Leeds Atheist Society

The following post is likely to cause some readers a bout a of serious, deep depression but for those like me who are aching to get back into the full, term-time swing of A-Soc it will casue untold joy!

There are only a few weeks left until term starts again and the diary busting level of events we all love to take part in will be upon us again!

I am unable to provide much insight into the events the new committee have in store for us, but having worked closely with most of them for the past year (or years in some cases ) I am convinced we will see the same high standard and immensevariety of events that A-Soc regulars have come to expect. I am also sure that Sophie’s presidency will see some new and fresh ideas bursting on to the scene.

I have high hopes for the coming year as the society is now breaking even financially and has an experienced and dedicated leadership team in place which all bodes well for us normal members.

I would also like to send a message to all our alumni, students and staff that have left the society over the years to get in touch with us and let us know what you are up to now. We are always interested in hearing from our members both old and new.

We might not be seeing the perfect summer in terms of weather, but A-Soc’s weekly socials are definitely one of the high points of the summer calendar.

Meeting every Tuesday at 7pm at the Library pub on the corner of Hyde Park we enjoy an evening of light hearted revelry, drinking of fine (and by fine I mean cheap ) beverages and even the odd discussion about the society, religion, swine flu et al.

So if you are in Leeds over the summer feel free to head on down and join us for the evening.

Following on from the recent AGM, it is with some sadness that I write what is likely to be my final post as President of Leeds Atheist Society.

The past year has been a great experience for me, both as an atheist and as president. I have been a part of one of the strongest years the society has had performance wise – with our membership roster now approaching the hundred mark and our finances looking healthy for the first time in three years.

I have also had the pleasure of meeting some great new friends and future leaders of the society. Many of our new committee are just finishing their first years of study at university. In fact, this is by far the youngest committee we have ever had, yet strangely also one of the most experienced! I look forward with great interest as to the future direction of the society under my successor, Sophie Stringfellow. I wish her and her new executive all the best.

Fortunately for me, I have kept a small finger in the A-Soc pie as I was returned as the new AHS Representative for the society, taking over the reigns from Tom. I hope that I can continue to serve the society’s bets interests on the national stage.

Thanks to all the members of Leeds Atheist Society and I hope to see many of you return as members next year. Remember, we are not just a stuident society and are open to all. We have a really good alumni scheme in place for all you graduates out there!

Luckily, my reign is not quote over and we have plenty of great events lined up for the rest of the year (and all summer too!) Check out our events listings for all the latest info!

Last night saw our 2008/2009 AGM. Those who were there will agree that we have really grown as a society over the past year and hopefully we continue this trend next year!

Congratulations to the newly elected committee, who are now as follows:

President: Sophie
Secretary: Tom
Treasurer: Zoltan
Vice President: Chris
Meetings Coordinator: Jonni
Courses Coordinator: John
Campaigns Coordinator: Laura
Interfaith Coordinator: Nicola
Humanist Chaplain: Rosie
AHS Representative: Norm

Today is the last day of Rationalist Week 2009.

For those that have missed the festivities so far, there are still plenty of events left for you to attend. Today’s line up looks like this:

12noon – Where do atheists get their morals?

2pm – How to have better sex

4pm – Breaking the superstitions

7pm – Mike Lake on Active Atheists

9pm – Student Stories

10pm – All night debate

As you can see, there is still plenty of things to get excited about.

I am sure that those involved with Rationalist Week will be sharing their views and stories with you on the blog in the coming week, but I would just like to mention a few of my personal highlights.

The highlight of the week for me was our inaugural debate with the Islamic Society. Debating the merits of theism versus atheism, we managed to explore the ideas of infinity and an unlimited universe. Unfortunately, the Islamic speaker sank to personal insult and offence as the arguments escaped him. The event was a success thougha nd was attended by RW ’09s first capacity crowd.

Other highlights included the CU debate, fast becoming an annual tradition of Rationalist Weeks, and the numerous live bands throughout the week.

So, Nicola, Zoltan and myself did the first night shift of Rationalist Week 2009.

It was bloody amazing! Had some drunk guys turn up at 3:30am, one was a strong atheist and the other apathetic!

We thought Zoltan got kidnapped but he turned up with chips after about an hour!

We did a stock check and thought the potatoes had multiplied by about 20!

We’re very tired and going a bit do lally!!

And Nicola submitted her manifesto for Interfaith Assembly Chair!! Vote for Nicola .. because she’s simply amazing

YAY!!

Name: Chris Worfolk

Position: Events Secretary

What has been the highlight of your on committee?

Rationalist Week! It hasn’t happened yet but this is what my entire year has been gearing up to lol. London and AHS conference were also fantastic events to have been a part of.

What has been the hardest part of the job?

Getting up on Wednesday morning after a long night in the pub!

What skills do you think you have learned/developed?

I’ve focused on trying to learn everyone’s name this year lol.

What are you responsible for?

Rationalist Week! Also any of our big awareness events such as Darwin Day, Galileo Day and other such events.

What advice would you give to your successor?

The more you metaphorically punch I-Soc in the face, the more they respect you as a society.

Name: Charlie
Position: Treasurer

What has been the highlight of your time on committee? Getting involved with a flourishing society. I have really enjoyed putting myself to the test with getting to grips with the society’s finances. I love the socials too!

What has been the hardest part of the job? Committing enough time to the cause. Keeping track of who owes what to who is pretty tough too

What skills do you think you have learned/developed? My accounting and financial skills have definitely improved.

What are you responsible for? I keep track of the society finances. I make sure we don’t spend (too) much more than we earn.

What advice would you give to your successor? Make sure you keep a written record of everything!

Name: Nicola
Position: Secretary/Interfaith Co-ordinator

What has been the highlight of your year on committee?

The highlight of this year has definitely been Perspective and Darwin Day! Perspective has been a massive success and despite my worrying that the speakers wouldn’t turn up, they all did. Interfaith assassins was lots of fun too. Watching Atheist Society grow from a few loyal members to one of the bigger societies on campus has filled me with quite a bit of pride, definitely another highlight!

What has been the hardest part of the job?

Dealing with the emails! It is quite a feat to not let them get on top of you.

What skills do you think you have learned/developed?

I have really developed in terms of confidence and the ability to approach a vairety of pople and get them to do what I want. My ability to target my audience has also greatly improved.

What are you responsible for?

As secretary, I deal a lot with the Union and especially the ARC. My main duties are focussed around membership and other admin type roles. I also take notes and minutes at the meetings. I basically control all the society paperwork. The interfaith part of my job means I am responsible for co-ordinating all the itnerfaith events we do, both in terms of organising speakers and ensuring we maintain a good relationship with other societies on campus.

What advice would you give to your successor?

Learn to use Facebook! Everything the society does is on Facebook.

Name: Norman Ralph
Position: President

What has been the highlight of your year on committee?

The highpoint of my year as President was leading the society into the newly formed national umbrella organisation for atheist societies, the AHS. Leeds A-Soc was heavily involved in setting up the AHS and hosted their first AGM in November 2008 where both AHS representatives from Leeds were elected the the Exec.

What has been the hardest part of the job?

The hardest thing about president is trying to make sure that the multitude of events that A-Soc runs actually happen. Most of the plannign and organising is carried out by the various co-ordinators and secretaries, but it is still nerve wracking every time you turn up to an event and seeing if the hard work has come to fruition!

What skills do you think you have learned/developed?

I have definitely improved my committee and communication skills. Having to co-ordinate the communications that emanate from a large society like Atheist Society is quite a task! My organisational and time management skills have also been hugely increased.

What are you responsible for?

As president, I am ultimately responsible for everything that goes on in the society. On a day-to-day basis I am repsonsible for manageing the rest of the committee team, ensuring that everything is done to the same high standard our members have come to expect. I am also the main contact with the Union, so I deal with the ARC and our development co-ordinator on a regular basis. As an experienced A-Soc member, I also take responsibility for delivering a lot of the talks and for chairing the meetings.

What advice would you give to your successor?

Buy a diary! Then make sure you use it as your time can fill up pretty quickly some weeks.

Anything else?

I have served on the A-Soc committee for over two years now as both Secretary and President and I have thoroughly enjoyed both roles immensely. The friendships and relationships you build, both within A-Soc and with other societies, are incredible and I have seriously enjoyed the task of helping build A-Soc up from a handful attendees in the Green Action Zone to the successful society we are today.