Updates - 26 January 2012

Hello all!

We have decided that the best way for us to improve our image on campus is through fundraising. Some local ideas include:
-Hosting a clothing/canned food drive through the dorms for Goodwill, the woman's shelter, and local food banks.
-Volunteer as a group at the Humane Society.


On a larger scale, we have selected Doctors without Boarders and Amnesty International as notable, secular charities to raise money for. Some ideas include:
-Themed bake sales (Dinosaurs, stars, science-y things)
-Some sort of pie-throwing fundraiser, where people pay money to throw pies at members.

Obviously, we are starting on a very small scale, but we have to work with what we have.

On the issue of attracting and retaining new members:
-Weekly OSSO booths on campus, such as Ask An Atheist booths. At these booths we will provide suggested reading/websites, a list of common misconceptions about the non-religious, and information about upcoming events. We should also have candy.
-We should hold at least two fun events a month. These can be movie nights, trips to the city to see the zoo, picnics/potlucks, athletic events, etc. Anything with food and movement.
-Shirts. We have decided that shirts would be great for PR purposes. A design we've chosen would be navy pocket tees with "OSSO" in white on the pocket + the logo and "Question Everything." on the back.
-Posters. If anyone is good with graphics, we need your help with the posters and the designs on the shirts.

Contact my facebook page through the OSSO's facebook if you have any questions, comments, or concerns! Thanks!

-Kat Ross

Blogroll

Added some blogs to the roll that will probably be relevant to everyone's interests, including one written by an OSSO member.

9/9/2010

Minutes

We met in BUS 234 and organized this week's minutes into a to do list.

To do list:

-Find a list of videos to watch at meetings
-Design new flyers (Matt)
-Figure out Treasurer stuff (Tyler's James!)
-Sign freaky compliance thing
-Officer orientation pamphlet
-Winter elections for new officers?
-Pizza Party!!11!!!1!1one (prices and participation may vary)
-Lunch meetups MWF 11:30-12:30 potentially T TH 11:30-12:30
-Test out lunch day next week Wednesday approx 11-2
-TED Talk Sunday 2:37 pm <1 hr

9/1/10 First Meeting of the Semester

OSSO met outside at the new Student Union pavilion for the first meeting of the semester. Derek began the meeting by speaking about his experience at the CFI conference (which mostly included listening to speakers and "sitting on his ass.")

Matt mentioned that if we want to get funding James Harris, as the current treasurer, will have to go to a meeting. Here's a link to the Treasurer's Handbook

We discussed the need for publicity in the form of flyers, "Ask an Atheist" tabling, TED Talk Sundays, and group lunches.

Flyers: We need to create new flyers and distribute them regularly.

Ask an Atheist: It was suggested that we have a recurring tabling effort throughout the year.

TED Talk Sundays: James wants to bring back TED Talk Sundays. We would need to reserve a room on Sunday afternoons with a projector. Everyone seemed amenable to the idea.

Group Lunches: Derek suggested meeting in groups for lunch with a sign or flyer advertising the group as an effort to show ourselves to the community. We need to get member schedules and plan accordingly.

Carl Sagan Day: Cassandra suggested that we hold a Carl Sagan day on November 9th. The group was enthusiastic about this idea.

New Group Meeting Time: It was officially decided to change the meeting time and date. OSSO will now meet on Thursdays at 6pm. The new meeting place is as of yet undecided.


Other than general suggestions to increase membership these were the main points of the meeting. The next OSSO meeting will be held on Thursday 9th at 6pm.

Our Mission Statement

The Oklahoma State Secular Organization has two functions. First, it exists as a social gathering point for people who enjoy a secular/naturalistic humanistic lifestyle including but not limited to atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, religious individuals who place strong value on reason and science, etc. Secondly, OSSO’s purpose is to promote a reason based lifestyle by advocating a scientific outlook and critical thinking, through encouraging evidence based inquiry into personal beliefs, especially those pertaining to humanity’s mythological narratives, and advocating causes important to a secular lifestyle such as free speech and the defense of scientific thought.