reviews our Handbook of Practice and Procedure in the light of Yearly Meeting decisions.
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Handbook Revision Committee
Purpose
The Handbook Revision Committee ensures that decisions made at YM are reflected in the Handbook of Practice and Procedure. It receives suggested amendments from AYM Committees or Regional Meetings and brings them to a Yearly Meeting for decision and possible inclusion. It also maintains oversight of the contents of the Handbook and offers updates or requests them from the appropriate body, such as QSA, the Friends’ School or an AYM Committee. The Committee works to find the right balance between practice and guidance.
The Handbook Revision Committee works proactively to review the Handbook, to ensure is is up-to-date and accurately reflects not only our current practices, but the underlying principles which guide us in our actions and discernment. All draft revisions are subject to the discernment of Friends at Yearly Meeting and remain draft until approved by this body. However, earlier drafts may be circulated to obtain comments from Friends and to guide the Committee in what it brings forward to YM.
This is how we have approached our task: How we have approached revising the Handbook.pdf
Here is a copy of our report for Documents in Advance for YM19 HRC_YM19_DiA Report_Final.pdf
and the entire Handbook, including all draft revisions, as the Attachment to this report Handbook_DiA_Attachment.pdf
Here are links to each section, chapter by chapter, also showing the draft revisions:
Cover & first part of Handbook_ DiA version2.pdf
Chapter 6, which deals with the right holding of Yearly Meeting, has not been revised. We await the report from the Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee with interest.
These drafts will form the basis for the Documents in Advance version, which will be attached to our HRC report. Regional Meetings are invited to consider this draft, noting that syntax, grammar, numbering and other checks will be made prior to publication. Regional Meeting comments on items for Quakerly discernment should be given to their Liaison Friend.
Current members of the Handbook Revision Committee are Elizabeth Field, Jennifer Burrell, and Wies Schuiringa. Their 3-year term finishes at YM19.
YM18 established Regional Meeting Liaison Friends for the Handbook Revision Committee. Handbook Revision Committee Liaison Friends (7).pdf
Here is a link to our current, non-draft Handbook of practice and procedure (6th edition). It has been updated to reflect revisions approved by YM18.