In late October 2018, members of the Willits Book Trust of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Walton Burwell of Germantown Monthly Meeting and Lisa Stewart Garrison of Greenwich Monthly Meeting, visited with Dr. Carl Patrick Burrowes to prepare 250 copies of his book Between the Forest and the Salty Sea: A History of the Liberian People Before 1800 to be shipped to Monrovia. The committee enjoyed a delicious Liberian meal while enjoying their work. The boxes of books, a gift from the Willits Book Trust to people in Liberia, have been shipped abroad to coincide with the author’s return to his native land. Dr. Burrowes is visiting parts of Liberia within and beyond Monrovia to present copies of his book to thought leaders, educators, decision makers, and aspiring students. [Read more…] about Between the Kola Forest and the Salty Sea: Willits Book Trust supports Stories to Heal Liberia
Grants
The Willits Book Trust Committee presents Books to Cumberland County Students in partnership with the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives
On Sept. 28th, 2018, the Willits Book Trust of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting presented copies of the Autobiography of an American Slave to a group of Cumberland County College Equal Opportunity Fund Students at Historic Bethel Othello African Methodist Church in Greenwich, New Jersey. The students were taking part in a Freedom Tour, Freedom Seekers, Free People of Color and Communities of Faith in the Greenwich Area to explore Underground Railroad sites near Delaware Bay. [Read more…] about The Willits Book Trust Committee presents Books to Cumberland County Students in partnership with the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Friends support arrestees at Demand the Ban action outside Senator Toomey’s office in Philadelphia
On May 16, 2018, Fran Sheldon (Providence Meeting) and Paul Sheldon (Lansdowne Meeting) participated in a Demand the Ban action in Philadelphia to demand that Senator Toomey co-sponsor Senate Bill 2095 that bans the sale of assault weapons. [Read more…] about Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Friends support arrestees at Demand the Ban action outside Senator Toomey’s office in Philadelphia
Closing the Grant Making Circle
By Doug Humes
Quaker Buildings and Programs Granting Group
We grantmakers (at least for “bricks and sticks” – building and renovation projects) participate in the project at the beginning and in the middle, but typically we never see “the end”. At the beginning, we receive an application that describes the project, a new roof, a bathroom, in addition, an energy saving device, a budget and how the applicant proposes to pay for the project outside of the requested grant funds. [Read more…] about Closing the Grant Making Circle
PYM Grants – Sharing Our Stories
The magnolia buds are slower to bloom this year but the sight of them means it is time for the PYM Annual Grant Makers potluck at Arch Street Meeting. The PYM Granting Committee sponsors two annual gatherings for the many Friends who are led to support the yearly meeting by being stewards of our grant funds. The fall Grant Makers Appreciation Luncheon will be held Saturday, October 6th at Friends Center. [Read more…] about PYM Grants – Sharing Our Stories
Indian Committee Fiscal Year Report ’16-’17
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave. – Dakota
Indian Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Report for October 2016 through September 2017
During the Fiscal Year 2016-17 fifteen individuals were active as Members and Attenders at ten meetings held during the year. On average nine people attended each meeting. We were greatly saddened by the sudden loss of one of our long-term members, Amanda Ivory, in July 2016. [Read more…] about Indian Committee Fiscal Year Report ’16-’17
Grantmakers Go High Tech!
This photo is not a screen grab of the Brady Bunch. It is an action photo showing old dogs learning new tricks!
Yesterday was the big Eagles Parade that closed Center City Philadelphia to all but those wearing green, to celebrate the self-proclaimed Underdog Philadelphia Eagles. The PYM Granting Committee was scheduled to meet there as well. But we thought better of it. Instead, we tried new software, Zoom, that allowed us to conference call with visuals from our homes or officers. Ten in attendance, and apparently the software would accommodate up to 100. The sound quality was great. You can all view the same document together; can view each face participating by video, and also hear the folks who have phoned in. It was a very successful first attempt. Thanks to Carol Walz and Ken Park for cheerleading us through the process. [Read more…] about Grantmakers Go High Tech!
Indian Committee Supports Taino Project
How many Friends know of the cultural research supported by our Indian Committee’s grants? Last spring, this Committee funded a small project on Taino culture. The language and customs of these Native Americans are threaded through the culture of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hispaniola and other Caribbean islands.
