We encourage members to get actively involved in our organization. An excellent way to get involved is to join a committee. Here you will find a list of our committees, who's involved in each committee (unless requested not to be listed), and what the current goals are for each committee so you may find one which fits you best. Contact information for each committee is below and general committee inquiries may be sent to volunteer@mnatheists.org
Atheist Community Committees
Library Initiative
Facilitate member access to our lending library.
Library Coordinator: Georgia Hancock Tsoi, library@mnatheists.org
Digital Library Coordinator: Les Stordalen
Current Goals: Make this service known and available to our members. Les is working on creating a digital lending library.
Membership Committee
Works to maintain current membership, solicit new members, welcome new members, and foster a positive atheist community. Secondary role is to solicit donations.
Chair: Heather Hegi, chair@mnatheists.org
Committee Members: Shirley Moll, Steve Petersen
Current Goals: Increasing awareness of the fact that Minnesota Atheists collects dues and highlighting the value of becoming a member.
Programs and Activities Committee
Plans and executes activities for members (most of which are also open to the general public), such as monthly meetings, social hours, picnics, 5th Sunday dinners, Day of Reason, booths and marches at festivals, Winter Solstice Party, Regional Conference, debates, etc. Also oversees online promotion and coordination of events, most notably overseeing Minnesota Atheists Meetup Page on Meetup.com.
Chair: Heather Hegi, chair@mnatheists.org
Family Programming Lead: Jill Carlson
Committee Members: the serving board, all Meetup Assistant Organizers
Current Goals: Strategically make use of the budgeted amount of funds designated for speakers. We would also like to schedule a Newbie Night for new members to be introduced to the organization. If there’s an event you would like to organize or would like to share your ideas, please contact Heather at chair@mnatheists.org
Well-Being Committee
The Well-being Committee was formed to address the ongoing needs of members who are experiencing short-term life challenges.
Chair: Georgia Hancock Tsoi, well-being@mna.org
Committee Members:
Current Goals: Recruiting volunteers who are looking for opportunities to provide some support to members of Minnesota Atheists in need. If you are interested in volunteering, please email well-being@mna.org.
Building Committee – On Hold
Enthusiasm to purchase a building has waned recently, but Minnesota Atheists has built up a healthy building fund, and given renewed enthusiasm, this committee would be responsible for researching possible buildings to buy, planning for the successful transition to ownership, and supervising the use of the building once obtained. This committee had most recently been looking into rental options for storage of our library and for small group meetings.
If you’re interested in working to rejuvenate enthusiasm for a building and coordinating a team to work towards this goal, please contact us at volunteer@mnatheists.org
Outreach Committees
Fundraising Committee
Coordinate fundraising events and initiatives, whether it is an ongoing fundraiser to fund another Aints Game or planning special events for fundraising.
Chair: Hertzey Hertz, dir3@mnatheists.org
Current Goals: To effectively fundraise funds for Minnesota Atheists. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact Hertzey at dir3@mnatheists.org
Legislative Committee
Facilitate dialog between our elected representatives and Minnesota Atheists. Pursue changes in the law as sees fit.
Chair: August Berkshire, augustberkshire@gmail.com, 612-868-2267
Committee Members: Steve Adams, Stephanie Zvan
Current Goals: Facilitate the passing of a bill (Senate File 795, House File 1015) which would amend the constitution to allow for secular celebrants to conduct legal marriages as atheists. You can help by voicing your support to representatives in the committees these bills are currently in, especially if they represent your district or share your party affiliation.
Public Policy Committee
Review and make revisions to the Public Policy document.
Chair: George Kane, nup@minn.net, 651-488-8225
Committee Members: August Berkshire, Mahad Muhammad, Georgia Hancock Tsoi
Current Goals: Facilitate the committee in meeting to review and make revisions to the Public Policy. If interested in joining the committee, contact George at nup@minn.net
Public Relations Committee
Increase our media presence by coordinating the writing of press releases, opinion pieces, and letters to the editor. Also oversees effective use of our Twitter Account, Facebook Page, and any other social media presence.
Chair: Jason Alvey
Committee Members: Heather Hegi, Eric Jayne, Stephanie Zvan
Current Goals: To increase our social media efforts
Public Service/Charities Committee
Partner with Foundation Beyond Belief to plan and initiate activities that help people and strengthen our community.
Chair: Eric Jayne, dir2@mnatheists.org, 952-261-8207
Committee Members: Caroline Brunner, Alyssa Ehni, Mahad Muhammad, Steve Petersen
Current Goals: Recruit more ‘kitchen leaders’ to coordinate the planning of quality meals at our reoccurring volunteer event at The Family Place Shelter. If you’re interested, please email Alyssa at pres@mnatheists.org
Speakers’ Bureau and Education
Maintains a list of free atheist speakers within Minnesota for the media, schools, and events hosted by other groups. Other duties include developing a curriculum for speakers, training speakers, creating handouts, and promoting this service.
Chair: Open
Current Goals: We need a motivated individual to take on the position of chairing this committee and fulfilling the goal of maintaining this list. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact us at volunteer@mnatheists.org
Media Committees
Cable TV Committee
Produces and distributes the cable program Atheists Talk.
Chair: Steve Petersen, spetersen175@gmail.com, 651-484-9277
Committee Members: Art Anderson, Grant Hermanson, George Kane, Shirley Moll, Grant Steves, Les Stordalen, James Zimmerman
Current Goals: We need a motivated individual to take on the position of being Program Producer, who would seek out program interviewers and subject material, but any volunteers who can help develop programming, invite speakers, and conduct interviews are welcomed. If interested in becoming involved, contact us at cable@mnatheists.org
Editorial Board
Produces the newsletter The Minnesota Atheist.
Chair: George Kane, nup@minn.net, 651-488-8225
Editor: Jenny Nolan, editor@mnatheists.org
Board Members: Heather Hegi, Chris Matthews, Shirley Moll, James Zimmerman
Current Goals: Feature more pictures and articles of past and upcoming events. Build interest so we receive more submissions from our membership and greater atheist community. Solicit articles. Submit articles to editor@mnatheists.org
Radio/Podcast Committee
Creates and broadcasts the radio show Atheists Talk and posts podcasts.
Chair/Producer: OPEN
Committee Members: Steve Petersen, Stephanie Zvan
Current Goals: Recruit a new producer! Recruit more volunteers to develop programming, invite speakers, and conduct interviews. If interested in becoming involved, please contact us at volunteer@mnatheists.org
Technology/Web Committee
Designs and manages website. Also manages the mailing list, Mail Chimp, and Atheists Weekly E-mail (AWE).
Chair: Grant Hermanson, web@mnatheists.org
Web Developer: Clint Buhs
Committee Members: Steve Petersen, Chris Matthews, Heather Hegi, Eric Jayne
Current Goals: Make sure the website remains up-to-date and delegate duties. Currently we need a trustworthy (preferably someone who is active in the organization) and web savvy volunteer to take on the duty of updating the current news featured on the front page with articles from our newsletter. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact us at volunteer@mnatheists.org