American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) (Draft 2013)

Contact Information

National Office
1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA 19102
215-241-7000

New York Office
15 Rutherford Place, New York NY 10003
212-598-0950

Northeast Regional Office
2161 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02140
617-661-6130

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

The AFSC is guided by a corporation composed of no fewer than 120 nor more than 180 members. No fewer than 60 nor more than 90 of these members are to be nominated by the yearly meetings of Friends in the United States. No fewer than 60 nor more than 90 Friends are chosen at large by the Nominating Committee of the AFSC. Of these, up to 25 are chosen to serve as the Board of Directors. The clerks of the four U.S. regional offices and of the international office sit as ex-officio members of the corporation.

Each yearly meeting appoints from two to five members. The number of Friends to be appointed from each yearly meeting is generally based upon the size of the yearly meeting and is determined by the AFSC. In addition, New York Yearly Meeting may recommend names to the nominating committee of the corporation for appointment to the Northeast Regional Office.

Functions & Activities

The appointees to the corporation act as liaison between the yearly meeting and the AFSC. They are expected to make every effort to attend and represent the yearly meeting at the annual meeting of the corporation, which is usually held the first Friday and Saturday of March. Members should take care to prepare for the meeting by reviewing all advance materials and participating in advance conference calls when they are offered. Once appointed or nominated, Yearly Meeting appointees and at-large nominees participate in the next annual meeting and the two following meetings. Corporation members are also invited to attend the March Board meeting which is held on the Sunday following the annual meeting. Appointees carry yearly meeting concerns to the AFSC and report back to the yearly meeting. This includes an annual written report.

The regional executive appointees are expected to attend the regional office's executive meetings and function as full members of those committees. The appointees are encouraged to participate in the activities of the AFSC regional office and to encourage similar participation by members of local monthly meetings.

Organization & Method of Appointment

Currently, New York Yearly Meeting is asked to appoint five members to the national corporation. The appointments are made by the Yearly Meeting on the recommendation of the Nominating Committee for three-year terms, with about one-third appointed each year. The group names a convener and a representative to the Witness Coordinating Committee. The group includes the regional executive representative(s) as well as Yearly Meeting members appointed at large by the national office.

Meeting Times & Places

The annual meeting of the corporation is normally held in March in Philadelphia. Representatives may also meet at Yearly Meeting sessions.

Finances

Corporation members often pay their own expenses, but some financial aid is available from the monies set aside for Friends under appointment and from the AFSC.