Our organizational structure and business procedure

Lee Webb interned with CFSC in 2009 - now he is on the Board of Directors. Interns are exposed to many aspects of CFSC work during their service.

CFSC is a standing committee of Canadian Yearly Meeting (CYM) of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). CYM appoints 21 Friends from across Canada to serve on the board of directors of CFSC who can serve a maximum of 6 years concurrently; Canadian Young Friends Yearly Meeting also appoints one representative for a renewable one-year term. The board (the “committee as a whole”) provides oversight to the whole of CFSC’s work. All board members (other than the Clerk) serve on a program committee and, if possible, an administrative committee (ex, finance).

CFSC has three program committees:

• Quaker Aboriginal Affairs Committee (Indigenous Peoples’ rights)
• Quakers Fostering Justice (human rights, justice, peace)
• Quaker Peace and Sustainable Communities Committee (economy and ecology, human rights, peace)

The program committees plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, and further develop the program plans of their committee (see below for the philosophical and practical approach to their work, and see “our work” section of the site to read about specific projects or issues).

CFSC works on issues and manages projects that are of broad interest or concern to Quaker Meetings (congregations) in Canada and/or Canadian Yearly Meeting (the national church). CFSC engages Quaker Meetings in the work of CFSC via partnerships on projects, campaigns on public policy, etc. Meetings can raise a concern with CFSC which will then consider how it might (1) support the Meeting undertaking the work, (2) take up the issue or project with the support of the Meeting, or (3) test the concern further with the Yearly Meeting.

When an issue arises where CFSC wishes for greater clarity on the public position and witness to be taken by Friends, it consults with Quaker Meetings and takes the issues to Canadian Yearly Meeting’s annual sessions (August) for discernment and decision. Once there is a decision, CFSC can then develop a plan for the work, be that on its own, with Meetings, or with ecumenical or other partners.

Our philosophical and practical approach

CFSC believes its philosophic and practical approach to and process for program development and delivery is holistic in nature and the means to producing lasting and effective change.

Inspired by worshipful reflection, and clarified by committee discernment, Friends provide concrete assistance and engage in policy dialogue.  Experience in these activities identifies research needs.

Knowledge gained through research and experience is shared with Friends and the general public through education activities.

The education activities also inspire more people to get involved, strengthening the concrete assistance and policy dialogue work.

This work is also strengthened by Quaker methodology, which grows from our belief that everyone has a contribution to make, and by building relationships and partnerships.

This entire process results in both immediate and long-term changes towards a peaceful, sustainable world community.

CFSC developed the “beach ball diagram” as a way to visually illustrate this approach.