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Hello Members and Friends!

Welcome to October!

Hope you all are ready to attend some excellent programs including our first workshop!

*Note* We gave complementary 1 year voting memberships to all those who shared contact details with us before October 1st 2018. Those memberships have now expired. All that means is you can't vote at our annual members meeting, be nominated for the Board of Directors, or serve as an officer of the group. You are free to attend all meetings and events that are open to the public including our Annual Members meeting this month. This only applies to people who have NOT paid for a membership before October 1, 2019. If you aren't sure send us a note to contact_us@humanistswle.org

If you visit our online membership page and "renew" for the coming year before October 12th you can vote and serve on the Board. The rules of the library doesn't allow us to accept memberships at the meeting.

RENEW NOW

We are also offering a special deal until the end of the year:

Donate $50 or more or pledge at least $5 a month and we will give you a free 1 year membership to the group. Visit our donation page and follow the FAQ at the bottom of the page.

SPECIAL DEAL

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Annual Members Meeting and Book Nook

Saturday, October 12, 2019 1 PM

Lagrange Branch Library 3224 Lagrange St Toledo 43608

The first half of this month's general meeting will be our annual member's meeting. An agenda will be provided but in general the Board of Directors will give an update on the state of the group. We will consider any proposed changes to the Bylaws, nominate members to be on the Board for next term, and hold elections.

The 2nd half of the meeting we will be sharing what books we are currently reading. They don't need to be about Humanism but if you think it might be related that will be great.

Although our meetings are free and open to the public you must be a voting member to vote at our annual meeting and to serve on the Board of Directors. A voting member is someone who has an active paid membership. We will have Board officers available to verify if you are a voting member or you can contact us before the meeting at contact_us@humanistswle.org

We will have light refreshments.

We will be in the Meeting Room

This event is open to the public

Humanist Nooner - MaMa's Kitchen

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 12:00 – 1:30 PM

MaMa's Kitchen - 2556 Tremainsville Rd, Toledo 43613

Join host Doug Berger each month as he explores some of the fine eating establishments in the Toledo metro area for lunch.

Looking for a fun time without a boring meeting, then Humanist Nooners is the place to be.

Although the food isn’t free, the conversation will be and it is open to the public. Meet some other Humanists and Freethinkers. You can even ask questions about Humanism and freethought. It might also be nice to bring a can good to donate a local Food bank and some ideas for our next food adventure.

This event is open to the public

Humanism - an Introduction Workshop and Discussion

Tuesday, October 22, 2019 7 PM

West Toledo Branch Library - 1320 W Sylvania Ave Toledo 43612

SHoWLE President Douglas Berger will explore the details about the Humanist philosophy including the history, what the Humanist consensus is today, and how to apply Humanism in your everyday life. Besides his 30 years of experience in working with Humanist communities, Doug will also use the book "Creating Change Through Humanism" by Roy Speckhardt.

Each session will include some opening remarks or presentation then we will transition to a group discussion.

This is a multi-part workshop meeting once a month for at least 4 sessions. It is free and open to the public. Participants aren't required to attend all the sessions in order.

We will be in Meeting Room A in the Basement

This event is open to the public

More Upcoming Events

News & Notes

Member's meeting and Board elections coming in October

We will be having our annual member's meeting and Board elections during the first half of our general meeting on October 12, 2019.

This is the time the current officers talk about the past year and give member's an update on the general financial health of the group as well as plans for the future. We also will be holding elections for the Board of Directors. The only requirement to serve on the Board is to be a voting member in good standing - having paid dues for the year makes you a voting member.

We can have up to 7 people on the Board and all four current Board members wish to return in the next term so we have 3 openings. If you are interested let us know and make sure your membership is paid up for the year.

We have not received any proposed Bylaw changes within the time frame called for in Article Six of the SHoWLE Bylaws so we will not be considering any changes on October 12th.

Building a Humanist Community in Toledo Campaign

SHoWLE has started a Gofundme campaign to reach people who may or may not live in Toledo but would like to support our efforts to build a Humanist community. Money raised would go toward operating the group for 2019-2020 so we don't have to raise money all year.

Visit the link and read our story and if you have like minded friends in Northwest Ohio or elsewhere who you think would help us out, share the page.

Campaign Page

Ohio Politicians Need To Stop Practicing Medicine Without A Licence

It seems like everyday the Ohio legislature is introducing or passing yet another abortion restriction bill. The claim is it is saving babies or protecting the health of the mother, but it seems that is lie. The Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie demand that Ohio politicians stop practicing medicine without a licence as they unfairly and unjustly regulate women while ignoring actual medical science.

Read our press release

Letter-to-the-Editor

SHoWLE President Douglas Berger had a letter to the editor published in the Toledo Blade on Monday September 30:

"Recent reports say that the number of abortions reported are at the lowest level since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Some forced-birth supporters may think strict anti-abortion laws like we have in Ohio reduced abortions. Recent research says that is not the case."

Read the letter

Add Us To Your Kroger Plus Card

SHoWLE is now part of the Kroger Community Rewards program. Add us on your Kroger Plus card, using our group number XC299, and we get a small percentage of your total purchases donated.

Are you a member?

Joining the Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie gets you the following benefits:

A nifty membership card to show off to friends and family
A monthly meeting with like minded people
Ability to guide and vote on the direction of the group
Serve in leadership positions and on our Board of Directors
Discounts on sponsored events and group merchandise
Regular communications about meetings, events, and other topics of interest to the group before the general public

We have two membership plans:

$10 for an Individual
$20 for a Household (two or more people at the same address)

Just see a Board member at our next meeting or event or click on the button below to pay online or to get information on mailing it in.

Join Now

Do you have a special skill or hobby? Do you have an idea for a program or event you would like to see hosted by SHoWLE??
Let us know!

Send us your idea for a program or event

If you are looking for meaning and solemnity to life celebrations, gatherings, and communities from a secular perspective, please contact Shawn Meagley at Secular Occasions. She is committed to helping humanists through the most important times in life including birth, love, loss, morality, and mortality. Each celebration or ceremony is personalized to be meaningful and professional with a humanist approach.

You can now donate to the Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie

Please help us provide a supportive local community for humanists and other nontheists, while promoting ethical and reasonable secular world views through education, community service, outreach, activism, and social events.

You can use Paypal or a credit card. Donations are tax deductible.

Donate Online

You can always donate at one of our meetings or events or send your check or money order to:

Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie
PO Box 6433
Toledo, OH 43612-0433

We are also connected with the Amazon Smile program. If you choose SHoWLE as your charity then a portion of sales you complete will be sent to us. Use this link to choose us:

Amazon Smiles

Our Mission:

The mission of the Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie is to provide a supportive local community for humanists and other nontheists, while promoting an ethical, reasonable, and secular approach to life through education, community service, outreach, activism, and social events.

We envision a Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan where secular people are respected and integrated in broader society, live values of reason and compassion, and enjoy a friendly humanist community.