D. Discontinuance of Meetings
If it becomes desirable in the judgment of the members of any meeting to discontinue it, or to unite with another, the meeting in question or those Friends engaged in closing its affairs should lay the request before the meeting having responsibility for establishment of a corresponding type of meeting. For example: a preparative meeting should not be discontinued or suspended without first consulting the monthly meeting of which it forms a part; a monthly meeting should obtain the approval of the quarterly or equivalent meeting or of the yearly meeting; and the yearly meeting should act on a request to discontinue a quarterly or equivalent meeting. When circumstances warrant, the larger meeting may begin action for discontinuance, but with due consideration for the particular interests of any individual members of the affected meeting.
The request for discontinuance should be considered by the meeting having responsibility. In most cases it may wish to appoint a committee to examine and advise concerning the proposal before giving its approval. After approval, the responsible meeting should continue its committee or appoint a new one to assist in making necessary business arrangements. In case of discontinuance of a monthly meeting, the committee should arrange for proper transfer of individual members to another monthly meeting. The clerk of the meeting having responsibility should report the action concerning the discontinuance to the yearly meeting office promptly.
If a preparative meeting ceases to exist, all its property automatically passes to the monthly meeting of which it is a part. If an executive, monthly, or quarterly or equivalent meeting ceases to exist, all of its property passes to the yearly meeting. If two monthly or two quarterly meetings, or their equivalent, merge or consolidate, all property of both becomes the property of the combined meeting.
The successor meeting in all cases of discontinuance or merger has full responsibility for administering any remaining trust funds in accordance with the directions of the original donors. In other respects, the successor meeting has authority to assign or hold in trust any unrestricted funds or property that it may receive, but such funds or property shall be used solely to advance the general interests and purposes of the Religious Society of Friends.