FWCC Representatives (also FWCC Committee)

(Adapted from 1998 Guide.  The 1998 Guide defines the FWCC Representative position primarily in terms of an FWCC Committee.  This revision defines the representative position itself and the committee function the Representatives carry out.  It also meets the expectations published by FWCC for Representatives and their Yearly Meetings.) 

Purpose:  The FWCC Representatives support the relationship between FWCC and the constituent bodies of the Yearly Meeting through such activities as informing monthly and regional meetings about FWCC activities and their financial needs, representing the Yearly Meeting at the annual meetings of FWCC, Section of the Americas, and assisting with Yearly Meeting representation at the FWCC Triennial Meeting. 

Appointment:  One Representative is nominated by each Regional Meeting to the Yearly Meeting for appointment.  These nominations are submitted to the clerk of the Nominating Committee. 

Terms: Three years, beginning in January and expiring after three years with attendance at the annual FWCC Section of the Americas meeting in March following the end of three years.  (For example, a person beginning a term in January 2006 would attend annual meetings in March 2006, March 2007, March 2008, and March 2009.  The term would end at the conclusion of the March 2009 meeting.)  The purpose for this arrangement is to promote continuity of representation within each Region. 

Committee function:  Representatives should work together in committee fashion insofar as practical to coordinate efforts when representing the Yearly Meeting, arranging for travel, and reporting to the Yearly Meeting.  The committee selects its own convenor. 

 Responsibilities include:

1.  Representing IMYM at meetings of the FWCC Section of the Americas and, if selected, at the FWCC Triennial Meetings and FWCC conferences.

2.  Recommending to the Finance Committee a budget for the members' participation, including attendance at the FWCC Triennial Meetings.

3.  Nominating for IMYM approval committee members to represent IMYM at the FWCC Triennial Meetings and other FWCC conferences.

4.  Assuring that their 3‑year terms overlap.  A term begins in January and ends after the Annual Meeting of FWCC Section of the Americas following the third January.  FWCC limits representatives to nine years of continuous service; in fact, FWCC recommends that representatives serve for six years to provide continuity.

5.  Reporting annually to IMYM, and to the Continuing Committee's winter meeting.

6.  Interpreting to Regional, Monthly and Preparative Meetings and Worship Groups the activities, needs, and resources of FWCC Section of the Americas, and to encourage contributions. 

Financial arrangements:  The Yearly Meeting pays the expenses of FWCC Representatives to attend the annual meetings of FWCC's Section of the Americas.  The Yearly Meeting also funds separately the travel of delegates to the FWCC Triennial.  Incidental operating expenditures for clerical supplies, communications, etc., may be submitted to the Treasurer for reimbursement.  The Treasurer should be consulted before incurring unusual expenses. 

Notes and Concerns:

1.  In an attempt to keep travel outlay within budget, the Yearly Meeting in 2003 approved a Finance Committee recommendation that "representatives (FCNL, AFSC, etc.) get together to decide how they will spend or allocate their budgeted (travel) monies... The treasurer is authorized to pay out only to the limit which has been budgeted.  At any point of financial need, it is suggested that Friends contact their monthly meetings, or have their monthly meeting contact other monthly meetings, for financial help." (IMYM 03-09).  This procedure appears not to be practiced at this time. 

In recent years, only a fraction of FWCC Representative travel outlay has been reimbursed by the Yearly Meeting, apparently with much of the cost having been absorbed by the representatives themselves.  To what degree representatives have coordinated their travel and its reimbursement is unknown, and to what degree representatives have limited their travel because of unreimbursed cost is unknown. 

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FWCC expects the following from their Yearly Meeting Representatives (Excerpted and summarized from FWCC Brief Guide, June 2005):

FWCC expects of representatives:

1.  Attend FWCC regional, sectional and triennial meetings.

2.  Report regularly to the yearly and local meetings on FWCC meetings and affairs.

3.  Serve for a minimum of three years, preferably for six.

FWCC representatives should expect from the Yearly Meeting:

1.  Be informed about issues the Yearly Meeting wishes raised at FWCC meetings.

2.  Opportunity to discuss FWCC issues within the Yearly Meeting.

3.  Opportunity to interpret and help implement FWCC recommendations within the Yearly Meeting.

4.  Financial support for attending FWCC meetings.

5.  Encouragement from the Yearly Meeting, local meetings and individuals to support FWCC work with prayers and money.