SECULAR COLORADO Hub HOC BA FFRF SA SVC AU Another Newsletter Partner This month we welcome our seventh partner group in this newsletter venture, the Colorado chapter of Americans United For Separation of Church and State, based near Colorado Springs. (See p. 4) To Subscribe or Unsubscribe We are finally getting around to being able to remove email addresses from the recipient list for this newsletter. To unsubscribe, send an email to: secularcoloradoeditor@gmail.com Do the same to have somebody added to the list! Inside 2 - Humanists of Colorado 3 - Secular Volunteer Corps 4 - Americans United 5 - Secular Hub Features 6-8 - Upcoming Events Hemant Mehta To Visit The Sunday Assembly, Secular Hub, and other groups are collaborating to bring Hemant Mehta, aka The Friendly Atheist, renowned author, blogger, and atheist activist, to town the weekend of August 14-16. Mehta will attend a dinner and reception on Friday the 14th at the Avenue Grill - spots are still available - followed by an evening talk at the Hub on Saturday the 15th ($15 at the door). Then on Sunday the 16th Mehta will be the main attraction at the August Sunday Assembly meeting, at noon. Get into the mood a week early at the Hub Fundraiser Jam for Mehta, Friday August 7, 7:30 PM. 1
HUMANISTS OF COLORADO Changes at the HOC Education Season Arrives For the last 3 years or so, the HOC has seen its energy drained by the massive effort to conceive, found, and run the Secular Hub. Three of the original five Board members of the Hub were HOC members, as have been all of the Hub presidents so far. Now that the Hub is successful, stable, and working towards an even brighter future - but that s another article, next month - it is time for the HOC to recapture some of its old momentum. We started earlier this year by flying in two speakers from out of town, a practice we hope to be able to afford 3 or 4 times per year, as our dues-paying membership gets back up to its old levels. (Still only $30 per year, are you kidding me?) We continue our changes this month by relegating the traditional monthly potluck to occasional status. On August 9th, the HOC itself will provide the food at 6:00 PM: pizza and salad. In the future, we will sometimes have catered or prepared food for cost, other times a potluck like in the old days. As an educational 501 (c) 3 entity, the HOC values education above nearly all else. With the school year starting up, we are pleased to present a talk by Jess Morse of Reading Partners, a national literacy tutoring nonprofit that works in elementary schools. Community Engagement Manager Jess Morse is an advocate of exploring innovative solutions to the world s most pressing challenges. Before joining the Reading Partners team, Jess co-founded ThinkImpact, an education travel company that built programs for college students to explore immersive learning, leadership, and design thinking in rural communities across Africa and Latin America. At ThinkImpact Jess wore many hats, but found her niche in the world of community engagement, building successful partnerships with top universities including University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and Dartmouth. She lights up when she is vinyl hunting, backpacking and meeting new people! Reading Partners is a national literacy tutoring nonprofit founded in 1999 that works in elementary schools to support low-income K-5 students who are reading six months to two and a half years below grade-level proficiency. In a dedicated reading center at each of our 14 Denver Metro area partner schools, we train community volunteers to work one-on-one with students by following a structured curriculum that aligns with nation-wide standards for learning. We support at-home reading and family involvement through a Take Reading Home library in the center. In the 2013-14 school year, Reading Partners tutors gave 15,000 hours of service to provide essential literacy skills to 553 students at 11 in-school reading centers across Denver and Aurora. 94% percent of target students accelerated their monthly rates of literacy learning, and 78% of students narrowed their literacy achievement gaps with on-grade-level peers. 2
SECULAR VOLUNTEER CORPS Turning Heads, Changing Perceptions One Act At A Time by Chauncey Williams Under the roof of the monolithic Denver Public Works building shuffled a few dozen feet, each grouped into their own cliques, most strangers to the rest. Some had graced these halls before. Others, only children, took it in for the first time. But all were there by right for having contributed in their way to their city. A year and a half earlier, drawn together by common cause, a small group of volunteers huddled around a table for the first time. That cause: organizing the secular community in giving back via their time, talent, or donations to those in need. Individually, each could make a difference; but working together as a community, they sought to accomplish more. Through service events, donation drives, and fundraisers, it wasn't long before the secular community began to make an impact, contributing hundreds of hours of volunteer time and thousands of dollars in donated materials and funds. Each passing event extended that impact, but it also reflected on a community and its members. It spoke to what they valued common, human values and to their willingness to act on those values for the benefit of those in need. But serving together as a community could have another effect. There were many for whom 'atheist' was still a bad word, bringing up a host of negative connotations. Putting a face to the secular community and showing what the community is really about in deed, not just in word could provide a healthy dose of cognitive dissonance and help to deconstruct some of the unfortunate caricatures that have kept many in the closet and have limited those who have come out. Over time, the hope was to change perceptions, making secularism more accepted and commonplace. ~-~ Seated, flanked by representatives from a select handful of service organizations across the city, we waited patiently, not fully knowing what to expect. Photos of accomplishment scrolled, drawing feelings of pride from those attendees who knew the scenes (and the work that went into them) all too well. We mingled, sharing our stories, listening to and drawing lessons from theirs. But soon, attention turned to the stage, and not long into the ceremony our time had arrived. With the words, "Secular Hub Community Service" on display atop a photo from one of our events, the emcee turned her attention toward us. After lauding the good works our secular community has performed, the City of Denver Public Works Department recognized and awarded our community(!) for "Outstanding Community Service" work with the Adopt-A-Spot program and for our commitment to helping Keep Denver Beautiful. To the applause of those in attendance, we graciously accepted the award, now posted on the wall of the Hub just inside the second door, on your behalf. Changing perceptions will take time, but maybe... just maybe... we're moving in the right direction. 3
Who We Are AMERICANS UNITED The Colorado Chapter of AU is the only chapter of the national organization in the state. We are a true grassroots effort comprised of concerned citizens joined in the effort to provide education, advocacy, and a watchdog presence regarding separation of church and state issues. We are a non-profit (501(c)3 organization.) We officially became a chapter in June 2013, and have been hard at work since the forming stage. We desire to make alliances across the state and build coalitions with like-minded organizations, including faith communities who recognize the value of keeping religion and government separate. The Colorado Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State is ably led by Renee T. of Fountain CO. Renee is an experienced activist. Following is an example of her handiwork, a letter to the Colorado Springs Independent, published a couple weeks ago in response to a column. We look forward to Renee s writing for this newsletter! Many Americans are focused on the recent SCOTUS ruling, with rhetoric and responses discussing the ruling in terms of redefining marriage and marriage equality. However, I personally view the ruling this way: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. It would be within the province of the SCOTUS to ensure that ALL Americans are treated equally and are permitted to define their happiness (kinship, relationships, family, and marriage) for themselves. SCOTUS is NOT redefining marriage for anyone and is NOT forcing any one definition on any one person. On the contrary, the SCOTUS is protecting the right of American citizens from all walks of life and of all belief systems to define these things for their own lives, and are ensuring that one person cannot define these for another person. In other words, ordinary Americans nation-wide have defined marriage and family for themselves, and SCOTUS simply ensures OUR rights, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. 4
SECULAR HUB New Hub Treasurer New Hub Treasurer Introducing Dianne Bailey! Dianne met Secular Hub s Chair (Dave Fangrow) and Vice Chair (Kimberly Saviano) at the AHA convention in May. At the June Board Meeting, Dianne Bailey was invited to serve as Treasurer for the Secular Hub. At the July Board Meeting, Dianne reported that a QuickBooks Pro online account had been opened for the Hub, a new bank account had been opened at US Bank since the existing account was not set up as a non-profit account, and monthly bills are now going to be paid using bill pay instead of debit cards. Dianne also announced the suspension of the using PayPal to pay any bills, expenses, or reimbursements. Keep Denver Beautiful Below is a photo of the 2014 award received by the Hub, as described on the previous page. By using QuickBooks Pro, 1) contributions by individual members can be summarized; 2) measuring monthly income against monthly expenses will be more accurate; and 3) earmarked funds (a.k.a. restricted funds) will be easier to maintain. The abilities of the QB-Pro online accounting system can also grow with the needs of the organization. Dianne did the same thing for the Douglas County Public Trustee s office in 2007. She purchased a QB-Pro online account for that office and set up the initial books. Dianne has another interest. She likes writing/updating bylaws. She has updated/rewritten the bylaws for two other organizations and is helping the Board organize and draft a more comprehensive set of bylaws to serve the organization. Dianne is retired. She says that politics and helping organizations get organized are her hobbies. Next issue: what improvements has Dianne been promoting at the Hub? 5
SECULAR COLORADO Events Thursday, August 6 12:30 PM (BA) Lunch at 3 Margaritas, 28th and Iris, Boulder 4:00 PM (BA) Coffee at Vic s Coffee, 30th Street, Boulder 6:30 PM (Hub) Movie Night: Monty Python and the Holy Grail at 7 at the Hub Friday, August 7 7:30 (Hub) Pale Blue and Friends Present a Fundraiser Jam for the Friendly Atheist Saturday, August 8 4:00 PM (SA) Sunday Assembly Planning and Practice, at the Hub Sunday, August 9 8:45-9:45 AM (Hub) Sunday Morning Walking Group, at Cheesman Park East 10:00 AM (Hub) Coffee and Community 10:00 AM (SVC) School Supply Dropoff, at the Hub 1:00-4:00 PM (Hub) Party Games at the Hub More Events Monday, August 10 6:00 PM (DA) Beer and Brats Downtown, at Wurstkuche, 2036 Broadway 6:30 PM Freethinkers in AA, at the Hub Tuesday, August 11 10:00 AM (Hub) Work/Study at the Hub Wednesday, August 12 5:00 PM (BA) Movie at the Meadows Library: Elmer Gantry Thursday, August 13 12:30 PM (BA) Lunch at 3 Margaritas, 28th and Iris, Boulder 4:00 PM (BA) Coffee at Vic s Coffee, 30th Street, Boulder 6:30 PM (Hub) Movie Night: The Imitation Game at 7 at the Hub Friday, August 14 7:30 (SA) Hemant Mehta Dinner and Reception 6:00 PM (HOC) August HOC Meeting: Talk by Reading Partners on education and tutoring, at 7:00 at the Hub 6
SECULAR COLORADO Yet More Events Saturday, August 15 2:30 PM (SA) Museum and Dinner before Hemant Mehta event 4:00 PM (SA) Sunday Assembly Planning and Practice, at the Hub 7:00 PM (Hub) An Evening with Hemant - The Friendly Atheist ($15/person) Sunday, August 16 8:45-9:45 AM (Hub) Sunday Morning Walking Group, at Cheesman Park East 10:00 AM (Hub) Coffee and Community 12:00 PM (SA) August Sunday Assembly Service featuring Hemant Mehta, at Swallow Hill Music, 71 East Yale Monday, August 17 6:30 PM Freethinkers in AA, at the Hub Tuesday, August 18 10:00 AM (Hub) Work/Study at the Hub Thursday, August 20 12:30 PM (BA) Lunch at 3 Margaritas, 28th and Iris, Boulder Yet More Events Friday, August 21 7:30 PM (Hub) Hub Jam! (Rescheduled this month) Saturday, August 22 10:00 (Secular Adventure Crew) Road Trip to Pike s Peak Cog Railway and Garden of the Gods 4:00 (FFRF) Summer Barbecue Party 4:00 PM (SA) Sunday Assembly Planning and Practice, at the Hub Sunday, August 23 8:45-9:45 AM (Hub) Sunday Morning Walking Group, at Cheesman Park East 10:00 AM (Hub) Coffee and Community 10:00 (SVC) School Supply Drive 2:15 (BA) Lunch at the Med on Walnut Monday, August 24 6:30 PM Freethinkers in AA, at the Hub Tuesday, August 25 10:00 AM (Hub) Work/Study at the Hub 4:00 PM (BA) Coffee at Vic s Coffee, 30th Street, Boulder 6:30 PM (Hub) Movie Night: What We Do in the Shadows at 7 at the Hub 7
SECULAR COLORADO Yet More Events Yet More Events Thursday, August 27 12:30 PM (BA) Lunch at 3 Margaritas, 28th and Iris, Boulder 4:00 PM (BA) Coffee at Vic s Coffee, 30th Street, Boulder 6:30 PM (Hub) Movie Night: Inequality For All at 7 at the Hub Friday, August 28 7:00 PM (BA) Dinner in Lafayette, at Ting s Place, 1265 S. Public Road Saturday, August 29 4:00 PM (SA) Sunday Assembly Planning and Practice, at the Hub Sunday, August 30 8:45-9:45 AM (Hub) Sunday Morning Walking Group, at Cheesman Park East 10:00 AM (Hub) Coffee and Community Monday, August 31 5:30 PM (Hub) Social Hour Southeast 6:30 PM Freethinkers in AA, at the Hub 8