01 Sep 2003

Many of the problems associated with organisations that have small groups of members trying to run programmes of usually monthly meetings, could be solved by changing the way they are devised.

The days of the big regular meetings are long gone, and to try to attract the public to the old style public meeting especially in the evenings, in bland meeting rooms, often in church halls is well neigh impossible given the many other things people have to do, TV, PC, Comfortable homes after days at work and leisure pursuits, either in employment or retirement.

It is still possible where there are attractive premises with a social atmosphere such as a meeting room in or near a pub, or cafe that people can retire to, but this is not often the case and many groups have to meet in members homes which is often not ideal for many reasons.

My solution does not change the problem of the venues, but in changing the approach, it cuts down on the work involved in arranging the programmes - avoids putting speakers to the

inconvenience of treking out to meetings with only a handful of members. Not to mention the embarrassment of having speakers arrive only to find a tiny audience for their trouble. In addition where this is the case it is 'preaching to the converted' to borrow a phrase from the church!

Instead of the traditional 'meetings' why not arrange a series of 'seminars' , discussions advertised as such, based on some of the interesting material on the Internet? This way if members of the public come along and see only a few people it will not look like a poorly attended public meeting, but a lively well attended seminar!

The 'programme', or 'series' that could be compiled would include the URL (Web-site address) of the material forming the basis of the discussion. For those without access to the Internet themselves , it might encourage them to go to the local library to look up a specific site - which would be a worthwhile 'learning curve' in itself.

It would be important at this stage to emphasise that the sites chosen need to be ones that have material that is short, concise and easy to assimilate for people not familiar with the Internet, if they are not to be put of by sites with reams of dull text to read on-line. For the purposes of this article I have used www.secularsites.freeuk.com/Serious.htm because I am very familiar with the many links to the many sites there. They have all sorts of material, and most of them have been carefully chosen for their concise layout and presentation of interesting and wide-ranging content, and are easy to find.

Anyone who can go to a meeting can go to a library, and as anyone who has experience of the U3A members are expected to take part in groups, not just sit and listen like zombies. In my experience of humanist meetings most of those who do attend do actually want to participate.

Not only this but the list of topics is endless and all can be based on up to date, controversial ideas, or the views of well known people we could not possibly invite to meetings! Or the ideas of historical figures such as Thomas Paine or Robert Ingersol, or subjects such as evolution or censorship. For members too it would encourage simple research and participation, and could be tailored to the expertise of, and the interest of members in learning something they may not already have come across.

In addition a programme that had interesting or eye catching titles such as:-

1. "Are Bertrand Russell's Essays Still Relevant to us Today" (No.34)

2. "Who is Joe Sommer?" (No.35)

3. "Carl Sagan and his Dragon in the Garage"

4. "Was Teresa of Calcutta a Saint" (Nos 33 or 40)

5. "Did Atheism cause two world wars?"

6. "Have a laugh at religion" /Fun.htm

7. "Religion as the bringer of Justice and Humanity?" (No.24)

8. "Religion as a Health Hazard" (No.24)

9. "Sneaky ways and Dirty Tricks to stop the discussion"

This last one (9) is very relevant to people who often discuss ideas that are new to people such a secular humanists. It could be used to discuss the many devices that people use to divert argument away from things they do not want you to say, such as the Straw Man, Argumentum ad populum, Circular reasoning or Non sequitur just four from a list of 31.

It could be based on the list that is on www.c.s.e.freeuk.com (The Campaign for Secular Education web-site) To go directly add /falacies.htm to the URL (above)

This site (c.s.e) also has all the arguments against 'faith schools' educational, social, rights issues and general community aspects, and includes speakers notes and handouts with an outline of the issues.

All of the above and many more could be based on just a few of the web-sites on

www.secularsites.freeuk.com/Serious.htm and

www.secularsites.freeuk.com/Fun.htm

(The numbers by the titles, refer to the number of the link on the secularsites directory)

Another important advantage, is that in publicising the programme, in say in your local library, or even a bought advertisement, you would be encouraging people to look at some of our best web-sites, and introduce them to some of our best advocates.

Topics could be devised using any other web-site that you know of. (Although it would be equally possible to take material from web-sites that you disagree with, to argue against, but the advantage of promoting secular humanist sites would be lost in advertising the seminars)

To see a mock up of a promotional leaflet CLICK HERE

They could be based on chapters of books but this is much more difficult.

I hope this is helpful and that anyone who tries it well let me know how it goes.

Sue