"How to be Foolproof in Today’s News Environment: Bias, Misinformation, AI – what can you trust?" by Eric Schurenberg
2026-03-29 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Sunday, March 29 – 11:00 AM ET – All Society Program – Sponsored by the American Ethical Union

“How to be Foolproof in Today’s News Environment: Bias, Misinformation, AI – what can you trust?” will be presented by Eric Schurenberg on Sunday, March 29, 2026 – by Zoom only at 11:00 AM. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
Register Here Link to American Ethical Union Announcement
The founder of The Alliance For Trust in Media, veteran journalist and media executive Eric Schurenberg will take you through a crash course in navigating today’s chaotic news environment to uncover information you can trust. He’ll explain the economic reasons that news gets delivered the way it does, the effects of the growing seepage of AI into the information ecosystem, and some quick, non-partisan rules that you can deploy to avoid being misled online.
Eric is the former editor in chief of the publications Inc., Money, CBS MoneyWatch and BNET and the former CEO of Inc. and Fast Company. He’s now a distinguished instructor of journalism at University of Chicago and the host of the podcast In Reality.

"Asheville’s Housing Crisis: Stories, Systems, and Solutions" by Jen Hampton
2026-04-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“Asheville’s Housing Crisis: Stories, Systems, and Solutions” will be presented by Jen Hampton at the Sunday, April 19, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:30 – 4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. Jen will be with us in-person for her presentation and Q&A. There will also be a hybrid Zoom option. All are welcome to attend.
Jen’s presentation will explore the lived realities behind Asheville’s housing crisis, and the practical solutions communities can pursue together. Further talk summary in development.
Jen Hampton is a housing and labor organizer in Asheville for the Asheville Area Tenants Union. She is also a co-founder and leader of Asheville Food and Beverage United, advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and collective power for service industry workers.
Through organizing, advocacy, and coalition-building, she works to ensure that working people and tenants have a meaningful voice in the systems that shape their lives. She was recognized as one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year for her community leadership and impact.

"Strategic Nonviolence Action" by Daniel Snyder
2026-05-17 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“Strategic Nonviolence Action” will be presented by Daniel O. Snyder at the Sunday, May 17, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:30 – 4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. Dan will join us in-person for his presentation and Q&A. A hybrid Zoom option will also be available. All are welcome to attend.
At a time of deep political polarization and democratic strain, this talk explores civil resistance as a practical and effective tool for protecting democracy. Dan will examine how power works, why violence often fails, the research behind the “3–4% tipping point” for successful movements and case studies.
Dan Snyder, PhD, is a teacher, spiritual director, and longtime practitioner of strategic nonviolence. Trained in clinical psychology and religion, he holds degrees from Pacifica Graduate Institute, Boston University School of Theology, Earlham School of Religion, and Guilford College. Over four decades, Dan has worked as a pastoral counselor, educator, and peace studies teacher, including faculty service at Pendle Hill, the Quaker center for study and contemplation.
His work integrates theology, depth psychology, and the nonviolent traditions of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Gene Sharp to help communities cultivate both inner resilience and effective democratic action.

Colloquy
2026-06-07 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
Colloquy in person is back! We will meet from 2:30 to 4:00 PM at the Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville.
Colloquy is an opportunity to explore and reflect on a particular aspect of life in a structured and facilitated small-group setting in a nonjudgmental, confidential atmosphere.
Colloquy was created more than 25 years ago by Arthur Dobrin (now Leader Emeritus of the Ethical Society of Long Island) and brought to Asheville by Joy McConnell, Consulting Leader for the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville. Colloquy inspires participants to raise awareness of their own views, emotions and values. Guided by a facilitator, participants sit in a circle, listen to a topic read by the leader, and take turns sharing responses – speaking from personal experiences, thoughts and feelings.
Examples of recent topics include: resistance, honesty, friendship, generosity, anger, forgiveness, deep listening, living with intention, perfection, pluralism, renewal, uniqueness, possibility . . .
Visitors are welcome. Come join us!

Annual Meeting
2026-06-21 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
The Annual Meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2026, 2:30 – 4:00 PM at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. A potluck meal will follow the meeting. All are welcome to attend (only members may vote).
An agenda will be available in advance of the meeting.
Board members will be elected. If you wish to serve as a member of the EHSAsheville Board, please let any current board member know.

“Levers of Change: Humanist Policy, Politics, and Advocacy in the Time of Christian Nationalism” by Rachel Deitch
2026-07-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“Levers of Change: Humanist Policy, Politics, and Advocacy in the Time of Christian Nationalism” will be presented by Rachel Deitch at the Sunday, July 19, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville. The program will take place from 2:30–4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC. Rachel will join live via Zoom from Washington, DC, and will be featured on a large screen. Attendees are invited to gather in person at our regular meeting location. All are welcome.

Active engagement in the political landscape is essential for individuals and organizations committed to strengthening their communities. As an organization dedicated to creating a more just and humane world, the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville recognizes both the importance—and the responsibility—of civic participation.
In this program, Rachel will lead a discussion on how humanists can effectively engage in the political and electoral process. While nonprofits operate within certain legal limitations, there remains a wide range of permissible activities—including advocacy, education, and public engagement—that can meaningfully influence issues of shared concern.
Rachel will also introduce the work of the Center for Freethought Equality, including its mission, how it collaborates with local organizations, and ways individuals and groups can become more informed and engaged. The program will offer attendees an opportunity to better understand how national and local efforts can align to advance shared values.
Rachel Deitch is the Policy and Political Director at the Center for Freethought Equality (CFE) and the American Humanist Association (AHA). She oversees the organizations’ work to create a more humanist world through public policy, as well as CFE’s political program to increase humanist representation and influence at all levels of government.
Rachel is a seasoned strategist, advocate, policy wonk, and coalition builder. Most recently, she served as Director of Federal Policy at the National Coalition of STD Directors, where she founded and co-chaired a coalition of 65 national public health, sexual health, and LGBTQ organizations during the mpox public health emergency, bridging the gap between advocates and the White House. And prior to that, she worked at the AHA and CFE as Director of Policy and Social Justice.
Rachel holds a Master of Theological Studies in Religion, Politics, and Ethics from Harvard Divinity School and a BA in Religious Studies from Occidental College. She resides in Washington, DC., serves on the board of her local Planned Parenthood, and enjoys being an active Humanist celebrant.

Presentation TBA
2026-08-16 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC

"How to Live a Life of Great Value" by Jim Stokely & Lynn Brailsford
2026-11-15 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“How to Live a Life of Great Value” will be presented by Jim Stokely and Lynn Brailsford at the Sunday, November 15, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:30 – 4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. Jim and Lynn will join us in-person for his presentation and Q&A. A hybrid Zoom option will also be available. All are welcome to attend.
