Visitation Support – How Will it Work?

How Will it Work?

1. A Meeting/Worship Group, having discerned they will seek a visitor, contacts the Coordinator and provides information about timing, purpose of the visit, and if they know of one or more individuals who might be suitable and willing, may provide names.  (It is likely also, that Meetings who have a specific Visitor and topic/purpose in mind may arrange the visit directly.)
2. It is expected that Friends visiting would travel with a companion for spiritual and personal support.
3. The Visitor’s home Meeting is asked to provide clearness and spiritual support for Friends who are Visitors
4. The Coordinator and the Quaker Education Program Committee discern what Friend(s) might be most suited for this situation. The coordinator confirms with the Visitor, and then with the Meeting.  
5. The coordinator will provide a Letter of Travel from the CYM Visitation Program for the visitor.  Visitors who are travelling under a leading may also have a travelling minute from their Meeting.
6. After the visit, the Meeting and the Visitor will be asked to provide the coordinator with brief written feedback letters on the experience together with any recommendations for future visits
7. Visitors will submit expense accounts to the coordinator who will arrange for payment from CYM.  The Meeting who received the Visitor will reimburse CYM.

What financial support will be provided for Visitors?

1. The Meeting requesting a visitor is asked to pay for or significantly contribute to the travel and accommodation costs for the visit (both the Visitor and a companion).  Those who are able to pay the full cost will make possible more visits for Meetings who may have fewer financial resources.  There is a small budget available in the QEP to support visitation.
2. If there are costs other than travel, such as child care, house/pet care, the Visitor’s home Meeting is asked to cover these. If this is not possible, the home Meeting may apply for support from the Quaker Education Program.

How will Visitation be supported in other ways?

1. HMAC is planning to host regional retreats for visitors for the purpose of learning and spiritual nurture.
2. The coordinator will be available for support by telephone, e-mail or SKYPE, and will maintain contact with the host Meeting and the Visitor throughout the process of each visit.
3. For documents offered in support of the program, click here.