Representative to FCNL
POSITION: Representative to Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Approved by NPYM Steering Committee, January 2009
Revised July 2015; approved by Executive Committee, July 2015
APPOINTED BY: NPYM Annual Session
NOMINATED BY: NPYM Nominating Committee
TERM LENGTH: 3 years
TERM BEGINS: September 1 (to allow time to make travel arrangements to Annual FCNL Meeting)
MEMBERS: Six, with overlapping terms
REPORTS TO: Associate Clerk of Coordinating Committee, and Peace and Social Concerns
Committee.
Works primarily with: Meetings and worship groups within NPYM; Quarterly Meetings, Associate
Clerk of Coordinating Committee, Peace and Social Concerns Committee, and the FCNL field staff.
NEEDS: Must be sensitive to the interest and spirit of the Yearly Meeting and be able to communicate
with the YM members and with FCNL. Must understand the principals of Friends Witness and
Legislative process and have a concern for FCNL goals. Finally, the diversity among Friends requires an
openness to varying viewpoints and the ability to discuss these within our YM. (Geographical diversity
of our representatives is a good idea.)
DEFINITION: Represents NPYM’s concerns and views at the annual meeting where FCNL policies and
priorities are determined. Interprets these decisions to all sectors of the YM as opportunity arises. Works
with the NPYM Peace and Social Concerns Committee to incorporate FCNL’s work into the YM when
appropriate. Promotes the mission and activities of FCNL throughout the Yearly Meeting.
TASKS:
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Meet with other representatives to divide up the work and make sure that the newer
representatives have a sense of what they should be doing. See also the Convener’s job
description below.
Reach out to Meetings and Worship Groups for the purposes of sharing information, identifying
local liaisons, arranging in-person visits, and supporting other events related to the work of the
organization.
Attend the Annual Meeting in Washington DC (typically second weekend in November).
Work with Peace and Social Concerns Committee to maintain a current list of Meeting contact
people.
Serve as Liaison for the FCNL Field Program Staff when they are traveling in our area.
Be available to interpret FCNL activities and needs.
Attend NPYM Annual Session, and Quarterly Meetings when possible, and promote the
organization by setting up a display and conducting an interest group. When it is FCNL’s turn to
be the featured agency at the NPYM annual session, representatives from NPYM need to take
the lead in coordinating with FCNL staff for planning this presentation.
EVALUATION: The representatives work together to prepare an annual report on the organization to
NPYM and send a copy to the Associate Clerk of Coordinating Committee and the Clerk of Peace and
Social Concerns by June 1. This report should focus on the activities of the representatives and matters
related to the interests of Friends within NPYM, and may include information useful to next year's
representatives (what worked, what didn't) and any changes that should be made in the job, or the job
description.
If files or a notebook was received with material from previous FCNL representative, update
information with current reports/evaluations and other materials that may be helpful. At the end of your
term pass this information on to the new representative.
EXPENSES & TRAVEL: NPYM encourages Friends possessing a variety of economic means, and
particularly young adults, to serve as representatives to affiliated organizations. Based on aggregate
historical data and anticipated need, NPYM allocates a pool of funds in the annual budget to cover
expenses of representatives, with any overruns covered from reserves. NPYM will reimburse all
reasonable costs for all of the appointed representatives who attend the annual governance meeting(s) of
an affiliated organization. Submit expenses to the NPYM Treasurer using the reimbursement form
(available online).
Reimbursement is not available for expenses related to participation on a program or administrative
committee; it is assumed that the affiliated organization will assist with those extra costs. It is assumed
that all representatives will be thrifty in their arrangements, and limit reimbursement requests to
essential expenses. Representatives who are financially able to do so are encouraged to cover a portion
of their own costs, and to report those expenses as an in-kind contribution to the YM.
For travel to Coordinating Committee meetings, travel expense is reimbursed according to the NPYM
travel reimbursement policy. For attendance and travel to Annual Session, Friends may request
assistance per the NPYM financial aid policy.
OTHER INFORMATION: It is the policy (1996) of NPYM to not send substitutes to annual meetings
when the representatives are unable to attend.
CONVENER: One of the representatives (typically the longest serving) is appointed through the regular
NPYM nominating process as a Convener to help the representatives coordinate their activities.
The Convener has the following responsibilities (which may be delegated to another representative):
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Coordinate production of an annual report on the organization by June 1.
Coordinate an extended oral report or other program presentation from the organization (on a
rotating basis with other affiliated organizations) OR make a brief (five minutes or less) pitch
during a plenary at Annual Session on the activities of the organization.
Coordinate a display table for the organization at Annual Session.
Coordinate an interest group related to the area of focus or activities of the organization at
Annual Session.
Work with the Nominating Committee to identify potential candidates to serve as future
representatives for the organization.
Nominated By:
Nominating Committee