STUDENT LEADERSHIP GUIDE OF THE HUMANITY+ STUDENT NETWORK An outreach program of Humanity+ International Non-profit Educational Organization Original Author: Ben Hyink Editors: Natasha Vita-More Curt Tigges Josh Call Version 3.0 July 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction to the H+SN ......................................................................................................... 1 A. The Mission of the H+SN .......................................................................................... 1 B. Transhumanist Declaration ...................................................................................... 1 C. Purpose of this Document ........................................................................................ 2 D. top three priorities .................................................................................................. 3 E. H+SN Recognition of Humanity + Policy ................................................................... 4 F. Coordination of H+SN .............................................................................................. 4 II. Transhumanism in The University ........................................................................................... 5 III. Incorporating a Campus Group ............................................................................................... 7 A. Defining and Working Documents ............................................................................ 7 B. Advisors ................................................................................................................... 8 C. Recruiting Initial Leadership & Membership ............................................................ 9 D. Cultivating New Leaders ........................................................................................ 12 IV. Academic Working Groups ................................................................................................... 13 A. Scheduling ............................................................................................................. 14 B. Meeting Presentations ........................................................................................... 15 C. Established Meeting Groups ................................................................................... 15 V. Running Your Group .............................................................................................................. 17 A. Discussion Meetings (Keeping the Group Active) ................................................... 17 B. Group Meeting Protocol ......................................................................................... 23 C. Planning Meetings .................................................................................................. 24 D. Presentations ......................................................................................................... 24 E. Projects ................................................................................................................. 24 VI. Creating Campus Events ...................................................................................................... 26 A. Speeches................................................................................................................ 26 B. Panel Discussions ................................................................................................... 27 C. Debates ................................................................................................................. 28 D. Summits and Conferences ..................................................................................... 28 VII. Advertising and Publicity .................................................................................................... 29 A. Flyers ..................................................................................................................... 29 B. Chalk ..................................................................................................................... 30 C. Posters ................................................................................................................... 30 D. Press Releases ....................................................................................................... 30 VIII. Growing and Sustaining Your Group .................................................................................. 31 A. Online Presence and Technology Tools ................................................................. 31 B. Publications and Media .......................................................................................... 32 C. Letters to the Editor and Columns ........................................................................ 32 D. Interviews .............................................................................................................. 33 E. Information Tables ................................................................................................ 33 F. Fundraising ............................................................................................................ 35 G. Networking ............................................................................................................ 36 H. Miscellaneous Activities ......................................................................................... 37 IX. Organizational Strategies (further reading) ........................................................................ 41 A. Internships ............................................................................................................. 41 B. Annual JBS Haldane Award for Best Undergraduate Transhumanist Paper ............ 41 C. Places for Graduate Students to Pursue Graduate Studies in Bioethics ................. 42 Attachment: A Student Club Constitution (Template of Last Resort) - i - I. INTRODUCTION TO THE H+SN A. THE MISSION OF THE H+SN The Humanity+ Student Network is an international coalition of independent student organizations dedicated to promoting discussion of transhumanist issues and technologies. In addition, the H+SN and its member groups seek to provide opportunities for students to become involved in university-level work, research, and development exploring the promises and perils of emerging technologies and the future direction of humanity. The purpose of the H+SN is to provide assistance and support for those seeking to create their own transhumanist student organizations and to facilitate collaboration between its member groups, providing necessary network-level tools to foster this collaboration. B. TRANSHUMANIST DECLARATION The Transhumanist Declaration has been adopted by Humanity+ as a statement of transhumanist positions and concerns regarding the development and use of human enhancement technologies. As such, the H+SN also recognizes and supports this document. When we refer to transhumanist issues, concerns, and so forth, we are usually referring to things related to the points of the Transhumanist Declaration. Humanity stands to be profoundly affected by science and technology in the future. We envision the possibility of broadening human potential by overcoming aging, cognitive shortcomings, involuntary suffering, and our confinement to planet Earth. 1. We believe that humanity’s potential is still mostly unrealized. There are possible scenarios that lead to wonderful and exceedingly worthwhile enhanced human conditions. 2. We recognize that humanity faces serious risks, especially from the misuse of new technologies. There are possible realistic scenarios that lead to the loss of most, or even all, of what we hold valuable. Some of these scenarios are drastic, others are subtle. Although all progress is change, not all change is progress. 3. Research effort needs to be invested into understanding these prospects. We need to carefully deliberate how best to reduce risks and expedite beneficial applications. We also need forums where people can constructively discuss what should be done, and a social order where responsible decisions can be implemented. - 1 - 4. Reduction of existential risks, and development of means for the preservation of life and health, the alleviations of grave suffering, and the improvement of human foresight and wisdom should be pursued as urgent priorities, and heavily funded. 5. Policy making ought to be guided by responsible and inclusive moral vision, taking seriously both opportunities and risks, respecting autonomy and individual rights, and showing solidarity with and concern for the interests and dignity of all people around the globe. We must also consider our moral responsibilities towards generations that will exist in the future. 6. We advocate the well-being of all sentience, including humans, non-human animals, and any future artificial intellects, modified life forms, or other intelligences to which technological and scientific advances may give rise. 7. We favor allowing individual’s wide personal choice over how they enable their lives. This includes use of techniques that may be developed to assist memory, concentration, and mental energy; life extension therapies; reproductive choice technologies; cryonics procedures; and many other possible human modification and enhancement technologies. The Transhumanist Declaration was originally crafted in 1998 by an international group of authors in alphabetical order by first name: Alexander Chislenko, Anders Sandberg, Arjen Kamphuis, Bernie Staring, Bill