Happy New Year to everyone. 2008 is under way, and hopefully it will end with the election of a new president who won't make us grimace. In my opinion the last seven years of this administration have been simply horrid, to say the least.

Anyway, I am quite enthusiastic about our organization's schedule of events. As you may remember, we made some changes to our schedule last year and will keep that same basic schedule again this year, that is: take a break from our regular general meetings and discussion groups during June and July and have a couple of movie nights instead. In August we will have our summer BBQ.

Also, as I announced last month, we are hosting our first annual "Darwin Day with Humanists of Utah" celebration, which will occur each year on Charles Darwin's birthday, February 12. I want encourage you to join us at the University of Utah Student Union Building from 12:30 to 8:00 P.M. for a "Celebration of Science." A more detailed schedule of the day's events will be in next month's newsletter and on our web site.

But I am getting ahead of myself, as we have a couple of happenings before Darwin Day. We will start the year with an excellent speaker at our January general meeting where we will feature the Honorable Judge Bruce Jenkins, who will speak on the subject, Taking the U.S. Constitution Seriously. I'm anxious to hear what someone of his stature has to say about the Constitution, and plan to ask a few questions.

In February, along with the Darwin Day celebration we will have our annual membership meeting also at the U of U Student Union Building, in the Crimson Room. However, please take note that because the second Thursday of February is Valentine's Day and only a couple of days after the Darwin Day event, we have decided to hold it on the first Thursday, February 7th, rather than the customary second Thursday. The usual invitation with a request for RSVP will be sent soon.

Mentioning Judge Bruce Jenkins' appearance reminded me of something I have been meaning to talk about, that is our agenda for the Humanists of Utah chapter. Because science is an area I have some competence in, this is where I have decided focus my efforts. I feel that more than ever science needs advocates and people willing to defend it in the face of the ongoing attacks. There is a lot of nonsense out there that needs to be confronted. However, I don't want other areas to be neglected. That is why I am hoping that along with Darwin Day, we can have another non-science special event. Perhaps an event that has something to do with the philosophy of humanism, or the U.S. Constitution. I am open to suggestions.

Of course this larger agenda with special events requires us to use our limited financial resources, so I ask that you consider a donation to help us make these events happen. There is a lot of work to be done in order to "get the word out" about what humanists stand for. Donations, suggestions, criticisms, and volunteers are always welcome.

Hope to see you soon.

--Robert Lane
President, HoU