The Society of Friends does not require that its members subscribe to fixed theological doctrines or rituals, but trusts the individual's own mind and conscience, guided by the Inward Light -- that of God - in each of us, which it attempts to stimulate and nourish within the community of Friends. Membership does have certain implications, however. It implies that life in the manner of Friends, as expressed in the historic Quaker testimonies, is a meaningful guide to one's own life: simplicity in manner of living, respect for life and the sanctity of every person, community as the nurturing source and basis of social justice, non-violent resolution of all conflict and controversy, and decision-making through the sense of the Meeting. Above all, it implies a devotion to the Inward Light as the source of divine guidance, sought through the Meeting for Worship and through individual meditation and spiritual search.

In becoming a member, one accepts responsibility for participating in the life of the Meeting community; through the Meetings for Worship, entering into the living silence and contributing as one is moved by the spirit; through Meetings for Business, participating in the decisions necessary to the ongoing life of the Meeting; through committee service and other volunteer work the Meeting needs to fulfill the tasks it undertakes; through financial support of the Meeting and its outreaching concerns. One's ability to give time, effort and money in these ways will vary according to the individual member's circumstances and from time to time.

The Meeting also has responsibilities to its members and their children; assisting their integration into the Meeting's activities; facilitating personal and spiritual growth; and providing pastoral care and counseling in times of need and a supportive community in times of major lit'e passages. It is a vehicle for expressing collective social concerns and serves as a channel between individuals and larger Friends organizations. It is committed to keeping in touch with less active members or those at a distance and keeping them informed of its business. The Meeting is entrusted with being a good steward of the personal and financial gifts made to it.

Joining the Meeting should be viewed not as a final step but as another step on a continuing Journey m the company of a fellowship of seekers. The Meeting welcomes into membership those who desire to join with us in spiritual growth, sharing and learning from our individual differences, united in mutual love and respect, guided by the Divine Within which we all share.

Anyone who is moved by the Spirit to join in membership of the Meeting and the Religious Society of Friends of which it is a part, is invited to write a letter to the Clerk requesting a clearness committee to consider his/her membership.

A. Membership Questions and Queries
The following queries may be considered by the applicant for membership and his or her clearness committee as background for their discussions. They relate to aspects of belief and practice that exemplify the common ground of the Chapel Hill Friends Meeting and the Religious Society of Friends as a whole. Nevertheless, there are wide variations in interpretation and expression of these matters among individual Friends.

1. What does the phrase "there is that of God in everyone" mean to you? How does this find expression in your life and in your relationships with other people?
   
   
2. Where are you now in your spiritual journey? What are you seeking? What are you leavin~ behind? How do you relate to other current or former religious affiliations?
   
   
3. Are you comfortable with the thought of relying on the Inward Light as a guide on your spiritual journey, finding continual revelation within rather than relying on external authority? Do you find the collective experience and insights of Friends helpful in reaching your own understandings?
   
   
4. Do the teachings of Jesus and traditional Christian views of Jesus have a place in your religious life? Are you comfortable with the wide range of views in this regard among Friends?
   
   
5. Do you find the emphasis on the living silence in Friends worship helpful to your religious life? Do you find the messages in the spoken ministry of Friends helpful to you?
   
   
6. Do you understand the distinction between a programmed and an unprogrammed Friends meeting? Are you comfortable with the view that all participants in the Meeting are ministers who, through their words or actions, serve the spiritual needs ,of one another?
   
   
7. How does your family feel about your seeking membership in Friends Meeting? Does this present any problems for you?
   
   
8. Are you familiar with the historic testimonies of Friends, and to what extent do you try to exemplify them in your life?
   • The testimony of peace or non-violence
   • The testimony of respect for individuality
   • The testimony of community
   • The testimony of simplicity
   • The testimony of honesty
   • The testimony of equality
   
   
9. Does the idea of integrating your inner spiritual life to the outer world of your everyday life appeal to you? Does meditation play a part in joining inner and outer?
   
   
10. What does it mean that Friends Meetings for Business are conducted in a spirit of worship, and that decisions are reached by active search for unity?
    
    
11. What contributions and talents do you feel you can bring the Meeting community through membership? What gifts might you receive from others?
    
    
12. How would you characterize a vital Meeting? What responsibilities do you feel the Meeting has towards its children? What are the greatest strengths and weaknesses of the Society of Friends as it faces the future?
    
    
13. What are your interests in the wider family of Friends as represented by such organizations as Piedmont Friends Fellowship, Yearly Meetings, Friends General Conference, American Friends Service Committee, Friends World Committee for Consultation, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Quaker House, Carolina Friends School and the like?
    
    
14. Are you familiar with Quaker publications such as the Friends Journal, Pendle Hill Pamphlet Series, etc.? Are you aware of the Meeting's own resources (e.g., the library, various funds, clearness committees, adult and children's religious education programs)?
    
    
15. What are your expectations of membership in the Meeting? How can the Meeting facilitate your integration into its membership?
    
    
16. What reservations, doubts, or unanswered questions do you have concerning membership in a Friends Meeting?

B. Guidelines for Membership Clearness Procedures
A person who feels ready to become a member of the Chapel Hill Friends Meeting begins by writing a letter, which may be brief, stating the reasons for feeling drawn to take this step. The letter is addressed to the Clerk, who, with the consent of the writer, may read the letter at the next Monthly Meeting for Worship with Attention to Business. If the Clerk does not read the letter in full, the request for a clearness committee for membership will be presented and then the Clerk will refer it to the Committee on Ministry and Worship. Ministry and Worship will in turn appoint a clearness committee for membership. The committee will be composed of four or more members of the Meeting, at least two of whom are members of Ministry and Worship and one of whom is a member of Overseers.

Members of the clearness committee usually meet once without the applicant to clarify with one another their perceptions of clearness, the meaning of membership, and any concerns they might want to pursue in some depth. This is sometimes done just prior to the first meeting with the person requesting membership.

The clearness committee will meet several times with the person requesting membership to explore the meaning of membership, the commitments involved, and any other issues that may seem relevant. The ran~e of matters that may be considered is indicated in Section A above.

The clearness committee may benefit by having one or more meetings without the applicant present to reflect with one another, share possible reservations and consider any further meetings with the person requesting membership.

When clearness is found, the clearness committee brings the matter to the Committee on Ministry and Worship. If Ministry and Worship concurs, it will take the matter to Business Meeting, presenting the request as well as its own written recommendation.

Should clearness not be reached, the person requesting membership is encouraged to explore the unresolved issues alone, with help from the clearness committee or other Meeting and non-Meeting resources.

Upon approval for membership by the Business Meeting, a welcoming committee will be formed from the Meeting at large to welcome and become better acquainted with the new member.

The convener of the clearness committee is responsible for presenting a short biography of the new member for publication in the newsletter and introducing him or her to the next convenient Meeting for Worship. The Clerk is responsible for ensuring that tokens of acceptance/recognition (e.g., subscription to Friends Journal) are presented to the new member.

Members of both the clearness and welcoming committees generally have a continuing responsibility for keeping in touch with the new member, reflecting the Meeting's ongoing concern for his or her welfare.

C. Familial Members
The children of Meeting members may be enrolled as familial members. This reflects the Meeting's conviction that these children rightfully possess a valuable heritage and provides them with a religious home until they reach maturity. It also recognizes that it is important for each adult to make his or her own decision about membership.

Becoming a familial member may be initiated by Ministry and Worship for a newborn to a Meeting family and for children moving into our Meeting community. It can also be initiated by a Meeting family at any time by making a specific request to Ministry and Worship. It is accomplished with the consent of parents and action by the Meeting for Business.

Care should be taken to help familial members feel themselves full participants in the fellowship of the Meeting. As familial members mature, Ministry and Worship should take the initiative to provide opportunity to decide whether or not they wish to become (adult) members of the Society of Friends. The transfer is made by requesting a meeting with a clearness committee for membership.

A familial member who has grown well into adulthood but shows no interest in becoming an active member may, upon recommendation of Ministry and Worship and action of the Meeting, have membership discontinued. This action should be taken only after careful consideration by Ministry and Worship or after repeated unsuccessful attempts to contact the familial member. In special circumstances, Ministry and Worship may recommend continuation of familial membership for life.

D. Non-Resident Members
Members of the Monthly Meeting who move to other communities may continue as non-resident members of the Meeting. They may request a letter of introduction to the Meeting nearest their new residence and to individual Friends in that area known to our Meeting. Such letters recommend them to local Friends but do not affect membership in our Meeting.

Friends residing temporarily at a distance from their Meeting but not wishing to transfer membership may request of their home Meeting a minute addressed to the visited Meeting asking for sojourner status.

Sojourning members have all the privileges and responsibilities of regular members, including the right to participate in decisions of the Meeting, serve on committees, and convene those committees.

Long term sojourning is discouraged. Instead, a transfer of membership is suggested to facilitate integration into the new Meeting.

E. Transfer to Friends Elsewhere
A member who would like to transfer membership to another Meeting should write the Clerk asking for a Letter of Transfer. The Clerk will refer the matter to the Committee on Ministry and Worship for such investigation as may be appropriate to fulfill our responsibility to the other Meeting. When the Committee is satisfied, it will ask the Corresponding Clerk to prepare an appropriate LeKer of Transfer recommending our member to the other Meeting. After the Letter is approved by the business meeting the Corresponding Clerk will send the original to the receiving Meeting and a copy to the transferring member. After we are notified of acceptance of the transfer, the member's name is removed from our membership roll.

F. Transfer from Friends Elsewhere
The Clerk should acknowledge receipt of the Letter of Transfer from another Meeting and bring the matter to the next Meeting for Business. Upon approval, the transfer will be reflected in the minutes and a welcoming committee chosen to introduce the new member into fellowship and acquaint him or her with the local Meeting activities.

The Recorder will add the new member's name to the membership rolls and obtain the appropriate information for the Meeting records.

The Corresponding Clerk will write the issuing Meeting of our acceptance of the transfer.

The Clerk is responsible for writing a letter of welcome to the transferring member.

G. Resignation
A Friend may wish to be released from membership as part of joining another denomination. A leKer requesting resignation should be addressed to the Clerk. When approved, the Corresponding Clerk will write a leKer of recommendation to the new organization.

A member who is not in basic accord with the ideals and practices of Friends is encouraged to seek the advice of Overseers or of trusted others and try, with their help, to examine personal beliefs and practices in the light of Friends' testimonies and beliefs. If continued membership is not desired, resignation of membership should be presented in writing to the Monthly Meeting. Upon approval, the Corresponding Clerk should inform the person in writing of his or her release and mention the possibility of re-applying.

H. Release from Membership
Occasionally a member may seriously disregard the obligations of memberhip, exhibit a lack of interest or responsibility in the Meeting or lose all contact with the Meeting. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the Records Commitee to attempt to re-establish contact and interest. Under exceptional circumstances, the Monthly Meeting may appoint a special commitee for this purpose. If continued efforts over an adquate period (at least three to five years) are unsuccessful, the Monthly Meeting may make a minute explaining the circumstances and recording reluctant removal of the individual from membership. Whenever possible, the Clerk will see that a written notice of this action is sent to the person removed.

From time to time, the behavior of a particular Friend may appear to disrupt the Meeting life or be out of keeping with Friends' traditional practice. In such situations, the Clerk is encouraged to call upon the resources of the Ministry and Worship and Overseers committees to seek a loving and thoughtful solution. Involuntary release from membership can only be accomplished by the Monthly Meeting for Business.