Northern Virginia Ethical Society

NEW 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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AEU Ethical Culture online class

Hello Friends!

The on-demand, self-paced We Are Ethical Culture course is up and running.

You can access the asynchronous Google Classroom here:

https://classroom.google.com/c/ODIwMTk5Njc3ODQy?cjc=m4m6gjtt 

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Urgent Appeal for Donations for Nepal

Due to the massive flood damage in Nepal last month, NoVES will be collecting donations for the SOCH Nepal, the Society for Humanism, recommended by a NoVES member. We will collect funds on opening Sunday, September 13.  NoVES members and friends are urged to donate whatever they can to help this organization. Please give your donations to Iris Woodard, bookkeeper, or any board member. 

If you are unable to attend this meeting, you can mail a check to NoVES at P.O. Box 984, Vienna, VA 22182. Please put "SOCH Nepal Donation" on the memo line. If you have any questions, please send an email to contact-us@noves.org

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NoVES Sunday Platform Sunday, Sept 13

NoVES will resume meeting this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, at Green Hedges School in Vienna, VA   Randy Best, our leader, will give a talk about how to find joy admidst chaos.  Doors open at 10:30 am for coffee and conversation.  The meeting will start at 11AM. Please check the event page below for more information about this platform. 

_____________________________________________ In Every Election,  

Express your civic voice!!!

Be sure to check the website below for current information. Your precinct or candidates may have changed since the last time you voted. 

https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/upcoming-elections.html  

Mid-Term Election:  Tuesday November 3, 2026.  

On the ballot: One US Senate Candidate and all House of Representatives Candidates, local candidates and three State constitutional ammendments. 

Early in-person voting starts Sept 18, 2026

        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 all!

   Empathy is considered a fundamental aspect of human nature. It is both inate and nurtured, so it can be cultured and grown.  Empathy plays a critical societial role by allowing us to share experiences, needs and desires with others thus strengthing our connection with those we trust.  

Actions you can take individually to spread empathy: 

Sign up for the newsletter from your elected representatives.  If they have a town hall - attend it and ask questions.  Find out when the School Board meets and attend that meeting. Ask about LGBTQ policies. Watch for actions from the Board of Supervisors, and visit their office to discuss your opinion. 

Or consider these options:

1. Join the fiscal boycott of companies that support ICE activities. Companies include Amazon,  AT&T,  Dell, Comcast, Marriott, Hilton. More information is here: https://thirdact.org/act/turn-up-the-heat-melt-the-companies-that-profit-from-ice-and-dhs/
2. Hold conversations with friends about current events. Try to listen with empathy and understand their point of view. Try to find common ground.