Fair Tax

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY! Welcome to pay a visit to BTCHEL HUB every Friday from 10am to 6pm, as we launch a new meetup concept: BTCHEL Fridays! BTCHEL Fridays is when the community hub has open doors for anyone to pay a visit, when the active Helsinki bitcoiner scene gathers together under one roof. The BTCHEL Hub is a versatile physical space for workshops, meetups, parties, movie nights, game nights and of course, co-working office where all the members are building together! Join us every friday at your convince! Coffee is on the house ☕️ You'll find us from google maps! Learn more about us from BTCHEL.com

Warm welcome to MIITTI's Wellbeing for Women! Join us weekly in Kulttuuritila Merirasti for different activities that support your mental and physical wellbeing, while giving you opportunity to connect with others. **IMPORTANT**: Spots are limited, so please make sure to reserve yours! Wellbeing for women means honouring your body, mind, and emotions with compassion and care. These wellbeing sessions will nurture and support your relationships, and make space for rest and growth, because true wellbeing empowers you to live confidently, authentically and in balance with your own needs. WHEN & WHERE: Fridays at 10-12 Friday 6th of March we will begin with introductions and building connection and trust with each other. Kulttuuritila Merirasti Jaluspolku 3 00980 Helsinki Warm welcome! If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms: WhatsApp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community! [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/miitti1) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/miitti1) [Website](https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti)

### Välkommen på guidad tur på lätt svenska! Vill du uppleva konst och prata svenska samtidigt? Följ med oss till galleriet Sinne! Sinne visar spännande finlandssvensk samtidskonst och är en del av stiftelsen Pro Artibus. Fredagen den 17 april får vi en guidad tur på lätt svenska. Vi tittar på utställningen tillsammans med galleriets personal, bekantar oss med konsten och övar svenska språket. Det här är ett perfekt tillfälle för dig som vill öva på din svenska och samtidigt lära dig mer om den lokala konstscenen i Helsingfors. När: Fredag 17 april kl. 16.00–17.00 Var: Galleri Sinne, Stora Robertsgatan 16, 00120 Helsingfors Hur: Ingen förhandsanmälan behövs, det är bara att dyka upp! Pris: Gratis Vi ses på Sinne! ### Join us for a guided tour in Easy Swedish! Would you like to experience art and practice your Swedish at the same time? Join us for a visit to Sinne gallery! Sinne showcases exciting Finland-Swedish contemporary art and is part of the Pro Artibus Foundation. On Friday, April 17th, we will have a guided tour in Easy Swedish. We will explore the exhibition together with the gallery staff and get to know the art at a relaxed pace. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who wants to practice their Swedish while learning more about the local art scene in Helsinki. When: Friday, April 17th, 16:00–17:00 Where: Gallery Sinne, Stora Robertsgatan 16, 00120 Helsinki How: No registration needed, just show up! Price: Free of charge We’ll speak slowly and clearly so everyone can follow along. See you at Sinne!

【IMPORTANT SUMMARY】 * The purpose of competitive game session is to enjoy badminton games by focusing on trying your best to win the games. * You don't need to be a very good player to join this session. Our level range from beginner to intermediate. We will put you to play with people with similar level. But if you are the first time to come and I don't know your level, then I will put you to play with less-experienced players to start. * Please purchase your slot through this link [https://7538e9.myshopify.com/](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/) Please also read the instruction inside this link, so that you have an idea how it works. * Please bring feather shuttles to join the games. We only accept specific shuttles. Please read the following. **If you come without bringing feather shuttles with you, I may ask you to go home.** 【SIGN-UP SYSTEM】 * Please sign up and pay through this link. [https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/competitive-game](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/competitive-game) * We don't use the signup system on Meetup.com anymore. (Neither the waiting list) * It says this event is full on this meetup page, because I didn't open any slots here for you to sign up. You have to check this [sign-up page](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/competitive-game) to see if there is still a slot available there. * The background of using an external sign-up and payment system is because Meetup.com introduced a service fee to increase 21% of the fee in May 2023, and we want to reduce this cost. 【FEE and REFUND POLICY】 * Fee includes courts and the work I do to continue this group. Please sign up and pay before you come. NO refund if you do not cancel until 48 hours before the event. * Racket: bring one or rent one at the counter. * No matter the reason is sickness, accident or anything, the group or I will not afford the cost caused by your absence. * Of course you CAN'T ask me, "Can I sign up for free for next week because I didn't come to use my slot this week?". Please remember, the court booked for you is there and it costs money. The court doesn't simply become "free of charge", just because you didn't show up. 【COMMUNICATION】 * Communication: our whatsapp group [https://chat.whatsapp.com/JJQbJlisbcj5YDnlcSu347](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JJQbJlisbcj5YDnlcSu347) * There are too many spams, so I only accept +358 number to join whatsapp group. Numbers from other countries will all be rejected. 【DETAILS of COMPETITIVE GAMES】 * This is the list of shuttles we accept: RSL Classic Tourney Li-Ning Super 1000 Victor Smash It 1 Victor Smash It 2 Yonex Aerosansa 30 Ling Mei Gold Ling Mei Black * Smash Center also sells feather shuttles (Ling Mei Gold and Black). You can purchase there at your arrival. 【OTHERS】 * Please always keep 1 meter away from those courts where people are playing. Never step into the corners of other courts! If I see you do this, I probably will yell at you! * If you have some questions, you can put your questions in the comments on the event page. People will respond. * If you are new to badminton, please Google basic badminton rules in advance. Serve rules, double rules and point counting rules. You are always welcome to ask anyone in our group. Most of our members are more than happy to help you. * Badminton activity is organized for non-profit purpose, but I take a small fee for my work. * Want to restring your racket? I can do restring for you. €24 including the string. Please get contact with Ken. [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdBBBKBmsHqvMyI7t1MttqOxwX8rs7vQ/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdBBBKBmsHqvMyI7t1MttqOxwX8rs7vQ/view?usp=sharing) * You want to pay with your sport card or voucher? check the bottom of the page. Click "read more" [https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/](https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/)

Finland currently has the **highest unemployment rate** in Europe. **AI** is rapidly reshaping expectations and requirements for candidates. As a result, the data job market is becoming **increasingly competitive**, making it harder to stand out. So how can you adapt and **search for job effectively** in this environment? At the DataTribe meetup, you will hear first-hand insights from **a recruiter at Wolt** who is continuously hiring data professionals, as well as from **a career consultant** who helps specialists navigate today’s challenging job market. **Topics we will cover:** ✅The current state of the data job market in Finland ✅What hiring managers are really looking for ✅How AI is changing both hiring and job search ✅Practical job search strategies that actually work ✅Common mistakes candidates make and how to avoid them **Speakers:** **Zhanna Filintseva** – Senior Tech Talent Acquisition Partner at Wolt **Lidiia Salo** – Career Consultant and Founder of Get Hired in Finland Welcome!

Learning Finnish in Finland can be difficult because Finns tend to switch to English. That is one of the reasons people like our Finnish language café: you get to practice Finnish with Finns :) The events are completely free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. The coffee is good too ☕😋🇦🇹 Tervetuloa! When? ⏰ Usually Tuesday to Friday from 15:00 - 16:00 Where? 📍 In a cozy Viennese coffee house: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki The Good Coffee Company A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹 Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki Please visit our Facebook page for updates and changes: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events

Tervetuloa mukaan Sahaja Jooga -meditaatiotilaisuuksiin suomeksi! Tilaisuudet ovat maksuttomia, ja voit tulla paikalle ilman ennakkoilmoittautumista. Istumme yleensä tuoleilla tai lattialla tyynyillä, joten mattoa ei tarvitse ottaa mukaan, ja voit pukeutua tavallisiin vaatteisiin. Meditaatio tarkoittaa mielen hiljaisuutta tai ajatuksetonta tietoisuutta. Olet läsnä tässä hetkessä, mutta mielesi ei ole täynnä menneisyyden tai tulevaisuuden ajatuksia. Tässä tilassa tunnet rauhaa ja iloa, jotka ovat nykyhetken olennaisia elementtejä. Säännöllisellä meditaatioharjoituksella tämän tilan voi saada vakiintumaan meissä. Ryhmää johtavat vapaaehtoiset, joilla on kokemusta ja jotka voivat ohjata sinut alkuun. Annamme lyhyen johdatuksen meditaatioon, minkä jälkeen teemme meditaatioharjoituksia. Annamme myös vinkkejä meditaation harjoittamiseen kotona. Tervetuloa! Tämä video auttaa sinua löytämään Kamppi Sahaja Jooga -keskuksen: https://vimeo.com/199566137 Lisätietoa Sahaja Jooga -meditaatiosta: www.discoversahajayoga.org (englanniksi) www.jooga.org (suomeksi) www.sahajayoga.ru (venäjäksi) www.sahajayoga.es (espanjaksi) Ohjattuja verkkomeditaatioita, jotka tukevat meditaatioharjoitustasi kotona: www.wemeditate.com

Hello sporty population! Let's gather around and play some badminton together with people from around the world! IMPORTANT! Spots are limited, so make sure you reserver yours! If you are not registered on the list, you will be kindly asked to leave; this is to ensure fair access for everyone! **If you marked going and do not come, or you did not cancel your spot on time (1 day before), you will be suspended from participating for the next two sessions.** We will play in Talihalli Huopalahti from 11.00-12.30 Court numbers are 9, 10 and 11; you can come directly to the courts or meet us at the entrance a bit before 11.00. Please keep in mind that if you go directly to the courts, **do not enter them before our time starts!** MIITTI welcomes everyone to its events regardless of background or gender. You don't have to have any skills at all to come and play with us, and if you do, please come and coach us! Age limit: 16+ Event is free, but please bring your rackets and indoor shoes, or you can rent (racket) from the hall for 4€ each. After badminton, we'll enjoy Talihalli's sauna and maybe go to a local restaurant to grab some lunch after the game. Warm welcome! For questions and more information, please contact Alaa 040 5656096 If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms: WhatsApp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community! [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/miitti1) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/miitti1) [Website](https://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/en/projekti/miitti)

Welcome to join our Ren Xue Yuan Gong practice throughout the summer at Lapinlahden Lähde! The practice is simple but yet practical and powerful. It is easy to learn and will help you: -gain energy, feel less tired and stressed -more mental clarity, easier to concentrate -boost your immune system Time: Sundays 15:30 - 17:00 WHERE: Tallipääty, MIITTI office Lapinlahden Lähde Lapinlahdenpolku 8 00180 Helsinki About REN XUE Ren Xue is a comprehensive system for uplifting human life. It includes a unique form of Qigong (Yuan Qigong); three foundational theories (Theory of Qi, Theory of Consciousness, Theory of Totality) and a large body of teachings. It was created by world-renowned teacher and healer Yuan Tze who continues to offer online and in-person events worldwide. Ren Xue combines ancient Chinese wisdom traditions with modern insights into health and well-being. The goal of Ren Xue is to help individuals improve their physical, emotional, and mental health through a holistic approach that emphasizes the connection between the mind, body, and spirit. REN XUE FINLAND Ren Xue Finland (RXF) is the Finnish branch of the global movement, an organization dedicated to the promotion and teaching of Ren Xue and its associated practices, including Yuan Gong and Yuan Ming Medicine. It provides easy entry into the Ren Xue system through local in-person sessions, online courses and workshops/retreats. Other learning methods can be found here: Ren Xue TV, a YouTube channel and Learn Ren Xue website. More about Ren Xue: [https://www.renxueinternational.org](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.renxueinternational.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR06uJQRSC7BE3zhPePQ7X_KO7WXa60cr7NK25KdOqfbSIHpYqBLO3dYgVM_aem_alDR7a6KhbNhG3u9NhCUVA&h=AT18asmYaRkvHCJemaC7rr9GVu579uflDCg7T6mLNodWdtMVhuxwFhIyz0p5ONeJbm3WQ3ZGIwONIa0_pDvih4t9BCCJUBkjhK4BdIMEl4aQ_qPzR5ykW-aiOndhYDPeAW9_2_eWZaMsv889HKbp8_c&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT35KTjVjr2kCnYHrXXjXPxEGFK-RFbZnFVdDmWrTe5WwbSZZ5ulNxFEjPPhejS8Pf4xetwkU1hhM1P2K_ABugpnXL6w-CKE25ARXwtLSexv-4fPJ4s2_Kcqgj3g2XWjCVkPPgcjwrPoNWOvdKa2f1VqyVa-2kcTojodTS3wn9zrnRjZLcG7)/

【IMPORTANT SUMMARY】 * The purpose of social games is to know some people, do some exercise and enjoy the games together with others. Winning and getting points is not the focus of this session. Please play with consideration to your opponents' level. * Please purchase your slot through this link [https://7538e9.myshopify.com/](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/) 【SIGN-UP SYSTEM】 * Please sign up and pay through this link. [https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/social-game](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/social-game) * We don't use the signup system on Meetup.com anymore. (Neither the waiting list) * It says this event is full on this meetup page, because I didn't open any slots here for you to sign up. You have to check this [sign-up page](https://7538e9.myshopify.com/products/social-game) to see if there is still a slot available there. * The background of using an external sign-up and payment system is because Meetup.com introduced a service fee to increase 21% of the fee in May 2023, and we want to reduce this cost. 【FEE and REFUND POLICY】 * Fee includes courts and plastic shuttles. Please sign up and pay before you come. NO refund if you do not cancel until 48 hours before the event. * Racket: bring one or rent one at the counter. * You can put a comment to sell your slot after the deadline of refund, or sell your slot in our whatsapp group. * No matter the reason is sickness, accident or anything, the group or I will not afford the cost caused by your absence. * Of course you CAN'T ask me, "Can I sign up for free for next week because I didn't come to use my slot this week?". Please remember, the court booked for you was there and it costs money. The court doesn't simply become "free of charge", just because you didn't come to use it. 【COMMUNICATION】 * Communication: our whatsapp group [https://chat.whatsapp.com/JJQbJlisbcj5YDnlcSu347](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JJQbJlisbcj5YDnlcSu347) * There are too many spams, so I only accept +358 number to join whatsapp group. Numbers from other countries will all be rejected. 【OTHERS】 * Please always keep 1 meter away from those courts where people are playing. Never step into the corners of other courts! If I see you do this, I probably will yell at you! * If you have some questions, you can put your questions in the comments on the event page. People will respond. * We play double games to 21 points. After each game, please let those who are waiting to play. Feel free to play with whoever you want, but please avoid playing with the same people all the time. * If you are new to badminton, please Google basic badminton rules in advance. Serve rules, double rules and point counting rules. You are always welcome to ask anyone in our group. Most of our members are more than happy to help you. * Badminton activity is organized for non-profit purpose, but I take a small fee for my work. * Want to restring your racket? I can do restring for you. €24 including the string. Please get contact with Ken. [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdBBBKBmsHqvMyI7t1MttqOxwX8rs7vQ/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdBBBKBmsHqvMyI7t1MttqOxwX8rs7vQ/view?usp=sharing) * [https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/](https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/) * You want to pay with your sport card or voucher? check the bottom of the page. Click "read more" * https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/[https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/](https://www.meetup.com/Helsinki-Badminton-Meetup/)

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats) **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

**Welcome to Sketchy Collective!** A relaxed and social drawing group for anyone who enjoys sketching — or just wants to give it a try. \*\*\* We meet **every Sunday at 15:00** in **Oodi Library**. \*\*\* **HOW TO FIND US** We meet on the **top floor of Oodi Library**, on the stairs **opposite** the children’s area. It's a good idea to **keep your sketchbook visible** so others can easily recognize that you're there for the sketching meetup. And if you’re a regular participant, making it clear that you're part of the sketching group can be very helpful for newcomers! \*\*\* **HOW IT WORKS** At each meetup, attendees take turns being the model for a quick **10-minute sketch session**. One person poses, everyone else sketches, then we rotate. \*\*\* **WHAT TO BRING** Pencils and paper (or any sketching tools you like). No fees, no pressure. The only thing we ask is that everyone takes a turn posing for the group. You can sit however you feel comfortable — the 10 minutes go by quickly! Draw as much as you like, skip a round if you’re tired or just want to chat, and leave whenever it suits you. The event continues as long as there’s interest. \*\*\* **STAYING CONNECTED** Due to issues with spam and advertising, the group has decided that **only people who have attended at least one meetup will be accepted into the WhatsApp group**. To be added, please ask other participants at the meetup — a few members have permission to approve new people, and at least one of them will likely be present. \*\*\* **SOCIAL MEDIA** If you’d like to share your drawings from the meetup, you can send on WhatsApp group or use the Instagram collab function (instagram.com/sketchy.collective). We warmly encourage everyone to share their work and take part in building our international sketching gallery — together with artists from all the cities where Sketchy Collective meetups are organized.

Let's play Mafia together! Locations: Oodi library, Group room #7 (2nd floor). Mafia is a role playing social deduction game. People sit around the table, and are secretly assigned a role. The role divides them in two teams: \- Mafia \(minority\) \- Citizens \(uninformed majority\)\. Members in the Mafia team know each other, but the citizens don't. You are not allowed to reveal your role in any way. Each turn consists of a night time and day time. During the night: The Mafia team secretly "kills" one member of the Citizens. Players with special roles (detailed below) secretly use their ability. During the day: Everyone presents their opinions on who they think are in the Mafia team, or present arguments as to why they are not in the Mafia team if they have been accused. Vote for those players you think are in the Mafia team - those who get a majority vote (>= 50%) will get a chance to present their defense. Vote to "eliminate" 1 person in the defense - the accused will not be eliminated if there are no votes or gets <50% of the votes. The game continues until either the Citizens eliminate all Mafia members, or the Mafia becomes the majority. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Most of the people at our event have experience playing the game. But we are glad to meet new people, and will be happy to briefly introduce you to the game rules and players' strategies if you decide to come. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Special roles at our game party: Doctor (Citizen team): At each night, you can save a player who you think the Mafia team has killed. That player cannot be killed by the Mafia team that night, and the Mafia do not know who you saved. You can save yourself once. Detective (Citizen team): At each night, you can point to a player you think is in the Mafia and the narrator will show thumbs up if they are in the Mafia team. You can not detect the Godfather. Sniper/Professional (Citizen team): Each night, you could either choose to kill someone you think is in the Mafia, or not shoot. You have only two bullets. If you select a citizen to shoot, you go out of the game yourself, but that citizen is still in the game. Constantine (Citizen team): During the night, you can bring back one dead person to life. This can be used only once per game. Matador (Mafia team): Each night, you can diffuse someone's special ability. You can not diffuse the same person two nights in a row. Godfather (Mafia team): You're the head of the Mafia. The detective can not detect you. Terrorist (Mafia team): During the day, you can reveal your character, and choose to kill yourself and another player. The latest time you can do this is during when someone (e.g. you) are presenting their defense. The person you kill with yourself cannot be resurrected by Constantine

IMPORTANT: Registration is not available through Meetup. The workshop size is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so you must purchase your ticket from our website in advance. Welcome. Sign up and get your ticket from here. [https://holvi.com/shop/UDUMBARA/section/pottery-wheel-workshops-keramiikka-kurssit/spring-2026-kevat/](https://holvi.com/shop/UDUMBARA/section/pottery-wheel-workshops-keramiikka-kurssit/spring-2026-kevat/) Join us for a challenging, fun, and relaxing time creating with local wild clay and socializing with friends. Udumbara Pottery Studio in Kallio, Helsinki, welcomes pottery students of all experience levels to come and enjoy pottery wheel lessons within a small group setting. Osaamme myös suomea, tervetuloa. Vi talar också svenska, välkommen.

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events! Should be a good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan

If you are interested in selecting investment choices for your 401(k) or other workplace savings plan, minimizing your income tax liability, or identifying the most effective investments for your brokerage account, we are the group for you. We are a local chapter of Bogleheads, whose investment strategy can be found here: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy Or you can peruse the Boglehead forum here: https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php I look forward to seeing you there. Mark Vonder Haar

We will have our certified mediums available and you can receive 3 10-minute readings for $20. To keep you safe, we will be following all CDC and Health Dept. guidelines at our psychic fair today. Sitters and readers required to wear a mask. We will maintain a minimum of 6 foot physical distance during readings. Please, if you can, bring your own portable chair to use during your readings. Please note that we are at our wonderful new home at Unity of Columbus, 4211 Maize Road, Columbus, OH

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism") Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war). Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!