Announcement List for the Virginia Atheists & Agnostics

[John Kubinski <>]

To the Virginia Atheists and Agnostics,

I'm writing to stimulate discussion about the coming year and the future of this organization in general. My remaining time is short, and I find myself uncertain about what I will leave behind, and to whom I will leave it. In the interest of current and future constituents, I'm seeking to ensure that whatever future arrives for the VAA, is one that embodies the clear, informed, and directed will of its members. In short, I wish for the future to be chosen.

What kind of future could we have? In order to choose, in the meaningful sense, we must know what is possible. Thus my aim here is to (1) sketch possible futures and (2) have serious discussion about which possibility is most desirable. I would like for people to think about it and discuss it. Democracy.

At the Secular Student Alliance conference which I have just attended, I've learned of the histories and happenings of other atheist groups, and how their fates are determined. There are some groups which diminish and cease, and others which grow and flourish. From my observations and intuitions, I now question the sustainability of the VAA after the current generation graduates. Without generating more appeal to the student body, and without securing young leaders to take over, I'm not sure what will come of this organization. 

In addition to my prediction absent any changes, I want to offer some other possibilities and considerations. The number of atheists is growing - and that includes the number at our university. There are more atheists at UVA who are outside the VAA than within it. One possible future includes those other atheists, as well as more from incoming classes. From empirical information gathered about other atheist groups, here is what that future might entail:

- Having a message, an image, and a vision, which can be widely broadcasted, in a resonant manner, to potential members, in addition to the larger university community

- Creating a club which is compelling to people who care, and which additionally compels people to care

- Having a diverse range of activities which appeals to the diverse range of interests that atheists have; such as, discussion, public speakers, debates, socializing, service, community building, awareness raising, secular activism, fundraising, regular tabling, among others. The point is to have many activities which appeal to many atheists; attracting participation happens because an organization satisfies the desires atheists have to be, to inform, and to act

- Cooperating with LGBTQ and feminist groups on issues that we share ground on, which religions oppose. We can spread our message to their members, and theirs to ours.

- Making a serious effort to recruit and retain, early and often. Channel the will of many local atheists, and congeal it into a flourishing organization

- Having events we care about, and advertising them fiercely and intelligently - to improve the event, bring in potential members, and achieve public visibility

- Participating in University events, forums, writing the Cav Daily, etc.

- Having large public events with over one hundred attendants (which can certainly be done with speakers and debates)

- Have a serious coordinated executive board with specific responsibilities

- Delegate tasks in a real and meaningful manner, including to non-officers who just want to be involved

- Having sub-teams and committees that undertake specific projects and needs, repeatedly, and thus get better at them

- Having a dedicated art designer and PR person

- Learning about and getting involved with the secular movement that is growing around the country. This includes using the resources of groups like CFI (Center For Inquiry), SSA (Secular Student Alliance), and being in support of groups like FFRF (Freedom From Religion Foundation), the American Atheists, and others

- Learning about and cooperating with other atheist groups in Virginia (they exist; hey, like us!)

- Know what we're doing, and why we're doing it, so we can tell others in a compelling manner

- Having a serious digital presence; documenting everything we do, recording our events, disseminating photos, etc. so that people know who we are, and so that we have something to show

- Being goal-oriented and purpose-driven (thanks to Rick Warren =p); this enables self-evaluation, improvement, and the feeling of progress in a direction

- Letting professors know about us, so they'll support us and speak for us (because they will)

- Date auctioning Elizabeth (joke!)

- Having money to improve our activities (like with free food!)

- Preparing leadership transitions extensively and carefully in advance, to not lose gains, to make the future better, and to involve and invest the youth

- Attracting media, and intentionally generating publicity

- Having meta-meetings; our own seminars about how to improve the group and run better events

- Being willing to learn, and act on what we learn

The above points are integral to the possible future being considered. The atheist groups I have seen with robustly active and sustainable membership do these things, and they do them well. I've omitted things related to building friendships and community, since that's already a vibrant aspect of our group.

One of the main things I have to report from the SSA's annual conference this year is this: the secular movement is growing and changing, surprisingly more than I expected. There are many highly active student groups participating in it, and who are achieving their goals. Making argument for the non-existence of god is no longer all there is to atheism; legal and political battles are being won, culture is evolving, perceptions and practices are changing - because of secular activism. And of course, the sheer number of atheists is growing as well, and they are having secular groups to turn to in their lives rather than churches. Dawkins and his message are just one part of the constellation now. The secular movement has taken shape in a way I never expected, and I simply have not been informed about its growing power, professionalism, and coherence. Student groups that have participated in this larger movement have been very successful on account of doing so. My report raises the question then: do you want to be a part of it?

Every opinion is valid, I'd like to hear from any one who has to say something. I need to know what everyone wants, so that I can do things to actualize those desires before I leave. After the discussion has taken shape, I will probably offer more information, in response to the emerging consensus (or consensi). While this e-mail is being sent the announcement list, I'm going to forward it to the separate discussion list to allow everyone to comment. Any suggestions will be inoperable if I don't have them before the fall semester begins, so I need to hear from you!

Thank you for reading and please share your thoughts,

John Kubinski

VAA President