Happy New Year

2010 was an amazing year for M.A.S.S. We received our 501(c)3 approval. We finished our new logo (with big thanks to Dan and Russ). Our T-shirts are made. Our bi-weekly Discussion Group (organized by Bill) is going strong and (thanks in part to James) has found a permanent home downtown. Several of our members were able to successfully challenge the church service at the County Fair and got it moved to an appropriate private venue.

And last but not least, we now have a sharp looking newsletter. You can sign up here. The primary newsletter, "Critical M.A.S.S." will go out about once a month, and if you sign up for any of the other available lists (such as for Volunteer/Outreach Opportunities), we'll send you notifications only as appropriate.

With all of that, one might wonder how we can top ourselves. What on Earth could we possibly have in mind for our 2011 News Year's Resolution? Well, how about a billboard?


Don't forget, Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch is this weekend, January 2nd, 10am at The Stone of Accord on North Reserve in the meeting room. If you're not sure where to go, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll show you the way.

Final Brunch of 2010

Many of us are taking a trip to Big Sky this weekend for an event hosted by the Bozeman Freethinker's, but unfortunately, not everyone is able to go. Therefore, the tradition of Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch will go on as scheduled. So come on out of that cold closet and join those of us still in town for some warm and friendly unsupernatural conversation.

When: Sunday, Dec 5th, 10am
Where: The Meeting Room at Stone of Accord, 4951 N. Reserve.

If you're not sure where to go, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll get you to the right spot in a flash.

"Frozen Food" photo (c) Lamoix Designs

The Biology of Stem Cells

The Missoula Area Secular Society is hosting another free public lecture.

When: Thursday, Nov 18th, 6:00pm
Where: Missoula Public Library, Large Meeting Room

Embryonic stem cells hold great promise for replacing cells in damaged tissue, even brain cells, but significant challenges remain before this can be realized. Not least of challenges is that stem cells may form tumors. It is difficult to cause stem cells to differentiate into exactly and only the type of cells needed for therapy.

The ethical and political considerations about research using stem cells require a clear understanding of stem cell biology. Research on stem cells is not human cloning, which should not be attempted, yet fear of human cloning is raised to prevent research on stem cells.

The Missoula Area Secular Society is proud to host Professor Mark Grimes for a free public lecture on the biology and politics of stem cell research. The lecture will be held in the Missoula Public Library in the large meeting room downstairs at 6:00pm.

After the lecture, some members of the Missoula Area Secular Society will likely migrate to a downtown restaurant to continue the discussion over food and drink, and cordially invite you to join them. Stick around after the lecture for details.

November Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch Meeting

Another month has flown by, Fall is officially here, and that means it's time for yet another Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch.

When: Sunday, November 7th, 10am
Where: Stone of Accord Meeting Room ( 4951 N. Reserve )

Need we say more?

"Snowy Leaves" photo (c) Janie Jones

Your Inner Fish

Neil Shubin, author of Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body, will be speaking at the University Theater at 8pm tonight.

Neil is best known as one of the discoverers in 2004 of the fossil that revealed a missing link in evolution between fish and land animals. He will discuss his 2008 book, Your Inner Fish, which tells the story of evolution by tracing the organs of the human body back millions of years, long before the first creatures walked the earth.

The event is free and open to the public.

Some members of the Missoula Area Secular Society will be meeting at about 6:45 at Food For Thought for dinner and then walking over to the theater at about 7:30. You are invited to join them, if you wish.

Welcome!

If you have just heard about us through our recent Montana press coverage, welcome to our website.

The Missoula Area Secular Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a community of non-theistic individuals and to promote and organize educational programs focusing on secular ethics, science, history and critical thinking for our members, their children and the public at large.

If you would like to join us, keep an eye on this website for announcements on upcoming events, and/or join or burgeoning Facebook group, or follow us on Twitter. We meet up regularly for a variety of educational discussions and lectures.

Membership dues are $20/year, which allows you to vote for our board of directors and on any issues the board puts to the members for a vote. Most of our events, however, do not require you to be a dues paying member to attend. All you need to do is show up.

We also happily accept donations of any size. All donations are tax deductible and fund our educational and outreach programs. To become a paying member or make a donation, simply use the "Donate" button on the right, or bring a check to an event.

Annual Election Update

Our annual board of directors election on Sunday went well. Our two board members who's terms were expiring (Milo and Gina) were both reelected without opposition to new three year terms. Gina will continue serving as our highly capable Treasurer, and Milo will continue as our Member at Large. Next October Russ and Jon's terms will be expiring.

The Board of Directors met later, and created a non-board position of "Outreach Coordinator" and appointed Martha to the position. Martha will be investigating opportunities for M.A.S.S. to do charitable work within the Missoula Area and coordinating those activities.