We held our regular board meeting this past Monday evening. It was a good opportunity to handle some overdue business. Here are the minutes. You can find them (sans surnames) online as well.
1 – Bryan was voted onto the BOD as an ad hoc member. This brings our board to a total of 8.
2 – A discussion was had about possibly changing our name from the “Central Minnesota Friends Free of Theism” to the “Central Minnesota Freethinkers”. This would not only shorten our moniker but prevent us from being mislabeled as “Friends of Theism”. It’s happened a couple of times. The Board voted in favor of the change. If anyone objects to this name change or has another suggestion, please let us know by April 3, our next coffee gathering. Barring any strong objections, the change will take effect then.
3 – We discussed dates, times and places for our annual Summer Solstice Party. We’re looking into reserving the Sauk Rapids Municipal Park Shelter again, if it isn’t already spoken for, and the date will probably be during the weekend of June 17, 18, 19. We’ll keep everyone posted when the details are firmed up.
4 – Our next general meeting will be April 18th at 7:00 pm in the Mississippi Room at the Public Library. We are hoping P.Z. Myers will come and speak to us but that is not confirmed yet. Any ideas about other, future programs would be appreciated.
5 – Tomorrow night (well, several nights ago--we're a little late with this) the Secular Student Alliance at SCSU will be presenting Jen McCreight (the Blag Hag) at the Atwood Center on campus. Several of us will be going to hear her speak.
6 – Beth conducted interviews with biologist and renowned atheist P.Z. Myers and the head of AIG (Answers In Genesis) Terry Mortenson a few weeks ago. She asked each the same list of questions and their answers will be made available on our website.
7 – It’s coming time to think about raising the money for our annual donation to Camp Quest, a non-sectarian summer camp held at Camp Voyageur in Minnetrista each year. Our donation allows one child in need to attend the camp. We will need to raise about $400. Donations can be made through PayPal on our website.
8 – The link is still on our website for the survey of atheists by Christopher Garneau at the University of Nebraska. Anyone wishing to participate the survey can do so there.
9 – Clint hooked up his computer and we all got a primer on how our website works, how articles can be submitted and how donations can be made through PayPal. It was incredibly informative. The fog is lifting.
10 – Other Business – The date for this year’s highway clean-up will be checked by Tom. (Turns out it's planned for May 22--watch the website for details.) We also voted to again participate, with the Minnesota Atheists, at this year’s Pride Festival in August or early September. Details of both will be on the website when confirmed.
11 - Meeting adjourned.
That's all for now. We hope to see you at the coffee social Monday the 3rd of April.