The Ministry on Racism Committee provides strategic guidance and support for the Ministry on Racism at Friends General Conference (FGC). Specifically, the committee supports the Ministry on Racism in its two areas of work: delivering programs that serve Friends, and stewarding FGC’s organizational commitment to anti-racism. This dual focus ensures that anti-racism work happens both through direct programming and through institutional transformation.
What the Committee Does
The Ministry on Racism Committee supports the development and operationalization of the Ministry on Racism’s strategic work. This includes guiding the Ministry on Racism Strategic Plan and ensuring alignment across all anti-racism initiatives.
Supporting the Ministry on Racism as a Program
The committee helps shape programming that serves Friends of Color, Friends from communities at the margins, and white Friends engaged in anti-racism work. This includes:
- Retreats for Friends of Color and their families
- Worship and fellowship spaces for Friends from communities at the margins
- Anti-racism workshops and capacity-building experiences
- Support for Friends attending conferences like the White Privilege Conference
Supporting the Ministry on Racism as Strategic Steward
The committee also supports the Ministry on Racism in guiding FGC’s organizational transformation. This strategic stewardship work includes:
- Strategic Planning: The committee reviews and provides input on the Ministry on Racism Strategic Plan. This plan helps guide FGC’s anti-racism transformation over multiple years.
- Coordination Across Committees: The Ministry on Racism Committee connects with other committees that support the Ministry on Racism. These include Friends for Racial Equity and Education (FREE), the Addressing Racial Wounding Committee, the (Adult) Young Friends Advisory Group, the Ongoing Online Events Committee, and the Institutional Assessment Implementation Committee.
- Support for Staff: The committee provides thought-partnership and guidance to Ministry on Racism staff. This support helps staff navigate complex situations and make strategic decisions about organizational transformation.
- Accountability: Committee members help ensure FGC lives into its commitment to becoming an actively anti-racist faith community. This includes supporting the use of the FGC anti-racism query: “How does this decision support FGC in its goal to transform into an actively anti-racist faith community?”
Connection to the Ministry on Racism
The Ministry on Racism serves as FGC’s central hub for anti-racist transformation work. As a program, it offers events, resources, and community spaces for Friends. As the strategic steward of FGC’s anti-racism commitment, it guides organizational policies, practices, and culture. The Ministry on Racism Committee provides oversight and support for both dimensions of this work.
The committee collaborates closely with Ministry on Racism staff:
- alicia nance, Ministry on Racism Program Coordinator
- Shaina Robinson, Ministry on Racism Program Associate
Together, committee members and staff guide FGC’s journey toward becoming an actively anti-racist faith community.
Who Might Join the Committee
The Ministry on Racism Committee welcomes Friends who are actively engaged in their own anti-racism journey. This ongoing commitment to growth and learning is essential for committee service.
Additionally, the committee seeks Friends whose experience sits at the intersection of anti-racism and other relevant areas. These areas include strategic planning, program development, organizational transformation, or community organizing. Experience in these fields is most valuable when it is grounded in anti-racism practice.
Friends of Color and Friends from communities at the margins bring essential perspectives to this work. The committee also welcomes white Friends who have engaged deeply in their own anti-racism journey and who can support FGC’s transformation.
Committee service begins with discernment. This means reflecting on what gifts you bring based on your lived experience and personal journey in anti-racism. The committee meets monthly to coordinate its work and support one another.
Join the Committee
Anyone interested in supporting the Ministry on Racism, as both a program and strategic steward of antiracism work, is warmly welcome to explore joining the committee. Volunteers help shape how FGC lives into its commitment to racial justice.
Contact us if you are interested in learning more about the Ministry on Racism Committee.
Have specific volunteer interests? Fill out the Volunteer Skills and Interests Survey.
To learn more about the Ministry on Racism, visit the Ministry on Racism page.