John Loftus interview

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:30:22 GMT

Just in case you haven't read the website (shame on you) John Loftus was interviewed about his book and upcoming speaking event with us, we even received a little publicity
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/NEWS/805130313

I would however recommend that "we" at least in any official (I mean openly identified as a member of...

Dues - Mission Statement - Constitution - Please Read and Respond

feeds@yuku.com (mightymjolnir) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:12:40 GMT

I think that we need to have a more formalized structure in place before we start charging dues. Specifically, we should have a charter or constitution. Before we begin that process, we need some type of established leadership. I propose the following:

Two temporary caretakers to see us through the charter/constitution process. Why two instead of just one? For backup and a check-and-balance system, however rudimentary. With so many new members, I'm thinking a vote...

atheismonline.com

feeds@yuku.com (Theo Doersing) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:33:25 GMT

I've taken the liberty of adding Freethought Fort Wayne to the list of organizations on atheismonline.com

I used the tentative mission statement provided by neuralgourmet (which I thought was pretty good).
I used my gmail address for contact info, but is there a better one we can use?
I didn't give an address ofcourse, but is this something we will need to have if we ever become an official nonprofit org?
Any info can be edited, so I'm not worried. I just...

The next meeting is May 14th in Meeting Room B, Downtown Library

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:25:43 GMT

As many of you found out at last night's meeting, John Loftus has agreed to give a presentation to us from his forthcoming book, Why I Became an Atheist. I'm waiting for a blurb from John before I post on the "official" website.

Everyone please plan on contributing $5-$10 (that could add up to $100) as an honorarium for his speech. I think agnohumanist said it best last night, to paraphrase, he's coming from an hour away and giving his time to the group, with...

What would be an appropriate Mission Statement for the group

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:53:38 GMT

We probably need 2

1) We need one for our website, here's the current statement, if you can call it a mission statement

Freethought Fort Wayne is a member-based organization dedicated to the citizens of Fort Wayne, Indiana and its neighbors. We are affiliated with the Center for Inquiry - Indianapolis whose mission statement says it best

The Center for Inquiry Indiana offers an opportunity to put your principles into practice by...

Should we charge dues???

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:42:23 GMT

I'm posting the question, should FFW charge dues? Here are my notes from the meeting.

$20-$25 seemed like a minimal commitment amount, it doesn't scare people away like $60 does.
We decided not to make a decision at that moment but to post it to the forums for comments.
I believe someone suggested taking up an offering at the meetings ;) Ok it wasn't put like that but the idea is the same. It's not a bad idea, if we want to do something...

Freethought Fort Wayne's Online Presence

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:33:47 GMT

I made a concerted effort at lunch today to make sure that Freethought Fort Wayne's online presence was a little more fully fleshed out, here's where we can be found on the Internet (w/ notes), when we get a logo and mission statement, I'll make sure that everything gets updated to reflect a consistent position.

Most of these things have calendars, I will make sure that they stay up to date as meetings happen.

Official Website

Care package for our atheist in a foxhole

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:07:42 GMT

My wife had a good idea. What would the group think about creating a care package to send to our own atheist in a foxhole. I don't know him but I believe Mighty (and Narly?) know him. We would need his full name and where to send the package as well.

Plus any suggestions would be good, I don't really know what you can and cannot put in these things, but I can find out. I'll bring this up at the meeting as well.

Wed April 9th at 7PM Meeting at the Main library. The room number will be annouced soon.

feeds@yuku.com (AndysCatHouse) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:55:30 GMT

The assignment for this meeting will not be reading this time. Please watch Richard Dawkin's "The Root of all Evil?" on Google video. (Both part I and II.) You can view part I here and part II

Freethought Fort Wayne Blog?

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:58:02 GMT

I'm still formulating the ideas of all the things that can be done here but here are my thoughts. Unless there is someone else new that I don't know about I'm the only web developer in the group. And quite frankly I just don't have time right now to create a website from the ground up but I have a better idea anyway.

A week or so ago, I setup freethoughtfortwayne.wordpress.com. Here are my thoughts;
#1) We map the domain name...

Meeting Wed March 12th at 7PM Meeting Room B at the Main library

feeds@yuku.com (AndysCatHouse) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:24:06 GMT

Meeting Room B is on the first floor near the cafe behind the computer lab. I have the room booked for the library a few months back. (There was a long waiting list). I want to thank Jeannette for offering the Firehouse Theatre again, but I forgot to cancel with the library (due to producing the show and other life changing events) and confirm with her about the theatre. Since it was such a painful processes to book the room at the library, I say we should go with library in March. I...

next meeting, day/time & place?

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:34:41 GMT

Any thoughts on the next meeting, day, time and location? March 12th/19th, 7PM @ the Firehouse/Main Library again? I'm asking because SkepChick has a new Calendar of Events thing that we can get our group's meeting time posted with, they are obviously more skepticism focused but there's enough cross "contamination?" between groups that we may bring in some more bodies.

Meeting format suggestions

feeds@yuku.com (Skeptigator) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:10:15 GMT

I was just thinking about the meeting format, I think someone mentioned (the older retired gentleman, sorry I don't remember the name) the Indy CFI group format specifically and maybe I'm going to propose what he said I couldn't really hear. The group is new so the lack of format is fine but eventually people might want to start getting more than just social interaction. I think having an overall structure might help people think of ways to contribute.

1) First 15-30?...

Success!

feeds@yuku.com (mightymjolnir) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:12:29 GMT

Great turnout last night. I counted 13 people total - doesn't sound like a lot, but it's double what we've put together previously and matches the most the previous group was able to do. And we're just getting started.

We met some "new veterans," members of the previous atheist group. Jeanette was awesome in hosting us for the evening, and Sandie (treehugger) has introduced herself here on the board. I feel like a jackass - I can't recall the names...

Atheists in Fort Wayne looking for a Meet-up.

feeds@yuku.com (AnalogKid9) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:43:52 GMT

My wife found this.

http://atheists.meetup.com/cities/us/in/fort_wayne/

It cost money to post a meet-up. If anyone ANDY! has some spare time and cash you can advertise our group meeting here. I put up a post but the site won't let you directly contact anybody. I hope they don't take it down.

Community Calendar

feeds@yuku.com (mightymjolnir) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:14:21 GMT

Yuku boards feature built-in calendars. You can access ours here:

http://freethoughtfortwayne.yuku.com/calendar

or by clicking on the Community Calendar link at the bottom of the main page.

We'll try to have the most up-to-date information posted there. Anyone can add events to the calendar, so if you find something interesting,...

Meeting Wed Feb 13 at 7PM at a new location, The Firehouse Theatre

feeds@yuku.com (AndysCatHouse) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:52:18 GMT

Thanks to Jeannette who has agreed to let us use The Firehouse Theatre for our Feb meeting. Jeannette ran the former Atheist group in Fort Wayne. I hope we can meet other previous members and FW doubters. This is also a gentle reminder to read the Age of Reason by Thomas Paine (See earlier post). The following message will be posted in CFI's February newsletter and web calendar: FREETHOUGHT FORT WAYNE-A CFI DISCUSSION GROUP-- will be meeting on Wednesday Feb 13 at 7PM at the Firehouse...

DARWIN DAY Saturday March 8th at the IUPUI Campus Center

feeds@yuku.com (AndysCatHouse) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:36:06 GMT

Hi Everybody, I will post more when I have the prices but for now keep the date open. FFW will car pool... It looks really cool. THIRD ANNUAL DARWIN DAY CONFERENCE-Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the new IUPUI Campus Center, 815 W. Michigan, Indianapolis sponsored by Center for Inquiry Indiana and IUPUI Freethinkers. This is all day conference. Registration will begin at 8:00 am and the program will begin at 9:00 am. The featured speaker will be Richard Carrier. His topic will be "Ancient...

Reading Assignment Thomas Paine's "The Age of Reason" Due 2-13

feeds@yuku.com (AndysCatHouse) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:41:03 GMT

Freethought Fort Wayne is adding a regular literature discussion to our monthly meetings. Next month's reading is from our country's founding father Thomas Paine. "The Age of Reason" can be found in its entirely online (see below). It is short of enough to assign the entire book (Part 1 and 2). I have finished part 1 already and it is incredible. In the next meeting (Wed Feb 13) mightym has agreed to give us a short background of the book and Thomas Paine. We won't kill...

January Meeting Wed 9th at 7 PM Our new year meeting!!!

feeds@yuku.com (AndysCatHouse) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:44:48 GMT

This is going out in this January's CFI's newsletter: Freethought Fort Wayne- A CFI Discussion Group will be meeting on Wednesday Jan 9th at 7PM in the downtown Allen County Public library in Room 114 or 116 (first floor near reader's services) See (http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/locations/index.html) for directions. FFW will meet monthly on the 2nd Wednesday of each month to discuss various topics on science, secular humanism, religion, ethics, and the separation of church and state....

Meeting Discussion and Announcements