Prior Platform Meetings -- 2007

Our platform speakers are selected based on their knowledge and expertise on a given subject, not necessarily on the degree to which they agree with the basic values and principles of Ethical Culture. We may invite speakers with dramatically opposing views in order to challenge the existing "politically correct" views.

Presentations are on Sundays at 1:30PM at Extraordinary Ventures in Chapel Hill, NC. Childcare is provided.

December 16
A Winter Solstice Celebration
December 2
Ethical Action Projects at NCSEC
November 18
A Stone Soup Thanksgiving Celebration
November 4
Gary Drinkard
Innocent on Death Row

Platform Overview: Gary Drinkard was sentenced to death in 1995 in Alabama, but his conviction was overturned by the Alabama Supreme Court in 2000. A team of lawyers and investigators from Alabama and the Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta spent hundreds of hours preparing for the case and were able to prove that Drinkard was at home at the time the crime was committed. Mr. Drinkard tells his story.
October 21
Jan Broughton, President of NCSEC
Fall Membership Meeting
October 7
Randy Best, Ethical Culture Leader
Forgiveness
September 16
Kathleen Thompson, Chapel Hill Public Library Director
Challenges to Materials in the Public Library: A Local Perspective
September 2
Two Medical Readers' Theater Productions: Scenes adapted from Richard Seltzer, "Follow Your Heart," and Katherine Anne Porter, "He."

Platform Overview: Performed by members of the NCSEC. Both scenes deal with issues of medical ethics.
August 19
Jane Kaman, M. Ed., Retired Educator
China's One Child Policy - A Photo Essay

Platform Overview: Ms. Kaman, a national board certified teacher, will discuss how China's one child policy is affecting the educational system and show photos of her recent trip to China as part of a cultural and educational exchange program sponsored by People to People.
August 12
'The Final Hour'

Platform Overview: This is the third of a 3 part BBC film series called 'A Brief History of Disbelief'. In this series Jonathan Miller methodically and dispassionately delves into the history of the lack of supernatural belief. Each segment is about an hour. A brief discussion will follow this showing.
August 5
Laura Wendell, One World Market
Fair Trade
July 22
'Noughts and Crosses'

Platform Overview: This is the second of a 3 part BBC film series called 'A Brief History of Disbelief'. In this series Jonathan Miller methodically and dispassionately delves into the history of the lack of supernatural belief. Each segment is about an hour. A brief discussion will follow this showing.
July 15
'Shadows of Doubt'

Platform Overview: This is the first of a 3 part BBC film series called 'A Brief History of Disbelief'. In this series Jonathan Miller methodically and dispassionately delves into the history of the lack of supernatural belief. Each segment is about an hour. A brief discussion will follow this showing.
July 1
Jan Broughton, Nancy Applegate
Report on the American Ethical Union 2007 Assembly
June 17
Catherine Frank, Director of Osher Life Long Learning Institute at Duke University
Life Long Learning
June 3
Dr. Douglas MacLeanUNC Dept of Philosophy
Does the Military Take Ethics Seriously? Yes and No.
May 20
Jerry Burke, West Triangle Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA
US and UN - A Delicate Balance
May 6
Jennifer Rudinger, North Carolina Division of the American Civil Liberties Union
Civil Liberties in North Carolina
April 15
Dr. J. R. Kerr-Ritchie, Assistant Professor of History, Howard University
The Abolition of the British Slave Trade, 1807-2007

Platform Overview: In 1807, the British government abolished the lucrative slave trade. Why did they do so? What were the consequences? How should the event be commemorated two centuries later? In the Question and Answer session which follows, we will discuss the ethical dimensions of slavery and abolition and the implications for the modern world. Dr. Kerr-Ritchie is a noted scholar on slavery and emancipation who teaches at Howard University.
April 1
Chris Moran, Executive Director, The Interfaith Council for Social Service
Poverty and Homelessness
March 18
Joe Cole, Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Guilford College
The War in Iraq: Just Cause or Immoral War?

Platform Overview: Dr. Cole will discuss the principles of Just War Theory and examine ethical arguments for and against the War in Iraq. The talk will also explore how citizens might respond to the War in Iraq and create alternatives to future wars.
March 4
Jan Broughton, President, North Carolina Society for Ethical Culture
Ethics for Everyone

Platform Overview: Ms. Broughton will present the book "Ethics for Everyone" which was written by Authur Dobrin, former leader of the Long Island Society for Ethical Culture. She will then lead an exploration of an ethical problem using Dobrin's technique.
February 18
Jon Wilner, Executive Director, The ArtsCenter
The ArtsCenter
February 4
Josh Glasser, Field Coordinator, NC Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform and Common Cause North Carolina
Ethics in Government: Why it matters, what is left to be done, and what citizens can do about it.

Platform Overview: Mr Glasser will begin by talking about the accomplishments of the Coalition vis-a-vis lobbying reform in 2006, and why it was important. He will then discuss what reforms remain left undone, and the spectre of big money in politics that continues to hang over the entire political process. He will close by sharing what concerned citizens can do to promote a more ethical political process in our state.
January 22
Amy Piersma, President, NC Society for Ethical Culture
Annual Meeting of Members
January 7
Juanita Johnson
Ethical Wills

Prior Platform Meetings -- 2007

Transcripts

Other Years: