Whose Schools are These, Anyway? The Privatization of the Public Good

Whose Schools are These, Anyway? The Privatization of the Public Good

Prof. Roberta Ahlquist

Sep 21, 2014

Roberta Ahlquist
Roberta Ahlquist

In the purported interests of improving public schooling for all, No Child Left Behind (Bush’s educational reform mandate), and Race to the Top (Obama’s reform mandate), public schooling is undergoing massive changes. Many of these changes will negatively affect a majority of students. How can interested communities challenge these draconian measures? Professor Roberta Ahlquist (a writer, speaker, and book editor, who teaches teachers the multicultural foundations of education in the College of Education at San Jose State University) will present.

To view the slides from the presentation click here.

 

Secular Activism

Secular Activism

Tom Manger

Sep 14, 2014

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Tom Manger (the Legislative Chair for the Secular Coalition for California (SCCA), http://states.secular.org/states/california) will speak on secular activism in California, with some discussion of national secular activism (e.g., his work with SecularityUSA, http://www.secularityusa.org). Tom will give a wrap up of 2014 California legislation from a secular perspective. He will also talk about activities planned for 2015 and ways you can assist in not just enforcing the separation of church and state, but in reversing the many ways that religion is unduly privileged in existing laws.

To see the slides Tom presented click here

Humanist Community Forum (2014-09-14): Secular Activism (Tom Manger) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.

Death with Dignity in California: Strategies for Victory

Death with Dignity in California: Strategies for Victory

Chris Riley

Sep 07, 2014

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Chris Riley is the San Mateo County Organizer for Compassion & Choices’ newly launched Death with Dignity Campaign (https://www.compassionandchoices.org/2014/07/03/california-kicks-off-dwd-campaign/). She will discuss how this Campaign is leading the effort to make aid in dying open, accessible, and legitimate in the state within five years.

The Skeptic and Humanist Tents

The Skeptic and Humanist Tents

Laura Mappin

Aug 31, 2014

Laura MappinWho do we let in? Who do we keep out? And what are we doing in there anyway?

We’ll watch a few portions of Jamy Ian Swiss’s talk describing how he sees the skeptic’s tent.

We’ll springboard from there and talk about how we see our own humanist tent.

All members, potential members, and interested parties are welcome to join the discussion, which will be facilitated by HCSV member Laura Mappin.

Watch the video in advance below

Below are slides from Laura that are helpful in advancing this important discussion.

Venn Diagram
Venn Diagram

 

 

 
 

 

Topics for Discussion
Topics for Discussion

Solar Cooking and Other Green Technology Projects in Nepal

Solar Cooking and Other Green Technology Projects in Nepal

Allart Ligtenberg

Aug 24, 2014

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In 1992, Allart Ligtenberg retired early from his Hewlett-Packard engineering manager’s job to follow his dream of disseminating solar cooking/water pasteurization and renewable energy in developing countries in order to improve health, the environment, and reduce poverty. Allart started long-term solar cooking programs in Nepal, and each year he spends 2-3 months in Nepal to follow up on these programs. Come hear Allart discuss his many wonderful green technology efforts.

If anyone is interested to become involved and help volunteer in any of the ongoing programs he describes, please contact Allart. His contact details may be found in the slide deck below.

To see the slides Allart Presented click here

For more background on Allart and his work click here

Humanist Community Forum (2014-08-24): Solar Cooking and Other Green Technology Projects in Nepal (Allart Ligtenberg) from Humanist Community-SiliconValley on Vimeo.