American humanist association Grassroots Manual Contents LETTER FROM THE CHAPTER ASSEMBLY HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL SECTION I: RUNNING EFFECTIVE MEETINGS SECTION II: STRATEGIC PLANNING & BUDGET SECTION III: ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES SECTION IV: ISSUE ADVOCACY SECTION V: BUILDING COMMUNITY SECTION VI: EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SECTION VII: FUNDRAISING SECTION VIII: THE INTERNET & E-HUMANISM SECTION IX: NEWSLETTER & PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS SECTION X: MEDIA RELATIONS SECTION XI: PUBLIC EVENTS SECTION XII: LOCAL GROUP BENCHMARKS APPENDICES A: SIGN-UP SHEET B: BACKWARD PLANNING CALENDAR C: ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION D: EXAMPLE BYLAWS E: AHA & LOCAL GROUP MISSION STATEMENTS F: AHA & EXAMPLE LOCAL GROUP VISION STATEMENTS G: ACTION ALERT H: CURRICULUM BOOK LIST I: CHILDREN’S BOOKS J: NEWSLETTERS K: BROCHURES L: PRESS ADVISORY M: PRESS RELEASE N: LETTER TO THE EDITOR O: OPINIONS PIECE ADDENDA I. LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE II. THE CHAPTER ASSEMBLY III. THE AHA GRASSROOTS PROGRAM IV. HOW TO START A LOCAL GROUP V. MODERN HUMANISM & THE AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION How to Use this Manual The goal of the American Humanist Association Grassroots Manual isn’t to tell you what your local Humanist group must become. Rather, it’s a guide for the possibilities that exist. This manual is a resource to be used as you and your members carry out the challenging yet rewarding task of building and expanding your local group. Because groups in the American Humanist Association field network are in various stages of development, this manual was created so that all local groups could use it, though not everyone would find exactly the same things useful. Therefore, while it’s important that you familiarize yourself with the contents of this manual, it’s not intended to be read cover-to-cover or all at once. We hope that you will refer to it often, when you would like additional insights for activities your group is already good at or when you are embarking on new endeavors. Each section of the manual stands alone. You can even rearrange the sections to better suit your purposes if you like. The appendices provide examples for the topics discussed in the main body of the manual. The addenda contain additional materials for you to consider. SECTION I RUNNING EFFECTIVE MEETINGS I-2 Running Effective Meetings In many ways, meetings serve as the core activity for local groups. As your local Humanist group grows, you will probably need to set up various meetings, activities, and events in order to meet the needs of your members. Though this section mainly addresses regular meetings, no matter what type of meeting you hold some very basic principles regarding time and place will apply. Pre-Meeting Logistics I: Where and When to Hold Meetings It is always important to have a good meeting space. Since even most of our strongest local Humanist groups don’t have a building they can call their own, the next best option is to find a public meeting space. Possible meeting locations can be found in local libraries, university campuses, community centers, or apartment complexes. Meeting spaces can Your local Unitarian Universalist usually be secured for low or no cost. congregation is a possible meeting location. You can go online to Holding a meeting in a public place is http://www.uua.org to find a nearby preferable over meetings in someone’s congregation. living room. In general, people are more Though local Humanist groups all have comfortable with meeting in a public place, their own level of comfort with meeting and this is especially true for new volunteers at a UU congregation, it is worth and new members. considering since there is significant crossover between UUs and AHA The meeting location should also be easily members (surveys have found that accessible via public transportation. In large approximately half of UUs would self urban areas, not everyone has access to a identify as Humanist). car, and in order to attract a maximum When taking advantage of any private number of people it’s important that the facilities like those of UU congregations, meeting space is easy to get to. Where be sure you understand and accept their possible, public transportation routes and a rules. They might require group map for those who are driving should be leadership to be members of their clearly noted on the group’s website (see congregation, which may or may not be a Section VIII: The Internet & E-Humanism) problem for your local group. or on other promotional materials. Schedule a time where the maximum number of people can attend, but keep in mind that it’s impossible to please everyone. Though not everyone can make it, meeting times should not be changed too often. That can confuse some members, and others may feel it’s not worth the effort to attend if the date and time keep changing. Pre-Meeting Logistics II: Before the Meeting Begins Remember to assess the meeting space beforehand. Are the room’s chairs and other furniture set up in a practical manner considering the type of meeting? Will everyone be able to see and hear the speaker? If there is a sound system, is it ready to go? Will everyone be able to see and hear each other? I-3 Is there space for a small refreshment table? Having a small amount of money budgeted (see Section II: Strategic Planning & Budget) for some snacks and drinks for meetings can go a long way in fostering a friendly atmosphere. Having refreshments set out before the meeting begins can establish a casual tone, and it gives people an excuse to mingle and talk. This is an especially good way for visitors to get a feel for the group before any official activities start. Another useful table is for magazines and books that would be of interest to group members. When someone has finished an issue of a magazine or book they no longer want, they can place it on the table for anyone else pick up and take. This allows for ideas found in books or magazine to have wider exposure in your group. Having a person specifically act as the ‘greeter’ before and after meetings is also an effective way for newcomers to feel welcome (see Section V: Building Community). This person would come to meetings early and leave late, and would always be sure to approach visitors, answer any questions they may have, and provide information about the group. This, of course, does not preclude other members from welcoming newcomers, however, it’s important that someone is specifically assigned the task. The greeter should also direct visitors to a Example Meeting Program: sign-up sheet (see Appendix Page 1: Sign- 6:00 PM Arrive at space, make sure up Sheet) that should be prominently everything is ready, and set out snacks displayed. Having a sign up sheet is a 6:30 PM Official start time of the meeting good way to get contact information for 6:35 PM Start meeting a few minutes late to potential members. The greeter (or allow stragglers to wander in someone else assigned the task) can also -Introductory welcome remarks be responsible for contacting the people (remember to welcome newcomers) who have filled out the sign-up sheet. -Go over evening's events -Brief committee announcements Pre-Meeting Logistics III: The -Emphasize becoming a member of Program the group Even for the most casual of meetings, a 6:50 PM Introduce speaker for the evening and note that there will be Q & A time program (or agenda) is essential, as is a following the talk designated person who is clearly in charge of the meeting. Meetings can quickly 6:55 PM Speaker begins talk devolve into chaos if it appears (or is the 7:30 PM Speaker ends talk and does Q & A case) that no one is in charge. Even a few 8:00 PM Make concluding remarks -Thank speaker for coming bullet points written down on a scrap of -Reminder about upcoming events paper is preferable to “winging it.” The -Reminder of the food and program itself should be briefly touched welcome people to stay and chat upon at the beginning of the meeting. If -If newcomers want information your group meetings are large enough to about the group, can talk to any have a formal agenda, print and distribute board member copies. This engages participants and allows them to feel they have a better 8:30 PM Tidy up room and leave I-4 grasp as to what is going on. By knowing what is going on, people feel more in control, are more likely to participate, and will get more out of the meeting. Time limits for topics of discussion are more likely to be respected if they’re written out. Three Types of Meetings: Many times, regular meetings will There are generally three types of meetings involve a speaker. In order for members that local Humanist groups hold—regular, to get the most out of a speaker during the summer, and business. Q & A session, here are two suggestions: Before the Q & A session starts, you Regular Meetings should remind people that brevity in These meetings should be member-oriented questions is appreciated, questions should and can serve various purposes. It’s an end in question marks, and there is only a opportunity for group members to come certain amount of time available for together and connect with each other; questions. When the time is up, thank the become educated on a topic by hearing from speaker, end the session and note (if it's a speaker; or discuss issues and explore been arranged) that the speaker will remain ideas.