Meeting Minutes - 18/08/2012

Cyprus Freethinkers Group Meeting
August 18th 2012, Acropolis Park
Meeting Minutes

Issues discussed:

1. Becoming a body, electing a board and opening a bank account

There is the need to open a bank account as soon as possible. At the same time we need to vote for a board. According to the group’s constitution, a date of a general assembly should be posted and 15 days prior to that, the names of a 5 member committee should be nominated.Voting through the internet is an option that will be taken in consideration.A lawyer will be asked about the founding members of the group that are not active anymore.

Socratis, Anna and Nicolas will study the group constitution and prepare Qs for the lawyer. Petros, Antonis and Christos Petsas will take care of the opening of a bank account. We also have to consider the fact that we register members, which will pay annual fee, through the website.

Putting the constitution on the web site as a pdf.

2. Billboard

Donations for the billboard are already on the website. We reached the amount of 325 euro. The billboard will cost around 400. A new competition will start on the website for the best design of it. The billboard should be provocative, raise awareness and the aim of it should be to make people think and shouldn’t be offensive. A suggestion is to be placed in motorways, where it can be accessible to a lot of viewing. Michalis Tappakoudis and Masha will get more info regarding the billboard.Christmas cards: Masha will ask about some place we can print out the cards. Antonis suggests that we find sponsors about this and about other stuff.

3. Sponsors

We all have to think of our connections and try to get sponsors or ways to advertise the group without paying.

4. Permanent venue for meetings

Larnaca is considered a good place that suits a lot of people, since is in the middle of the island. However, a questionnaire was already put in the website to see , which city is more chosen by members.Christos suggested Μουσείο Θέασης in Larnaca, Socratis will check with Alexander College and Antonis and Masha will look for places too. Angela suggested the conference room of Presse Café in Strovolos , although it fits around 20 people.The place chosen must have a good internet connection as well.

Yianna suggests that we will set a day that we meet that is stable.

Less urgent:

• There is a need to attract sponsors either with services or with merchandize. We try to get a budget, so there is money when needed. Masha suggested that we design a T-shirt and Anna suggested to create promotional videos. She will post on the website videos of the American Atheist , with short snaps , to get an idea what she is referring to.
• Alexandra and Antonis talked about the need of a press release. They will create a document as soon as possible. Petros suggested that we should apply pressure from every direction and send press release very often to newspapers.
• Antonis suggested that there is a need to change the description of the group as well. Plus we have to gather the email addresses of the members.
• Another suggestion was to organize seminars every month.

Press releases: Panayiota suggested that we make a committee about issuing press releases. Alexandra and Antonis will be responsible for press releases. A suggestion about a press release was about the statement of the archbishop that “economic crisis is sent from god to test us”. Petros suggests that we start pointing out the instances where the church interferes on the state. Nikos suggests that we put pressure on the church being taxed. Tsiartas suggested that we should promote not only the rights of atheists but the rights of all people (head of the office against discrimination).

Alexandra Phasaria, will be responsible for the press releases, as well as emailing the members whenever a press release is out.

Antonis had an idea of a long term project about human rights in religious stuff at school. Many opinions are expressed on how to do it. Anna suggested that we target students and create a pressure group by students. Antonis suggested that we find ways to start this off.

Lectures: Antonis posed the question about why do we have very few people coming to lectures. Antonis suggested that we try to make it a bit approachable. Marc said that we could make it more basic e.g. what is evolution. A suggestion was made that we could make symposiums which last for a day where a number of lectures can take place.

Sokratis suggested that we make events which promote freedom of religion instead of events about atheism. Antonis said that we could make a seminar where religious people speak and then we speak.

An educational program will be drafted by Marc. Whoever wants to present a speech on relevant topics is welcomed.