8. The centrally managed work of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Britain

• 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07

Britain Yearly Meeting Trustees

The centrally managed work of Britain Yearly Meeting (see chapters 6 and 7) is in large part carried out by several committees responsible to Yearly Meeting through the Trustees. Although these committees are responsible to the Yearly Meeting through the Trustees, for practical reasons they are appointed by Meeting for Sufferings acting on behalf of Yearly Meeting.

These committees are of two main types: standing committees, which are established for an unlimited duration, and ad hoc committees, which may be set up for a specific purpose as occasion requires and are usually expected to complete their task by a set date. (See also 6.17 & 6.28.)

The Trustees may delegate any of their powers to a committee which includes two or more of the Trustees.

Most of the work of Britain Yearly Meeting is undertaken by standing committees, including the four central committees (8.08-8.11) which are responsible for particular areas of work. All standing committees work to terms of reference approved by the Trustees and are accountable to them. The Trustees are accountable to Yearly Meeting and the charity regulators, as described in 8.03. (Committees appointed in whole or in part by Yearly Meeting in session are described in chapter 6.)

Standing committees may delegate certain work to functional committees and other subsidiary bodies, such as programme management groups. Standing committees are responsible for appointing all such subsidiary bodies, determining their respective terms of reference and membership within the overall guidance on nominations (3.23-3.25 & 7.07).

The Trustees and the standing committees may communicate by minute with Meeting for Sufferings and Yearly Meeting Agenda Committee, and with each other. Whilst standing committees may also communicate by minute with General Meeting for Scotland, the Meeting of Friends in Wales and area meetings on matters furthering their purposes, they should ensure that this is done in co-ordination with Trustees and other standing committees, liaising as required.

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