Local Meetings (formerly called Preparative Meetings) have certain duties and responsibilities which they agree to undertake on behalf of the Area Meeting. This agreement is formally recorded as part of a Memorandum of Understanding. To enable the Local Meeting to carry out these duties, the meeting has to appoint at least a clerk / convenor and a treasurer.
Local Meetings nominate Elders / Overseers, who are then appointed by the Area Meeting. Most of their service will, however, be related to the Local Meeting of which they are a member.
If a Meeting does not feel able to fulfil these duties & responsibilities, its members may ask Area Meeting to accept it as a Worshipping Group (formerly known as a Recognised Meeting).
Worshipping Groups may hold advertised meetings for worship, and will be expected to conduct their meetings for worship according to the guidance in Quaker Faith & Practice. They come under the care of a Local Meeting, with oversight from Area Meeting. The responsibility for pastoral care, for the right ordering of the Meeting, and its finances, is undertaken by the Local Meeting.
It is important to note that these titles are purely administrative. There are no differences in who may attend meetings, or in the form of worship, of Area Meeting, Local Meetings and Worshipping Groups.
Oriole Hall, Inverness Local Meeting