Northern Virginia Ethical Society

2026-2027 NoVES  BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

After the June Membership meeting and the subsequent board meeting we are pleased to announce the following officers:

Chris Van Dyke will continue as President

Melissa Sinclair is Vice President

Sven Sinclair is Treasurer

Kristen Hayden-Safdie is Secretary

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Affiliations 

   The American Ethical Union (AEU)                              https://aeu.org/

NoVES affiliates with the AEU along with more than 20 other Societies across the country from New York to Silicon Valley. 

Each of these Societies share the culture of Ethical Humanism and work to implement Humanist values in their communities.  

   American Humanist Association

       https://americanhumanist.org/

Founded in 1941 and located in Washington D.C., the American Humanist Association advocates progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, freethinkers, and the non-religious. The AHA has over 34,000 members and supporters and over 230 local chapters across the country. 

  Washington Area Secular Humanists  

https://wash.org/ 

An affiliation of the American Humanists.   Founded in 1988 amid the anti free thinker movement, this movement promotes the ideals of secular humanism and promotes social activism in the Greater Washington DC area. 

Recommended Reading from The Humanist

The Rise Of Anti-social Narcissism in America

https://thehumanist.com/commentary/the-rise-of-antisocial-narcissism-in-america  

Oxford Dictionary definition of Fascism

"Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one national or ethnic group, a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach."

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2026-2027 NoVES Schedule- updated 9/17/2026

2^nd Sunday- Platform- Zoom only 

3^rd Sunday- Platform- in person only

4^th Sunday- No Platform- alternate event- A Social Action activity will be offered sometime during the month. See below for details.

5^th Sunday- AEU Platform- zoom only hosted by the AEU. 

Check the NoVES Website Weekly Platform and Upcoming Events below for information about each event. 

Inclement Weather

If we need to cancel a Sunday Platform meeting because of unsafe weather, we will do our best to get the word out by 9:00 a.m. Please check for a notice through email, website, Facebook or Meetup.

Collection for Nov / Dec 2026

For the next 8 weeks, we will be collecting for Alice's Kids.   Every day, too many children are shamed because they cannot afford a prom ticket, field trip fees, back-to-school clothes, summer camp, instrument rentals and other items or services that more fortunate peers take for granted. Their self-esteem suffers and that can affect them in many negative ways. Responding to thousands of requests from teachers and social workers across the country, Alice’s Kids gives children a lift by paying for these items - and we do so in a way that avoids shaming the child or their parent.    https://www.aliceskids.org/

In the months of November and December, NoVES will be collecting cash for this charity.  You may put a check in the collection basket during in-person meetings, or mail it to PO Box 984, Vienna, VA 22183.

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TAKE ACTION!

Eleanor Roosevelt: “Speak your mind even though your voice shakes.”  To bring this country back to democracy and support for each citizen, we must not take our eyes off Congressional representatives. Even if they share your party affiliations, they must know what you want to see legislatively. As a citizen, you have an obligation to speak out.

Make it a habit to send an email or make a phone call at least once a week.  Use these links to track pending legislation that will come up for vote.  Find the email address or phone number of your representatives and bookmark the specific information

https://www.senate.gov/

https://www.house.gov/representatives

Action for Nov 9, 2026:   On November 9, the United States Senate is expected to vote to advancing legislation that would gut  Section 106—the law that requires federal agencies to consider the consequences of their actions for historic places and consult with affected communities before decisions become irreversible.

The bill would eliminate longstanding requirements for meaningful public participation under Section 106, sharply restrict which harms to historic places must be considered, and undermine the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and communities.

Monday, November 9, 12:30 - 2 pm,  

106 STRONG: THE RALLY FOR HISTORY, CULTURE, AND SOVEREIGNTY

Where:  U.S. Capitol Grounds West Lawn

"For sixty years, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act has given Tribal Nations, communities, local governments, preservation professionals, and the public a voice before federal decisions damage the places that carry our history.

Join Tribal leaders, civil rights advocates, preservationists, historians, architects, community leaders, and Americans from across the country for a national rally to defend our history, culture, sovereignty, and right to be heard.”  America's historic places, cultural heritage, and sacred lands deserve protection.

Register here and to get more information:  https://www.106strong.com/nov-9-rally

Separation of Church & State. 

At the platform on 11/8/26 Galina Varchena , Policy Director for the Center for Freethought Equality, the advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association, made an excellent presentation on what we can do to protect the separation of church and state. 

Here is a link to that slide deck   

Insert link here ______________________________________________________________

        What is Humanism? Why do we believe in our human potential?

Humanism 101

For the first time ever, the American Humanist Association has created a new video series on humanism! These are  short, watchable videos that actually explain what humanism is, featuring some of your favorite people in the humanist space.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Gb8MNhOZ4lbLPv1Cqtu3c41gMNjCSXc 

Be sure to watch them

In Memoriam 

We note the passing of members of out extended Humanist family

 Edward L Ericson, longtime Ethical Culture Leader, author, activist, and former president of the American Ethical Union, died on October 1, 2026, at the age of 97.     

Lois Kellerman, longtime Ethical Culture leader, and creator of the Eight Committments of Ethical Culture among other AEU curriculum, died September 21, 2026 at the age of 82.

Sir Patrick Stewart, best known for his role as the Captain of Star Ship Enterprise was an atheist and long time patron of Humanists UK, and Dignity in Dying, died on Oct 28, 2026 at the age of 86.  "Engage!"