Civil Rights

**This House Believes That UK Multiculturalism is Succeeding** **Why Are We Having This Debate?** Immigration, multiculturalism, what does it mean to be British? Questions that seem to be at the heart of almost every political debate today. Increasingly loud, angry and as if we are doomed to failure. The UK has been at the heart of this debate, world leaders globally have looked to us as examples of the perceived good and bad of a growing multicultural society So we ask, in the wake of a growing trend to dismiss British efforts to adopt and adapt to a multicultured Uk. Have we actually made a success of it? **Articles** **[Suella Braverman "Multicultuarlism has Failed", 2023 Speech to USA Congress - The Independant](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/europe-home-secretary-united-states-multiculturalism-prime-minister-b2418911.html "https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/europe-home-secretary-united-states-multiculturalism-prime-minister-b2418911.html")** **[Community Cohesion Study - Hope Not Hate](https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/136136/pdf/ "https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/136136/pdf/")** **[Multiculturalism is simply part of British life today - The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/debating-the-success-of-multiculturalism-misses-the-point-its-simply-part-of-life-in-britain-today-214657 "https://theconversation.com/debating-the-success-of-multiculturalism-misses-the-point-its-simply-part-of-life-in-britain-today-214657")** **Come Along and Have Your Vote!** **What We Do** 3v3 panel debate where our members explore the strongest arguments for a given topic. A debate should tell the audience what they need to know and not just what the speakers think. If you feel the same way, then we want to meet you. Debate London is the year-round series of free public debates held weekly at venues across the capital. The series is run by Debate London, a social enterprise that helps its members to advance their personal and professional development by teaching them how to debate. All of our speakers are [Debate London members](https://www.debate.london/plans "https://www.debate.london/plans") who have agreed to defend a particular perspective the audience need to hear, rather than just share their own personal opinion. After presenting the point of view assigned to them, the audience are then given the floor to cross-examine them and share their own position. The only time we hear what the speakers really think is at the end of the debate when they tell us where they really stand and whether this changed at all while learning how to defend the perspective assigned to them. **After Debate Social** After all of our debates we have a post debate hang-out. This is a chance for our community to get to know new people, explore new ideas and generally have more fun as a club! Come along and join us for a post-debate social! **Venue** Our venues serve drinks (alcoholic and soft drinks) as well as brilliant food. All can be ordered from the bar **Do not bring external food or drink into our venues you will be asked to throw it away or to finish it outside. - This is a venue rule which we need to follow.**

London's Friendly Book Club's pick for March is **Brotherless Night** by **V. V. Ganeshananthan**. **Winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2024** Sixteen-year-old Sashi wants to become a doctor. But over the next decade, as a vicious civil war tears through her hometown of Jaffna, her dream takes her on a different path as she sees those around her, including her four beloved brothers and their friend, get swept up in violent political ideologies and their consequences. Desperate to act, she must ask herself: is it possible for anyone to move through life without doing harm? Please only RSVP if you think you'll be able to make this event. **We host three sessions per book, you only need to attend one.** Everyone is welcome! Grab your copy and join us for a relaxed and engaging discussion.

Looking to brush up on your BSL skills or connect with other learners? Sacred Grounds is hosting a weekly Sign Club every Tuesday from 5-7pm. This casual and informal meetup is perfect for anyone learning BSL, whether you're just starting out or looking to keep your skills sharp. Come along to practice signing, connect with others in the community, and even try ordering your coffee in BSL! There’s no fee to join - all we ask is that if you're able to, you support the coffee shop by purchasing a drink or snack while you're here (please note that outside food and drinks are not permitted). Sacred Grounds is all about creating a warm and inclusive space, so don’t be shy - come sign with us! We look forward to welcoming you.

Ping Pong is all about Beer, Bragging rights and making Buddies! Come along to the Ping Pong Social at Bounce Shoreditch to unwind, meet likeminded people and of course show off your whiff whaff skills! This event is crafted to serve both serious Table Tennis players with lots of challenges & tournaments, as well as the social players with tailor made games for singles, couples, colleagues & friends. With music playing and drinks flowing you will be able to choose from a variety of creative and quirky games including Ping Pong Tournaments, Social Doubles, Round Pong, Weapon Pong etc. There will be prizes for winners that include bottle of Prosecco & Medals and free entry to future events. We are usually by tables 15,16, 17 this is where you should meet us. However, if we change the tables or if you can't find us for whatever reason, please call/text host Vin and/or ask at reception for us, and you will be directed to us. Experience includes: \~ 4 Hours of Ping Pong Entertainment Tournament for Beginners, Intermediates, Experts (Prosecco for the Winner) \~ Quirky Social Ping Pong games with Fancy Prices for beginners \~ Fun Vibe to socialise in UV lit up exclusive Ping Pong venue FREE entry to our next Beer Pong event for winners

Is attraction (or unattraction) a matter of personal taste, or are there any common patterns for everyone? What makes us reject someone, and what makes us change our mind? How can attraction last over time and age? *Join us for a relaxed group conversation where we explore the real life, the grey areas, and how our different cultures and backgrounds shape our views about key topics.* *Expect real talk, no judgment, and a chance to learn how others see it.* **\*Come for the discussion, stay for the friendships. Our weekly discussion series brings together thoughtful people for honest conversations on relationships, life, and society - with warm social vibes before and after.\*** **WHAT TO EXPECT:** * Good vibes only: we chat big topics in a chill, respectful way. No arguing - just open-minded exchange. * We warm up with casual socializing (come solo or with friends!) * The topic starts around 7:45/8pm, wraps around 9:30. * 🍕 There's pizza, drinks, milkshakes and snacks available at the bar (incl plant-based options) * And most people stay until late for drinks and mingling! **DISCUSSION FORMAT:** **Our group conversations are open and flexible - there is a very soft guided flow to ensure we focus on the main questions, and to ensure that everyone gets a balanced opportunity to speak. Here's a typically structure, but we adjust on the day depending on the turnout:** \- Introductions and thoughts *(\~5 mins).* \- Group breakouts per question *(\~20 mins x 3).* \- Final round of opinions *(\~10 mins)*. \- Mix and mingle\, make new friends\, get drinks etc *(\~until late)* **EVENT ETIQUETTE (Rules & expectations)** \- Debate the topic\, not the participants \- no personal attacks\! \- No phones\, no interrupting\, no bystanding \- Always follow the moderator/host instructions and guidelines **WHAT IS WORLD CITIZENS?** We're one of London's longest-running and largest communities. Since 2012 we run socials, cultural activities and stimulating discussions to foster meaningful exchange and learning among London's global professionals. They are inspired by MUN (Model United Nations) and salon discussions and offer a more relaxed and social evening version. **LOCATION DETAILS** What: Discussion session followed by social/networking When: Tuesday, 7:30pm until late. Where: Curzon Aldgate (bar area), 2 Canter Way, E1 8PS Closest stations: Aldgate East, Aldgate, Tower Hill/Gateway Cost: Pay for your own meals or drinks Hosts: We have a rotating team and the actual host of each event varies. Our regular members can also help you out with basic matters. *NOTE: like most guests, our volunteer hosts also attend after work and may happen to arrive after the start time. If you are punctual or earlier than our hosts, we highly appreciate this! Please feel free to start socializing already and/or get something to eat or drink - that’s the point of our events anyway. Our regular members can also help you out with any basic matters.* **\*Our other weekly events\*** \- Friday evening socials every week \- Saturday afternoon cafe in Chelsea \- Canary Wharf socials every other Wednesday \- Outdoor fun \(hiking\, kayaking\, etc\) every weekend \- Dining\, cultural and travel activities on\-demand **JOIN OUR TEAM!** We're all volunteers, so if you enjoy organizing activities or events in your spare time, while meeting great people every week, send a message to our team account "TP"! **DISCLAIMER** We are a 100% volunteer-run team. Though we have high standards in planning, this is a private informal activity so we cannot be liable for any damage or inconvenience. However, we put safety and comfort first. We take all complaints seriously, and take severe action against any harassment, verbal or non-verbal, and anti-social behaviour, towards our guests or team members. We collaborate with the police when needed. We take photos and videos which may include you to help promote the community in line with GDPR Data Protection law, as well as stock photos from Pexels or Unsplash. We may restrict or prioritize guests at our own discretion for safety, quality and logistics reasons. While our team's decisions may not be perfect we ask that you follow our decisions first and raise any disputes to discuss with us later and privately. By attending you understand, agree with and respect all terms of this disclaimer.

**🏸 Tuesday Badminton Session: 8-10 PM at QMSC Victoria** 📍 **Queen Mother Sports Centre (Everyone Active), Victoria, SW1** Hi Everyone, **RSVP Required:** Everyone attending the session must RSVP in advance, whether you’re a member, returning player, or joining us for the first time. Members can also confirm attendance by email or text if preferred. ----- ## 💰 SESSION FEE: £14 **💡 Why Pay More? Join as a Member Instead!** **Annual Membership: £450** = just **£8.65/session** (Save £278 per year vs pay-as-you-go!) **3-Month Trial: £155** – test the waters before committing **Student/U25/Unemployed: 20% OFF** all memberships 👉 **[View Full Membership Benefits & Join](https://www.sidsbadmintonclub.org.uk/membership.php)** **What You Get as a Member:** ✓ Premium feather shuttles included ✓ Priority access to both venues (Victoria & Richmond) ✓ League team eligibility ✓ Member WhatsApp group & social events ✓ This is a **membership-first club** – join the community! ----- ## 🏸 SESSION DETAILS **Venue:** Queen Mother Sports Centre (Everyone Active) 223 Vauxhall Bridge Road, Victoria, SW1V 1EL *(5-minute walk from Victoria Station)* **Skill Level:** Lower Intermediate Ladies (C+) | Intermediate Men (B) and above *(No beginners or improvers at Tuesday sessions)* **What’s Included:** • Premium feather shuttles provided (Yonex, Yehlex, Victor) • MatchMaking App grades your skill level based on wins/losses – see how you rank! • 5 courts available for play • Players grouped by skill level • Last 30 mins (when scheduled): grade-based competitive groups on allocated courts ----- ## 💳 PAYMENT **Cash preferred** – pay organisers **at the beginning of session** (correct change appreciated) **Bank transfer available** (**NOT for first-timers**) **First-timers:** You must pay at the start of the session and register on our MatchMaking App ----- ## 📋 IMPORTANT INFORMATION **Cancellation Policy:** Cancel **24 hours before** or you’ll be charged the full £14 session fee. Outstanding fees **must be cleared** before attending your next session. This helps us run sessions efficiently. **Parking:** Free from 6:30 PM (single yellow lines) and 7:00 PM (single red lines) on Tuesdays. Please check local signage before parking. **Not Sure About Your Level?** Attend your first session – we’ll help assess if it’s the right fit for you! **Liability:** Sid’s Badminton Club is not responsible for personal property loss or injury. ----- **Questions?** 💬 Text us on Meetup 📧 Email: info@sidsbadmintonclub.org.uk 📝 Or use our [Contact Form](https://www.sidsbadmintonclub.org.uk/contact.php) 🌐 Visit: [www.sidsbadmintonclub.org.uk](https://www.sidsbadmintonclub.org.uk/) **Looking forward to seeing you on court!** *Sid’s Badminton Club – Competitive play since 1981* !​​​​​​​​​

Hi, Welcome to our midweek session of Superboys. The session is scheduled as our new midweek session . We will play for 3 hours between 7pm and 10pm at Mossbourne Community Academy E5 8JY. The nearest station is Hackney Down or Hackney Central on the overground. It is £12 per person for 3 hours. We play with quality feather shuttlecocks. RSVP is now open on meetup. Once RSVP, please make payment to secure your spot. Any payment please make to: Monzo Name: Ba Quan Le Account number: 30719150 Sort code: 04-00-04

**Bermondsey to Rotherhithe – from Bourbons to Brunel** This walk is presented by Central London Humanists and led by Robert Hall. Humanists believe we have just one life to be lived rationally and well, with compassion for others. This event is a guided walk of +/- 2 hours pointing out places of interest. We will be walking 3 Km / 1.8 miles. Bourbons in Rotherhithe? Yes, it’s true! We’ll visit a couple of parks; hear about one of only fifteen statues of women in London; a leaning tower (not quite as good as Pisa!); walk part of the longest street in London and visit the tomb of Prince Lee Boo; we’ll also see the Mayflower – not the ship, however. **Date:** Saturday 14th March 2026 **Time:** 2 pm with a prompt departure at 2.15 pm **Place:** Meet Bermondsey station (Jubilee line and various bus routes) It is strongly suggested you find us using: [https://what3words.com/drop.assume.remain](https://what3words.com/drop.assume.remain) \- or the What3Words app\. The nearest toilets are J'amocha, 190 Jamaica Street SE16 4RT – turn right as you exit the station and walk 150 metres. There will be a very brief toilet stop on the walk. **Finishes:** About 4.00 pm at The Ship, 39-47 Saint Marychurch Street SE16 4JE The walk is led by Robert – 07981963681. He can be contacted for further information but please note he won’t be able to respond to messages or calls after the walk has started. **The formal bit:** These walks are not suitable for dogs, sorry. CLH events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. The maximum group size is 40 people. If you have signed up but find you can't attend, please change your RSVP on Meetup (it’s very easy to do) as soon as possible so that an accurate numbers of attenders can be estimated. You are responsible for your own actions and safety; there is no liability on the walk leader or CLH for anything that may happen on the walk. You must be able to keep up with the walk leader at 4 Km/h (2.5 mph) for 5 Km (3 miles). It is participants' responsibility to safely cross roads. Where appropriate, pedestrian controlled lights will be used and obeyed unless it is obvious that the whole group can cross safely. When the group stops at a point of interest, please be mindful not to block pavements so members of the public can pass by safely. Don’t forget this is the UK and it may rain at any time! The walk will go ahead whatever the weather unless conditions are dangerous so please bring clothing for all seasons. **A donation of £3 to Central London Humanists would be appreciated.** The majority of Central London Humanists events are free, but we welcome a £3 contribution per head. This helps towards the running and organising of events, as well as various admin expenses. If you can't attend and would still like to contribute, or would prefer to pay online, please **[click here](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML71XMH66FX5E/checkout/ALWCDLQ3S7AVPLFZ62PZGXLU)**. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed (most definitely including the walk leader!) do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.

More Info and Sign Up: https://luma.com/tcftv41z

DOWNSTAIRS @ SWAY BAR Every Thursday a dedicated PURE Bachata Room here at SWAY BAR with the Latin Krazy Bachata Team COME AND JOIN THE ONLY PURE DEDICATED BACHATA ROOM IN UK . FEEL THE TRUE VIBES OF BACHATA RIGHT HERE EACH WEEK ! Come and check it out and make it your Thursday night place to be : Bachata Classes x2 Levels 7.30pm - 8.30pm Beginners - guests Intermediate - Brandy 8.40pm - 9.40pm Beginners - guest Intermediate - Brandy Prices = £10.00 1hr class. £12.00 =2hrs classes please pay in the main room at Dj Box by the stage cash or card accepted Student and NHS discount available ,please ask and show ID INCLUDES PARTY NIGHT ! Teachers - Brandy , from Las Terrenas , the home of Bachata in Dominican Republic Aleks - joins us every Thursday , bringing her talent and love for Bachata Plus Guest teachers DJ De La Cruz playing Bachata , Merengue , Dembow and more til 11pm ( plus Salsa classes and party til 2.am in main room)

Venue: Civil Service Club Date/Time: Sunday 15 March, 3-8pm and possibly beyond! First timers - please kindly read below about bringing your board, meetup fee, purchasing drinks and food, etiquette etc Dear Backgammon Lovers, A big thank you to Lydia for hosting backgammon at the Gest Restaurant last Sunday. Social & Fun Backgammon at the CSC Whether you're a seasoned backgammoner or a newbie looking to learn this fabulous game, our social event is open to all. This is also the perfect chance to sharpen your game, and share a laugh (or a lucky double six!) over backgammon. Add in a drink, maybe dinner, and you’ve got the recipe for a fun and relaxed evening. Venue Food and Drink Just a little reminder that when we use the Civil Service Club, we’re asked to buy at least one drink whilst we’re there, and hopefully food too. The Club has a nice range of food and snacks on offer, all at good prices, so it’s a great chance to relax and make the most of the day. About our backgammon social group Our group has been running for nearly 11 years since June 2015 and we have held nearly 500 official backgammon meetings - along with a further 250 off-grid (non meetups) since then. We are the largest backgammon group in the UK with around 2,000 backgammon members. What makes our group special are its members and the warmth, humour and friendliness whilst playing this splendid social game over a few drinks... usually fortnightly, and on a Sunday. We have about 30-odd regular members who play socially and we very much welcome new players too - so do come along. Dinner Time and Drinks and Food In between the rounds of backgammon many of us sit for a meal around 6pm, but you can order drinks and food whenever you like. RSVP Please RSVP asap - . Often I need to provide the Club with an indication of numbers. Bring your own Backgammon Board - no problem if initially you don't have one. Love seeing the different styles and size of boards - my boards have somehow gotten larger over the years. Please bring your own backgammon board and should you not have one please let us know in advance via the Meetup message board so that others can make the effort to bring theirs. Meetup Fee I will ask for £4 as the meetup fees etc have increased substantially over the past year or two. This also assists paying other admin costs including Club membership and tips. Other Games We sometimes play other games in the evening such as Rummikub, Yahtzee, and a type of Gin Rummy... so ask and watch this space! Etiquette Just a quick reminder- it’s always nice to say thank you to the staff at the CSC when you can. Let’s also keep things warm and friendly with each other and enjoy the game. If anything comes up, please feel free to have a word with me or whoever is hosting that day. Backgammon Rules With one or two exceptions our group plays international backgammon tournament rules. I have outlined these rules on our meetup page. My Contact Should you get lost or need to get in touch my number is: 07956 263451. Would advise you not to post messages two hours before the meetup commences as there's often chance I will not see it. Best wishes again to all you Backgammoners for 2026! Chris Sattaur

Welcome back ramblers, rovers, loungers and loafers! Once again, it's time to drift. We're picking up where we left off (well, a little west of there) last month to continue our long-term unguided navigation around the whole of London. We'll stay south of the river this time and keep pushing westwards into the heartland of glorious South London, starting from Greenwich and ending up, most likely, somewhere in Lambeth, via Peckham. These are some of the liveliest, most interesting parts of the metropolis so an extended exploration is a long time coming for us! Since this is a *dérive*, I won't say much more than that. Meet out in front of Greenwich station, serviced by the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) as well as Thameslink (which cost the same as the Tube and run from big stations such as Farringdon and King's Cross) and Southwestern rail services. Check planned TfL disruptions here - there are some disruptions to certain routes on the DLR for March 15th, but Greenwich station will be fine and our day should be all clear for most everybody: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/planned-track-closures.pdf A little background on our City Drifting project here: **Now just wait a minute. What the hell is a drift ([dérive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9rive))?** A drift is any unplanned journey through the urban landscape in which participants practice a form of radical mindfulness, collectively exploring new ways of relating mentally, ideologically and materially to the "ordinary" urban environment we all think we know so well. First theorised publicly by Situationist thinker, artist and provocateur Guy Debord in his 1956 essay *[Theory of the Dérive](https://libcom.org/article/theory-derive-guy-debord)*, drifting is a sort of *critique of ideology* done by walking, looking, and feeling. **The urban environment of London is not a neutral space:** it is packed with surveillance equipment, anti-homeless architecture, consumerist [Gruen transfers,](https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/what-is-the-gruen-transfer.htm) crowd management systems and security perimeters, among a thousand other subtle and not-so-subtle methods of population control. Moreover, our everyday relationship to the city and its pathways is conditioned deeply by our habits of movement and our habitual perceptions: our commute to work, to school, our nips down to the shops, etc. **All these routines create what Marxists call a *reified* relationship with the urban environment: through over-familiarity it becomes something seemingly natural, "just there", ordinary, unchangeable - boring.** This boredom and familiarity kills the radical imagination, without which we're fucked. To be able to start to imagine how society could be transformed, we also need to imagine how spaces, buildings, their use, their whole purpose (and who these serve) could themselves be transformed. A necessary step in this process, according to Debord and the Situationists, is the drift. Like the 19th-century gentleman *[flâneur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fl%C3%A2neur),* by wandering the city with an attitude of "fresh eyes", we can shake loose our ingrained sense of what London and its streets are like. **As a collective, we will work to "estrange our senses" and see the streets, buildings and people differently, as if we were encountering them for the first time.** That is to say: these aren't just random walks around London - with the right frame of mind, they will be opportunities to turn the world upside down, if only for a moment! But don't take it from me - as Debord observed: *"In a dérive one or more persons during a certain period **drop their relations, their work and leisure activities, and all their other usual motives for movement and action, and let themselves be drawn by the attractions of the terrain and the encounters they find there.** Chance is a less important factor in this activity than one might think: from a dérive point of view cities have [psychogeographical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychogeography) contours, with constant currents, fixed points and vortexes that strongly discourage entry into or exit from certain zones."* See you on the streets comrades, and remember, as [Raoul Vaneigem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Vaneigem) once wrote: *"All space is occupied by the enemy. We are living under a permanent curfew. Not just the cops — the geometry".*

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Our March speakers are Molly Gaines and Zack Parrish, co-organizers of the Secular Education Association: They will share their story of how a small group of Ohio parents grew into a national organization tracking released-time religious instruction and other church–state issues in public schools. The presentation will cover SEA’s early wins and hard lessons, what we’re seeing nationally right now, and how local advocates can play a meaningful role in protecting public education. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the landscape — and practical ways to get involved. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Connected Westerville Night of Networking flips the script on networking, with surprises and connections that'll make you say, "Who knew networking could be this much fun?!"

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

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.