Friends House Moscow needs you! Can you offer us your Talents?
Relations between the Religious Society of Friends and Russia began at the end of the 17 th century when Tsar Peter the Great met Friends while he was visiting Britain, and Quakers were soon active in Russia. Until Stalin closed down the Quaker office in Moscow in 1931, Friends were regularly present to bring relief and aid to the Russian people in times of war and famine. In 1991 the disintegration of the Soviet Union enabled British and American Quakers to re-establish a presence in Russia. Today Friends House Moscow, although currently working in difficult circumstances, maintains this work. Our field of activity encompasses other former Soviet republics, as well countries formerly under Russian control in Central and Eastern Europe. There is a perhaps surprising dearth of social and humanitarian infrastructure in Russia, and of course the current hostilities have made peace, alternatives to violence and conscientious objection major issues of concern to Friends. Information about some of the wide range of current activities can be found here.
Friends House Moscow is an international organisation established by American and British Friends to support Quaker work and outreach in Russia and neighbouring countries. The work is currently funded mainly by American, British and German Friends. The organisation is managed by an international Board managed by a clerking team, as well as four committees that report to the Board: personnel, finance, publications and nominations. Committee members are not obliged to be members of the Board. At present almost all the members of the Board and its committees are either American or British. We would dearly love to involve Friends from other countries in Europe. Co-opted Friends can work on one of the committees or assist an officer-holder. Friends who are fluent in Russian and English (our main working language) can
help by following follow Russian-language sources and keeping the Board informed of their content. Experience in publishing is also something that FHM can make use of through the Publications Committee, since publishing is our principal instrument of outreach. FHM has translated into Russian and disseminated many Quaker books and other texts, available mostly on-line but sometimes in printed form. Another important task that requires patience and experience is the production of a regular newsletter. This may involve soliciting articles from the Board, from Friends on the ground in Moscow and from our project partners, as well as editing articles, planning layout and meeting deadlines.
The Treasurer and members of the Finance Committee would also welcome the help of Friends experienced in financial matters. Budgeting and spending in several currencies and providing regular financial reports pose great challenges. The related question of fundraising is naturally a principal concern of FHM and raising money for FHM's projects and activities is often just a matter of letting Friends know about our important work. This can be done by email, letter, our newsletters or personal contacts. It could involve holding an event locally or taking a presentation to a gathering of Friends.
Owing to the current political/military situation and also the expense of travel, we unable at present to maintain the close relationship with our partners in Russia in the same way that was previously possible. We are on the lookout for Friends who travel to the regions in which we operate and could visit our projects there on our behalf, let the people on the ground know that we look forward to hearing their news, observe the projects in action and report back to the Board.
If you think that you have the capacity to assist Friends House Moscow in one of these ways and some time to devote to a worthwhile Quaker cause, please contact:
Richard Condon (FHM Treasurer) in Belgium: richarddcondon@gmail.com
or
Julie Harlow (Clerk of the FHM Nominations Committee) in the USA: harlow4julie@gmail.com
The Friends House Moscow British Committee is seeking a new treasurer. If you are interested or would like more information please email Daphne Sanders
