The latest chapter in Brooklyn Friends School’s 141-year history was celebrated on September 17, 2008, when the school’s governing body approved new bylaws and procedures for the legal establishment of BFS as a not-for-profit corporation separate from the New York Quarterly Meeting (NYQM).
At their first gathering of the academic year, the Board of Trustees, now to be known as the Board of Trustees, witnessed the signing of a petition to the New York State Board of Regents for a new charter and the filing of legal documents for incorporation.
Earlier in July, NYQM had given final approval to the school’s request for separate incorporation. NYQM agreed that the title to the school building at 375 Pearl Street and the lease for 55 Willoughby Street would be transferred to Brooklyn Friends School for the nominal fee of $1.
“This change will make no difference in our mission or identity as a Quaker school,” said Head of School Michael Nill. “Nor will it affect funds that have been available to BFS.” He added that Quaker process at the governance level will be maintained, and he expressed the hope that the new arrangement would allow the school and the Meeting to form a more meaningful and spiritual relationship of mutual care rather than one based on the complexities of ownership.
Establishing the school as its own not-for-profit corporation has been a six year goal, and BFS Board Chair Alice Pope has been deeply immersed in the process from start to finish. Dr. Nill expressed his gratitude to Alice and her predecessors as Board of Trustees Clerks, Benjamin Warnke and Nancy Black, for their outstanding leadership and selfless dedication to BFS, saying, “They helped make this dream a reality.” He thanked all board members, past and present, for their work and wisdom that has enabled the school to move forward into the future with purpose and confidence.
The Brooklyn Friends Board of Trustees is composed of 18 members, all of whom serve as volunteers. About half of the board are Quakers, and two are BFS faculty/staff members. The Head of School, Director of Development, and Director of Finance serve as ex-officio members. The Board holds the school’s mission in trust and is responsible for school finances, stewardship of resources, fund-raising for annual and capital campaigns, and school policies.