| We all hope we are all staying healthy and away from CV-19. AUGUST is about: Going back to school. SATURDAY AUGUST 8th at 10:00 am into the afternoon MONTHLY ASSEMBLY PRESENTATION: Online on our HWF Friends PG private group. Let’s go to school on humanism. We will be attempting to live stream the full AHA 2020 Conference. Here is the list of speakers. https://conference.americanhumanist.org/index.php/speakers2020 We do not have the time schedule of when they speak at this time. The Mission of HWF-a chapter of the American Humanist Assn. The Mission of the Humanists of West Florida is to facilitate the advancement of humanist thought and action in Pensacola and surrounding areas by interconnecting groups of humanists, atheists, agnostics and non-religious. We will strive for equal participation in government and societal life through building strategic partnerships with other humanist and freethought organizations and with our religious neighbors to advance the greater good of humanity. *** See the AHA mission below– Announcements: The Membership renewal drive is over for this year and we give out a big thank you to all that have renewed. Sadly however, only half of our regular members renewed. We truly hope that the others will join again once we can get back to in person meetings. Those not renewed are moved to Associate member status and not able to be on a committee or any leadership position, nor vote. It is possible that some just missed the calls for renewal in our June and July newsletters plus four emails sent to them over the two months, And it’s also possible they just lost interest in our chapter and the AHA. The missions of each are always in this newsletter. The AHA follows our chapter presidents letter. Nothing else major coming, but we are hoping for a big party probably in the fall, hopefully late October for Halloween with of course mask wearing. And, our Annual Calendar is now available and shown at the bottom of this newsletter, and is also posted on our Facebook Friends page as well. PRESIDENTS MESSAGE: Greetings, all. We will hold assembly at Ever’mans on Saturday, August 9, 1030 AM, however there is a max attendance of only 10. The presentation will include, in part, streaming of select topics of the AHA Annual Convention. Masks will be required (we can supply) and drinks will not be offered; please feel free to bring your own. This meeting will be offered online for members who cannot attend. The promised welcome back party has been deferred until September or later. We are working on details for our fall picnic and will convey to you as soon as possible.The Membership Renewal Drive is over, but it is never too late to renew. Reach out to the HWF secretary for details. The new tshirts are here; one is provided as a benefit to every renewing member.Since members have requested a calendar of events, the BODs approved calendar can be found on the HWF PG page for July 2020 through Jun 2021. Please note, in compliance with members wishes, we will not pass the donation can. Instead, we will accept voluntary donations for four local charities (one each quarter) who are human kind.My personal thank you to everyone who is standing with HWF during the global pandemic. We’ve got this.Sincerely, Betty Myers, President *BOARD of DIRECTORS* Next regular meeting is October 10th, 9:30 am at Ever’mans EC *** The American Humanist Association has stood as the voice of humanism in the United States for over 75 years. We strive to bring about a progressive society where being good without a god is an accepted and respected way to live life. We are accomplishing this through our defense of civil liberties and secular governance, by our outreach to the growing number of people without traditional religious faith, and through a continued refinement and advancement of the humanist worldview. Humanism is a nontheistic worldview with ethical values informed by scientific knowledge and driven by a desire to meet the needs of people in the here and now. At the foundation of those values is an affirmation of the dignity of every human being. We count humanists and other nontheists as the core of our movement but are always willing to work with friends and allies on issues of common concern. The positions we hold and the actions we take are not simply for our own benefit, but for the betterment of all of society and the world in which we live. AHA Monthly THEME:Youth in Science and Humanism The HUMANIST MAGAZINE: This issue has some exceptional articles during this pandemic. This one is “Can good governance secure Liberty?” https://thehumanist.com/magazine/july-august-2020/ From the AHAs’ upcoming activities: Our national convention will be online this year. Distant but Together: A Virtual Celebration of Humanism AHA’s Annual Conference August 8, 2020 Livestreaming online Learn more AHA announces the Humanist Action Headquarters for Grassroots Advocacy. https://americanhumanist.org/actionhq/ AHA Center for Education to learn more about us– https://americanhumanistcenterforeducation.org/ As an AHA member you have access to the Zoom presentations they are offering plus other activities as well. Do you have a legal question you would like answered? Watch the most recent Legal Tuesdays video with our Legal Director and Senior Counsel Monica Miller. Be sure to tune in or send an email if you have a question! DONATE TO THE WORLD: Want to help people suffering from national or global catastrophes? Do it here as a Humanist to the Foundation Beyond Belief-FBB. This is the AHAs’ disaster relief partner organization. https://foundationbeyondbelief.org HUMANIST CORNER July 2020 by HWF member Bill White “Global coherence demands a permanent strategic cooperation culture at all levels.” Antonio Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations“ We are living together on a single planet, which is threatened by our own actions. And if you don’t have some kind of global cooperation, nationalism is just not on the right level to tackle the problems, whether it’s climate change or whether it’s technological disruption.” Yuval Noah Harari“ What being a socialist means is…that you hold out …a vision of society where poverty is absolutely unnecessary ,where international relations are not based on greed…but on cooperation…where human beings can own the means of production and work together rather than having to work as semi-slaves to other people who can hire and fire.” Bernie Sanders For idealists this is surely the summer of our discontent as our precious planet drowns in carbon dioxide, fear and negativity. Of course, negative thoughts are a necessary part of life, but taken to extremes can lead to anxiety, anger, resentment, jealousy, and if permitted, depression and self-destructive behavior. You’re likely familiar with the Cherokee legend of the two wolves, but just in case it goes like this :- An old Cherokee is instructing his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me” he tells the youth. “It is a terrible fight and it’s between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.” The old man goes on. “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The same fight is going on inside of you – and inside every other person too.” The grandson pondered the words, then asked his grandfather. ”Which wolf will win?” The old man’s simple reply. “The one you feed.”Our thoughts can be the enemy unless we catch and question them. After all it’s a battle of choices. We share many emotions with other creatures, such as mother love, fear and anger. Darwin was the first to point out behavior patterns can often be transmitted as reliably as physical characteristics. All members of the cat family exhibit similar cat-like behaviors. Developmental psychologists often find similar attributes in humans. In 1973 Nobel Laureate Konrad Lorenz wrote his famous book “Aggression” shedding a light on human militarism. Our dark side. Are humans good or evil? Religions typically insist people are evil creatures, capable of horrible things, but salvageable through right belief. Humanism, on the other hand, affirms we are basically decent creatures, yet capable of doing horrible things. Both positions are highly visible in current events to be sure! Are those filling our streets these days protesting Floyd’s death and other social injustices, demonstrators or a mob? Both? What a paradox, man standing here in the21st century, the power of the universe at his fingertips – anchored to a bow and arrow mentality! Education that built such deadly tools is still denied to so many of the human family. As little Malala pointed out, in developing countries women are relegated to the back of the classroom – if even allowed entry. Yet history indicates they’d be such an asset in protecting the “good wolves” of our nature. Clearly climate change presents even more serious threats to human survival than even the wrath of COVID 19. Climate change could make the planet too hot for human life! Consider the ecological and refugee problems already well underway, and the still gaping hole in world reaction. In order to avoid catastrophic climate change each of us must simplify our lives. Surely COVID 19 has provided such a teachable moment, if nothing else. The dire need to cease over consumption as time races past us. Human evolution must become a visible fact of everyday life! Malthus was among the first to observe the results of over breeding in all species. Cynics may even consider our present predicaments as culling the herd. Others seek a knowledge we had as hunter-gatherers. Yes, even in those distant times it was obvious living in egalitarian groups, sharing food wherever we could find it, was the most successful option. Sharing and cooperative societies springing up in so many places are ultimately proving sturdier than those featuring excessive individualism and cut throat competition. We must feed the right wolf, otherwise we and they may well cease to exist… Thank you Bill. IMPORTANT DATES: in the secular world. August 1: Emancipation Day HWF ANNUAL CALENDAR:July 2020 thru June 2021 Q 1 Summer July 11th Assembly – The Freedom to Assembly & Right Vote Theme. Charity for the 1st Quarter: Member Memorial Fund (honors with a book to local library) Welcome Back Party at Assembly and AHA Commitments Review Committees-Teams policy reviews BOD meets: New Directors and Officers seated, Committees % Teams filled, New budget approved Quarterly Book Review Online August 8th Assembly — Back to School Theme AHA chapter members report Open Books Packing on 1st Wed. September 12th Assembly – Students Ethics and Rights Theme Membership List Updated Little Free Library Building Workshop Q 2 Fall October 10th Assembly – Homeless and Hungry Theme BOD meets:Charity for the 2nd Quarter: Seans’ Outpost (owns Satoshi Forest and does Food not Bombs) Quarterly Book Review Online Fall picnic party November 14th Assembly – Native Americans Theme Food Distribution TBA +Open Books Packing on 1st Wed +Shoe Drive TBA December 12th Assembly – Global Celebrations Theme Winter Festivities Party with Freethinkers on Dec 26th Q 3 Winter January 9th Assembly – A New Start Theme BOD meets:Charity for the 3rd Quarter: Currie House (providing shelter & housing for youth) Food Distribution TBA +Quarterly Book Review Online February 13th Assembly – Science and Critical Thinking Theme Charlie’s Chili-Chowder Cookoff @ Assembly IRS N-990 Due, Fla Incorporation annual report Open Books Packing on 1st Wed March 13th Assembly – Myths and AHA Rights Theme Nominating Committee is activated Fla Charities Registration due, Fla Tax Exempt redo every 5 years-next 2025 Little Free Library Building Workshop Q 4 Spring April 10th Assembly – Earth Ethics Theme BOD meets: Directorship nominees due by 4/30 and presented to chapter Charity for the 4th Quarter: Earth Ethics Inc. (provides education and environmental advocacy) Quarterly Book Review Online May 8th Assembly – Reason is the Reason Theme Elections (if candidates surpass 3) from May 1 thru mid Assembly -Email vote or at Assembly Open Books Packing on 1st Wed June 12th Assembly – Humanist Proud and Planning Theme Ideas Workshop @ assembly Membership renewal month New Draft Budget 6/30 SUGGESTIONS? Contact us with your ideas- info@hwfl.org Humanists of West Florida P.O. Box 11930 Pensacola, Florida 32524 Phone (850) 366-3410 ***The American Humanist Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable educational organization, as well is the Humanists of West Florida. Donations to the Humanists of West Florida , a chapter of the American Humanist Association, are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. 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