appalachia YM and Association; Roy Treadway, clerk of environmental concerns in Illinois YM, and Lesili Haines, co-clerk of a newly established earthcare committee in New York YM.

In response to an inquiry about whether it would be preferable to bring Friends together on a regional basis, Hollister responded that the ad hoc committee had considered this but thought it would be more productive to open this up to Friends from across the country. This would be a one-time meeting held at a time when QEW may be approaching the end of its national meetings. The proposal is a good start on doing more committee work via conference calls between national meetings. Some Friends stated that there will always be a need for a national group to inspire, coordinate, and energize earthcare work within the Religious Society of Friends. "The energy generated by the national meetings is greater than the energy expended in getting to the meetings," but we do need to be thoughtful about how we operate in the future. "We don't live in a universe of lack and fear. There is abundance. We need to be open to this." "Friends have been meeting in YMs for 350 years. There are historical precedents for addressing these issues."

The ad hoc committee pointed out that this proposal is not a direct response to the issues addressed in our worship sharing, nor are we trying with this proposal to solve the problems raised in the worship sharing. Many of us have in different ways been talking about concerns similar to those raised in the letter. Our purpose with this proposal is to make earthcare a central concern of the Religious Society of Friends. To accomplish this, we need to be more intentional about working with YMs, where most of the Society's business happens. The proposal is directed toward promoting this. The ad hoc committee will confer before December 1 and as part of its work will develop queries for our use at the spring SC meeting based on this afternoon's sharing.

Friends were asked to focus on the first page of the proposal, which describes the details needed to complete the plan and the need for an expanded committee to do this work. The committee has not yet communicated with the people named in the proposal because they did not know what direction Friends wanted to take in response to it. The committiee will let Friends know who will comprise the expanded committee on Sunday.

Questions and concerns raised included:

o Can MMs unaffiliated with a YM be included in this process?

o All the people suggested for this committee are from the East. Can we include some representation from the West and from Canada?

o I am troubled by this discussion. What has been helpful to me as a Friend from an area with little QEW activity is that Rod Zwirner comes to YM every year. This proposal feels like a rush to a solution. We need to remember that we are being asked to live with a lot of confusion and uncertainty.

Committee members responded that they understand the value of the ambassador program of visitations to YM annual sessions. This proposal is not intended to weaken that program but to involve more people in the process of strengthening YM earthcare work. Friends thought the proposal needed more seasoning. Those interested in working with the committee on this process were invited to meet with them at dinner this evening. The Committee will return to business meeting on Sunday with a proposal that has taken this seasoning into account.

Publications Committee Report

(See attached report submitted by the Publications Committee—Attachment J). Roy Treadway announced that the trifold brochure, Slowing Down to the Speed of Life, will go out with the fund-raising appeal letter this fall. Any needed changes to the trifold must be submitted to Louis by Sunday to get the brochure printed in time. This is an approved budget item.

Roy lauded Louis for continued development of the web site. We would like committee clerks to use it more to post minutes, etc., so that it can serve as a useful outreach tool. Judy Lumb, editor of the Quaker Eco-bulletin participated in the Publication Committee meeting. Publications serves in an oversight role to this publication. Judy stated that she is looking for timely topics for future issues of the Eco-bulletin. The next issue will be on the population of the US reaching 300m.

QEW hopes to purchase two kinds of software and technical assistance for Louis. One is Forum, which enables committees to communicate more easily than is possible on the list serv. The other is Contribute, which would enable committees to update their own materials on the QEW website. Some of these software packages require a great deal of RAM. Jack Bradin volunteered to consult with Ruah and Louis on this.

Judy lives in Belize and has applied to be an observer at the FWCC Triennial Meeting in Dublin, Ireland, next summer. A draft letter of introduction for Judy from the QEW clerk was circulated. Friends felt the statement needed some polishing. Ruah, Roy Treadway, and Hollister agreed to do some further work on the letter.

Minute 2006-1008. Friends APPROVED the letter with the understanding that it would be revised. (Attachment K)

Friends were urged to solicit short stories from their monthly meetings on what Friends are doing for sustainability. The Committee wants to post stories as short as a few sentences on the QEW web site. This idea started with our plan for a "green" business directory to promote earth friendly resources. But the directory is not limited to green buildings; it includes all aspects of green living. Often the stories Friends share are life- changing. Publications will put something on the website to help Friends post their own stories. In response to a question, Friends will be taught how to use any new software that QEW purchases.

Presentation on Piñon Canyon Army Maneuver Site

Lori and Doug Holdread from Trinidad State College, joined the meeting at this point and introduced themselves. They have joined us to witness against the U.S. Army's plan to greatly expand its land holdings in southeastern CO as part of the Department of Defense's global strategy for American military pre-eminence. Gail and John Fletcher from Norman, OK and Bill Swafford also introduced themselves.

Lori and Doug Holdread began their slide presentation by telling Friends that in1983 the Army established the Piñon Canyon Maneuver site for training and spent $26m to purchase 270,000 acres. Now we are facing a huge expansion of this in direct response to Rumsfeld's conception of transforming the military and preparing for the on-going occupation of Iraq. Leaked Army documents indicate the expansion may be as much as 2½ million acres in southeastern Colorado. Doug shared from his experience of walking along a river in this area. "It looks like prairie. There are gorgeous canyons." Before the Army acquired any of this land, it was on its way to becoming designated as a natural wild and scenic river. There is lots of history in the area, including dinosaur trackways." There is also a lot of evidence of humans being in this area—4000 years of habitation. So this land has a history of being the home of ancient people from the past as well as being the current home of 2000 ranchers. Hardly any of the ranchers like the Army's plan. The Army says it wants to work with "willing sellers." Can the Army make them willing sellers? Will Doug be the last pilgrim? The Army insists there is "no plan." Their definition is something signed off on by Rumsfeld. They chose this area because ranchers are pretty conservative, but there is a strong resistance movement among the ranchers. On May 13, 400 ranchers converged on Pueblo and told the Army and Senator Ken Salazar of CO that their land is not for sale. Salazar had convened the meeting and expected only 30-40 people. Instead, 400 people traveled long distances to get to the meeting. The Army is building a "necessity" for this land grab to happen with plans for a huge increase in training responsibility. There were many broken promises during the first Army land acquisition. Their new promise is to work with "willing sellers." They have backed off and reserved condemnation as a "last resort."

Why does the Army need more land? This is about controlling U.S. global economic interests as set forth in the Project for the New American Century—Rebuilding America's Defenses to guide global policy from 2000. It's clear that the U.S. is establishing a permanent military occupation in Iraq. The Holdreads have done a lot of research on the Army's plans using their own documents. Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act refer to the long-term occupation of Iraq and how plans for southeastern CO support this. The Army likes the presence of houses in area they plan to acquire. There is literature related to this issue on the display table. See also www.pinioncanyon.com for the PowerPoint slides used in this presentation.

Doug and Lori were asked to draft a letter of support opposing the Army plan for Pinyon Canyon that would be brought to business meeting on Sunday morning. Alice and Mary will assist them to assure incorporation of Quaker language in the letter.

The session concluded with silence at 5:25 p.m.

Plenary 4—Sunday, October 8, 8:30 a.m.

Clerk Barbara Williamson opened the session with the following readings:

O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is your name in all the Earth! (Ps. 8:1)

You said, "Let there be light," and there was light (Gn. 1:3).

You said, "Let the water be filled with many kinds of living beings, and let the air be filled with birds" (Gn. 1:20).

You blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters, and let the birds fill the skies" (Gn. 1:22).

You make the springs flow in the valleys, and rivers run between the hills. They provide water for the wild animals (Ps. 104:10-11).

From the sky you send rain on the hills, and the Earth is filled with your blessings (Ps. 104:3).

You have made so many things! How wisely you made them all. The Earth is filled with your creatures (Ps. 104:24).

When you turn away, they are afraid; when you take away your breath, they die and go back to the dust from which they came. But when you give them breath, they are created; you give new life to the Earth (Ps. 104:29-30).

As we leave this place, may our worship continue. May we go out with joy and be led forth with peace. May we have ears to hear the mountains and hills bursting into song around us; may we have eyes to see the trees of the field. And may we join with them in joyful gratitude and praise to God our creator. (Mike Schut)

Barbara asked first-timers to stand, thanked them for joining us, and expressed the hope that they would find something to give and receive. Old-timers also were also thanked.

Those who increased their monthly giving or started monthly giving during this annual session received a copy of the new Earth Mama CD. Barbara thanked everyone for working well together in the SC and on the Continuing Counsel Committee. She also thanked Ruah and Louis for a job well done during this annual meeting.

Continuing Counsel Committee

The Committee has approved editorial changes made in documents for the Men For Men program. These were reviewed by an attorney (Attachments F and G).

QEW will co-sponsor the Second International Day of Climate Action of the U.S. Climate Crisis Coalition .

Spiritual Nurturance

Friends engaged in a discussion of the Quaker practice of silent applause to indicate appreciation.

Ad Hoc Committee on Use of the Barnes Gift

Ed Dreby reported that the Ad Hoc Committee had met with Alice Wald, Alice Howenstine, Mary Jo Klingel, Roy Taylor, and Roy Treadway to season the proposal brought to the SC on Friday (Attachment I) regarding a facilitated dialogue planned for our spring meeting for representatives from YM earthcare committees and those interested in establishing such committees. All the concerns raised previously about the proposal were addressed through sharing additional background information with those who met. The Committee now wishes to bring the proposal back to the SC for approval. We suggest that QEW go forward with the proposal but designate December 15 as the target date for reporting back to Continuing Counsel. Everybody listed above except Alice Wald will be a part of the expanded ad hoc committee that will complete the plan. There will be limitations on the number of Friends we can accommodate in this event due not only to space and fund limitations but also to the number the facilitated dialogue can accommodate. This meeting of YM representatives is expected to gather information useful to QEW.

Ruah gave some background information on the Barnes gift. Bob Barnes gave QEW $3000 with the request that we use the money in some way to help us grow. Ruah spoke to Bob at FGC Gathering and asked him what he thought about our proposal to use his gift to bring people to a QEW SC meeting who were active in earthcare issues in their yearly meetings but who had never been to a QEW SC meeting. He thought our idea sounded great and said the decision on how to use the money was up to us. Ruah explained that when the gift was made, she had notified Continuing Counsel. Notice of the gift was also brought to business meeting and discussed by the SC but no decision on its use had been made. The matter was then referred back to Continuing Counsel Committee. This matter appeared in the minutes of CC and a CC conference call, which were distributed to the SC.

Minute 2006-1009. Friends approved the report of the Ad Hoc Committee.

Draft letter on Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site

Mary Gilbert read the draft letter (Attachment L), addressed to Donald Rumsfeld. She stated that she was looking for substantive suggestions to improve it. Some Friends thought it was too long and that there should be a sentence on what QEW is. Identifying who we are could be addressed by sending the letter on our letterhead, which includes our vision and witness, but it was decided to add a sentence on this in the body of the letter as well. Friends also suggested shortening the letter and including much of the content in an attached statement. Since many Americans are probably not aware of the U.S. military strategy to maintain overwhelming, unchallengeable strength, some reference should be made to that as well. The letter should state that it was approved in the manner of Friends at our annual meeting held at Ghost Ranch, which was attended by representatives from throughout North America and that unity on its contents was reached. Copies of the letter will be sent to the governor of Colorado and Senator Ken Salazar.

Friends suggested that several words or phrases in the draft letter be deleted—e.g., "The U.S. government has no right" and the word "forceably." It was suggested that the letter go to CC after approval by the SC and be posted on the QEW web site and published in BFC. The letter should be sent out by the end of October. It would also be great to have the letter available for the Ft. Carson Sustainability Conference, which will be held right after the election. The letter will also be sent to the armed services committees of both houses of Congress. It may be appropriate to send the letter to Friends Journal and to post it on the FCNL website, where Friends could use it in preparing their own letters to Congress on this issue.

Minute 2006-1010. The Ad hoc committee appointed to write a letter opposing the expansion of the Pinyon Canyon Maneuver Site will take into consideration the suggestions made by Friends at the annual session of QEW and refer a revised letter to the CCC for final approval and distribution by Friday, October 20. It will be printed in the next edition of BFC and posted on the QEW website. APPROVED.

It was announced that there is now a Permanent Forum of Indigenous Peoples at the UN, which provides these groups with a world wide connection.

Naming Committee

Roy Taylor reported that the Committee had not been successful in identifying someone for the Nominating Committee. The Committee will continue its discernment on this matter and bring a name to CCC for their approval. Noel Pavlovic will be clerking Nominating Committee this next year. The Committee works mostly by telephone conferencing. Taking additional time to name someone to the committee allows the Naming Committee to consider Friends who are not at the annual meeting. The Clerk asked for silence for Friends to consider this matter further. Also, Friends should be open to helping the Naming Committee in this task. The Clerk requested that Friends who have names in mind should contact the Naming Committee or members of the Nominating Committee directly.

Nominating Committee

Minute 2006-1011. Ed Dreby is nominated as an alternate FCNL representative. APPROVED.

Sustainability: Faith & Action

Noel read a news release prepared by the Committee, regarding the 300m population of the US and its consequences on the earth's resources with suggestions on responses. (Attachment M) Ideally, the press release would be sent to all QEW members, but there isn't an electronic list for all members. It could be sent to those who get the newsletter electronically. Friends were reminded that QEW has adoption and population pamphlets. Those who call for more information prompted by the news release can be referred to the Clerk of Sustainability, Faith, and Action. When using the press release, Friends might include the names of local contact people. Friends were referred to the Redefining Progress web site to obtain the correct ecological footprint of the U.S.

Concerns raised about the press release included:

o The word contraception wasn't in the news release and was not considered by the committee. Adoption isn't enough to address the population problem. We need to use the word "contraception" and move forward.

o No mention was made of the spiritual necessity of taking this action

o The focus in the letter should be on US population, not just on world population.

o Are we now in a position to send the press release, as well as the notice on the climate action event we are co-sponsoring?

o There is no mention in the letter of immigration pressures. Because of its complexity, mention of it would likely blur the intent of the communication. We can't communicate on all related issues in one document.

The intent of the press release is to draw the attention of news editors to the 300m U.S population. We wanted to include some creative suggestions like adoption that people may not have thought about in addressing this issue. When we submit the release to our local papers, it should be send to the attention of religious and environmental editors. We could also use this information in letters to the editor. The press release is intended by use by individual Friends, who can adapt it. It is not intended as an official statement from QEW.

Minute 2006-1012. Friends approved the general content and intent of the press release drafted by the Committee and directed the Committee to make revisions to the statement taking into consideration the concerns raised at the annual SC meeting. The revised statement will be sent to the QEW General Secretary and Clerk of Outreach for timely distribution. APPROVED.

Joint Report of General Secretary and Publications Coordinator

—Attachment N Ruah referred Friends to the previously distributed report. She stated that she loves her work in QEW and that this is her spiritual family. The beginning of the joint report highlights QEW's successes. Among these:

o the managing editor of Friends Journal approached Ruah and Louis to provide more regular articles for the Journal. They talked about having a regular QEW column in the Journal. Called the Earthcare Dept, this regular column will start in January. The first article will be about the eating locally challenge in VT, which has been a huge success.

o Friends Bulletin is interested in pursuing articles on ecological issues. We will also work on Quaker Life.

o Friends Journal will accept articles on Ruah and Louis's upcoming walk.

o Ruah mentioned that yearly meetings revising their Faith and Practice are increasingly including earthcare chapters. For example, WYM has a strong section in their Faith and Practice on caring for the earth. QEW has a lot to do with these successes within the RSF. Next year's FGC theme is ripe for earthcare activity.

o Ruah is collecting YM Faith and Practice sections on earthcare and these are available for work in your YM.

o Although we reached our goal of $1000 for monthly contributions to QEW made during this annual meeting, this doesn't address the $15,000 shortfall of contributions.

o Committees need to be working between SC sessions.

The session ended at 10:15 a.m.

Contents of Attachments

Attachment A Alice Wald Letter

Attachment B Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 (Nov. 1, 2006—Oct. 31, 2007)

Attachment C Line-by-line Budget Description

Attachment D Report submitted from the Finance Committee

Attachment E Slate submitted by the Nominating Committee

Attachment F Men4Men "Dear Doctor" letter

Attachment G Men4Men Information and Application Form

Attachment H Recommendation from QNL

Attachment I Ad Hoc Committee on Use of Barnes Gift

Attachment J Report submitted by Publications Committee

Attachment K Letter of introduction for Judy Lumb

Attachment L Rumsfeld letter on Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site

Attachment M News release on U.S. population at 300m

Attachment N Joint Report of the General Secretary and Publications Coordinator

Attachment O Other Committee Reports

Ann Kriebel/San Luis Project Committee
Outreach Committee
Friends Testimonies and Economics

Attachment P Reports from Yearly Meeting Representatives 2006

Baltimore
Great Plains
Iowa (Conservative)
Lake Erie/LEYM Earthcare Committee
New England
New York
Ohio Valley
Philadelphia & Philadelphia Earthcare Working Group
Southern Appalachia & Association and Ecological Concerns Network
Illinois
Northern
Prospect Hill Friends Meeting PPHFM)

Attachment Q

Consolidated Reports of Visitors to Yearly Meetings & Other Friends' Gatherings 2006

Great Plans YM
Intermountain YM
Iowa YM (Conservative)
New York YM
North Carolina YM (Conservative)
North Carolina YM of Friends (FUM)
Piedmont Friends Fellowship (North Carolina)
Southeast YM
South Central YM
Western YM
Earlham School of Religion 2006 Annual Spirituality Gathering National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Conference

Attachment A—Alice Wald Letter

Dear Quaker Earthcare Witness Friends,

For some time now I have been holding in the Light thoughts about the future direct fI think it is imperative to take time during the Steering Committee time to become clear on where QEW is being led and single-minded in our focus for the next year. It is time to rise above business as usual, to call each other forth to our highest and best Slef and to take action from a place of inner strength.

This can best be accomplished, in my opinion, to coming to the Steering Committee mentally and spiritually prepared for this task; laying aside our personal agendas' focusing on where Spirit is calling us to action; and looking for places where we can be united. In my experience this takes more than an hour of worship.

I am looking forward to the QEW fall gathering. However, I must tell you that traveling 42 hours by bus to get there makes no kind of sense at all. Trading out pollution credits to fly there by plane is really just an excuse to keep on behaving in the usual extravagant

Manner that Americans see as their "right." I am finding that I can no longer justify to myself this kind of long distance travel.

Maybe there will be some new folks getting together like we've always done. It makes sense to me to use today's video conferencing technology, etc. for communicating instead of continuing to travel to meetings in the face in diminishing oil resources.

In a separate e-mail I am sending the text of my article that was recently published in theDaily Journal my local newspaper. It may provide a useful way of thinking about what is happening in today's world.

—Alice M. Wald

Attachment B—Budget for Fiscal Year 2007