MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings fellow HAC members,

So far 2008 has been a busy one for both the board and the members! I have a lot to report so let me get right to it.

The Federation Model is complete and will be in the mail this week. The Federation Model Committee members, Barrie Webster, Doug Thomas, and Peter Moller who acted in an advisory capacity, did a lot of very thoughtful and in-depth work on this model. I would like to especially commend Doug for his efforts, chairing the committee, and keeping us all focused. There is no need for too much detail here about the Federation Model as the packages you will receive will be self-explanatory. Because of delays in the mailout, the deadline for voting has been extended to April 26, 2008 and ballots must be postmarked that date to be considered. You will begin receiving them next week.

It is everyone’s best interest to vote on the Federation Model. The board and the committee have done a lot of work and the membership has had this issue in front of them for three years now. The larger the voting numbers, the better represented you, the members, will be. We are all anxious for a final result so we can move forward with exciting HAC business.

We anticipate much discussion on this very important vote. As the Federation Model Committee members cannot be expected to respond to all the anticipated questions and comments, the board and the committee will be monitoring the HAC-Business list and will respond where necessary.

Next, we have some exciting news regarding a donation made to HAC just over a year ago. We have placed ourselves in the enviable position of having to spend at least $88,000 by the end of March 2008. We have two plans, one of which will take place immediately, and one which will be an ongoing initiative.

First, we are pleased to announce that Humanist Association of Canada will become a Supporting Sponsor of the current Darwin: the Evolution Revolution exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto . The museum has been having trouble getting an official sponsor for this exhibit due to the continuing controversy surrounding evolutionary theory by some faith groups. It is hard to believe that in 2008 there still exists controversy over the reality of evolution, but there we are. To this end, HAC will donate $50,000 to the ROM. Here are some of the benefits we will enjoy through our sponsorship:

• Sponsorship credit on ALL marketing and promotional material
• Recognition of sponsorship in media releases
• Recognition of sponsorship (HAC name and logo) on their paid advertising, on-site signage, flyers and brochures
• 100 general admission tickets to the ROM
• HAC logo recognition and reciprocal hotlink on the ROM website with our website

   

This incredible public recognition is only part of the story. The ROM will go out of its way to promote HAC as an organization, which in spite of its size, is willing to help educate young and old where other larger organizations fear to tread. The media spotlight we will enjoy will put us at the front of freethought initiatives in Canada and make the HAC name known far and wide.

The second step towards spending our disbursement quota is our Education Grant Program. The application form and criteria will be displayed on the website. Application is open to any individual or organization planning to educate Canadians about Humanism. Successful applicants need not be Humanist associations, or HAC members, but priority will be given to those two groups. The time is short to spend this money so please send in your applications by March 30, 2008. Grant details are on our website - please go to: www.humanists.ca. One important aspect of the grant above is how much control HAC will have over how the funds are spent. This control is out of our control. All local Humanist groups will be receiving a letter about this but here is the gist: we have received a ruling from our accountant that we must retain control over the monies we disburse that require a tax receipt. The exception is when the group to which we send money is already a registered charity. If one donates money to a non-registered charitable group through HAC, we cannot give you a tax receipt. If you are not a registered charity you are still eligible for the grant but HAC will have to exercise control over how the money is spent.

We are excited to announce that the CHN will be available online… and in full colour! This will help us both save money and help the environment. CHN is published quarterly so be sure to check the website for updates. If you would like to stop receiving CHN by mail, please inform the editor at broderic@kos.net. By the way, the online version is also printable for those wishing to do so.

We thank you for the many compliments received for our new website. One fact we can be proud of is the number of hits to our website since its new design and launch on January 13: December: 386, January: 1639, February: 10,050, March (first week): 3375. To this end, I want to thank Kathy Meidell, our Executive Director, for her hard work in giving HAC a professional web presence. A website is often an organization’s first impression to the world, so it is vital that we have a dynamic, attractive, and positive image.

Freethought TV did a wonderful job at our 2007 AGM showcasing June Callwood (our 2007 Humanist of the Year) in a touching video tribute. This professionally-produced tribute included interviews with directors of Casey House (a world-renowned AIDS hospice founded by June), quotes, and music. We are pleased that Freethought TV will be covering our 2008 Conference as well. For more information about Freethought TV, please go to: www.Freethought.TV.

For those of you who do not know, HAC member Age Smies hosts his own Humanist show on Trent Radio. Age’s program runs every Sunday, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. You can hear the show online at any time by logging on to www.trentu.ca/org/trentradio. I have been a guest on the show, as have many other Canadian Humanists. Please support Age as he continues to promote Humanism in Ontario.

Finally, the news you have all been waiting for: the 2008 AGM and Conference!

Although this is an election year, I regret to inform you that there will not be an election due to lack of nominations (4 to date). This means that the board will be accepted by acclamation. Some board members will not be returning so we will be appointing several over the next few months. More information will be in the next CHN.

The 2008 HAC AGM & Conference will take place in Toronto , Ontario , during August 2 - 4 (Civic Holiday weekend). With our 40th anniversary this year and the exciting ROM sponsorship, we expect 2008 to be our biggest and best HAC event to-date! There is a gala event planned which will take place at the ROM in conjunction with the Darwin display. We are already talking to some high profile speakers, discussing entertainment options, and by having the event in southern Ontario , we expect an even greater turnout than last year (which holds our attendance record to-date). The August long weekend promises to be informative and fun with guest speakers, music, comedy, booth displays, a gala dinner, awards, prizes, and some surprises. Details will be posted on our website within the next few days.

Finally, I would like to announce the newest member of the HAC administration team: Kate Balogh. Kate will take over the administration duties currently undertaken by Peter Moller. We are as excited about Kate’s arrival as we are saddened by Peter’s departure. For many years, Peter has dedicated many hours to the smooth financial running of HAC. Most of you never see what goes on behind the scenes but with the work of people like Peter, you never had to worry. Kate will have big shoes to fill but we are confident that the transfer of duties will take place with a minimum of stress to our organization. Thank you again to Peter and welcome Kate!

I leave you now with thanks for your patience as we work towards a new brighter future. With monies going to high profile initiatives such as the Evolution display and smaller amounts being disbursed to other worthwhile endeavours, I think we are now truly on the verge of great things!

All the best to you and your families.

Pat O’Brien

President