centre for inquiry community of calgary

Organization Structure

Meeting Overview• Mission of CFI Calgary• Matching Structure to Mission• New Structure Overview• Mission Teams & Chairs• Support Teams & Chairs• Executive Roles• Get Involved in CFI• Questions & Discussion

CFI Transnational’s Mission is:• “to promote and defend science, reason, and free

inquiry in all aspects of human interest.”

CFI Transnational’s Purpose is:• “to contribute to the public understanding and

appreciation of science and reason, and their applications to human conduct.”

CFI Calgary’s Mission aligns with the transnational organization. That is:• “to promote and defend science, reason, and free

inquiry in all aspects of human interest.”

• Initial focus has been on the “science” portion• Members have expressed interest in fulfilling the

entire mission• Resources are now available to add “reason, and

free inquiry” to our work

Recognizing the separate “science, reason, and free inquiry” mission teams• Allows members to focus on their area of expertise

and/or passion, or participate in many areas• Gives CFI Calgary the ability to properly address

multiple issues

Administrative duties have been an obstacle to CFI Calgary’s effectiveness• Support groups can reduce strain on mission

teams• Specialized support can be at the ready for all

mission teams

Mission Teams• Science• Reason• Free InquirySupport Teams• Communication• Membership• Investigation• Social• OutreachAdministration Team

Each Mission Team has a Chairperson• Reports to Executive Chair• Co-ordinates with other Mission Teams

Mission Team Chair leads their team• Recruits volunteers• Chooses and prioritizes current issues• Sets long-term plan for Mission Team• Co-ordinates with support teams as needed

ScienceMission Focus:• Science in Alberta Public Education• Public awareness of Science

Science Chair:• Scott Rowed

Member Involvement:• Government & Legislation Watchdogs• Policy Advisement Think-tank• Strategy & Ally Development• Speaker’s Program

ReasonMission Focus:• Promoting Skepticism & Critical Thinking• Exposure of logical fallacies of public concern

Reason Chair:• TBA - Nominations to Executive Chair

Member Involvement:• Youth Outreach• Pseudo-science Watchdogs• Strategy Development• Speaker’s Program

Free InquiryMission Focus:• Protection and Promotion of Secular Humanist Values• Dogma Free Living• Promoting Ethics & Exposing Unethical Behaviour

Free Inquiry Chair:• TBA - Nominations to Executive Chair

Member Involvement:• Government Policy (Church-State) Watchdogs• Formation of Ethical Arguments• Speaker’s Program

Each Support Team will have a chairperson reporting to the 2nd Chair• Support Team Chair co-ordinates with Mission

Team Chairs and 2nd Chair

Support Team Chair leads and co-ordinates their team• Recruits volunteers• Provides “at the ready” support for Mission Teams

CommunicationMission:• Provides a consistent internal and external message

from CFI Calgary• Maintains website, Facebook group, newsletters with

current activities of Mission Teams• Develops and maintains media relations

Chair:• Mike Gray acting chair pending long term decision

Member Involvement:• Webmaster, writer(s), and other communication

MembershipMission:• Recruit and maintain Friends of the Centre• Raises funds to support CFI’s mission

Chair:• Helen Beach

Member Involvement:• Event teams to support inquiries at large events• Fundraisers• Volunteer Assignment

InvestigationMission:• Use the scientific method to investigate claims• Research assertions that require investigation

Chair:• Randy Tyson

Member Involvement:• Scientifically minded persons to do investigations• Researchers to look into suspected false claims

SocialMission:• Co-ordinate charitable work through CFI Calgary• Support event planning and execution

Chair:• TBA - Nominations to Executive Chair

Member Involvement:• Charity volunteers• Event planners & execution teams• Bakers

OutreachMission:• Provide support of CFI’s sponsored Student Groups• Seek out new opportunity for youth & senior

outreachChair:• TBA - Nominations to Executive Chair

Member Involvement:• University & High School Students and Educators• Program developers for youth programs• Future support for camps, after-school programs, and

other outreach opportunities.

AdministrationMission:• Efficiently maintain necessary reporting and record

keeping for CFI CalgaryChair:• No Chair – Team reports directly to Executive Chair

Positions:• Treasurer: • Brett Gartner

• Secretary & CFI Reporting:• TBA – Volunteer Needed

Executive Chair

Cliff Erasmus• Works with CFI Canada and CFI Transnational • Responsible for CFI Calgary achieving its mission.• Recruits and works with Mission Chairs for the

completion of CFI’s Goals• Provides a public face for CFI Calgary in co-ordination

with Communication Team• Works with 2nd Chair to ensure adequate support for

Mission Teams from Support Teams

2nd Chair

TBA – Chosen by Executive Chair• Co-ordinates Support Teams• Provides support for Executive Chair

Become a Friend of the Centre• Contact Helen with the Membership Team to sign up

tonight

Volunteer• Contact the team’s Chair if you have a role in mind• Contact Helen with the Membership Team if you are

unsure• Contribute to all the areas that interest you

Immediate Needs• Secretary• Mission Chairs for Reason and Free Inquiry• Support Chairs for Social and Outreach

Long-Term Needs• Volunteers within each team• Where can you contribute most?