KINDLING THE HUMANIST SPARK AGENDA

Friday, August 2

LOCATION: Tufts University Interfaith Center

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Check-in

  • Click here for details on checking into your dorm room if you’re staying on campus.

  • Get settled in your room or hang out in the Interfaith Center to escape the heat.

6:00 PM

Group Dinner

  • Join us for a group dinner hosted by your event organizers.

7:00 PM

Welcome

  • Indigenous acknowledgment.

  • Create joint ground rules for the weekend.

7:10 PM

Opening Plenary Address

  • We’ll kick things off with a rousing opening presentation by the Humanist Chaplain at MIT & Harvard and best-selling humanist author, Greg Epstein!

8:00 PM

Debate & Desserts

  • We’ll take the ideas presented by Greg in our opening plenary and discuss them more personally.

  • Open up about what inspired you to attend this summit and why humanism matters to YOU.

  • Engage in the beautiful art of debate over desserts.

Saturday, August 3

LOCATION: Tufts University Interfaith Center

8:30 AM

Doors Open

9:00 AM

Welcome

  • Overview of the day and reminder of ground rules.

9:15 AM

The Practice of Being Human

10:15 AM

Health Break

10:30 AM

Scientist and Humanist: Balancing intersecting identities to live a meaningful life

  • Presentation by Christian Loyo, PhD Candidate in the Department of Biology at MIT.

  • The benefits to humanity provided by science are ever-increasing, from renewable energy sources to treatments to disease. Never before have we known so much about the world we inhabit and how to overcome the challenges of our predecessors. Yet, humanity is still faced with immense challenges that require our collective problem-solving abilities. How do we live a meaningful life while helping address the issues we face? In this talk, I will discuss how my identities as a scientist and a humanist have guided and influenced my life. I will invite listeners to reflect on their own identities and values to help guide them through a life of challenges.

11:30 AM

Health Break

12:00 PM

Lunch Break

  • Go explore for lunch but be back by 12:55pm!

12:55 PM

North American Leadership Dialogue

  • Connect with our colleagues in Canada to talk about our national realities, opportunities to collaborate, and the power of a North American humanist model to influence international humanist governance.

2:00 PM

Humanism & Foresight

  • Join the Humanist Chaplain at the University of Ottawa, Srishti Hukku, for an interactive workshop.

3:00 PM

Health Break

3:30 PM

The Power of Rituals (field trip)

  • Together we’ll discuss and critique examples of humanist rituals

  • Then, while in nature, we’ll collaborate to create a new humanist ritual!

  • Meet at the Interfaith Center at 3:30 PM and we’ll drive over together to the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

6:00 PM

Community Dinner & Human Library

  • Each of us has a compelling story about what moves us. Together we’ll spark thoughtful discussions about leadership and provide insights into how youth perceive and develop their leadership skills.

9:30 PM

Free Networking

  • Hang out and network with each other you heathens!

Sunday, August 4

LOCATION: Tufts University Interfaith Center

9:45 AM

Doors Open

10:00 AM

Envisioning the Future: Art, Imagination, and Humanism

  • Express your humanist values through art while you participate in an individual and community photoshoot.

12:00 PM

Secular Indulgence: Expiating the Kyriarchy Within

  • Learn how the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence employ "serious parody", including drag, farce, and harm reduction strategies, to disrupt oppressive systems and uplift queer joy. Brother Gary Cruter and Postulant Sister Tess Tosterone discuss what it means to be queer, areligious ministrants of the Boston SPI. This session includes activities to help you find your joy and to dismantle internal guilt and shame.

1:00 PM

Lunch Break

2:30 PM

Leadership Tips & Tricks

  • Evan Clark, Executive Director at Atheists United, will give a quick presentation on non-profit leadership tips and tricks he’s learned leading a secular community for 5 years.

  • Evan will then lead a workshop that will help you think about what leadership challenges you’re facing and how to come up with creative solutions.

4:00 PM

Dinner Break

6:30 PM

Surprise Evening Activity

  • More details coming soon

MEALS

Evening Group Meals

  • Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings we’re hosting group meals for all attendees at the Tufts Interfaith Center (across the street from residence hall accommodations). These meals will be paid for by the organizers.

All Other Meals

  • Evening group dinners are the only meals included with registration.

  • Participants must purchase/organize their meals throughout the weekend.

  • We recommend the Dewick-MacPhie Dining Center (0.6-mile walk), but there are also many great options walking distance off campus.

Dewick-MacPhie Dining Center:

  • Hours

    • Friday: 7:30 am-8:00 pm

    • Saturday: 8:00 am-9:00 pm

    • Sunday: 11:00 am-9:00 pm

    • Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am-9:00 pm

  • Prices

    • Breakfast: $10.25 per person

    • Lunch: $16.45 per person

    • Dinner: $19.45

CONTACT ORGANIZERS

Organizer Contact Info

Evan Clark

  • 978-501-2691

Anthony Cruz Pantojas

  • 857-316-7113