Social Welfare

Organization of women and men (associate members) dedicated to community service, education and supporting families in our community.

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

The Power of a Peaceful Mind In situations of conflict, we easily become angry. However, anger limits us and leaves a trail of painful feelings. On the other hand, the creative mind of patience opens us to options. In this series, we learn to understand and meditate on patience. We will discover how meditation helps us to find peaceful solutions to everyday problems. **REGISTRATION** Standard: $12 \| Financial Hardship: $6 \| Free for [Members](https://meditation-dc.org/membership/) [Pre-Register Here](https://meditation-dc.org/monday-evening-meditation/) Each class is available by drop in. Everyone is welcome to attend, no previous experience is required. **LOCATION** Kadampa Meditation Center DC 1200 Canal St\. SW \| Washington\, DC 20024 **Metro Stop:** Waterfront or Navy Yard

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Wink, Nod, Kill,”** a look at implicit calls for violence and other speech that leads to bloodshed and threatens democracy, with Kurt Braddock, assistant professor of communications at American University and expert on terrorism. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-wink-nod-kill](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-wink-nod-kill) .] Over the last decade, President Donald Trump and many of his allies have used language that implicitly advocates for the use of violence without directing it outright. From telling the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” to suggesting that legal acts of Democratic lawmakers should be “punishable by death,” Trump has consistently suggested that violence is a viable means of addressing political grievances. Support for political violence—implicit or explicit—goes beyond the sort of spirited debate and disagreement upon which the American experiment was founded. It represents a gray area in the connection between violent language and violent acts, an area that Kurt Braddock has spent years studying. Learn about research on the connection between real bloodshed and coded language, dogwhistles, and implicit calls for violence with Dr. Braddock, who has conducted research on communication and terrorism for several national and international organizations, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism. Professor Braddock will give his audience a firm grounding in the concept of “stochastic terrorism,” or political violence spawned by vague calls to violent action. Tapping into decades of research on communication and decision-making and accounts of specific violent acts inspired by implicit orders, he’ll show us that the threat posed by implicit calls to violence is real. He’ll discuss whether implicit calls for violence represent a “new” form of political communication protected by the First Amendment, and he’ll describe the real-world dangers posed by these kinds of statements. Among the questions Dr. Braddock will tackle: Why do politicians use this language if they can reasonably assume that someone may be motivated by it to hurt someone else? Perhaps most importantly, what can we do about it, especially given the sacrosanctity of the First Amendment? His talk promises to give you a much more sophisticated understanding of recent events and a clearer sense of what might lie ahead. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Right-wing pundit and podcaster Steve Bannon routinely uses violent rhetoric. (Photo by Nordiske Mediedager / Creative Commons. )

The Music and Arts Committee within Member Engagement will be hosting a DSA Karaoke night. This is open invite for anyone to come and enjoy! Please RSVP on [Action Network](https://actionnetwork.org/events/dsa-karaoke-night/) to receive further updates on this event. \* \* \* This event is open to both DSA Members and supporters. Not a Member? Please consider [becoming a Member](https://dsausa.org/join?source=Metro%20DC). Fees are on a sliding scale according to what you feel you can afford.

Next up on the Best of Bars series - meeting up at Punchbowl Social in the Ballston Quarter Shopping Center! 🍔 Food, Games & Vibes: Punchbowl Social is a 3-floor bar and restaurant. The top floor has everything from arcades, to bowling, darts, and foosball. There's also a comfortable outdoor patio area if the weather's nice. Their happy hour menu (until 6:30pm) has select cocktails and beers for $5-6, and select bites and snacks ranging mostly around $5-8. The non-HH food and cocktail menus also have a wide selection to choose from. View the menus at this link, and scroll to the bottom: [https://punchbowlsocial.com/location/arlington](https://punchbowlsocial.com/location/arlington) 🤝 Meet & Mingle: This hangout is all about the social vibe — chatting, laughing, and meeting other young professionals while enjoying great food and drinks. Each floor has a different vibe, so come meet and explore the place, and find your nook to hang out with if you want to branch off of the main group! **We will aim to meet at the 2nd floor bar, since it's a better setting for socializing.** **🚗Punchbowl Social Location + details:** 4238 Wilson Blvd.Suite 1180 Arlington, VA 22203 **Happy Hour 3-6:30pm** **HH Food/Drink Menu:** [https://punchbowlsocial.com/happy-hour](https://punchbowlsocial.com/happy-hour) ### 🅿️**Parking:** Cheapest parking around is to park in the Ballston Public Parking garage next-door to the bar. 627 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203 Rates: Up to 3 hours, $1 3-4 hours, $3 4-5 hours, $5 ### **🚇Transit:** Take the Orange/Silver lines to Ballston-MU stop, walk 2 blocks east to N Randolph St. Turn right and walk south 2 blocks. https://maps.app.goo.gl/RsQFQkfynrQcBkB96

**Looking to** \- Help out neighbors in the DC area? \- Support a secular charity? \- Connect with other atheists and humanists? Join Atheists Helping the Homeless DC at our monthly distribution event! Atheists Helping the Homeless is a 501(c)(3) charity that distributes items like backpacks, socks, gloves, and toiletries to people in need throughout the Washington, DC region. We meet up on the second Saturday of every month outside of a homeless shelter in Silver Spring, MD, called Progress Place, and pass out whatever items we have to whoever is there. Each month we serve between 60 - 100 people. Afterwards, we usually go out for breakfast. Our goal is to provide a way for people to help each other without affiliating with a religion. Our method is to go straight to those in need, and create a welcoming and fun atmosphere to effectively create an environment where secular community can grow and thrive. If this sounds fun, see you there!

Collaboration with other Meetup groups! Meet on the 3rd floor! We are going to be mixing things up tonight! Come unwind and grab food and/or drinks while meeting people.🍻🍝 Punch Bowl Social is a 24000 square foot, multi-floor venue with bars, food, and various activities including darts, pool, arcade games, bowling and more. We anticipate meeting up at the **second floor** where there is a full bar and it is quieter. We have a table reserved there for us all! It’s a chill event so stay for an hour or the whole time. Have a drink and unwind, go play darts with some new friends, try bowling at their indoor lanes - always something new and interesting to do. 🎳👾🎤🎯

Join us for our Thursday Tea Time and social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults! Bring your beverage of choice, and meet in-person at The DC Center from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. For more information, contact Center Aging Program Coordinator, Mac (maca@thedccenter.org). We hope to see you there!

Join us for a relaxed, beginner friendly chess and games day designed for connection, curiosity, and fun. Whether you love chess, enjoy puzzles, or just want a cozy space to meet other women, this is a come as you are kind of day. We’ll have chess boards and casual games available, play, observe, switch tables, or simply enjoy the conversation. No experience required and absolutely no pressure to compete. Feel free to bring your own games to share. ✨ All skill levels welcome ✨ Play, learn, or just hang out ✨ Social-first, not tournament-style Join the Ladies’ WhatsApp group for details. https://chat.whatsapp.com/H533SlZi8h70XjkN6iSEws?mode=gi_t

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

Come attend a free in-person seminar where you will find out why you: -Feel isolated -Can't express yourself openly -Get nervous or anxious in front of people -Run out of things to say or feel tongue-tied -Feel introverted -Don't feel comfortable in any social setting -Can't make more friends -Are shy and miss opportunities to connect in a meaningful way And we cover what you can do about any one, some or all of the above. This seminar is the weapon against loneliness, isolation and boredom, come join us! COME TO THIS SEMINAR AND LEARN THE SECRETS TODAY This seminar is brought to you by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center. 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215

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

Join us for a free in-person seminar where you will get knowledge and tools to build your confidence. Do you ever: -Feel isolated -Can't express yourself openly -Get nervous or anxious in front of people -Run out of things to say or feel tongue-tied -Feel introverted -Don't feel comfortable in any social setting -Can't make more friends -Are shy and miss opportunities to connect in a meaningful way At this workshop we will cover what you can do about any one, some or all of the above. This seminar is the weapon against loneliness, isolation and boredom, come join us! COME TO THIS SEMINAR AND LEARN THE SECRETS TODAY This seminar is brought to you by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center. 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215

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

We meet at lunch each week and each meeting follows a fairly organized agenda. First all participants pass their business cards around. Then each member and guest is invited to give a one-minute overview of their company and what is a perfect referral for the week. We always have a 10 minute presentation from one of the members about their business in more detail. And finally we pass referrals. You're welcome to visit. Nobody is ever put on the spot. Bring plenty of cards!

Interested? Contact Preston Moore k.preston.moore@gmail.com 614-300-5989 ———————————— Engaging in men’s work is the new way to forge friendships while being open-minded to personal growth. Many men experience healthier relationships, personally and professionally, by engaging in this work. Open Men’s Group is a container for men to share vulnerably without receiving judgment or feedback. We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our families, communities, and the planet. Visit ManKind Project USA to discover more. https://mkpusa.org/