By Paul Rupp
When I first joined HumanistsMN, one of the most exciting things I noticed was how quickly the organization was growing. It didn’t take long to understand why: I saw firsthand the hard work and dedication of our incredible volunteers. Planning one event might not seem difficult, but doing it consistently — month after month — requires real commitment.
It’s easy to overlook the effort behind the scenes when you attend an event. A phone call to ask someone to greet attendees, an email to a potential presenter, a casual conversation encouraging someone new to get involved — these seemingly small tasks add up. They’re just a few of the many, many pieces that go into making our events happen. When you consider that every one of these efforts is driven by unpaid volunteers, it’s truly remarkable what this community accomplishes. I’m incredibly grateful to all of you who make this possible.
As I and other Board members have listened to feedback from volunteers and members, several ideas have emerged for strengthening our organization, especially in the way we support and structure volunteer work. For example, how can we reduce confusion about roles and responsibilities? Who does what? Where do different efforts live within the organization?
Some real progress has already been made here. Sally Johnson has begun mapping out our existing committees and identifying who serves on each. Mitch Thompson has drafted committee charters to help define the scope of work. While there’s still more to do, these steps will bring clarity and make it easier to welcome and orient new volunteers.
Another focus: how to foster inclusive spaces and a strong sense of belonging. To do this well, we believe it’s important to clearly articulate our values and set shared expectations for how we work together. The DEI Committee has put in many hours revising and re-revising a Community Affirmation Statement (attached below) and developing leadership training materials to support those stepping into organizing roles.
The Board has embraced these efforts as essential. Over the next few months, several Meetup events will offer leadership training based on these materials, led by Board members who are also participating in the process.
I’m excited to be part of this organization as we continue to expand. It’s not always easy — and I won’t pretend it will be pain-free — but meaningful growth often requires change. As we try new things, we’re all learning together. I hope we can extend understanding and grace to one another in that process. After all, every humanist I know is also, first and foremost, human.
Paul Rupp is president of HumanistsMN.
HumanistsMN Community Affirmation Statement
HumanistsMN is committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and caring community for all our members. We welcome everyone who shares our humanist principles. We acknowledge the dignity and worth of all people — every race, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, social class, abilities, or disabilities. We actively promote a culture of respect, belonging, and compassion as we strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive. By participating in HumanistsMN events, you agree to conduct yourself in accordance with these values.
As HMN Grows, Providing Support to Volunteers and Fostering Inclusion
August 29, 2025
By Paul Rupp
When I first joined HumanistsMN, one of the most exciting things I noticed was how quickly the organization was growing. It didn’t take long to understand why: I saw firsthand the hard work and dedication of our incredible volunteers. Planning one event might not seem difficult, but doing it consistently — month after month — requires real commitment.
It’s easy to overlook the effort behind the scenes when you attend an event. A phone call to ask someone to greet attendees, an email to a potential presenter, a casual conversation encouraging someone new to get involved — these seemingly small tasks add up. They’re just a few of the many, many pieces that go into making our events happen. When you consider that every one of these efforts is driven by unpaid volunteers, it’s truly remarkable what this community accomplishes. I’m incredibly grateful to all of you who make this possible.
As I and other Board members have listened to feedback from volunteers and members, several ideas have emerged for strengthening our organization, especially in the way we support and structure volunteer work. For example, how can we reduce confusion about roles and responsibilities? Who does what? Where do different efforts live within the organization?
Some real progress has already been made here. Sally Johnson has begun mapping out our existing committees and identifying who serves on each. Mitch Thompson has drafted committee charters to help define the scope of work. While there’s still more to do, these steps will bring clarity and make it easier to welcome and orient new volunteers.
Another focus: how to foster inclusive spaces and a strong sense of belonging. To do this well, we believe it’s important to clearly articulate our values and set shared expectations for how we work together. The DEI Committee has put in many hours revising and re-revising a Community Affirmation Statement (attached below) and developing leadership training materials to support those stepping into organizing roles.
The Board has embraced these efforts as essential. Over the next few months, several Meetup events will offer leadership training based on these materials, led by Board members who are also participating in the process.
I’m excited to be part of this organization as we continue to expand. It’s not always easy — and I won’t pretend it will be pain-free — but meaningful growth often requires change. As we try new things, we’re all learning together. I hope we can extend understanding and grace to one another in that process. After all, every humanist I know is also, first and foremost, human.
Paul Rupp is president of HumanistsMN.
HumanistsMN Community Affirmation Statement
HumanistsMN is committed to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and caring community for all our members. We welcome everyone who shares our humanist principles. We acknowledge the dignity and worth of all people — every race, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, social class, abilities, or disabilities. We actively promote a culture of respect, belonging, and compassion as we strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive. By participating in HumanistsMN events, you agree to conduct yourself in accordance with these values.