How Quakers Make Decisions
Quaker decision-making is a group process that emphasizes the importance of the process itself, as well as the diversity of thought that can emerge from it. Quakers believe that sharing perspectives is a responsibility and a privilege.
How Quakers make decisions:
Quakers strive for "unity, not unanimity". They encourage group members to speak only once until others have been heard.
Discernment Quakers practice discernment, which is the act of searching for truth and remaining open to divine guidance.
Process Quakers believe that the process of decision-making is just as important as the outcome.
Yearly Meetings use a manual of practice with this name; “with advice on procedures within the faith, membership, current practice for conducting meeting business and numerous quotations from Friends on belief, worship, concerns, leadings, and testimonies.” It is a highly useful reference for practical, historical and spiritual advice. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s is available digitally on this website, and also in soft-cover book format. It is recommended reading for people seeking to understand Quakers and Friends’ practices, as well as providing important guidance for Monthly Meetings.
Our Broader Quaker Community
Quarterly Meetings conduct business 4 times yearly, though such meetings usually include more than just business and worship. Caln Quarter serves the needs of its nine monthly meetings through wider fellowship and the opportunity to share experiences. On the first weekend in May the Quarter hosts an overnight retreat at Camp Swatara in Bethel, PA. In addition to a business meeting at the Camp, workshops, worship and fun are part of the weekend. Special programs for youth, supported by youth programs from the yearly meeting, make this a particular draw for our young Friends to share and meet each other.
Although the name refers to the annual business sessions occurring in July, usually about 5 days long, the Yearly Meeting also has abbreviated business meetings in the Spring & Fall. Workshops, key-note speakers and social time as well as special programs for youth make these meetings very attractive. The Yearly Meeting has a year-round presence serving the needs of its 11 Quarterly Meetings and about 103 Monthly Meetings, through a sizable and dedicated paid staff and volunteer cohort. Services include grants, a lending library, services for the aging, counselling, pastoral care and programs for youth & young adults.
A fuller description of the organization and some terminology is at:
FGC is a consortium of 16 Yearly Meetings and 12 directly affiliated Monthly Meetings across North America. Its Minute of Purpose states: “Friends General Conference, with Divine guidance, nurtures the spiritual vitality of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) by providing programs and services for Friends, meetings, and seekers.” It hosts numerous special events such as retreats for People of Color and programs for youth and young adults; the Gathering is a week-long retreat in July on a college campus, attracting as many as 1000 Friends for plenaries, workshops, fellowship and fun. FGC offers online resources serving Spiritual Development and a bookstore focused on Quaker-related publications. The website has a wealth of information about unprogramed Quakers in North America.
Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns
"Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns is a North American Quaker faith community that affirms that of God in all people. Gathering twice yearly for worship and play, we draw sustenance from each other and from the Spirit for our work and life in the world. We are learning that radical inclusion and radical love bring further light to Quaker testimony and life."
American Friends Service Conference
“Since 1917, AFSC has been on the forefront of some the most important social movements in working for a more just, peaceful world.” Founded by Quakers during WW I to offer young pacifists a way to serve, its history has been full of many kinds of service to support the causes of peace and justice.
Friends Committee on National Legislation
“Since 1943, the FCNL community has lobbied Congress to advance for peace and justice.” In addition to its biannual work to learn about the social issues of current importance to Friends that then guides its focus, it hosts lobbing training and organized lobbying events on Capitol Hill.
“Pendle Hill is a Quaker study, retreat, and conference center welcoming all for Spirit-led learning and community.” This spiritual retreat center in Wallingford, PA is close to Swarthmore College. It is named after Pendle Hill in England, a site of historical importance to the early Quakers.
Its “mission is to communicate Quaker experience in order to connect and deepen spiritual lives.” It publishes the Journal, as well as podcasts, book reviews and links to Quaker.org where much information about Quakers and Quakerism can be found. Of particular interest is its Quaker Speak videos, in which many different Friends are interviewed about their understanding and experience of Quaker Faith, witness and worship.
Friends World Council for Communications
"The Friends World Committee for Consultation fosters fellowship among all the branches of the Religious Society of Friends. In the Americas, the Quaker community extends from the Arctic to the Andes, spanning a rich diversity of regional cultures, beliefs and styles of worship." This organization was begun in 1937 in an effort to improve relations and communication between the various branches of Quakers. This link is to Section of the Americas.