At a recent Buffalo Friends Committee on Ministry and Council meeting, one of the members commented that the Quaker way of handling Meeting business was perhaps one of the most unique things about the Religious Society of Friends, and if Quakers were to ever abandon this process she might consider abandoning Quakerism. Her words seemed to speak the mind of those in attendance and the comment reminded me of something written around 30 years ago by the prominent Quaker, Leonard Kenworthy. I quote it in full as follows:

The Meeting for Business is another of the unique contributions of Quakers to the world. Nothing like it exists anywhere in Christendom or in any other world religion. It is a rare form of democracy especially suited to a religious fellowship, based on the belief that Divine Guidance is as available in transacting the business of a group as it is in the worship of the group.
The Quaker Meeting for Business is as simple—and as difficult—as the Quaker Meeting for Worship. It is not a collection of methods or techniques, it is a mood, an atmosphere, a spirit. It is a quest for the Divine Will in reaching decisions. It is a Meeting for Worship to do business.
From the opening period of worship until the closing Minute and brief pause at the end, the meeting should move along as if on a conveyor belt or float along on a stream of silence. Short periods of quiet waiting may be observed at various points, especially if the Meeting becomes tense or someone becomes contentious. There may even be a prayer or a brief message at some point.
In the Meeting for Business at its best we do not eliminate the rational side of our lives, but we do open the feeling aspects of ourselves. We feel as well as think, we worship as well as ponder.
Just as the Meeting for Worship on the basis of expectant silence is shorn of the non-essentials of alter, sermons, choir and congregational singing, responsive readings, incense, candles and stained-glass windows, so the Meeting for Business is shorn of the paraphernalia of legislative groups, lobbying, speeches and debate, applause, majorities and minorities, yeas and nays.
Leonard Kenworthy, 1991