by Diane Bowden | Aug 17, 2026 | Children and Religious Education, Current, RE
Upcoming Dates
- August 30th – Nominating Committee
- September 6th – First Sunday All Ages Class
- September 6th – (12:15-1 PM) Willow Working Group Meeting
- September 13th – First Day of Age-Grouped Classes for 2026-2027
Supply Closet – Do not drop off donations
RE closet is full of supplies ready for our teachers to use this fall. If you have supplies you think might be useful for RE, please talk to a member of the RE committee before bringing them to the meeting house. If we are unable to use the supplies, we encourage people to recycle or donate to ScrapRVa or local art teachers/schools.
Getting Ready for 2026-2027 RE Classes
Elementary Class (Ages 5-8) Our elementary class is fully staffed!
Junior Young Friends Class (Ages 9-12): We are looking for 2 teachers for our JYF class. This age group is so much fun. It is also a vital age for making long-term connections with our community. Do you remember what middle school or junior high school was like? Kids in this class are both gaining confidence in their growing independence and self-consciousness around peers all at once. They are experiencing cool stuff all the time and have intense interests. They have learned about S.P.I.C.E.S. for years. They want to learn about Quaker history and key figures, act, make videos, and generally just have fun together.
Young Friends Class (Ages 13-17): We are also looking for an additional teacher and assistant for the Young Friends class. We have a great teacher in place who could use a co-teacher to fill in when they are not available. Commitment should not be more than once/month. Let me tell you about this class. They are exploring Quakerism and current events in relation to their personal spiritual journeys. These discussions can serve to guide them into adulthood. Each student travels that journey in a way unique to them. One kid might be an attentive student. Another will talk about anime. One kid will just observe but hear every word. Then there are a few who visit when they can, bringing wisdom only a teen can on the spur of the moment.
Background checks filed with RFM are required to volunteer with our children. If you’d like to walk alongside our amazing children for a school year, contact Elizabeth Price.
by Diane Bowden | Jul 23, 2026 | Activity, Children and Religious Education, RE, Young Friends
Summer Committee-Led Lessons
The RE Committee would like to extend a very sincere “Thank you!” to the RFM committees taking over RE classes this summer. Each week, the children are learning from a different committee or working group. Not only do children have the opportunity to learn about the life of the Meeting, but they are also building intergenerational connections. Thank you, committees!
Community Submissions Requested by the WWG
The Willow Working Group (ages 9-17) and RE Committees are working on two special projects, and we need your help! Each person’s contribution will make these projects richer.
First, we want you to share your favorite memories of The Clearing with us. Did a special connection with humans or nature impact your life in some way? These are the treasures we are seeking! We are also accepting a limited number of special photos.
Second, Zoe Garrett will be attending Westtown High School in West Chester, PA this fall. We are asking everyone, maybe even if you don’t know her very well, to write a letter to Zoe and place it in a sealed envelope. We welcome you to share anything that may bring joy, comfort, or encouragement to a young person living far away from family and friends for a season.
The deadline for both projects is August 9.
How can you turn in your submissions? You have options!
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Drop them in the Religious Education mailbox at RFM.
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Give your paper(s) directly to Elizabeth Price.
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Call, Text, Mail or Email Elizabeth Price
Wayne Taylor Reflection, Coffee Day & Global Forgiveness Day
After learning about Sadako & her 1000 cranes, some of our children have continued to fold paper cranes. We would like to extend this experience to all of RFM. In honor of Global Forgiveness Day and the Wayne Taylor Reflection, Danni Kong & the RE Committee invite anyone interested to fold origami peace cranes. Bring your cranes on August 2nd to exchange with or pass out to those in attendance.
Link to How-To Video: https://youtu.be/RdMNeee3Re8?si=5-WlGuSEOH19ld2H
Introduction to Neurodiversity, a presentation by the Autism Society of Central Virginia will be held in the community room on Saturday, August 29th from 10 am to Noon. This is RE’s annual workshop and Teacher Planning Day. Register by adding your name to one of the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or letting Elizabeth Price know you plan to attend.
The morning session, Introduction to Neurodiversity, will be a presentation by the Autism Society of Central Virginia beginning at 10AM. It is for anyone who is interested in learning more about neurodivergence and how to better interact with children who see the world differently than we.
The session will include:
- Understand neurodiversity and ASD and how it impacts children.
- Learn how to set up classrooms that support all learners.
- Explore the functions of behavior and the ABC model.
- Practice proactive and de-escalation strategies.
- Apply skills through real-life scenarios.
The afternoon will be a time for teachers to prepare for fall classes. If you plan to teach or assist in an age-related classroom, please plan to meet with your co-volunteers to begin planning for classes beginning September 13!
by Diane Bowden | Jun 23, 2026 | Children and Religious Education, RE
Introduction to Neurodiversity, a presentation by the Autism Society of Central Virginia will be held in the community room on Saturday, August 29th from 10 am to Noon. This is RE’s annual workshop and Teacher Planning Day. Register by adding your name to one of the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or letting Elizabeth Price know you plan to attend.
The morning session, Introduction to Neurodiversity, will be a presentation by the Autism Society of Central Virginia beginning at 10AM. It is for anyone who is interested in learning more about neurodivergence and how to better interact with children who see the world differently than we.
The session will include:
- Understand neurodiversity and ASD and how it impacts children.
- Learn how to set up classrooms that support all learners.
- Explore the functions of behavior and the ABC model.
- Practice proactive and de-escalation strategies.
- Apply skills through real-life scenarios.
The afternoon will be a time for teachers to prepare for fall classes. If you plan to teach or assist in an age-related classroom, please plan to meet with your co-volunteers to begin planning for classes beginning September 13!
by Diane Bowden | Apr 16, 2026 | Children and Religious Education, Clearing, Faith and Play, RE, Spring Retreat
UPCOMING RE DATES
- April 19 Faith & Play
- April 25 WWG Talent Show Auditions 1-3 PM, (Talent Show May 23rd, 3pm)
- April 26 Fourth Sunday Age-Related Classes
- May 3 Movement Circles with Eunkyung Ahn
- Willow Working Group (Ages 9-17): Next Meeting, May 3 12:15 – 1 pm
- May 10 Mother’s Day, Second Sunday Age-Related Classes
WWG Intergenerational Talent Show
The WWG Intergenerational Talent Show will be during Spring Retreat on Saturday, May 23 at 3 pm at The Clearing
Things to Know:
All ages are invited to participate – children AND adults.
- Acts must be preapproved by the WWG Talent Show Coordinators
- Must be able to attend the Spring Retreat Talent Show on May 23!
- No real weapons; no supporting violence.
- If you wouldn’t want your mother, boss, or principal to see it, don’t perform it/write it.
Talent Show auditions will be held here in the Community Room on Saturday, April 25 from 1-3 pm. We want to make space for as many participants as possible. Auditions will serve as a dress rehearsal and help us keep within time limits. You do NOT need to stay for the entire time. Present your act and you are free to leave. Sign up sheets may be found in the mailroom or hanging on the bottom of our posters throughout the Meetinghouse.
Sign up to reserve your slot today!
JYF/YF Roleplaying Friendly 8 FYI
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Joining: Talk to John Garrett or email at jonathanegarrett@gmail.com
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Food: Pack a bag lunch/snack
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Dates: Second Sundays
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Times: Rise of Meeting (~Noon) until 2 PM
by Diane Bowden | Jan 30, 2026 | Announcement, Children and Religious Education, Meeting House
Meeting for worship in the meetinghouse and RE are canceled for Sunday, February 1, due to icy conditions on Commonwealth Avenue.
by Diane Bowden | Jan 13, 2026 | Children and Religious Education, Faith and Play
Please note: Movement Circles were cancelled due to weather and have been rescheduled for May.
- February 15th - Faith & Play: The Story of John Lewis
- February 22nd - Fourth Sunday Age- Related Classes
- March 1st - Ramadan Group Lesson
- Willow Working Group (Ages 9-17): Next Meeting, March 1st 12:15 - 1 pm
- March 8th - Second Sunday Age-Related Classes
- Roleplaying Friendly 8s - March 8th (Second Sundays), 12:30-2 pm
by Diane Bowden | Dec 8, 2025 | Activity, Children and Religious Education, RE
January 19, German Candlelight Event, 5-6 pm: At the end of World War II, a German Quaker family took in many orphans. Having nothing to celebrate the holidays, they gathered the children to light candles and share the gift of themselves, their talents, and Spirit. This custom has spread to many American meetings. This year, we will have our first such candlelight service. Join us by bringing a gift of yourselves - a message of gratitude and hope, a song, a joke, or any gift you wish to share.
by Diane Bowden | Nov 11, 2025 | Announcement, Children and Religious Education, Faith and Play, RE
December 7 - We are planning a Holiday Train Station Exploratory. If you celebrate a specific holiday during December (Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Christmas, Winter Solstice, etc.) and are interested in sharing it with our children, please talk to Elizabeth Price.
Upcoming Dates
- November 23 - Age-Related Classes
- November 30 - Age-Related Classes
- December 7
- Intergenerational Holiday Exploratory during Meeting for all children in the community room
- Willow Working Group Meeting (ages 9-17) during coffee hour 12:30-1PM
- December 14 - Multigenerational Worship: The Gifts Story
- December 21 - Faith & Play: The Story of the Nativity
by Diane Bowden | Jul 24, 2025 | Announcement, Children and Religious Education, Nominating, Peace and Social Concerns
Please contact any member of Nominating Committee for information or interest in these positions: Margaret Edds, Anna Marie Bolin, Diane Bowden, Don Miller, Carolyn Moul, and Catherine Roseberry.
Religious Education Needs
Religious Education’s (RE) greatest need right now is for teachers and assistants in classrooms. This is not a request for new members of the RE Committee. The RE year begins in September, so please volunteer now.
They anticipate needing 4 classes beginning in September: PreK/K, Elementary, Middle, & Upper Grades. We have found that having 2 teachers and 2 assistants per classroom reduces the requirement to only once or twice per month. We have curriculum and resources available for teachers to use if they find that helpful when planning lessons.
We are looking to confirm:
- 2 teachers and 2 assistants for PreK/K
- 1 teacher for Elementary
- 2 teachers and 2 assistants for the Middle School group
- 1 or 2 assistants/subs for the 7th+ class (The current 2 teachers would like someone to fill in when one of them is unavailable on a class day, but these teachers work great together and did very well last year.)
Peace & Social Concerns Needs
Peace and Social Concerns (P&SC)fosters greater personal understanding of peace in the lives of members and attenders; focuses on activities that promote understanding of wider (local, national, and international) peace and justice concerns. It embodies and reflects the social conscience of the Meeting through direct action; proposes RFM budgetary contributions to like-minded organizations; and informs the Meeting of current issues and events.
Recently, P&SC has given us awareness of local nonprofit organizations which have lost funding and opportunities to protest peacefully, to speak truth to power, and to advocate for a more just and inclusive democracy.
P&SC needs people to help with this important work.
by Diane Bowden | May 20, 2025 | Children and Religious Education
Willow Working Group
During the May Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business, the Religious Education committee presented an idea that came forth from one of our children, Margaret Garrett, about a new working group. The Willow Working Group was enthusiastically approved by our Meeting. The purpose of the Willow working group is for children ages 9-17 to be actively engaged in the life of the Meeting. This is a child-led group assisted by adult sponsors and plans to meet during First Sunday coffee hour each month. The willing adult sponsors for this group are Elizabeth Price and Julie Allinson. If your child is interested in joining this group, please contact Margaret Garrett (via Shannon Garrett's contact info in the directory) or one of the RE sponsors.
Playground Policy: With the warmer weather, we want to remind families of our playground policy and rise of meeting procedures. At the rise of Meeting, all children (ages PreK-17) are returned by teachers to parents in the meeting room. The parents may then dismiss their own children at their discretion to play on the playground with the understanding that there will be no supervision provided by RE volunteers. Please talk with your children about this policy so they understand the importance of adult to adult transfer here at RFM.
Summer Committee Led Lessons: Each Sunday from June 15th to August 31st, a committee presents children with an experience related to the work of that committee. It’s a fantastic way for children to learn about the role of committees in our Meeting life. The Care & Counsel committee will kickstart these summer sessions on June 15th.
Faith & Play Training: The next Faith & Play training opportunity will be in June in Greensboro, North Carolina. More information may be found on the Faith & Play website. https://quakerfaithandplay.org/playing-in-the-light-greensboro-june-27-29/
by Diane Bowden | Apr 14, 2025 | Activity, Baltimore Yearly Meeting, BYM Camps, Children and Religious Education
The Spark newsletter to the BYM Camp families contains the following: A Letter to Campers
The directors of our camps have a letter written directly to your children. Here’s what they want to make all campers hear from them before camp starts:
To all our fabulous campers new and returning (and to all of those wonderful staff and volunteers too!)
Our friends, I’m sure you’ve noticed that we are in a hard time in our country, a time where lots of people are being judged and excluded and treated badly. That weighs heavily on our hearts and it makes us more excited than ever to create a community with you this summer where each of us can be fully welcomed and belong. So we wanted to get a jump start on reminding you now that in just a few short months, we can’t wait to welcome you!
We can’t wait to welcome you and your family if you have been in this country since your grandparents, grandparents, grandparents, or if you’ve just arrived, or if your ancestors were the first humans who ever lived here. We can’t wait to welcome all the things you want to share about that family: the languages you speak, your favorite comfort food, the funny inside jokes you have, the pet name your aunty calls you.
We can’t wait to welcome all our boys and girls (no matter who someone said they were when they were first born) and all our campers who aren’t boys or girls! We are excited for you to show up just as you are with all of the fun quirks and special sauce that make you you. We trust you when you say who you are. And we love creating lots of space for you to still be figuring that out too.
At camp we know that every group of people is equally full of goodness or “Light” even though we are not all the same. By respecting each other's differences (and being open to the places we might be more similar than we thought!) we can learn from each other and have fun in new ways. We are excited for you to bring all the things you’ve learned from whoever your people are.
At camp we want to celebrate the awesomeness that comes in bodies of all different shapes and sizes, and in minds of all different types and styles. We all challenge ourselves to do new things, knowing that what is hard for one person might be easy for another and vice versa. But all of us bring gifts to the community that only we can bring and the community wouldn’t be the same without each one of us.
Because of all that, we are excited to welcome you, each one of you, and all parts of you. We can’t wait for the community you will help us create together!
With so much love,
The BYM Camp Directors:
Dyresha (CQC), Brick (OQC), Hope (SQC), Rosie, and Jesse (TA)
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How to help
See: bymcamps.org
- Encourage kids aged 9-14 to sign up for camp. There is a sliding-scale for registration fees and RFM has additional scholarships available. Encourage your non-Quaker friends to sign up their kids too!
- If your child is already signed up, you can earn $200 by referring other kids who sign up for camp.
- Sign up for Spring Work Days. The one at Shiloh Quaker Camp is the first Saturday in May.
- Donate to BYM Camps scholarships or to RFM scholarships.
- Ask how else you can help: Anna Best and Al Best are the RFM contacts.
by Diane Bowden | Jan 19, 2025 | Baltimore Yearly Meeting, BYM Camps, Children and Religious Education
BYM Camp registration is open. Financial assistance is available. Please contact Anna Best or Shannon Garrett with questions. You may also visit bymcamps.org for more information. If you know of a child who may enjoy attending camp, RE encourages you to engage with families directly.
by Diane Bowden | Jan 19, 2025 | Children and Religious Education
The RE committee would like to clarify a procedure for parents of babies. Babies will not be brought to the Meeting room with the older children at the rise of meeting. For safety reasons, we ask that parents please retrieve their babies immediately following the conclusion of announcements, relieving our nursery staff & volunteers in a timely manner.
The RE committee is looking for a few more nursery volunteers and a new Nursery Coordinator. This is a low-demand role that offers a great opportunity for young and/or new attendees to meet and get to know people in our community. A background check is required. See Kassia Arbabi or Elizabeth Price for more information.
On February 2nd, children will experience Yoga on Groundhog Day led by Mary Burruss! They are invited to bring yoga mats or beach towels. They should wear clothes that are easy to move in and appropriate for bending or child’s pose.
We continue to seek volunteers for the occasional non-RE sponsored event. These events currently happen only once or twice per month. Volunteers may agree to work these events as little or often as they wish. No curriculum planning or teaching is typically needed. Volunteering for an event is usually done with one of our paid nursery workers. Two adults are required to be present in any room with children. A background check filed with RFM is required. Please contact Elizabeth Price if you are interested.
by Diane Bowden | Nov 26, 2021 | Children and Religious Education
From now through Jan. 16, 2022, RE classes are collecting new and gently used children's books. Books for infants through 3 years old will be donated to Little Hands Virginia, a non-profit organization that provides essentials to babies (0-3yrs) and families in need in the greater Richmond region.
Books for preschoolers through 5th grade will be donated to Friends Association for Children, a non-profit organization, serving children with a broad array of services which encourage critical literacy and developmental skills. Please bring your books to the meetinghouse. Marjorie Bertolino on the RE committee is in charge of the book drive.
by Diane Bowden | Nov 21, 2019 | Announcement, Children and Religious Education
Beth Morrison announced two upcoming events – RE’s Christmas program will be held at Rise of Meeting, December 8, and the annual Family Christmas, a program for families, is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 21.
by Diane Bowden | Feb 11, 2017 | Children and Religious Education, Young Friends
The Young Friends (teenaged Friends) held their annual “bondfire” – a bonfire for bonding with each other and making s’mores – last Friday. They also enjoyed pizza and a “lock-in”, staying overnight at the Meetinghouse with a couple Friendly Adult Presences.
The fire was perfect for warmth and toasting marshmallows:
Afterwards, some of the Young Friends put their heads together:
The RFM Young Friends welcome others to join them at their activities.
by Diane Bowden | Aug 28, 2016 | Children and Religious Education, Peace and Social Concerns
RE and P&SC Committees again cosponsor the annual IDoP event at Meeting. A great opportunity for children, families and all at Meeting to share some quiet attention to peace – in ourselves, our Meeting, our neighborhood, our community and beyond.
The International Day of Peace is celebrated September 21st every year and is one of the traditions of our Meeting. We gather together to worship in silence with the purpose of focusing on peace. This year it falls on a Monday and we will come together at the Meeting House at 7:00 PM for 30 minutes of worship and followed by a Candlelight Vigil and ending with snacks in the Community Room.
This is the day the peoples and nations dedicate to the temporary ceasefire of wars, violence and fighting in combat zones. It is observed by all United Nations member states and was first celebrated in 1981. This event is about adults choosing peace, reconciliation, and the ending of military conflicts. However, it is much more. It was children from all continents donating coins to melt and to cast a “Peace Bell”. The inscription on its side reads, “Long live absolute world peace.” This Peace Bell is rung at UN Headquarters to inaugurate this day.
All are welcome to come and help celebrate the goal of peace for all peoples.
by Diane Bowden | Apr 27, 2016 | Children and Religious Education, Peace and Social Concerns
For Grade 6 and above: Richmond Youth Peace Summit Saturday, April 30, 2016
The Richmond Peace Education Center will hold its 2016 Youth Peace Summit on Saturday April 30, 2016, at St. Paul’s Baptist Church–Southside Campus, 700 E Belt Blvd., Richmond, VA 23223. The summit will feature a morning large group session, as well as 90-minute small group workshops for groups of about 12-15 teen participants.
Participants will also be served lunch; after lunch there will also be a program of music, dance and spoken word poetry. The event is FUN and FREE for teens grade 6 and above. Advance registration is required. To pre-register online, go to the registration page or send an email to rpec@rpec.org.
The summit emphasizes cooperation and collaboration among Metro Richmond’s diverse populations of young people. Small group workshop choices include conflict resolution, anger management, healthy relationships, understanding Islam, hip-hop dance and culture, drumming, know your rights, Sudanese cooking and more! All workshops are active and participatory.
For more information: email rpec@rpec.org or call 232-1002
by Diane Bowden | Oct 21, 2015 | Children and Religious Education, Peace and Social Concerns, Topics
The RE Committee’s sale of unique peace-themed t-shirts for the International Day of Peace in September raised over $300 for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). Thank you so much for your generous support of this organization. Should you wish to contribute to them directly or learn more about their mission, their US website is www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
by Diane Bowden | Apr 18, 2015 | Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Children and Religious Education
An update on BYM summer camps: there are still openings for campers at Shiloh and Opequon this summer! In particular, there are may openings in the last session at Shiloh and the middle session at Opequon, There are even some work grant spots available! Please register your child, your grand child or anyone 9-14 years old who would benefit from a spirit based, off the grid week or two in the woods! Check out the BYM camps website http://bymcamps.org/ or contact Brooke Davis at 288-0180 or bmdavis1@verizon.net for more details.
by Diane Bowden | Dec 17, 2014 | Children and Religious Education, Minuted Decisions
Child Safety Policy—Approved Final Policies
Ad hoc committee members:
Trustees: Ada Hammer, Gordon Davies, Sanford Hostetter
Nursery: Janet Thoroman
RE: Catherine Roseberry, Diane Bowden, Barb Adams
Advising: Steve Bricker
Background
The RE committee and Nursery coordinators have had general guidelines for what we do, but in the last few years our insurance company has sought more explicit protocols from their insured churches, including BYM and Quaker Meetings, aimed to prevent the opportunity for, or allegations of, child abuse. This culminated in a recent mandate from them to administer criminal background checks on people that work regularly with children. After receiving this mandate, Denna Joy, clerk at the time, suggested we review what we have in place, and in September 2013 the ad hoc committee was created and given this charge:
As clerk of Richmond Friends meeting, I recommend the creation of an ad hoc committee to review and refine guidelines, policies and processes that address child safety in our Meeting. The impetus for this review is new mandates by meeting’s insurance company, which includes criminal background checks on those who work directly with children. This committee will work to develop policies to ensure alignment with these mandates. At the conclusion of their review, the committee will prepare a report for Meeting, and work with the Clerk to determine what aspects would need to come to Meeting for Worship for Business for approval.
So we have been meeting and rigorously discussing since then. This past spring, with Barbara Hulburt’s guidance, it was decided that we would separate the presentation and approval of the policy regarding criminal background checks from the rest of the policies. The Trustees, who the ad hoc committee had decided would be responsible for administering the background checks, presented that policy to Meeting and it was approved in June 2014. Today we present the rest of the policies for the approval process.
Thoughts on Child Safety Policy
Richmond Friends Meeting dearly loves and cares for our children and protecting them is without a doubt a priority. We would say our Meeting is a safe and welcoming place for children. So to take a magnified look at child safety – preventing child abuse – is challenging at the very least. Most of us have personal, professional, political and spiritual experiences and perspectives that inform us in this discussion. And they are often accompanied by strong emotions – worry, dissonance, distrust and fear – while at the same time offering opportunities for insight and growth. Ours was a thoughtful and deliberate process and we grappled with a number of difficult issues, weighing what is reasonable and speaks Truth to us with what might be expected.
Someone mentioned during an earlier discussion in June that while social constructs, like background checks, provide some level of safety, they cannot replace empowering children, parents and the adults responsible for them. While Meeting has accepted the necessity and benefits of incorporating some of these constructs, we need to continue to explore other factors of a truly safe environment. It’s hoped that once we’ve concluded our charge and incorporated the heightened awareness prompted by these policies, we will move beyond them and focus on the positive face of this process – a more involved, loving and caring community.
The Policies
The ad hoc committee has worked to craft policies and guidelines that address a number of aspects of the safety of children that are realistic and doable given the size and structure of our Meeting. We have the policy document – the What – which is what we are bringing for approval, and we also have guideline documents – the How – from each committee and position that is involved in supporting them: Nursery, RE, Care and Counsel, and Building and Grounds and the Trustees guidelines which were shared in the spring.
Submitted by Barbara Adams
Editor’s Note: The following policies were approved at business meeting on 16 November, 2014.
Richmond Friends Meeting Child Safety Policies
Richmond Friends Meeting believes that all people deserve to be treated with dignity, kindness and respect. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment, especially for our children. To ensure the greatest protection for children and the adults that work closely with them, we have adopted the following policies, appropriate for our meeting size and structure, which acknowledge the Light within us all.
- Criminal background checks are administered for adults who serve in roles with frequent and ongoing interaction with children (See Child Safety Policy: Criminal Background Checks, approved by Meeting June 15, 2014). Occasional volunteers, working with at least one other adult, are not required to have a criminal background check.
- We believe that two trusted adults, with cleared background checks, provide the safest oversight of children. We intend to provide this in all settings with children. If two such adults are not available, we will ensure alternate arrangements that provide the greatest protection.
- Meeting’s facilities used by children are regularly inspected and maintained for appropriate accessibility and safety (See B&G Guidelines).
- Parents, Meeting volunteers and paid child care workers collaborate to know and understand the medical and emotional needs of children, to limit the spread of illness and to respond quickly and effectively to illness and injuries.
- The RE and Care and Counsel Committees, Nursery Coordinator(s) and Clerk of Meeting will collaborate to enact a sensitive, effective process to address concerns or allegations of any misconduct. On receiving a concern, the committee clerk or coordinator responsible will document it in writing and will report promptly to the Clerk of Meeting. Together they will determine the next response or action to be taken, following guidelines specified by the State of Virginia, where applicable.
- Once adopted, these policies will be reviewed after one year, earlier if necessary, and thereafter as needed. Reviews will be initiated by the Trustees, and include the RE clerk, Nursery coordinator(s) and others deemed appropriate.
Note: The procedures to support these policies are specified in guideline documents for the committees or Meeting positions involved, including the Trustees, Religious Education, Nursery Coordinators, Care and Counsel, and Building and Grounds.
by Diane Bowden | Jun 20, 2014 | Children and Religious Education, Minuted Decisions
Child Safety Policy: Criminal Background Checks
Adopted by Richmond Friends Meeting on June 15, 2015
The purpose of this policy is to ensure child safety. BYM encouraged such a policy and the insurance company required it.
One aspect of a child safety policy is Criminal Background Checks for persons who work with children in religious education, nursery care, or other Meeting activities. The Trustees have developed a procedure to meet this requirement.
In the tradition of Friends, the Trustees have worked with the ad hoc committee to establish a procedure that is compassionate and forgiving, respects personal privacy, and allows individuals to make decisions that affect their lives. The very notion of criminal background checks does not fit well with our tradition, but the Trustees have accepted the reality of this requirement and have attempted to develop a procedure that is both loving and thoughtful. The highest priority will always be the safety of the child.
Persons for whom Background Checks are required will include:
Adult Nursery workers 18 and over
Nursery Coordinators
Religious Education Committee and teachers
Persons who regularly are “Friendly Adults” caring for children
Both paid and volunteer adult workers will have Background Checks. They will be paid for by the Meeting, and the cost will be modest.
The Clerk of RE will review the procedure with possible workers and offer them an opportunity to share any background information that might be relevant.
A Trustee will forward the Background Check form to the investigating organization and will receive its report.
- If there are no adverse findings, the process will move forward.
- If there are adverse findings, the individual may withdraw from consideration or may request that the process continue.
- If there are adverse findings and the individual requests that the process continue, the RE Clerk or Nursery Coordinators will determine whether they wish to proceed; only if they decide to proceed will details of the adverse finding be shared.
- A committee made up of the individual, a Trustee, and the Clerk of RE/Nursery Coordinators or a designated member of the RE committee will work together to create a plan to mitigate any risks posed by the findings.
The Trustees will be responsible for the Background Check procedure and will report regularly to the Meeting as it is put into place.
by Diane Bowden | Jun 4, 2014 | Children and Religious Education
Religious Education Announcements Summer RE – There will be no RE on Sunday, August 31st, during the Labor Day holiday.
June 1st to end of summer – Young Friends Book Sale Young Friends will be collecting book donations for their Book Sale, which begins June 1st and continues throughout the summer. Proceeds will go towards a Quaker-themed Young Friends trip in the fall.
