Thursday, June 26
12:00pm - 4:00pm

Building Humanist Power: A Workshop for Chapter Leaders & Organizers

Whether you're looking to take your group to the next level or start one from scratch, join us for a dynamic half-day workshop designed for current and aspiring humanist organizers who want to grow thriving communities, develop strong leadership teams, and make an impact in an increasingly crazy world. Through interactive sessions, peer learning, and practical tools, you’ll leave with fresh strategies, renewed inspiration, and a network of fellow organizers working to build a more compassionate, reason-based world. Whether you’re brand new to organizing or a seasoned leader, this workshop will help you grow your skills, your group, and your vision for bringing our communities something to believe in, belong to, and fight for.

12:00pm - 1:00pm
The Power of Play in Community Building with Emily Newman and Jake Via

Join the AHA’s Organizing Director, Jake Via, and the AHA’s Program Manager, Emily Newman, for an inspirational session that brings us together through play. 

All mammals play, it’s evolutionary hardcoded into our beings. Play builds empathy, creates joy, and unforgettable experiences and feelings that last long after the session is over. 

Jake Via has been leading adults in play for over two decades. In this interactive session we will talk about the state of the humanist community, where we believe future growth can happen, and how we can infuse playful joy into our spaces. We’ll leave this session with a sore belly from laughing, more than a few new friends, and a renewed sense of inspiration for what’s possible in our home communities.

1:00pm - 1:45pm
Strategies for Youth Engagement with Alicia Johnson and Miura Rempis-Locke

Join a youth organizer and a manager of youth programs for a conversation about how to engage young people authentically and build youth programs that work. Following a presentation about approaches to and examples of youth engagement tactics, we will open to small and large group discussions with Alicia Johnson and Miura Rempis-Locke.

1:45pm - 2:00pm

Bio Break

2:00pm - 2:30pm
The Ties that Bind: Models for Building and Strengthening Local Humanist Communities with Audrey Kingstrom

Session objectives:
• To clarify the value proposition that AHA chapters and affiliates offer members and friends as humanist organizations and secular “communities”
• To explore the concept and experience of “community” among session participants
• To identify various models of community formation and functioning
• To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various models of community organizations

2:30pm - 3:00pm
Community Days - A Member Led Program to Learn, Share, and Grow while Building Community Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago with Katie Merrell, Carrie Ost, and Charlie Saxe

Coming out of the pandemic, the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago initiated an experiment of our “Community Days” program. Our Community Days are community led discussions and activities designed to bring us together to learn and grow. On alternating Sundays we explore a range of topics including ethical frameworks and dilemmas, building community, enlisting in ethical action, exploring creative expression and sharing our talents and interests. The Community Days programs draw from our members’ experiences and expertise and presents an opportunity for us to connect and engage with each other. For the AHA workshop, members of our Community Days Committee will share our successes and challenges of developing and designing the program, cultivating community, and encouraging our members to return to in person activities. Through this presentation we hope to stimulate an exchange of ideas, perspectives and insights among those in attendance.

3:00pm - 3:30pm
How to Herd Cats: Humanist Community Building 101 Community Organizing / Grassroots Organizing with Evan Clark

Evan will use his 15 years of knowledge building secular communities to break down:
- How to host more exciting/memorable events
- How to market events in the digital age
- How to get attention / new members
- How to attract younger people to your events"

3:30pm - 4:00pm
RSB Rockstar and Wrap-Up with Jake Via

Speakers

Jake Via

As the Organizing Director for the American Humanist Association, Jake Via is dedicated to building and mobilizing a strong grassroots network to advance humanist values across the country. With nearly two decades of experience in community engagement, program development, and leadership at the YMCA and Playworks, Jake has a deep understanding of how to bring people together around shared values.

A firm believer in the power of connection, Jake specializes in empowering individuals and local groups to take meaningful action, whether through community building, advocacy, or acts of service. He is currently leading efforts to expand and activate AHA’s membership base, ensuring humanists have a strong network and voice in their local communities and on the national level.

Jake holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State University. He is passionate about the power of play, believing that shared play experiences foster empathy, strengthen communities, and break down barriers. Throughout his career, he has championed play as a tool for engagement, inclusion, and personal growth.

Jake lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his wife, Anabel, and their three dogs. When he’s not working to organize humanists, you can find him exploring new ideas, writing, or dreaming about sailing.

Emily Newman

Emily Newman is the Program Manager at the American Humanist Association’s Center for Education. She holds a BS in psychology and creative writing as well as a MA in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University. Emily grew up in Ethical Culture and has been active with the Future of Ethical Societies, the National Ethical Service, and the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization. For over eight years, she has assisted local non-profits with social media, design, website development, and marketing.

Alicia Johnson

Alicia Johnson is the National Organizer and Student Network Manager at Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Alicia got her start as a student organizer advocating for sexual health and rights and now has several years’ experience advancing health equity and social justice at organizations including Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts, Common Cause New York and American Heart Association of NYC. She has managed campaigns; trained and built the capacity of youth and adult advocates and leaders; and helped pass city and state policies to help people and communities thrive.

Alicia earned her master’s degree in public administration from Baruch College and a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and women’s and gender studies from Boston College.

Miura Rempis-Locke

Miura Rempis-Locke serves as a High School Program Facilitator out of Nashville, Tennessee and is a former Dr. Anne Moses Fellow. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and History from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Public Administration and Policy from American University. By day, Miura is a paralegal for the State of Tennessee, and by night is an advocate, author, and avid reader. One of IGNITE’s resident pageant queens, she holds a title under the Miss Volunteer America Scholarship organization and most recently served as Miss Tennessee Sweetheart. Building off of her efforts as a fellow, Miura aims to continue her initiative, “The Pageant to Politician Pipeline” in her new role as a High School Program facilitator to help girls and young women across the region build confidence both on stage and behind a debate podium. Contact Miura with your inquiries about starting an IGNITE Chapter at your local school at miura@ignitenational.org. 

Audrey Kingstrom

Audrey Kingstrom is board member of HumanistsMN, a chapter of the AHA, and coordinates their robust array of programs, as well as serves the broader community as a Humanist Celebrant. She is also a member of the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis where she has been creating and producing humanist, earth-centered seasonal celebrations for over twenty years.

Katie Merrell

Katie Merrell is a Humanist Celebrant and the Rental/Events Coordinator for the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago.

Carrie Ost

Carrie Ost is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago, a chapter of the American Humanist Association.

Charlie Saxe

Charlie Saxe is the Skokie Sustainability Commissioner for the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago.

Evan Clark

Evan is a humanist entrepreneur, public speaker, and award-winning community organizer with over 14 years experience tinkering with secular communities. He is currently the Executive Director of Atheists United in Los Angeles, CA, the Southern California State Director for American Atheists, and a Board Member for the American Humanist Association.

Evan was previously the Creative Director at Spectrum Experience LLC, North American Coordinator for Young Humanists International, Chair of the Secular Student Alliance Board of Directors, co-host of the Humanist Experience podcast, co-founder of the Humanist Community of Ventura County, and President of the Secular Student Alliance at California Lutheran University.