Humanism is a world view that says that reason and science are the best ways to understand the world around us, and that dignity and compassion should be the basis for how you act toward someone else.
About us
We meet to have interesting presenters come and to discuss interesting ideas.
We meet on the last Wednesday of the month.
We meet at the Bayfield Loblaws, in the second floor cooking school.
Connect, Learn & Socialize
We regularly meet as a social and educational group. Sometimes we meet to expand our minds with new ideas, and sometimes we meet just to socialize. We welcome seekers, guests and prospective members as well as your feedback. All of our events are listed on our MeetUp page.
We are a community of non-believers. We invite all Humanists and Humanist-friendly people to participate with us, including atheists, agnostics, skeptics and other freethinkers.
Socials
Every other month we meet on the second Wednesday of the month at a pub or bar. No topic, no presentation, just friends meeting to catch up and chat. Check our Meetup page for details.
Monthly Presentations
We meet monthly at the Bayfield Loblaws at 7pm on the last Wednesday of the month. Here, we discuss interesting ideas, often with presenters coming to speak to the group. Humanists love science and philosophy. Our meetings tend to include learning about science, talking about ethics, listening to charities and policy groups. We enjoy learning new things and trying to figure out how to make the world a better place. We welcome food bank donations at all presentations. We take july, August and December off but gather together for a yearly summer picnic, monthly meet ups and a winter potluck.
View meeting schedule on Meetup.com
Pre-Meeting Dinner
Before each meeting at 5 PM we meet at Kelsey's for dinner. Often our guest speaker attends. It's just an excuse to socialize before the presentation.
Social Media & Email
Sign up below for email reminders. This is the most reliable way to get information, along with our Meetup.com group. We also occassional post to our Facebook page and Twitter account. We also have a closed Facebook group for discussions you can participate in.
Please come by and check us out, for free. Any question? Email info@cohumanists.ca.
Get Email Reminders
A Humanist Life
We promote a positive, Humanistic lifestyle for non-religious people. We offer officiants for those who want non-religious weddings and funerals, and resources for people wanting to learn how to live a Humanistic life.
As Humanists, we believe it is our responsibility to live compassionately and ethically toward others. We only have each other. Every year we collect donations for charity and donations for the food bank.
Who We Are
We are a community of non-believers. We invite all Humanists and Humanist-friendly people to participate with us, including atheists, agnostics, skeptics and other freethinkers.
We love to learn new things and seek new perspectives on the world. This is because we want to know as many true things and as few false things as possible. Try us for free.
What We Like
Our meetings tend to include learning about science, talking about ethics, listening to charities and policy groups. We like to learn new things and figure out how to make the world a better place.
We are a social and education organization. As Humanists, we understand the need to meet with like-minded people and to be free to speak your mind. On top of our monthly meetings, we discuss ideas online via email groups and Facebook groups. Be part of our community.
Humanist Ceremonies
Humanist officiants are available to perform non-religious marriage ceremonies, memorial services, and child naming ceremonies.
Humanist officiants are licensed through Humanist Canada to perform wedding in Ontario. Below are some of the officiants in the Central Ontario area.
Humanist Officiants
Tom Cooke
Area: Barrie / Simcoe area
Email: tom046@sympatico.ca
Phone: (705) 424-6204
Website: cookeweddings.com
Julie Rose
Area: Orillia and surrounding area
Email: julierose.humanist@gmail.com
Phone: (705) 321-7505
Facebook Page
Gabor Krausz
Area: Barrie / Simcoe area
Email: ceremonysolutions@yahoo.ca
Phone: (705) 309-5950
Website: ceremonysolutions.ca
John Jackson
Area: Barrie / Simcoe Area
Email: humanist.professor@gmail.com
Address: 42 Ferndale Drive South
humanistofficiant.ca
2017-on haitus
Michele Lawson
Area: Central Ontario
Email: mlawson@QuillWeddings.ca
Phone: (705) 796-2004
Website: QuillWeddings.ca
Frances Garner
Area: Muskoka
Email: fgarner5840@gmail.com
Phone: (705) 801-5840
Non-Profit Corporation
We are a registered non-profit and non-prophet corporation.
As Humanists, we believe in accountability, transparency and the democratic process. We are member driven.
Membership
We couldn't have interesting and thought-provoking presentations without the support of our members. Thank you for buying a membership and any additional donations you make.
Thank you for your support! We charge guests $5 at the door to help cover our costs. But if you would like to be a member, it’s $30 for the year. This money goes toward our room rental and paying guest speakers. But we don’t want you to give us any money until you know you like us. Your first 3 visits are free. Try before you buy.
| Membership Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Individual | $30 |
| Household | $50 |
| Student | $15 |
There are three ways to pay. In person, by mail or by Interac email transfer.
Mail or In Person
To mail in or bring your membership and payment in person, please fill out our membership form (PDF) and bring it to our meeting, or mail it to our treasurer, with a cheque made out to “COHA” or to “Central Ontario Humanists.” You may also fill out the electronic membership form below.
c/o Shawn P. Conroy
90 Laidlaw Dr. Barrie, ON L4N 7S2
Interac transfer
To pay online, fill out online membership form below, and send your Interac email payment to finance@cohumanists.ca for us to process your membership.
Executive Board
The Central Ontario Humanists (COHA) is run by a team of volunteers. Our AGMs are held at the start of the winter potluck social, usually near the start of December.
Contact us at info@cohumanists.ca
Finances
We are a registered not-for-profit corporation. Our biggest cost is the room booking for our monthly meetings. We pay for this through our memberships, entry fees and donations for our members. We thank all of them for their support.
Humanists we believe in accountability and transparency. Please see here our yearly revenue and expenses chart.