News

11Nov 2024 by Robert Hamilton

A Gathering of Ottawa Humanists

Members Only
Tonight’s theme: How should Humanist Ottawa take a stand? There are many issues on which humanists, atheists, agnostics, secularists and free-thinkers have something to say. Members met to discuss what inclusive decision-making process should the group use to ensure that the humanist voice is expressed with timely and relevant impact. This informal roundtable discussion took place in a unique and friendly atmosphere where mutual respect and compassion were the ground rules for thoughtful discussion. Humanist Ottawa members were fully engaged in the free-wheeling conversation!
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01Oct 2024 by aglaser

Skeptics in the Pub: Ottawa

Meetup
Humanist Ottawa hosts pub nights.  This is a great way to chat informally with secular folks.  To attend, join Humanist Ottawa to receive notifications or if you aren't ready for that commitment, attend one of our Humanist Ottawa events announced on Meetup.com.  :)
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03Oct 2018 by aglaser

Documentary showing: Highway of Tears

Advocacy
To raise awareness about the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada, Humanist Ottawa, Center For Inquiry Ottawa, and the Global Justice Working Group of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa hosted a screening of the 2015 documentary "Highway of Tears" on Tuesday October 2nd 7:30 pm at the First Unitarian Church in Westboro.  A couple of Humanist Ottawa members served refreshments from the kitchen to a full house before the showing of the documentary, and there was some very good discussion afterwards, including comments from people directly affected by the issue.  We also raised a decent sum to donate to the youth at risk "Wasa Nawin" program at the Odawa Friendship Center.  Thanks to all who attended and made the event possible.
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05Aug 2018 by aglaser

Humanist Ottawa Annual General Meeting & Summer BBQ 2018

Meetup, Members Only
Thanks to everyone who came out to Humanist Ottawa's 50th Annual General Meeting! Thanks also to Richard and Rejeanne Thain for providing the beautiful venue.  Everyone brought delicious things to share and J.P. Westerlund masterfully cooked up some burgers so we made him agree to another year of working for us as our President. We honoured one of the original members, Blodwen Piercy, who's been a member of Humanist Ottawa for 50 years, with a lifetime achievement award:  
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05May 2018 by aglaser

Panel Discussion: Freedom of Expression under Fire!

Advocacy
Humanist Ottawa (the Humanist Association of Ottawa) presented a panel discussion May 3rd, 2018 at the Main Branch of the Ottawa Public Library on freedom of expression in academia and the media.  The panelists included Lindsay Shepherd, Dr. Rick Mehta, Dr. Christopher DiCarlo, and Henry Beissel. Admission was free.        The Humanist Association of Ottawa was founded in 1968 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Blodwen Piercy, a founding member of the Humanist Association of Ottawa is seated in the second row beside the woman wearing the blue top. She was recognized and thanked by Richard Thain on behalf of the Humanist Association of Ottawa for the many significant contributions she has made over the years. Sheila Ayala presented her with flowers as a symbol of our appreciation…
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13Apr 2018 by aglaser

Public Funds for Public Schools

Advocacy, One School System
The publicly funded Halton Catholic District School Board passed a resolution to ban fundraising for charities that run counter to Catholic values. Under this ban, its schools will no longer be able to raise money for groups that directly or indirectly support abortion, contraception, sterilization, euthanasia or embryonic stem cell research. This means their students will have to dissociate from charities such as the Red Cross, the Canadian Cancer Society, all hospitals including Sick Kids Hospital, the Terry Fox Foundation, all universities, all science centres and other organizations. The Separate School Board System is financed with public money and by accepting these funds, they forfeit the right to impose their values in the public domain. Humanist Ottawa members attended a press conference regarding this issue held on Parliament Hill from…
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09Apr 2018 by aglaser

The Ottawa Wedding Show

Officiant support
Humanist Ottawa sponsored a small booth at The Ottawa Wedding Show at the EY Center on April 7-8, 2018.  A few local officiants chipped in and took shifts occupying the booth, which was tastefully decorated by two of our volunteers.   Brochures were printed and distributed by the wedding show and the officiants in the booth.  We gained some valuable insights on promoting Humanist Officiants and have a few good ideas about where to go from here.
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10Dec 2017 by aglaser

Winter Solstice Potluck 2017

Meetup, Members Only
Humanist Ottawa's annual winter solstice Potluck was held on December 9th, 2017.  We had a raffle for some Humanist Association of Ottawa (HAO) t-shirts, collected some cash for the food-bank, and shared some delicious food. Afterwards we played a secret-santa game that involved stealing and a surprise twist: the organizers planted a gift of coal among the presents and the person who picked the coal became the Grinch! The grinch was then allowed to redistribute the gifts.  We were lucky to end up with a very big hearted grinch who made sure everyone ended up with their prefered gift.
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