Past meetings and events for freethinkers florida in 2024

 

 

January 7th, 1 - 3 PM, Effective Altruism - Doing Good Better

Bob Layne

Effective Altruism seeks to maximize the effectiveness of our charitable giving.  We can get the most satisfaction and we can maximize the impact of our charitable donations by using evidence-based critical thinking to make these decisions.  This talk explores why and how to become an effective altruist.  Q&A following the presentation.

 

January 21st, 1-3 PM, Giving Circles

Bob Layne

The impact of charitable giving can be multiplied by forming groups of like-minded individuals and by using the principles of effective altruism. The organization called Philanthropy Together provides guidelines and resources to help giving circles succeed.  This presentation will begin with a TED Talk by the founder of Philanthropy Together. 

 

Bio: Bob is a resident of OTOW and is a frequent presenter through Master the Possibilities.  He has a broad background with degrees in pharmacy, business, and education.

 

February 4th, 1 -3 PM, My Journey into the Light

Bert Gagnon

Born a Baptist in Caribou, Maine Bert spent his formative years hiding personal truths while trying to fit into the expectations of church and family.  He left the church at an early age and wandered through various spiritual encampments over the following decades, not fully fitting in anywhere.  In this program, Bert entertains as he shares his personal and unique spiritual journey along a very winding path coming out of his upbringing in the Baptist Church and coming into his understanding of personal truth.

 

Bio: 

Bert Gagnon grew up in northern Maine, served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era, and thereafter achieved a triple major from the University of Maine in English, Speech, and Theater with a Minor in Art. He attended the Actors’ Workshop in Boston and performed in college, community, and professional productions in Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and New York.  While in New York, Gagnon worked a bread-and-butter job as a jack-of-all-trades at a small midtown Manhattan law firm while trying to “make it” in the New York theater scene.  In the mid-80s Gagnon accepted a position as an administrative legal assistant, with a then mid-sized St. Louis law firm, to work on the longest-running civil jury trial in the history of the world.  The case was in front of a jury for 3 years and 10 months.  That bread-and-butter job defined his career. Through mergers and acquisitions, the firm grew from less than 70 attorneys to more than 350, with offices in southern Illinois, St. Louis, Chicago, and Washington DC.  It currently ranks in the top 125 largest US law firms.  After 30 years of working in various capacities within the firm, Gagnon retired as Director of Practice Support Services.  He, and his husband Nick, currently reside in St. Petersburg, Florida

 

February 18th, 1 -3 PM, “Your Life, Your Death, Your Choice” 

Kevin Bradley

 

Bio: “Kevin Bradley has been active with the Right to Die movement since 2016. Most recently, he has been working with Final Exit Network to provide education and support to mentally competent adults who face an unacceptable quality of life due to physical illness and want to explore their end-of-life options. An ordained minister, Kevin testified on behalf of medical aid in dying at the Minnesota Senate and co-founded Interfaith Clergy for End-of-Life Options as a chapter of Compassion & Choices. He developed an online Right to Die course for the American Humanist Association and has spoken at the American Atheists national convention and other freethinker events.”

 

March 3rd, 1 -3 PM, Waiting for a Change in Climate.

Dr. Cliff Cockerham 

How much climate change impact is now a mathematical certainty?  What are the economic perils and opportunities that follow from these data?  Volunteers from the audience will be engaged in a highly interactive component.  If you are willing to come on stage, come in clothing that permits motion! 

 

Dr. Cliff Cockerham is a Climate Ambassador with Physicians for Social Responsibility and a member of Al Gore’s Climate Leadership Corps.  Dr. Cockerham has had the opportunity to speak across the U.S. and in Asia, South America, and Europe.  He is a member of the Florida Leadership Teams Elders Climate Action and the Citizens Climate Lobby, where he serves on several national committees.  Since 2015, he has also testified at state-level regional EPA hearings as well as congressional hearings for the National Park Service.

 

March 17th, 1 - 3 PM, Open Forum Discussion

Bob Kraus

Attendees break into small groups of 6-8.  A topic is selected from the list provided by the facilitator or the group may choose another topic of interest.  Participants are encouraged to consider how they would view the topic if they were from a different country, culture, or a minority or marginalized group. After approximately 20 minutes a volunteer from each group shares the key points or questions raised by the topic discussed. The full group then offers comments.

 

April 7th, 1 - 3 PM, Political Politicization and What We Can Do About It.

Ellen Velie

There is evidence that we are experiencing a politically polarized society that extends, for some of us, into our families, and is far greater than what we have experienced in the past.  From a historical perspective to what extent is this a new phenomenon or is it, e.g., just the intensity that we are noticing now?  This presentation will explore an answer to the previous question as well as definitions of the concept and some of the causes that contribute to it.  Data driven considerations suggest more political polarization now than the US has experienced in the last 150 years.  Current data shows that the US is one of the 6 most polarized countries in the world.  What are forces that lead to polarization for the US citizens and potentially for future generations?

An important link between various forms of polarization and reduction in free speech will be made. Finally, what are the specific actions recommended by experts who study the problem of polarization?  We can make a difference in reducing the intensity of political polarization within our country, but the first step is observing the nature and extent of the problem.  Second, identify and experiment with various solutions to address the problem at multiple levels. 

 

Ellen Velie, MA, Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Research, Evaluation, and Measurement, Post Masters Reading Specialist degree, and master’s degree in counseling as well as state license as a Professional Counselor. 

 

April 21st, Sunday, 1 - 3 PM, The Art and Craft of Home Improvement and Repairs

J. Ashi Olshan

This presentation will be interactive with demonstrations and time for questions.  Ashi will cover everything from picture hanging to furniture finish repair to faux painting and graphic design.  Are you afraid of electricity?  Ashi will show how lamps and outlets can be safely rewired.  Understanding color can help create the look you want in a room.  Maybe most importantly, Ashi will offer suggestions for how to write an intelligent contract or what to look for in a contract when dealing with tradespersons and contractors. Ashi’s artistic work can be seen on AshiArts.us or his latest humanitarian effort at ArtFeeds.us.   

Ashi, featured in the February OTOW News, is also an artist and writer.  He authors the Freethinkers column in the News every other month.  Ashi and his wife Sheri moved to OTOW 2+ years ago and are involved in a variety of activities.  After a 40-year career as a California licensed contractor, he also taught Do It Yourself Home Repair in Marin County. If there is interest, Ashi is considering teaching a course through Master the Possibilities, The Art and Craft of Home Improvement and Repair.

 

 

April 29th, Monday, 6:30 PM,  Conversations about things that matter.  

For the next several months our time together follows the principles of Death Café as described by the founder Jon Underwood. This is an open group, however, the number of participants is limited to 20.  Please RSVP freethinkersflorida@gmail.com.  Confirmation will be sent.

 

May 5th, Sunday, 1-3 PM,  Dementia 101: The "Cliff Notes" version.  

Mark Croft

Learn what Dementia is, how to avoid it and what to do and not do when you encounter someone with it. Mark Croft has been working in this field for over a decade and provides easy to understand information that benefits the seasoned and novice caregiver or associates of a person with dementia.

 

May 13th, Monday, 6:30 PM*, Movie- BAD FAITH.

We have the opportunity to see the movie BAD FAITH. Please see the information below and RSVP to freethinkersflorida@gmail.com, if you will attend. 

 

Bad Faith Documentary (1.5h)

The forces tearing apart our democracy have never been more frightening or powerful, but who is actually behind them?

Bad Faith reveals how Christian Nationalist leaders have spread fear and anger for decades, distorting political issues into Biblical battles between good and evil.  FInanced through the secretive Council for National Policy, Christian Nationalists have succeeded in taking over the Republican Party, turning it into a powerful weapon to demolish democracy from within.  Discover the origins of this organized grasp for power and the grassroots coalition of secular and interfaith leaders bravely confronting the unholy forces threatening democracy.

 

More details here:  https://www.badfaithdocumentary.com/

 

*Originally, the band "Alternate Wednesdays" was scheduled to play at this time on May 13th. However, the band will need to reschedule due to an unexpected health issue.

 

May 19th, Sunday, 1 - 3 PM*, Meeting - Open Forum Discussion.

Bob Kraus

Attendees break into small groups of 6-8.  A topic is selected from the list provided by the facilitator or the group may choose another topic of interest.  Participants are encouraged to consider how they would view the topic/subject if they were from a different country, culture, or a minority or marginalized group. After approximately 20 minutes a volunteer from each group shares the key points or questions raised by the topic discussed. The full group then offers comments.

 

May 27th, Monday, 6:30 PM, Conversations about things that matter.

For the next several months our time together follows the principles of Death Café as described by the founder Jon Underwood. This is an open group, however, the number of participants is limited to 20.  Please RSVP freethinkersflorida@gmail.com.  Confirmation will be sent.

 

June 9th, Sunday, 1 - 3 PM, Meeting- Pick-a-Topic

Attendees break into small groups of 6-8.  Each table is asked to come up with the topics and then randomly select one for discussion.

 

June 10th, Monday, 6:30 PM, Documentary - "God and Country"

We plan to watch the documentary "God and Country".

For details see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MFQ2uESrjU&ab_channel=IGNMovieTrailers

Please RSVP to freethinkersflorida@gmail.com.

 

June 23rd, Sunday, 1 - 3 PM, Meeting- Expedition to Remote Gems of the South Atlantic

Gene Goergen

This will be a thirty-four minute video with commentary by Gene.

 

June 24th, Monday, 6:30 PM, Conversations about things that matter.

For the next several months our time together follows the principles of Death Café as described by the founder Jon Underwood. This is an open group, however, the number of participants is limited to 20.  Please RSVP freethinkersflorida@gmail.com.  Confirmation will be sent.

 

July 7th, Sunday, 1 - 3 PM, Meeting- Project 2025

Paul Jenkins

Project 2025: short video & slide presentation followed by group discussion.

 

July 8th, Monday, 6:30 PM, Freethinkers Club Organizational Meeting

Topic: Club activities and direction. Opinions and suggestions welcome.

Facilitator: Paul Jenkins , please RSVP – freethinkersflorida@gmail.com

 

July 21st, Sunday, 1-3 PM, Gun Violence

Facilitator: Paul Jenkins

This presentation will include a short video about Gun Violence in America, with additional information about root causes and possible solutions. Followed by small group discussions on these topics.

 

Aug 4th, Sunday, 1-3 PM, Marion County Public School System

Facilitator: Chris Carlisle - Director of Governmental Community Relations for the Marion School System

Chris will be presenting the different education programs offered in the Marion County School System for college dual enrollment programs and the different vocation programs offered to meet the needs of the Marion County future workforce. He will also be addressing the issue of teacher shortage and other personnel shortage and how the state voucher program will affect the public school system. 

 

Aug 12th, Monday, 6:30 PM, Freethinkers Club Organizational Meeting

Topic: Club activities and direction. Opinions and suggestions welcome.

Facilitator: Paul Jenkins , please RSVP – freethinkersflorida@gmail.com

 

Aug 18th, Sunday, 1-3 PM, The Israel-Hamas War: An Evolutionary Perspective

Marty Hoffert

The late Harvard evolutionary biologist and "father of sociobiology", E.O. Wilson, succinctly summarized today's challenge to high tech human civilization: To survive, we have to effectively solve our social problems, including conflicts, with our existing "Paleolithic instincts, medieval religions and godlike technology." A tall order. In this talk, admittedly biased by my Jewish heritage, Dr. Hoffert will reanalyze the history and present status of the Israeli Jewish versus the Palestinian Arab claims to the same Middle East real estate.

 

Dr Hoffert was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1938 the son of immigrant parents from Poland and Russia. Hoffert received a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MS and PhD. in Astronautics from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and an MA in Liberal Studies from the New School for Social Research in New York in the 1960's.

 

Sept 1st, Sunday, 1-3 PM, 2024 Florida Ballet Amendments

Judy Johnson, Attorney

Legislatively proposed amendments and citizen initiative amendments will be on November's ballot, dealing with issues ranging from recreational marijuana, maintaining the right to hunt and fish in Florida, changing homestead and tangible tax exemptions, making school board elections partisan, and abortion. The amendments all have an impact on Florida and on you directly. Hear the arguments both for and against each of the proposals.

 

Sept 15th, Sunday, 1-3 PM, How to Spot a Cult

Joe Barosh

This presentation will include a short Ted Talk video on "What is a cult?", followed by a short presentation by Joe Bartosh, followed by a group discussion on the topic.

 

Sept 29th, Sunday, 1-3 PM, SHINE

Steve Mac Donough

SHINE is the Florida Department of Elder Affairs' Program "Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders".

Steve will be presenting information on Medicare, Medicaid, and Health Insurance Questions and Answers. This will be followed by group questions and discussion.

 

Oct 13th, Sunday, 1-3 PM, Artificial Intelligence

Barry Robbins

A presentation on artificial intelligence followed by group questions and discussion.

 

Oct 21st, Monday, 6:00 PM, Conversations That Matter: Death Cafe II

Hosted by Alan Merson and Kathy Bell.  

Both Alan and Kathy have devoted a good portion of their life work experience in counselling and other related work. Their experience will be very valuable in Death Café.

Please RSVP to Kathy B. at kbell4570@aol.com.

 

 

Oct 27th, Sunday, 1-3 PM, Better Representation, Less Polarization: Ranked Choice Voting and other Electoral Reforms

Ed Barsotti

The structures and rules of how we elect candidates contribute mightily to our political dysfunction.  Why is that so, and can anything be done?  This presentation summarizes Ranked Choice Voting, Non-Partisan Primaries, and Multimember Districts – other electoral methods being tried to incentivize better results.

This presentation will be followed by group discussion.

 

Nov 10th, Sunday, 1-3 PM, Ocala Housing Authority

Dr. Gwendolyn B. Dawson, CEO

Who does the Ocala Housing Authority cover, what ages, what ethnic groups?

   Veterans Programs, Housing Voucher Programs, Public Housing, Family Housing, Tenant Programs Section 8 HUD, Affordable Housing, State and Federal Programs for housing