GRASP
GRASP (Group to Reinvigorate And Simplify Processes) grew out of the April 2019 Quakers in Yorkshire meeting at Doncaster. We heard from Paul Parker (Recording Clerk) when he talked about reinvigorating Quakerism. After his talk we broke into groups and enthusiastically discussed the issues. The meeting minuted that it wanted to see how we can simplify structures in Yorkshire with the aim of reinvigorating Yorkshire Quakerism. As a result, our seven area meetings have agreed to work together to explore ways in which we might simplify structures, governance and proceedings, so as to create conditions that help meeting communities to grow, thrive and flourish.
GRASP was not a decision making body. It’s aim was to consult and make recommendations for each area meeting to consider.
The members of GRASP were David Bunney (Central Yorkshire), Alison Clarke (York), Tim Herrick (Sheffield & Balby), Jim Ledwidge (Brighouse West Yorkshire), Tracey Martin (Leeds), David Olver (Craven & Keighley), Rosie Roberts (Co-opted – link for young people), Phyllis Wicks (Pickering & Hull), Barbara Windle (Co-opted).
Final Report and Recommendations
The report and recommendations with the title “Reinvigoration and Simplification” was published in February 2021.
Responses to the coronavirus pandemic lock-down
Meetings had to close in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic lock-down. In the summer we undertook a survey of how each area meeting was responding and the summarised the findings. The summary and reports from each AM are here.
Interim Report and Consultation
GRASP has published an Interim report and Consultation for Meetings to consider in 2020. The Group is particularly interested to assess what is the appetite for change in Meetings
Simpler Meetings
There was a national, Britain Yearly Meeting, project on Simpler Meetings. This is a summary on two pages. Much more information and advice is available on the BYM website at:
https://www.quaker.org.uk/our-organisation/support-for-meetings/simpler-meetings
| Minutes of meetings |
GRASP papers | Background papers |