Pendle Hill Moves Toward Simpler Governance Structure

The General Board of Pendle Hill recently affirmed the concept of a simpler governance structure for Pendle Hill. Their new vision is expressed in the following minute from the April 2009 meeting:

To Friends Everywhere:

Inspired by a bold and challenging movement of the Spirit during its Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business on April 19, 2009, the Pendle Hill General Board asked the Pendle Hill Board of Trustees to develop a proposal for a single 18-24 member governing board to replace the two existing boards. This request endorsed a recommendation by the Visiting Committee on Pendle Hill Governance.

The Visiting Committee urged Pendle Hill to create a simpler governance structure, more in keeping with the scale of the institution. During worship, Pendle Hill General Board member and Earlham College historian Tom Hamm revealed that Pendle Hill is not the only Quaker institution to inherit a large governing body: when Earlham College opened in 1847, it had 4 staff, 45 students, and a board of managers of 109.

Friends present recognized that it was time to let go of the "inverted pyramid" of governance that our forebears bequeathed us in order to create a simpler governance structure enabling greater clarity and transparency in authority and decision-making. Friends also acknowledged the importance of assuring diversity when composing the resulting single board. During the General Board meeting, a Trustee shared, "we are able unite on this recommendation to create a single board because we all love and care for Pendle Hill. We can therefore set aside ego and personal interest to choose a course of action that is best for Pendle Hill."

The Pendle Hill General Board minuted its appreciation to members of the Visiting Committee: Mark Myers, clerk of the Visiting Committee, assistant clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Interim Meeting and a former long-time clerk of the Earlham College Board; Doug Bennett, President of Earlham College; Ernie Buscemi, presiding clerk of New York Yearly Meeting; Gretchen Castle, former presiding clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting; and Paul Lacey, presiding clerk of the American Friends Service Committee Board. Members of the Visiting Committee gave generously of their time, including attending the January 2009 weekend meeting of the Board of Trustees and the April 2009 weekend meeting of the General Board.

The General Board and Trustees made these decisions at the end of a weekend of careful listening and attention to one another. We are grateful for the trust within and between Pendle Hill's two current boards. When the opportunity to act came, Friends moved quickly, infused with joy and the in-rushing of Spirit. We testify to the presence of God among us and ask your prayers as we move forward in faith.

On behalf of Pendle Hill,
Steve Smith (PaYM), Clerk, General Board
Deborah Shaw (NCYM-Con), Clerk, Board of Trustees
Lauri Perman (BYM), Executive Director