The Villages Humanist Club

Humanism

An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.

What's the difference between Humanism and Religion?

The Villages Humanist Club discusses all topics of general human interest and encourages open minded conversations.  Speakers are Villages Residents or subject matter experts from outside the Villages.  

The Villages Humanist Club is a chapter of the American Humanist Association.

The Humanist Club meets on the first, second, third and fourth Sunday of the month at 10 AM at the Canal Street Recreation Center.  Social time starts at 9:30. The second and fourth Sunday of each month is a dedicated “social Sunday” which features mini-talks and focused small group discussion time.   Villages Resident or Guest ID is required to attend.

The Humanist Club collaborates with the Free Thinkers Club, which meets on the second Thursday of the Month at Bridgeport Rec Center at 2:30 PM and the fourth Thursday of the Month at Aviary Rec center at 3:30 PM. Go to the Freethinkers Club page for information on topics and speakers for Thursday meetings.

Humanists and Free Thinkers Club Board (in no particular order)

• Jim Laurent 

• Jim Bucko

• Steve Post

• Bill Womart

• Bo (George) Goldsmith

• Bud Webber 

• Peter Irwin  

• Karen Salzano

Contact us at villageshumanists@gmail.com

Presentations from the Humanists Club

Humanist Club Schedule

2026

• Aug 30 No meeting (Fifth Sunday)

• Sept 6 Sunday 10:00 Humanists (Labor Day weekend)

  • Hosting: Jim Laurent

  • Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street

  • Speaker: Robert Trask, Asian American Club

  • Title: The Villages Asian American Club

  • Description: Learn more about Asian American Culture, bias and discrimination. 

  • Bio: Robert Trask is a member of the Villages Asian American Club 

• Sept 13 Sunday 10:00 Humanists Social Sunday

  • Hosting: Jim Laurent

  • Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street

  • Speaker: Jim Laurent

  • Topic: Is Gender Fluid?

  • Description: A collaborative small group discussion on the science, misconceptions and politics of Gender Identity.

  • Bio:Jim Laurent is a trained educator who started his career as a 7th grade science teacher.  He worked for 30 years as an instructor and technologist in the computer industry for companies including Sun Microsystems and Oracle Corp.  Jim has 40 years of public speaking experience and is a member of the Board of the Humanists Club in the Villages.

• Sept 20 Sunday 10:00 Humanists

  • Hosting: Bo Goldsmith

  • Location: Canal Street Rec Center 1513 Canal Street 

  • Speaker:Gary Segal

  • Title: Self Esteem

  • Description: There are 3 handouts which the audience may wish to use for a self assessment. 

  • Bio:Gary has a BS, MS in Mathematics and an  MA in Organizational Development along with a PhD in Psychology with his research focusing on Self-Esteem in Children

• Sept 27 Sunday 10:00 Humanists Social Circle

  • Hosting: Scott Roberts

  • Topic: As Humanists, what can we learn from the Crusades of the 11th century?

  • Description: Small group discussion around the topic of the Crusades.

  • Bio:  Scott majored in philosophy and religion at Ohio University and received a BA degree in the Humanities in 1973. He received a scholarship and earned a Master's degree in philosophy at DePaul University in 1975.  He then earned a JD degree at the Ohio State College of Law a scholarship and earned a Master's degree in philosophy at DePaul University in 1975.  He then earned a JD degree at the Ohio State College of Law