Committee for Oversight of IMYM-AFSC Joint Service Projects (JSP)

(Based largely upon information from Clerk of the JSPOC, May 2005.) 

Purpose of Program:  Since June, 1990, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Intermountain Yearly Meeting (IMYM) of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) have conducted a special form of learning and service involving youth and adults. We live in a nation of varied and often conflicting value systems that tend to pull us away from the traditional Quaker testimonies of community, harmony, peace, equality and simplicity. To find and share a new, practical understanding of these testimonies, we believe service is necessary for us. 

We seek to learn more about peace and service from all with whom we meet and work, using non-violence, listening, and love to guide us. Our commitment to service is grounded in respect for the communities with whom we interact, and in worship as vital to a fully human life. 

Our projects are designed to connect small, intergenerational groups of youth and adults (ages 14 and up, and not limited to Friends) with the work of the AFSC. We seek opportunities for service that will build continuing relationships with communities. We open ourselves to be guided by the Spirit into more informed, respectful ways of living in peaceful balance our planet and its many societies.  (Provided as Mission Statement by Joint Service Project Oversight Committee, May 2005) 

Purpose of Oversight Committee:  The Joint Service Project has an Oversight Committee composed of youth, AFSC (Pacific Mountain, Pacific Southwest, and North Central Regions) and IMYM area representatives. It meets twice a year (in January and in September). The Oversight Committee serves as a sounding board to the Coordinator; as a visioning body that tries to following the leadings of the Spirit and the directives of the Yearly Meeting, and which is responsible for establishing a budget, raising the funds, accounting for the funds, and for doing both evaluation of the Coordinator and of the program. The Oversight Committee reports to the Continuing Committee in January and to the Yearly Meeting in June.  (Provided by Joint Service Project Oversight Committee, May 2005) 

Membership:  Members are the Yearly Meeting's representatives to the AFSC Corporation, one representative from Senior Young Friends, one representative appointed by each Regional Meeting, one staff member and one Regional Executive Committee representative from each of the three AFSC regions involved (Pacific Southwest Region, Pacific Midwest Region, and Central Region), and the JSP Coordinator, for a total of sixteen committee members.  The Clerk is appointed by the Yearly Meeting from among the Yearly Meeting’s representatives to the Corporation or from among the Region Meeting representatives.  The staff member from the AFSC Central Region is also the Coordinator’s direct supervisor. 

Terms:  Three years for the clerk, Corporation representatives and Regional Meeting representatives.  One year for the Senior Young Friends representative.  Terms for the AFSC appointees are determined by AFSC. 

Committee Meetings:  The Committee meets twice annually, typically at a location within the IMYM area or at one of the regional AFSC offices. 

Responsibilities of the Committee include:

1.  Representing the JSP program, its opportunities and needs, within the Yearly, Regional and Monthly Meetings.
2.  Employing a released Friend as the Joint Service Projects Coordinator.
3.  Consulting with the Coordinator, particularly on questions involving leadings of the Spirit and directives of the Yearly Meeting.

4.  Considering possible projects for joint AFSC-IMYM sponsorship.
5.  In consultation with the Coordinator, the involved AFSC offices, and the Yearly Meeting Finance Committee, establishing an annual budget proposal.

6.  Working with the Yearly Meeting, Monthly Meetings and individuals to raise the IMYM share of funding.
7.  Providing oversight for program spending.
8.  Assisting with performance evaluation of the program and the Coordinator.

9.  Reporting on the program and its performance to Continuing Committee in January and to the Yearly Meeting in June. 

Continuing Committee:  In its winter meeting, the Continuing Committee completes the planning for the next annual gathering.  The Clerk of the Oversight Committee attends this meeting.  The Yearly Meeting pays upon request the travel expenses to the meeting. 

Financial arrangements:  Program expenses are governed by the annual program budget as proposed by the Committee and approved by AFSC and the Yearly Meeting.  The finances are administered by the AFSC Central Region staff member. 

Responsibility for covering the costs of attending Committee meetings are as follows:  IMYM -- Yearly Meeting's representatives to the AFSC Corporation;  Regional Meetings --  Regional Meeting representatives;  AFSC -- AFSC staff members and Regional Executive Committee representatives;  JSP budget -- SYF representative and JSP Coordinator.