Strengthening Activism in Local Humanist Groups

By Jennifer Hancock, Director

Humanist Learning Systems

The Activist Model of Organizing

Why be Active– How does this fit in with promoting

Humanism?– What are the benefits of becoming active

How to integrate this into your group–Ideas–Projects–Changing the Culture

Activism is part of being a Humanist

ReasonCompassionAction

How does Activism fit in with Humanist organizing?

Praying Doesn’t Work

If you want things to change– SOMEONE HAS

TO DO SOMETHING!

Benefits of Activism

Create positive social change Not preaching to choir Easy to do

Drawbacks– Not everyone in existing groups wants to be

active

Activism in Action:

Activism attracts activistsActivism attracts younger

HumanistsHelps us attract alliesGives us something to talk

about

Activism 101

IdeasProjectsGroup Culture

Ideas

List of policies from AHA

Take your own stand on local issues

Collaborate with other progressive groups

Humanist Holidays

Projects

Adopt a Hwy Blood Drive Letters to Editor projectMeet with your elected officials Get involved in local progressive coalition Table at community events/county fairs, etc

Changing the Culture

Some people just want to be entertained

Core volunteers Interesting ActivitiesExpectations

Final Thoughts

Reason and Compassion in Action