S P R I N G 2017
Vol. 24: No 2
THE
AT NEWSLETTER
The Quarterly Periodical of the HUMANIST ASSOCIATION OF TORONTO
Promoting Humanism and the Separation of Church and State
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2017
Our HAT Annual General Meeting (AGM) will
be at OISE, 252 Bloor St West, Rm 4-418, on
Saturday, April 29th, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00
p.m. The past will be summarized, the
present discussed and a future course
agreed upon. If you cannot attend, please
complete the proxy form which is found on
the last page of the newsletter and also on
the HAT website. Your proxy is vital as it
ensures that the constitutional quorum
requirements are met. Please mail the form
to our postal address on the next page or
email it to [email protected] or hand it
in to a steering committee (SC) member.
Thank you!
UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKERS
Topic
A TALE OF BANGLADESHI PHILOSOPHERS:
Attacks on Secular Humanism in
Bangladesh
Speaker
Raihan Abir
Date
Saturday April 29th, 2017
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m
Location
OISE, 252 Bloor St. West, Room 4-418
Please see speaker bio on page four.
OTHER EVENTS
Please visit the HAT website to find other HAT and
Non-HAT events such as our occasional film nights,
the annual Marijuana Rights and Medical
Awareness Protest on April 20th, 2017 and so on.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Weekly forums (see entry below) take place at the
519 Church Street Community Centre, routinely.
Speaker events commonly take place at the
Ontario Institute of Education (OISE) on 252 Bloor
St West in Toronto. Please go to the HAT website
for further event details / scheduling data, or call
HAT at (647) 361 – 7084.
HUMANIST DISCUSSION FORUMS One of our most
popular programs takes place each Saturday
from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. We meet in an
informal way to discuss various topics of
interest to free-thinkers. You don't have to be a
HAT member to attend. If you are looking for a
spirited group with whom to discuss ideas and
make new friends, you are welcome to show up!
Check the website for weekly details on topics
to be discussed. After a discussion, group
members often go out for a coffee or a bite to
eat. Centrally located not far from Yonge and
Bloor, the forum takes place at 519 Church
Street - steps north of Wellesley Street.
Monthly Book Club The book club used to
meet from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on
Saturdays. If interested in hosting these small
discussion groups, please email a member of
the Steering Committee or phone HAT.
Guest Speakers Note that the time of April’s
event has been changed to accommodate
the A.G.M. Speaker events are routinely held
every two or three months, from 1:30 p.m. to
3:00 p.m.
Note Out of respect for people with allergies and
chemical sensitivities, we request that participants
at HAT events avoid using scented products such
as perfumes, colognes, hairsprays, etc.
The HAT Newsletter
Vol. 24: No 2
April - June, 2017
HAT Steering Committee
EDITOR: Cornelia Laven
[email protected]
The HAT newsletter is published on a quarterly
basis.
Copy deadline is ten days prior to
publication.
The editor
welcomes your contributions!
Submissions are routinely from members,
relatively current, signed by the author, his/her
own work or quoted material on which the he/she
comment and, lastly, not opposed to the spirit of
humanism. The editor’s preference is that your
submissions be emailed as attached MS Word
documents or simply pasted into your email. The
editor reserves the right to select materials and to
edit these for style, length and content.
Submissions may include articles, photos, poems,
illustrations, book reviews, cartoons and so forth.
The aim is never to rewrite your meaning, but to
ensure clarity and balanced, ethical reporting
practice.
Space is limited and we cannot
guarantee publication. All opinions are those of the
authors and not necessarily those of the editor,
steering committee or HAT members. All initialed
material is the work of the editor.
COPY DEADLINE
June 15, 2017
N OTES from the Editor
As detailed on page one, our AGM is on
Saturday, April 29th this year. (If you can’t
attend, the proxy sheet will speak for you.)
Please contact us with your questions,
comments or suggestions.
Winter turned bitterly cold March mid-month
but by April Fool’s Day the climes had
gentled... Wishing you a happy, and warm,
spring season!
CL
ADVERTISING RATES
Classified: (1 insertion) 25¢ per word; min. 10
words - max. 60 words.
Send Submissions and Advertising to:
HAT EDITOR
Humanist Association of Toronto
Box 68559, 360A Bloor St West
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1X0
Or by email to the Editor:
[email protected]
[email protected]
HAT phone line/voice mail: (647) 361 - 7084
email: [email protected]
web: www.humanisttoronto.ca
Display: (6 insertions) $25 dollars per column
inch. Full column is 3½” wide by 10” long.
The above prices are half-price for members.
Please submit camera-ready artwork or layout and
copy to the HAT Editor.
Make cheques payable to the:
Humanist Association of Toronto
Note that the editor can at any time, for reason of
incompatibility with the general principles of
secular humanism, refuse to accept an ad.
STEERING COMMITTEE
The HAT Steering Committee meets monthly to
conduct the business of the association. Since HAT
is a member-driven organization, your presence and
participation are essential. Members are welcome
and encouraged to attend these meetings.
NOTEWORTHY MOTIONS OF THE MOST
RECENT SC MEETINGS
Motion to fund refreshments at the upcoming AGM
was approved.
Coordinator……..…..............…............. Moses Klein
Membership Secretary….................. Dick Combeer
Treasurer…...…..……...........….… Richard Dowsett
Program Coordinator.….........…....…..Tanya Long
Public Relations Officer…......................Martin Frith
Spokesperson…...............….…............Moses Klein
Recording Secretary…...................Richard Dowsett
Newsletter Editor.…….…..….....…..Cornelia Laven
Web Administrator.......…...….…...... Dick Combeer
External Representative…......…...........Martin Frith
Members at Large….….....Michael Chin; Stephen
Perin; Gail McCabe
Personalized
HUMANIST
CEREMONIES
Are you or one of your relatives
planning a wedding?
Will you soon be organizing the
funeral of a friend or relative or
pre-planning your own?
HUMANIST OFFICIANTS AT YOUR SERVICE
MARY BEATY TORONTO, ON
[email protected]
JOHN G. MANUEL
(416) 461-1772
(905) 432-2468
www.weddingsoftoronto.com
www.durhamweddings.webs.com
MARTIN FRITH, BES, M.DIV., RMFT
OAKVILLE, ON
[email protected]
DR GAIL MC CABE HAMILTON, ON
(416) 362-1141
www.gailmccabe.com
www.ceremonieswithchoice.ca
Would you like to have a naming
ceremony for your new baby or
grandchild? Or a coming-of-age
ceremony for a young adult?
SARAH BOYER MESSENGER
TORONTO AND MUSKOKA, ON
[email protected]
We are licensed humanist
officiants who collaborate with
you to create meaningful lifepassage ceremonies that fit with
your values, beliefs and traditions.
We are also creating brand new
traditions that fit with a secular
humanist worldview.
TERRI HOPE OWEN SOUND, ON
[email protected]
(416) 731-1958
www.Sarahmonies.ca
(519) 376-5296 / (519) 270-1590 C
MANDY ST GERMAINE RICHMOND HILL,
TORONTO, COLLINGWOOD (ON)
[email protected]
www. MandyStGermaine.com
(416) 806-8027 / (705) 446-5634
MICHAEL J. WHEELER
[email protected]
(416) 887-8010
www.MichaelsCeremonies.com
OSHAWA, ON
[email protected]
[email protected]
(289) 396-0060 / (905) 220-9072 C
SYLVIA MCGROARTY OAKVILLE, ON
[email protected]
(289) 681-4933
STEPHEN PERIN TORONTO ON
[email protected]
647-918-0153
http://scperin.wixsite.com/thewhitepine
www.facebook.com/humanist.officiant.
thewhitepine/
OUR APRIL SPEAKER: RAIHAN ABIR
Tanya Long
Raihan Abir is a writer and scholar living in exile in Toronto. He is the editor for
Mukto-Mona, a bilingual English Bengali website and blog dedicated to
freethinking, science and reason. Last October, Raihan received the PEN
Canada/Ken Filkow Prize, in recognition of his courage in opposing restraint on
freedom of expression and ideas.
Raihan will discuss the courage, agony and tribulations of the freethinking
community in Bangladesh, the attacks on atheists and the LGBT community by Al
Qaeda and by the Islamic State group, and the reaction of the people of
Bangladesh.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Please see details of the upcoming event on page one.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
THE WHITE PINE
Stephen Perin
The name The White Pine was chosen because it is the official tree of Ontario. Historically pine has been used by
many seeking a simple and inexpensive burial. I wish to continue this tradition by offering simple and Humanist
ceremonies.
I was licensed via Humanist Canada in the summer of 2016, and received my licence number that November
from The Registrar General of Ontario. It is the support of my fellow Humanists and my social circles which have
aided me in reaching my goal of becoming a * Humanist Officiant. I am honoured to be a public servant and to
help others in their times of need and joy.
I continue to be on the HAT Steering Committee to promote humanism and free thought. I remain politically
involved with issues affecting us all including: Aboriginal Rights, LGBTQI2+ Rights, Marijuana Rights and Animal
Rights.
* Stephen’s Perin’s contact data is on page three.
UPDATE ON THE REFUGEE PROJECT
Moses Klein
On April 1st we heard from Martin van de Ven, our contact with Friends of
Music and Art, that the family we were expecting to sponsor has given up
on Canada and made alternate plans. They will be settling in Australia.
Ours is not the only sponsorship group that has been frustrated by
bureaucratic delays. We wish the family well in their new home and are
happy that they have found an arrangement. We are still hoping to be
able to help out. FoMA is going to put in another application. It means that
we are further back than when we were a year ago -- but we should,
in time, be getting a family. The money that HAT raised to support the
family will be put to its intended use, and our volunteer efforts will
eventually be needed. Unfortunately, we cannot yet say when.
WOMAN'S MARCH ON DC/TORONTO WALK
Stephen Perin
https://www.wevideo.com/hub/#view/836072266
Tens of thousands of Torontonians gathered in front of Queen’s Park on January 21st, 2017 at noon to
rally for The Woman's March on DC. The march ran from Queen’s Park to Nathan Phillips Square on
Saturday in support of women and in support of human rights. The march was a backlash from the
unacceptable things said by U.S.A.’s President Donald Trump in the recent past. The march took place
a day after Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president. Many cities joined in on their own walk, including
Toronto. It was a demonstration by minority groups and all peoples opposed to oppression and abuse
by those in power.
The Toronto walk was lead by numerous women's groups, and featured speakers from a cross section
of Toronto's women's support services. Knitted pink “pussy” hats were a symbol of unity throughout the
political event. Women and girls of all ages and backgrounds came with their families to march from
Queen’s Park, past the U.S. consulate, to Nathan Phillips Square in a show of solidarity.
Speeches were given for an hour, and it fueled the crowd. Once the walk began, the activity took on a
life of its own as it swept down University Ave. The walk was controlled and participants showed no
desire to do more than make those at home, and those lining the streets, be aware of all peoples’ rights.
It was a great experience to march along women in support of human rights. I have marched many
times at Pride for various groups and the feeling is always a good one. I will remember January 20th,
2017 for a long time. We were all told we were making history by gathering this way, and I believe we
did just that.
50, 000 people gathered for the Toronto Walk.
Humanist Association of Toronto
MEMBERSHIP FORM
2017
www.humanisttoronto.ca
Date: ______________________________________
New Member: Renewal Member: 
If new member: What influenced you? ______________________________________________________
Name(s):
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Please print. If this is a “Household” Membership, please include all member names (use next line if necessary).
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________
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Home phone: _______________________ Email: _____________________________________________
Note: we will only use your contact information for HAT-related communication
Please circle the appropriate amount(s)
Membership
Individual
Student/Limited Resources
Household
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Donation
TOTAL
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You may enjoy subscribing to Humanist Perspectives Magazine.
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Please pay in one of three ways:
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We welcome your membership and hope to see you at our meetings and events!
THANK YOU
.
No
No
No
No
For the Annual General Meeting of Members of the
Humanist Association of Toronto
to be held
at
OISE, 252 Bloor St W., Rm 4 - 418, Toronto, ON
on
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29th, 2017
I, being a HAT member, hereby appoint:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
or failing him/her:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
to attend and act for and on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual General Meeting of Members of
the Humanist Association of Toronto, Inc. (HAT) and at any and all adjournments thereof, with full
power of substitution in the premises and, without otherwise limiting the generality of the foregoing,
direct the proxy holder named above to vote, or withhold from voting, as specified below:
DATED this __________day of __________________________________, 2017
Name of HAT member (please print) ___________________________________________________________
Signature of HAT member____________________________________________________________________
Note:
This proxy is solicited by the Steering Committee of the Humanist Association of Toronto. A member has the
right to appoint a person, who need not be a member, to act as his/her proxy at the General Meeting other
than the person designated in the above form of proxy. To exercise this right, the name of the desired proxy
holder may be inserted in the space provided in this form of proxy or another appropriate form of proxy may
be substituted.
This form of proxy must be executed by the member or his/her attorney or proxy holder duly authorized in
writing.
Note: From the Constitution of the Humanist Association of Toronto:
Section 7 (viii), Members may be represented at meeting by proxy but no member/representative may be proxy
for more that 5 members.
.