SILENCE & LIGHT
CREATING A VISION FOR FRIENDS COUNCIL ON EDUCATION
A POWERFUL LEGACY
For more than 300 years, Quakers have played a leading role in the story of social change in America. ABOLITION | WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE | PRISON REFORM | PEACE | EDUCATION
A HISTORIC MOMENT
William Penn envisioned a society dedicated to religious pluralism, participatory government, and liberty. Central to his Holy Experiment was a belief that all children deserve a moral education, one linking intellect with character, conscience with social action. Gathering children from all walks of life, Penn’s school model—begun in Philadelphia in 1689—fostered disciplined thinking and truth-seeking within a loving community.
SILENCE AND LIGHT
Today, a network of Quaker schools spans the globe, including some of America’s oldest (and newest) schools. Each is independent, but all share the same mission—to nurture the Inner Light of each child—and the same practice of seeking truth through Silence.
SIMPLICITY | PEACE | INTEGRITY | COMMUNITY | EQUALITY | STEWARDSHIP | SERVICE | SOCIAL JUSTICE | DIVERSITY | DISCERNMENT | COLLECTIVE DECISION-MAKING | MEETING FOR WORSHIP | SUSTAINABILITY | INCLUSIVITY | MONTHLY MEETING | ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS | RESPECT | ‘THAT OF GOD’ | RELIGIOUS PLURALISM | COMMUNITY OUTREACH | INQUIRY | REFLECTION | NON-VIOLENT CONFLICT RESOLUTION | MINDFULNESS
THE TAPESTRY OF QUAKER EDUCATION
A NATIONAL VOICE
Since 1931, Friends Council on Education has been an integrating force in Quaker education. Through publications, workshops, and consultancy, FCE promotes professional growth for schools and educators and serves as a voice for Friends schools in the national dialogue on education.
WHAT WE DO: THE PROGRAMS OF FCE
Membership Renewal Process
Governance Consultancy
Learning in the Light Workshop
SPARC
Institute for Engaging Leadership
On-site In-service Programs
Educators New to Quakerism
Head of School Gatherings
Bridge Film Festival
Peer Networks
Mindfulness Programs
Clerking Workshop
SEED Seminar
April Diop Associate Director
Executive Assistant / Tech Coordinator
Deborra Sines Pancoe
Drew Smith Director, Development & Communications
Executive Director
Betsy Torg
HUMAN RESOURCES: HOW CAN SO FEW DO SO MUCH?
A SPIRIT OF INQUIRY AND GROWTH
Believing that the world needs what Friends schools have to offer, in 2016-17 Friends Council asked a singular driving question: How can we best serve our member schools and enhance the viability, reputation, and impact of Friends education?
LISTENING TO MANY VOICES, WE HEARD MANY NEEDS
FRAMING A NEW MISSION FOR FRIENDS COUNCIL Friends Council on Education seeks to foster a more just, sustainable, and humane world by upholding a 300+ year tradition of Quaker education in America. It is a national advocacy organization that works to enhance the visibility, viability, and impact of Friends education and nurture the shared vision, faith, and practice of its member schools.
Friends Council on Education seeks to foster a more just, sustainable, and humane world by upholding a 300+ year tradition of Quaker education in America. It is a national advocacy organization that works to enhance the visibility, viability, and impact of Friends education and nurture the shared vision, faith, and practice of its member schools. Queries Does this draft language express the right values, priorities, and mission for FCE? Are there parts of the existing mission statement we wish to preserve? Friends Council on Education provides leadership in drawing Friends schools together in unity of spirit and cooperative endeavors. Friends Council’s work nurtures the Quaker life of schools, strengthens the network of support across schools, promotes Friends education through consultations, programs, and publications, and assists in the establishment of new Friends schools. Friends Council helps Friends schools maintain their Quaker identity and ethos, and their relationship with the Religious Society of Friends. Friends Council promotes professional growth for trustees, heads, administrators, and faculty to further the goals of Quaker education, and serves as a voice for Friends schools in the national dialogue on education.
TESTING AN EMERGING SET OF PRIORITIES Unite Friends schools across the country in a shared vision, faith, and practice of Quaker education, in particular around its historic commitment to a just society.
Unite Friends schools across the country in a shared vision, faith, and practice of Quaker education, in particular around its historic commitment to a just society. Queries How can FCE lead member schools in creating a courageous, unified voice for the transformative values and impact of Quaker education? How can FCE foster meaningful collaboration among member schools? Given the very positive feedback to date from participating schools, should the Membership Renewal Process be the sole means to membership in FCE? What innovations and new thinking could arise from marshalling our collective material and spiritual resources? What programs need to be enhanced or created to educate member schools and sustain their efforts to live our shared values and vision?
TESTING AN EMERGING SET OF PRIORITIES
Broaden the scope and impact of Friends Council’s services and enhance its financial sustainability.
Broaden the scope and impact of Friends Council’s services and enhance its financial sustainability Queries Does the FCE annual operating budget reflect our current priorities and strategic thinking? What are our highest priorities in terms of programs and services? What do we do best? What new or enhanced programs and sources of revenue will promote the essential aims of FCE and substantially increase its financial resources? What resources or opportunities outside of the sphere of Friends education might also support our values and goals? What is the right balance of revenue streams between dues, fundraising, and program fees? Recognizing that the majority of member schools are struggling financially, should our larger and healthier schools be asked to bear even more of the dues burden to support our work?
TESTING AN EMERGING SET OF PRIORITIES Boldly raise the visibility and brand of Quaker education.
Boldly raise the visibility and brand of Quaker education. Queries What marketing strategies—envisioned in collaboration with member schools, other Quaker entities, and likeminded people and organizations—will raise the national voice of Quaker education and deliver the most impact both for the sustainability of our member schools and to create change in the world? Should FCE be focused on sustaining or growing the number of Quaker schools, children educated in Quaker schools, or the number of Quakers working in our schools?