Introducing the Agenda Planning Committee (APC)

The new Agenda Planning Committee will work closely with Yearly Meeting clerks to shape the agenda for these sessions.

APC's work includes:

  • Receiving and considering minutes from Quaker groups across the Yearly Meeting
  • Reviewing past Yearly Meeting minutes
  • Tracking progress and identifying what needs further attention

Area Meetings, General Meetings and central committees have always been able to send minutes for consideration. But from March 2026, and for the following two years, APC is running an experiment to open up the process further.

A Wider Invitation to Quaker Groups

During this experimental period, any group of Friends within Britain Yearly Meeting can submit minutes, provided:

  1. The minute has been properly discerned and agreed in a clerked Meeting for Worship for Business, in line with Quaker faith & practice chapter 3.
  2. The group is one that APC members, Yearly Meeting clerks, or staff of Quakers in Britain can stay in touch with for follow‑up.

APC expects that some — though not all — submitted minutes will help shape future Yearly Meeting agendas. After the experiment, APC will reflect on what they've learned and decide whether to continue this approach, adapt it, or return to the current system.

Before You Send a Minute: Helpful Questions for Discernment

If you clerk an Area Meeting, General Meeting, central committee, Quaker Recognised Body or other Quaker group, you may want to consider these questions as you prepare:

  • Do we have as complete a picture as possible?
    What background information will help Friends understand the issue?
  • Who else is working on this?
    What can we learn from their experience? Have we spoken to relevant Quakers in Britain staff?
  • Why is this a Quaker concern?
    Even if it feels self‑evident, can we clearly articulate the connection?
  • Is there urgency?
    For example, is relevant legislation or a scheduled meeting approaching?
  • What are the implications?
    Do we understand what might be involved if this concern is taken forward?

If Your Meeting Agrees to Send a Minute

Please include:

  • The full text of the minute, plus any earlier relevant minutes or helpful background documents
  • A clear ask for APC — e.g., is the minute for further Yearly Meeting discernment, an update on ongoing work, an invitation to take local action, or something else?
  • Details of any work already done by your group on this issue
  • Contact details for someone in the group who can answer follow‑up questions

Send your minute to: ymagenda@quaker.org.uk

What Happens Next?

Once APC receives your minute:

  1. You'll receive confirmation that it has been logged, along with a timeframe for next steps.
  2. A staff member from Quakers in Britain may reach out with follow‑up questions or arrange a conversation to clarify your intentions and gather needed information.
  3. Your minute will be prepared and presented to APC when there is agenda time.
  4. APC may:
    • Add it to a future Yearly Meeting agenda (and ask your group for further input)
    • Request more information
    • Decide the matter isn't suitable
    • Decide the matter isn't ready yet and invite your group to continue its discernment and return later

Whatever the outcome, you will be kept informed about what happens next, and how your group can stay involved.