SCSC Conf Agenda

SCSC 1st Annual (Virtual) Conference

Date: Nov. 13, 2021, 9am-5pm PST

Registration link on Zoom: https://bit.ly/3Bjz0Bi

Conference Objectives:

• Demonstrate how various secular groups through SoCal are working together to make a difference in our communities

• Give everyone who considers themselves to have 'secular values' in SoCal an opportunity to find a group to engage with, and become involved

• Represent diversity in our movement: age, ethnicity, backgrounds, viewpoints

Agenda (Subject to Change):

8:30-9a Informal check-in and chat

9-10:30a History and future of the secular movement

• Michael Werner, President, Humanist Foundation

• Phil Zuckerman, Secular Studies Dean, Pomona Pitzer; (Exec. Dir., Humanist Global Charity)

• Joe Blankholm - UCSB professor - update on their latest research project on 'nones'

• Bailey and Elle Harris - Youth in Action!

10-11a SCSC Overview and update (highlight unique programs from each group)

• Americans United for Separation of Church and State

• Backyard Skeptics

• Humanist Association of Orange County

• Humanist Society of Santa Barbara

• Humanist Community of Ventura County

• Freethought Society

11-12p State of Secular Advocacy (Q&A after each speaker)

• Rachel Laser, Pres/CEO, Americans United for Separation of Church and State

• Debbie Allen, Exec. Dir., Secular Coalition for America

12-1p Lunch - social networking and discussion; breakout rooms available

1-2:30p Key Secular Programs (for us to know about and support!)

• Humanist Global Charity (Hank Pellissier, Founder)

• Foundation Beyond Belief (Tif Ho, Exec. Dir.)

• Recovering from Religion, Secular Therapy Project (Darrel Ray)

• Secular Rescue (CFI with seculars at risk overseas) (Wafa Bahra, CFI)

• The Translations Project (Wafa Bahra, CFI)

• The Clergy Project (Lon Ostander, Pres)

• Humanist celebrants (Reba Wooden, CFI)

2:30-3p Engaging with Related secular groups, causes

• UU churches / UU Humanist Assoc (Karen Stoyanoff)

• Secular Jewish communities (Bev Zarnow,Kahal AM)

• Hispanic American Freethinkers (Arlene Rios)

• Other (UNA, Indiginous, LGBTQ etc.)

• United Nations Association (Dave Rice, Pres., OC chapter)

3-3:10p Break

3:10-4:30p Breakouts on CASE (3 segments: Community, Advocacy, Service - how our groups can grow in each area - 15-20 min each

• Community (small groups, 3D etc.)

• Advocacy (So Cal Advocacy Group)

• Service (Local 2030, food programs etc.)

4:30-5p Panel Discussion: How We Can Help Grow the Secular Movement

5:00p Close (more networking available - virtual happy hour!)

After Virtual happy hour! Networking, social time