For any more information, call Kimberly Allen 207/754-9353 • yf.yafcoord@neym.org

Join Young Friends at NEYM Annual Sessions!

Our week will be filled with singing, worship, workshops, business meeting, Affinity groups, and lots of time for games and hanging out.

SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT YEARLY MEETING

• Yearly Meeting Sessions is the annual business meeting and gathering for Quakers of all ages in New England, with about 750 people attending. The Young Friends (YF) program, which includes living together in a dorm, is for those who have completed grades 9-12. There will probably be about 60-70 YF’s with 15 adult Resource People.
• CAN I COME WITHOUT MY FAMILY? Yes, however, each YF needs to have an adult sponsor, even if you’re 18. A sponsor is one of your parents or another adult who is attending Yearly Meeting and who agrees to come to the Saturday orientation meeting (3pm on Saturday, August 4th) and to check in with you periodically during the week. This person also accepts the responsibility of caring for you in the case of injury or illness, or working out consequences in the case of commitment violations. If you don’t know any adults who are attending Yearly Meeting but are interested in coming, let me know and I will help you find a sponsor. You must send in the Youth Health /Permission Form with your registration, no matter what.
• WHERE AND WHEN IS IT? August 4-9 at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. Please try to arrive at and be signed in before our 3:00pm orientation time on Saturday.
• WHAT DO WE DO? In the morning, we usually have Bible Half Hour/Spiritual Journey presentations given by Young Friends (truly amazing) and Meeting for Business. There is then a block of free time for lunch, napping, playing games, doing committee work, etc. In the mid-afternoon Young Friends have a choice of workshops or more free time. This year we are sponsoring a singing workshop for the whole Yearly Meeting on Monday. We then meet for about an hour of business meeting before dinner. Each evening we have a different evening program—a chance for us to build community, explore the theme of Sessions, and have fun. Following evening program, we have affinity groups before more free time. All Young Friends are on their floor of the dorm by 10:30pm for floor meetings—a chance to chat about the day, play games, hang out, etc. Wednesday we will be holding our annual Coffee House and Dance.
• BUSINESS MEETING? EVERYDAY? Yes, and it’s pretty cool (and short). At Business Meeting, we form committees to do community tasks:
  • nominate the Young Friend Ministry and Counsel Committee for the coming year as well as Clerk, Recording Clerk, Treasurer, and Crier Editor
  • pick retreat topics for the year
  • write a letter to Quakers all over the world
  • share information and deal with community issues
  • and a bunch of other things that Quaker teens are interested in
• WHAT DO I BRING? Bryant provides beds and we get 3 meals a day at the dining hall (the beds are in the dorms), plan to bring everything else: comfy summer clothes, SHEETS, BLANKET and TOWEL, rain coat or umbrella, bathing suit and beach towel (for pool and the beach trip), alarm clock, musical instruments, music you like to dance to (see below). Optional Stuff: Frisbee, basketball, etc., sunblock, journal (if you keep one), clothes for winkum, camera, favorite story, game, or something to share during floor meetings.
• About electronic music: We have found that the more we make our own music or take time to talk, the stronger our community becomes. Being plugged into discman/MP3/iPod separates you from other people and can get exclusive. There's time set aside for dancing and music after Coffeehouse and you should bring CDs and tapes (with your name on them) for that.

For more information, call Kimberly Allen at 207/754-9353 • yf.yafcoord@neym.org
Looking forward to seeing you! Register soon!!!

EXPECTATIONS: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

We have developed expectations over the years for those who want to be part of the Young Friends community at Yearly Meeting. We ask you to think about them, understand them, and make a personal commitment to live by them while at Sessions. Respect of other people and the place we are staying is fundamental to our community.

Agreement with these expectations is essential for our life together:

1. I agree to participate in the program: to attend meetings, talks, outings, etc., that are scheduled and to get enough sleep to do so cheerfully and alertly
2. I agree not to bring or use alcohol or drugs during Yearly Meeting, nor to be sexually intimate and/or exclusive.
3. I agree to be socially inclusive and to help build a loving, safe, and joyous Young Friends community while at Yearly Meeting.

If there is any behavior at our conference, within or outside of our Quaker community, that upsets or disturbs you, it is important that you report this to your sponsor and Young Friend coordinator. We want everyone to be safe and comfortable.

We are all looking forward to the community we will be forming together. Young Friends get to have their own dorm and a lot of freedom at Sessions because of the trust and respect they have earned over the years through being a responsible, respectful and fabulous group of young people. Young Friends who are unable to uphold the expectations listed above, may be asked to leave the dorm and/or program. If you have any concerns about the expectations or want some support in meeting them or have questions about anything, contact Kimberly Allen at 207/754-9353 • yf.yafcoord@neym.org

Don't forget to register and see you in August!