We've been hearing a lot about leadership lately.  But what exactly is leadership?  Some confuse leadership with authority or power.  Others mistake an engaging personality with leadership.  But leadership is far more than this, and with leadership comes ethical obligations -- for both the leaders and for those who follow.  Jone Johnson Lewis will address the role of leadership in families, work, and politics -- and what an ethical humanist perspective on leadership might look like.

Many have attempted to discern whether change is predictable.  Some religions view history as a circle, with events repeating themselves endlessly.  In modern times, we've seen analysis of historic trends as cycles and swings from one view, to its opposite extreme, and back.  Fashion seems cyclical -- just ask the mother worried about her daughter's new outfit, one so similar to the fashion she donned in her youth.  Jone Johnson Lewis will ponder change, swinging pendulums, and cycles, questioning the role of change in human life. 

In honor of Memorial Day, we'll also remember some members of our community who have died in the last few years.

From June 5 through 7 most members of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society will attend the Society's annual retreat, held in a rural area near Sharpsburg, Maryland.  During this three day period members will relax, enjoy each others' company, participate in classes and workshops and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the retreat center.  A Sunday Platform will be held at 11 am on June 7, at which Leader Jone Johnson Lewis will give the Platform talk.

From June 5 through 7 most members of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society will attend the Society's annual retreat, held in a rural area near Sharpsburg, Maryland.  During this three day period members will relax, enjoy each others' company, participate in classes and workshops and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the retreat center.  A Sunday Platform will be held at 11 am on June 7, at which Leader Jone Johnson Lewis will give the Platform talk.

From June 5 through 7 most members of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society will attend the Society's annual retreat, held in a rural area near Sharpsburg, Maryland.  During this three day period members will relax, enjoy each others' company, participate in classes and workshops and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the retreat center.  A Sunday Platform will be held at 11 am on June 7, at which Leader Jone Johnson Lewis will give the Platform talk.

Matthew LaClair stood up for religious freedom and separation of church and state in the face of opposition and ridicule from school administrators and from his fellow students. During his junior year in high school, Matthew had a history teacher who promoted creationism and other personal religious beliefs in the classroom. When Matthew confronted the teacher and asked the school officials to address this, he became the target of harassment and even a death threat from fellow students. Despite this opposition, Matthew worked to make sure that the First Amendment is respected and upheld at his high school.

From: Andrew Stanton, Board President 2008-2009

Dear NoVES members,

In the May newsletter the Board indicated that this year's annual Membership meeting would be held at the Retreat in Sharpsburg, Maryland, on Sunday, June 7.

Annual Board retreat. Members of the Society are welcome to attend or to make proposals. Please email the President to propose an item for the agenda or to indicate you'll attend (we would like to make sure there are enough seats for everyone).