Simplifying structures
Britain Yearly Meeting has been on a journey, both locally and nationally, to discover how we may release energy in our meetings and communities to better allow for the leadings of the Spirit.
In 2023 Yearly Meeting spent time looking at our central committee structure and asked BYM trustees to consider what form a new structure should take. As a result, trustees formed the Group to Review Central Structures (GRCS). GRCS included representatives of Central Nominations Committee, Meeting for Sufferings, Quaker Life Central Committee, Quaker Peace & Social Witness Central Committee, and trustees.
[QUOTE-START]
We are led to create new structures for central work that are more sustainable and more inclusive, and which provide wider opportunities for service, including Friends who do not have a single, long term, geographical base
- Minute 21, Yearly Meeting 2023
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GRCS built on work already done by trustees and other groups, and in autumn 2024 it consulted with Friends on a significant change to the committee structure. The consultation suggested that Friends were not in unity about such a change, and in November 2024 GRCS reported to trustees that it did not recommend taking this proposal forward at this time. Trustees accepted the group's recommendation and no changes to central committees are being proposed at Yearly Meeting 2025.
Central committees and BYM trustees will be working together to address the need to allocate and prioritise resources better, as well as to explore how to build greater participation in Quaker work by Friends not currently engaged.
You can share any ideas for alternative forms of participation by emailing governance@quaker.org.uk.
We aim to keep this page updated as this work progresses.