By Joan Kurtz

On a cloudy and muggy weekend in September, the Executive Committee of CSJO met outside of Philadelphia to discuss and strategize plans for its upcoming board meeting in November. These “retreats” have helped the board meetings to run more efficiently. Most concerns are tackled and resolved at the retreat, with the board giving its nod of approval afterwards.

Some of the topics we discussed were:

Our upcoming 50th annual conference in 2020 (Please save the dates May 25 – 27; location to be determined.).
Social action statements, both new ones and updating our older ones.
The International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism (If interested in furthering your Jewish education to become a leader or rabbi, the Institute can help.).
Our draft budget for 2020.
Getting our name out to the larger public with better and more PR ads (Affiliates: Ask how we can help you with your own group’s ads.).

As a member of CSJO, whether part of an affiliate or as an associate member, please let us know if you have any specific concerns or issues the board can address. We are only as good an organization as our members ask and expect of us. We are here for you. Please talk to us!