Purpose

The Friendly Adult Presences for Senior Young Friends work with Senior Young Friends in planning and implementing their various programs and in meeting organizational needs.

The SYF FAPs are tasked by the SYFs to be present to hold the SYFs in the Light, as well as to advocate for them as needed. The FAPs are also tasked to be present for the SYFs in a capacity that other church groups might call chaperones. However, FAPs do not make decisions for or on behalf of the SYFs, and are not their liaisons. The SYFs have their own standing business structure (co-clerks, recording clerks, etc.), and thus, should be consulted directly at every opportunity pertaining to the planning of ongoing (year-round) Yearly Meeting business that directly affects them.

Appointment

The Friendly Adult Presences (FAP) are nominated by Senior Young Friends and advanced by the Nominating Committee to the Yearly Meeting for approval. The three- year term begins at the rise of an annual session. Current practice is to appoint two to three people (based on numbers and ages of SYF) on a staggered schedule for teamed service. The FAPs are members of the Youth Working Group which is part of the Arrangements Committee charged with planning and supervising the annual gathering.

NOTE: If your Working Group has no Clerk, then direct your reports and any questions or issues that arise directly to the Clerk of Arrangements Committee. We also encourage you to read the Guide description of your Working Group and reach out to other members of that Group for help.

Responsibilities of the Friendly Adult Presences for Senior Young Friends

Working with Senior Young Friends in planning and implementing their program and activities during the annual gathering.
Assisting Young Friends in understanding and using Friends practices during planning for and participation in the annual business sessions.
Facilitating communications between Senior Young Friends and the rest of the Yearly Meeting.
Assisting in obtaining various nominations required of Senior Young Friends.
Assisting in planning and implementing programs involving Young Friends in more than one Regional Meeting; e.g. inter-regional meeting visits, work camps, and other special projects.
Encouraging Regional and Monthly Meetings to support the travel expenses of Young Friends to Arrangements Committee meetings.
Serving as a primary communication link with other Friends organizations having interests and activities relevant to the Young Friends.
With the Clerk of the Watching Committee making copies of epistles from Young Friends groups in other yearly meetings available for SYF business meetings.
Carrying out such additional responsibilities as may be agreed to with the Senior Young Friends Clerk, the Yearly Meeting Clerk, or the Clerk of Arrangements Committee.
Working with the Senior Young Friends Clerk and facilities staff to meet program needs for facilities and equipment for the annual gathering. (There may be reasons for some joint program and logistics planning with the Coordinator of Junior Young Friends and Children’s Yearly Meeting.)

Arrangements Committee

The Co-Clerks for Senior Young Friends may be asked to submit a written evaluative report about the previous Annual gathering in the fall to the Clerk of the Youth Working Group. If requested by the Co-Clerks, the FAPs may assist in the preparation of this report. In its winter meeting, the Arrangements Committee completes the planning for the next annual gathering. The Friendly Adult Presences, SYF Co-Clerks and SYF Regional Representatives attend this meeting to make and report on SYF plans for the upcoming gathering, take part in discussions and decisions which affect SYF’s and to receive instructions from the Committee. The Yearly Meeting pays upon request the travel expenses to these meetings.

Representatives Committee

At least one FAP attends the Representatives Committee winter meeting to provide support and hold in the Light any SYFs that attend (as well as to advocate when the larger executive body might be considering a decision that directly affects the SYFs but has not solicited SYF leadership input). The Yearly Meeting pays upon request the travel expenses to this meeting.

Financial Arrangements The Yearly Meeting is responsible for the expenses for the FAPs to attend meetings of the Arrangements Committee and Representatives Committee, and to the annual session as needed. (See the Guide page Who Pays IMYM Travel.) Senior Young Friends have a budgetary allowance supplied by annual gathering fees for program expenses. The Senior Young Friends Clerk and FAPs should consult with the Treasurer and one another as needed regarding the current budgetary situation and spending needs.