Events for May 1 - Jul 7

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend. In 2022, we will have the option of meeting online or in-person! For those who enjoyed the convenience and accessibility of remote participation, General Assembly will continue to offer virtual attendance with robust programming and enhanced delegate discussion tools. For those who have been missing the physical experience, GA 2022 will also feature face-to-face interactions, hanging banners, a browsable exhibit hall, meals with friends old and new, local site attractions, and more! All GA attendees and exhibitors are required to provide proof of Covid-19 Vaccination for in-person attendance at General Assembly. In addition, masking is required and physically distanced seating options will be reserved in our meeting spaces.

FEN's Surrogate Advocate, Althea Halchuck, will be speaking on end-of-life issues.

Our mission of the Humanist Forum is to advance humanism, an ethical and life-affirming philosophy free of belief in any gods and other supernatural forces. Advocating for equality for non-theists and a society guided by reason, empathy, and their growing knowledge of the world, the Humanist Forum promotes a worldview that encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good. They include humanists, agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, skeptics, religious naturalists, interested theists, and anyone else who wishes to attend. Their discussion topics include issues relating to morality and ethics, human development, evolution, the nature of the universe, love, the capacities of the brain, free will, the latest scientific research and discoveries, and other topics of mutual interest. Their events are open to the public. The Humanist Forum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) chapter of the American Humanist Association. FEN speaker, Charles Gessert, will talk about the work that FEN does to advance their mission. This will be an in-person and online meetup, with Q&A following the presentation.

This is a meeting place for humanists and other nontheists. Depending on your interests, they offer social events, educational events, volunteerism, and activism. FEN speaker, Eleanor Aronstein, will be providing an overview of FEN and the other organizations focused on Physician Aid in Dying (PAD) legislation, and end-of-life documents.

For Atheists and Godless Heathens in the "Bible Belt" It's one fun day to get connected, support each other’s journeys, and share cool experiences, new ideas, and high fives. The all-star lineup features keynote speaker Seth Andrews, Black Nonbeliever's Mandisa Thomas, Hollywood actor Alice Greczyn, atheist debater Matt Dillahunty, former pastor Dave Warnock, trans LGBT lobbyist Dr Marisa Richmond, Recovering from Religion's Gayle Jordan, queer atheologian Dr James Frey Croft, kids' camp organizer Amy Monsky, Holy Koolaid's Thomas Westbrook, Kelly Helton, and much, much more. Details at http://nanocon.rocks

The CSA Conference is designed to provide current information relevant to professionals working in the senior market on the health, financial, social, legal, and business issues associated with older adults, and strategies to apply practical knowledge to improve business practices. The CSA Conference is structured so that attendees gain knowledge relevant to their business with seniors, and have opportunities to grow their professional networks by connecting with others in the senior market. FEN's Surrogate Consultant, Althea Halchuck, will be presenting at the conference. Her presentation is titled, “Who Will Speak for You? Final Exit Network’s Guide to a Peaceful Ending.” Final Exit Network is a platinum sponsor of this event.

Lake Superior Freethinkers (LSF) is an educational and friendship group that provides mutual support and intellectual growth for Duluth’s humanists, secularists, agnostics, and atheists. LSF supports discussion of and learning about a wide range of issues pertaining to religion, secularism, science, society, and our shared environment. LSF demonstrates secular morality through its commitment to a healthy community and a healthy planet. This presentation will be providing a general explanation of Final Exit Network.

This is an informal group of senior citizens who live in a senior apartment facility in Eugene, OR. They just helped each other complete their advanced directives. Some of the participants are members of Final Exit Network and have asked for a general information presentation so the others in the group are also aware.

Aging Life Care is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers through: Assessment and monitoring Planning and problem-solving Education and advocacy Family caregiver coaching FEN speaker and past president, Janis Landis, will be presenting during this conference about the importance of surrogate advocates for solo seniors.

This presentation will be given to students in the Funeral Service Education class at Mercer County Community College in New Jersey. These students will go on to assist and guide families before/during/after a loss. Learning about Final Exit Network will be helpful in widening their perspective concerning end of life experiences and options.

Since 1982, the Active Retirement Association has provided educational and cultural programming in the Seacoast area and beyond. The Association, an outreach function of the University of New Hampshire, Division of Continuing Education, is financed entirely by the membership and managed through an elected Board of Directors. The ARA aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals who wish to keep intellectually alert, broaden their interests, explore new fields of knowledge, and make new friends. Members are encouraged to use their talents and experiences as program leaders, panelists, organizers, officers and committee members. During this meeting, Althea Halchuck, FEN's surrogate consultant, will offer tips for choosing an effective healthcare surrogate who will help ensure that your final wishes are followed when you can’t speak for yourself.  Learn the importance of certain personality traits in a surrogate, the consequences of not choosing a surrogate, and the importance of initiating the “conversation” about your end-of-life care goals with loved ones and friends.  She will also address the liability for medical providers who ignore your advance directive or surrogate.

Final Exit Network is proud to be a Silver Sponsor for this virtual event. The Village to Village (VtV) Network is a membership-based organization that brings Villages together to share best practices for enabling older adults to live independent, healthy, purposeful lives with connections to their communities. The Network provides expert guidance, resources and support to help communities establish and maintain thriving Villages, and they champion the Village model at state and national levels as a best practice for healthy, vibrant aging. FEN speaker, Janis Landis, will be presenting during this event.