Friends General Conference invites Quakers connected with an affiliated Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting, or program to consider serving on the Representatives Council. If you feel led to this work, FGC welcomes your interest.

FGC especially encourages Friends of Color, young Friends, young adult Friends, and LGBTQ+ Friends to apply. To move toward becoming an actively anti-racist organization, the Governance Implementation Working Group set clear goals for strong representation from historically marginalized groups.

Organizational Overview

Friends General Conference (FGC) is a Quaker organization undergoing a transformative shift in its governance structure to become more flexible, future-focused, and aligned with anti-racist, co-creative, and equitable principles. Staff function as the day-to-day operators of FGC’s work guided by the General Secretary as the primary manager of all FGC operations. FGC has a small governing Board as well as a larger Representatives council who support the governance of the organization. There are also numerous committees and volunteers supporting the varied programs and efforts of FGC.

We invite all Quakers engaged in community with an FGC-affiliated Monthly or Yearly meeting or FGC program who are led to the work of governance to consider becoming a part of the organization or share their talents in other ways. FGC is committed to diversity across our Governing Board, Representative Council, committees, and work. We encourage Friends who identify as Friends of color, young and young adult Friends, and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer+) to apply.

Representatives Council Purpose

As an Association of sixteen Affiliated Yearly and twelve Monthly Meetings (as of 2024), FGC needs a diverse Representatives Council that is larger than the Governing Board to provide communication between the member constituencies, FGC staff, and the Governing Board. The Council will also serve the important role of advocating for FGC and its members as well as seasoning important governance decisions, proposing policy changes or refinement of existing policies.

Council Member Responsibilities

Representatives who serve on the Representatives Council are charged with bringing forth ideas, needs, concerns, and desires from the broader membership to FGC. Council Members are also an active resource to their appointing body concerning FGC mission, programs and events.

Representation

• Collaborate and network between and within different parts of FGC.
• Serve as liaison between yearly and monthly meetings, committees, Friends of color, LGBTQ+, youth and young adult Friends, and FGC staff.
• Bring to FGC the wants and desires of yearly and monthly meetings, committees, Friends of color, LGBTQ+, and youth and young adult Friends.
• Share with yearly and monthly meetings, committees, Friends of color, LGBTQ+, youth and young adult Friends, the work and needs of FGC.
• Contribute to a culture of inclusivity and respect on the Council
• Bring a deep understanding of Quaker values and practices to Council deliberations
• Champion FGC’s commitment to anti-racism, co-creation, and equity

Governance

• Approving changes to the bylaws of FGC.
• Nominating and approving FGC Governing Board officers.
• Nominating and approving the non-officer Governing Board members.
• Nominating and approving the clerks of Representative Council committees.
• Maintain awareness of the Board’s performance.
• Seasoning major new initiatives and program directions for subsequent decision-making by the Governing Board.

Qualifications

• Engaged in community with an FGC-affiliated Yearly or Monthly Meeting or FGC Committee.
• Commitment to FGC’s mission and values.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in a group setting.
• Willingness to dedicate the necessary time, energy and responsibility of being a Representatives Council member.
• FGC actively seeks council members who uplift the diversity of our Quaker community. To better achieve our mission and vision, we want to create space for underrepresented Friends and particularly encourage service from individuals within our community who are People of Color, Friends under the age of 36, or Friends who identify as LGBTQ+. and vision.

Time Commitment

• One (1) in-person* meeting per year in locations in accordance with FGC event guidelines striving for inclusive and safe gatherings. *hybrid attendance will be an option but there is great value to in person attendance.
• Three (3) short virtual meetings throughout the year.
• Regularly communicate with FGC staff and your appointing body to stay up to date on what is going on and topics that FGC Representative Council might want to season. 

Benefits

• Contribute to the future of Quakerism through the work of FGC.
• Work alongside dedicated Quakers committed to spiritual growth and social justice.
• Deepen your own spiritual life.
• Deepen your relationship with the Quaker faith as well as your understanding of Quaker governance and non-profit leadership.

Apply

If you would like to serve, please click below to submit your name through FGC’s Volunteer and Interest Survey. Applicants may include a letter of recommendation from their monthly or yearly meeting and a brief description of themselves, such as a resume.