Concord Area Humanists was formed in 2009, originally by members of the First Parish Concord, but soon joined by Unitarian Universalists from other, nearby towns and by non-UUs as well.
You’re Invited!
We organize frequent open discussions, often with guest speakers. We enjoy investigating the intersection of science and culture, ethics and social trends, books and ideas, from a rational Humanist perspective, where we are influenced by evidential information rather than by supernatural dogma. Your thoughts and participation will be most welcome!
The life stance of Humanism -- guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience -- encourages us to live life well and fully.
Our Mission
- Build a community of people who share Humanist world views and values.
- Inspire and support our members to live and act in accordance with Humanist values to build a more humane, just, compassionate, and democratic society using a pragmatic ethics based on human reason, experience, and reliable knowledge.
- Promote positive awareness and understanding of Humanism in the Concord area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about our group.
How can I find out about upcoming meetings?
We post our meetings on Meetup.com, where you can find the most up-to-date information and leave an RSVP for meetings you would like to attend. Signing up for our Google Group is another way to receive our announcements.
Does it cost anything to join CAH?
We do not have formal dues but we do ask people to pitch in $5 (or more if they want) to a basket at meetings held at the First Parish Concord since we must pay for the use of the room. (Any money we collect over that amount is split between the speaker and our treasury to pay the expenses for future speakers.)
We highly recommend that you join one or both of the national organizations we are affiliated with: the American Humanist Association and the HUUmanists, the Unitarian Universalists Humanist Association. You can join on-line at both these organizations' websites.
Do I need to RSVP to come to events?
Usually, you do not have to RSVP. Occasionally, we have special events like the Darwin Day Birthday Party where we provide food, so we do require an RSVP for planning purposes. If you need to RSVP, this will always be clearly stated in the event announcement.
I'm not really a Humanist or not sure. Am I still welcome?
Of course! Many of our topics are about history, science, the environment, or many other general-interest topics. We welcome all who like to engage in rational, friendly discussion.
I'm not a Unitarian Universalist. Am I still welcome?
Of course! We make use of the excellent facilities at the UU fellowship in Concord but we are not just a UU group. Humanism has strong roots in the UU tradition that we are proud of, but many of our members are completely unaffiliated with any religion.
How are you organized?
We have a steering committee of about 10 members who organize meetings and generally run things. The steering committee is democratic and does a lot of its work by email using a Google Group. We also have a few sub-committees for publicity, special events and the like. Most of our steering committee meetings are held after regular Wednesday meetings and they're open for anyone to attend. (If you attend a few and contribute you'll most likely be asked to join the committee.) We have a treasurer to handle the bank account but no other formal officers.
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit as a chapter of the AHA.