ORGANIZING MANUAL FOR REALIST SMALL GROUPS
By Howard Thompson
Editor: The Texas Atheist Realist Community Press
Copyright 1998 by Howard Thompson [Working Draft Notes] June 18, 1998 -----------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION.
That realists need community should not be an issue with atheists, agnostics, free thinkers, humanists, rationalists, materialists and skeptics. Humans have evolved complex social drives that can only be met in a group belonging. It should also not be an issue that realists have virtually nothing of a community for those who accept a material reality and reject magic as unreal. Where will get our realist community? Why, from ourselves. Our brains are the only place where our realist ideas of reality exist. So, our actions are the only possible source for a realist community. You did not, I hope, think that religionists or the government would create realist community for us. What follows is an evolving guide for individual atheists and other realists. It is a guide for beginning a small group of like-minded realists. The guide has no magic tricks, no slick techniques. What is does have are practical suggestions for ways of locating other realists who also feel the lack of community. It outlines steps for establishing a semi-formal local group. Those steps can also be easily adapted for more informal gatherings, if that is your goal.
1. BUILDING COMMUNITY Where, Oh Where, to Begin?
It is easy to note that atheists have nearly nothing in the way of community infrastructure. It is simplistic to note how much we need everything in our stillborn failure. The problem is how to create an entire culture and society from scratch. This article proposes a simple model for those thinking about establishing a small group. It requires nothing more than one atheist who wants to meet other atheists and who is willing to spend some time, personal energy, and a little money doing it. The following table summarizes the steps of the small group model.
----------------------------------------------------------- A SIMPLE MODEL GOAL: A small group that meets regularly for atheist discussion & socializing.
1. Catalog resources and weaknesses. 2. Decide on your level of effort. 3. Decide on the type of group. 4. Locate regular meeting places. 5. Identify advertising channels. 6. Write a simple plan. 7. Recruit friends. 8. Pick a start date. 9. Advertise. 10. Show up. 11. Be positive & enthusiastic. 12. Be patient with development. 13. Get others involved. 14. Here be dragons. -----------------------------------------------------------
1.1 CATALOG RESOURCES & WEAKNESSES
Leaders need to maximize personal resources and skills while minimizing dependence on personal weaknesses. There is no "right" way to establish a group. Lead from your experience and strengths. Avoid your weaknesses. What you do has to work for you as well as further your goal. So, a list of your personal resources and weaknesses will help you decide what ways are best for you to go about establishing a group. Emphasize what you're best at. Minimize your weaknesses, those things that make you uncomfortable. The list will also help you recognize and value the skills of others who may be interested in meeting to share the realist experience. That's the strength of groups you can profit from sharing skills.
1.2 DECIDE ON YOUR LEVEL OF EFFORT
You've only got so much time, personal energy and money to work with. Plan on more effort in getting started, then pace yourself. How much you can put into the effort will shape its scope. Specifically, a monthly budget, weekly hours, and commitment to accomplish necessary activities tells you how much you can get done. Note that you don't need excruciating detail for deciding on your level of effort. An hour of two of pondering should be plenty of time.
1.3 DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF GROUP
Unless you are an exceptional individual, you're not likely to develop a group that accommodates all varieties of realists. Atheists are just too darn individualistic for that. You will need to decide who you want to attract and the flavor of the group. For example, is it only for atheists, or open to those who call themselves agnostic, freethinker, rationalist, skeptic, or humanist. Is it mostly for those with a liberal or conservative or libertarian, etc. outlook. Is it mostly for hard core atheists, for families, for singles, for working people, etc. Is it mostly or exclusively for informal socializing, or will it have some intellectual, service or activist aspects right from the start.
1.4 LOCATE REGULAR MEETING PLACES
A regular time and place to meet are among your most valuable attractions. Once a month is not much. Once a week offers good social continuity. Twice a month should be regarded as minimal. Cheap or free meeting places are priceless assets. Restaurants, bars, schools, libraries, civic centers, apartment meeting rooms, etc. should all be considered. A good way to get ideas is to contact other organizations and find out where they meet. If you can arrange to have at least beverages for break do so. Ritual food sharing goes way back in our genetic evolution.
1.5 IDENTIFY ADVERTISING CHANNELS
Getting the word out inexpensively is a must. Free notices in newspapers, radio, TV, bulletin boards, internet, etc. will become your major tools. The key is to figure out where notices might be seen by a bit higher than average concentration of nonreligious people. Plan on an initial advertising effort to attract an initial group. Then work on building group cohesion, followed by periodic outreach to attract new people. Keep in mind that if you get only 2 - 4 queries a month added to your mailing list and get one new person a month coming to a happy hour or coffee, you'll eventually build a group. Then people will start bringing the one or two unbelievers or doubters they know and you'll begin to grow.
----------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. As the group's founder, it is crucial that your energy creates something comfortable for you. Understand what YOU want out of the group and define it to include as many people as possible with similar views.
2. There is nothing "wrong" with specifying the kind of group you're developing so that you attract like-minded people. Effective, enjoyable groups develop from like-minded people. Frustrating, drifting groups lack focus by trying to include too many conflicting expectations.
3. Create what works for you. Let others create what works for them. Eventually, we'll have a variety of atheist groups accommodating all varieties of atheism.
4. Whatever you plan, remember that humans are social animals. People will show up mostly for the social experience and to make friends, regardless of stated goals and activities. Expect it. Plan for it. Encourage it. If the only thing that happens for the first years is for atheists to make friends with other atheists, you will have a significant achievement. -----------------------------------------------------------
1.6 WRITE A SIMPLE PLAN
There needs to be a balance between the initial focus for the group and interaction with members to develop what the group becomes. As a planning minimum, consider a statement of purpose, how decisions will be made, how disagreements will be resolved, how meetings will be conducted, what roles need to be filled in the group, and what activities will occur. A plan doesn't have to be detailed or fancy. It provides structure so that attendees know there is a plan, what meetings will be like, and what kind of group it is so they can decide if it is for them. NO PLAN APPROACH. If you're mostly interested in social activity, especially early on, then don't scare people with "Mission Statements" and the formal trappings of even an informal group. Just meet for discussion, coffee, drinks, whatever and let the growing social cohesion dictate when to introduce planning and structure. Remember, the key is people showing up and enjoying the experience. As long as that happens, people will come back for a good time and the chance to make friends.
1.7 RECRUIT FRIENDS
By now, you'll have thought about starting a group enough to talk it up among your non- religious friends, if you are fortunate enough to have any. You can also gently feel out acquaintances whom you think may be unbelievers. If you can find at least one other person willing to work with you to get a group started, your chances of success greatly increase. Two people working together are already a "group" enjoying the benefits of shared vision and effort. Two people magnify the energy and support each other.
1.8 PICK A START DATE.
Now you're ready to kick-off your effort and collide with reality. Pick a start date and the dates for meetings over a few months. Remember that same time, same place - consistency will start giving people confidence that the group is something substantial, something worth checking out.
1.9 ADVERTISE.
Give yourself at least 2 - 4 weeks of lead time on the advertising so that you have a chance to field calls. Include a phone number that at least has an answer machine or voice mail. Record names and phone numbers. Call everyone back. Have a brief summary you can read of what the group will be. Be relaxed and friendly. Let people talk about themselves and their atheism. This is your screening time to let people know what the group is about and to find out about them. Tell them about the when and where of the first meeting. Have directions available for those that need it. In the few days leading up to the meeting, call back those that sounded interested and remind them of the meeting.
----------------------------------------------------------- CRITICAL ** CRITICAL ** CRITICAL
***** KEEP A LIST OF ALL CONTACTS *****
Ask for the name, address, phone number and e-mail address of all contacts. Ask if they would like to be notified of future events. Be low key about it, don't push -- some people will be wary, which is their right. Your contact list is a key resource you'll develop as the months go by. You'll find that MOST people DO NOT come to a meeting just from seeing one notice or from one contact.
Most people, even those with a high interest, will want to prudently watch and wait to get a feel for what you're doing. It's the human thing to do, to watch, assess and "discriminate" about what may or may not be a good thing for them. That's why you want to have your list, so you can keep sending our notices or make the occasional phone contact. It helps you gradually build a positive image with contacts. -----------------------------------------------------------
1.10 SHOW UP
Show up early with any friends who are helping you. Ensure that you have enough tables, chairs, etc. Have a brief handout about the group available. Small signs for doors or hallways leading to the meeting location helps people find you. Greet those who arrive. Introduce yourself and friends. Help people feel comfortable and welcome. Allow social time at the start while people dribble in. Name tags work. A designated greeter works. Start the meeting. Call things to order. Give an official welcome to those who have come. Introduce yourself and any helping friends. Mention any handouts. Once again, describe what the group is and what the group is for. Go around the room and ask people to introduce themselves. Use one of your friends to start off the self-introductions to set a model for providing a few sentences of information, like, why they came, what they do for a living, their neighborhood, etc. This gives people a start at meeting each other and finding those with whom they share something in common. Make announcements of the next meeting or any planned activities. Start any planned activities for the meeting. End planned activities approximately on time. Then, most important, have general socializing so everyone gets a chance to talk and meet others.
LOW-KEY SOCIAL GATHERING: The formalities listed above will not be needed for a casual social gathering like a happy hour, coffee, or small discussion/study group at a residence. However, remember that even a social gathering needs a host/hostess to function and helpers to greet people and help them feel comfortable. You'll be accomplishing all the things described in the description above, it just won't be in the formal structure of a "club" type group meeting.
1.11 BE POSITIVE & ENTHUSIASTIC
Like it or not, you're competing with every other activity that untheists might choose. Your goal is to create a positive experience so that people want to come back and participate. You don't need to be frenetic or hyper. You do need to be outgoing and friendly. After people get to know each other, the group will have its own positive energy mirroring the experience they've had up until then. A good tactic is to plan a social event after a few meetings so people have a party to look forward to. Or, if you're initially or primarily a social group, it will be a social gathering right from the start.
1.12 BE PATIENT WITH DEVELOPMENT
The group will not develop as rapidly as you would like or in the way you had imagined. This is not a problem. It is a positive sign that people are getting something for themselves from the group. They are investing their energy and looking forward to meetings. The group will go through developmental phases, its ups and downs, its fumbling through to becoming an established society. The fact that the progression is not orderly or predictable is unimportant. What's important is that the group keeps meeting and people keep thinking about the experience of meeting regularly with other atheists.
1.13 GET OTHERS INVOLVED
Get others involved doing things for the group as soon as possible. Ask people to help out. Everyone likes to be asked to come out and play. Help with small things is easiest at the start. That's less threatening than long term commitments of real time and effort. Soon, some regulars will be filling established group roles. Don't worry about those who decline but keep showing up. People will go through their own phases of drawing themselves into the group in a comfortable way. And, not all members will ever participate at the same level.
1.14 HERE BE DRAGONS
Leading atheists has been likened to herding cats or stacking marbles. Many atheists are individualists. Some have non-mainstream social skills. Each has devised their own concepts of reality and how the world should run. Some have adapted to their isolation and are wary of joining and belonging. People crave social experience, but may be wary of expressing that need. They will be hesitant in a group of strangers. They may want the experiences of belonging and sharing, but be unskilled in effective group participation. This is particularly true of a group based upon a view of reality that is despised by the mainstream Christian culture. This does not describe all potential members. You will certainly find naturally outgoing, social butterflies. Get those congenial talkers recruited early in social lubrication roles so they feel useful and help others interact. This is where patience pays off. As long as people keep coming, as long as they gradually learn to participate, you are successful. You're creating an environment where atheists can learn what it means to be in an atheist group, how to be members of an realist group, and what it takes for a group to function. If a mere 25 people nationally tried to start a group every year, the number of realists in groups would quickly double. We'd be on our way to a growing atheism with a future.
2. FINDING NEW MEMBERS
Identifying other unbelievers is a big organizing hurdle, among the many hurdles we have to learn about from scratch. Several things have worked for other groups.
2.1 ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPERS
Larger cities have "alternative" newspapers with smaller circulation than the regular dailies. They also (usually) have less expensive advertising costs. A small ad with phone number should attract some response. The Atheist Community of Austin put a small advertisement in the alternative newspaper, The Austin Chronicle. That generated something like 150 phone calls over 6 months. You may want AT&T Call Notes with a temporary added phone line for something like this rather than using your own phone number.
2.2 RELIGION SECTION ADVERTISING
"Church model" groups may feel comfortable advertising in a newspaper's religion section. This is usually at a bargain rate. The North Texas Church of Freethought advertises their "church" in the religion section of the Dallas Morning News. That wouldn't work for groups in some areas, or for groups that have chosen something other that the "church" model for their group. But, there might be free "events" or group meetings listings in local newspapers where you could put a notice of your meetings (but not the time and place, to avoid xian wackos).
2.3 THE TEXAS ATHEIST NOTICES
TTA circulation is growing and the notices are free. Odds are you'll eventually discover one or a few others in your area this way.
2.4 RESPONDING TO NEWSPAPER LETTERS
If you see a letter from someone who appears to be an unbeliever, you can send a complimentary letter to the author to the newspaper with a stamped envelope. Sometimes the newspaper will forward it.
2.5 WRITING NEWSPAPER LETTERS
A published pro-realism letter may get responses. Tell the newspaper they can print your e-mail address.
2.6 COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS
A brief "atheist/agnostic group forming" notice appearing regularly with contact information will generate contacts.
2.7 PUBLIC BULLETIN BOARDS
Libraries, civic centers, businesses, etc. sometimes have bulletin boards for public posts. Atheist groups may get their notices torn down, but just keep putting them back up.
2.8 WEB SITE LINKS
Establish a simple contact web site with the essential info on your effort. Then get other major realist web sites to establish links to you. The Secular Web and others list local groups.
2.9 SINGLES ADS
Single members can advertise in singles sections of the newspaper as a realist. Dates and or new members may result.
2.10 DATING SERVICES
The North Texas Church of Freethought in the DFW area dating services know when they started a singles group. The dating services seemed glad to let their "no religious preference" clients know about the NTCOF singles club. They are continually getting new members that way.
2.11 WORKPLACE NEWSLETTERS
Larger employers have employee newsletters that may list social activities. If you feel a notice about an atheist group is reasonably safe for your job, this might lead to a workplace group.
2.12 RADIO & TV ANNOUNCEMENTS
Some radio and TV stations announce local group events. You'll need to learn their deadlines and constraints in developing the message.
2.13 NEWSGROUP POSTINGS
You can post a brief note about a local social/discussion group forming on the national atheist newsgroups (alt.atheism, etc.) There are often local, city level newsgroups, AOL forums, etc. where you can post. If you keep putting the notices out every two weeks or so, it should generate an occasional response.
2.14 PUBLIC ACCESS TV
Public access TV shows are usually starved for material. You may find one or more local shows that would be happy to interview you about your group and let you give out phone contact information over the air.
2.15 WEBSITE E-MAIL GROUPS
The Atheist Community of Austin has successfully used its website to manage an e-mail group which automatically mails messages from members to the whole list. This is an excellent internet outreach tool that lets people get the feel of communicating before they show up in person.
When you get well established, you can develop a local atheist TV show for public access TV. Or, you can get copies of other shows for replay on your local cable access channel, with your local group's contact information appended. The shows that are available range from very disappointing, to boring, to watchably interesting, to brilliant (well, I WAS on TV a few times!). You'd want to avoid shows that are negativist or rude Christian bashing (such as the American Atheists shows sometimes are), since that gets away from the meeting each other and socializing image you want.
CONSTRAINTS
Casual, laid-back notices are best. No one likes in-your-face stuff, even if they tend to agree with you. You don't have to be PC icky, but courteous goes a long way. Not all of these may work or be comfortable for everyone. You certainly wouldn't want to try them all at once. You probably want to pick one or two, dabble your toes in briefly, and digest the responses to tailor your next effort.
Meetings at the same place and same time are important for those who are timid and just wanting to check things out. Keeping the primary emphasis on social is also important. Most unbelievers will like talking some about their unbelief. Until they get comfortable and trust the group, activism will scare them off. Those more eager to talk serious subjects or to plan small activities can always do so as a sub-group meeting for just those interested in a specific activity.
IGNORE NEGATIVE RESPONSES
Christians will give you snotty to righteous responses. It's best to ignore them and accept it as the price we pay for the trickle of positive responses. You WILL have people contacting you that are VERY happy that someone is doing something, and they'll want to meet you. Those are the responses that count.
Howard Thompson is editor of The Texas Atheist newsletter. You may contact him at gofreemind@aol.com.