2015 Heartland Humanist Conference Schedule

Schedule of Events

Check out this convenient venue orientation map showing the 2015 conference venue locations detailed in the schedule below. Note that all conference sessions took place in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A on the University of Nebraska, Omaha Campus. Free parking was available in the nearby parking garage for conference attendees.

Friday:

  • 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm:  On site registration began in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A, on the UNO Campus.
  • 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm:  Early-Bird Seminar “How to Raise Funds for your Local Group” by Fred Edwords, Director of Planned Giving, American Humanist Association, in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm:  Conference Kick-off Social Event began at DJ’s Dugout at 1003 Capitol Avenue in Omaha, adjacent to Omaha’s Old Market Area.  Conference attendees were responsible for their own food and beverage purchases.

Saturday:

  • 8:00 am – 4:30 pm:  On site registration began in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.Roskens Hall
  • 8:30 am – 8:40 am:  Opening welcome remarks by Mark Siepker – President, Omaha Metro Area Humanist Association in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 8:45 am – 9:30 am:  Humanism Past and Future by Fred Edwords, Director of Planned Giving, American Humanist Association in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 9:45 am – 10:30 am: Humanist Celebrations and Celebrants by Howard Katz, Board Member, American Humanist Association and Humanist Celebrant in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 10:45 am – 11:30 am: Partnering with Like-minded Organizations by Clay Naff, The Humanist magazine’s science and religion correspondent in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 11:30 am – 1:00 pm:  Lunch – maps of local eateries were provided in the conference program guide.
  • 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm:  Sexuality Education by Andi Grubb, Health Educator and Advocate for Planned Parenthood in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Humanism, Naturalism, and the Human Condition by Ron Knapp, Minister Emeritus of the First Unitarian Church of Omaha and “Naturalistic Humanist” in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm:  Humanist Compassion – Death with Dignity by Lea Halterman, President of the Iowa Chapter of Compassion and Choices in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm:  Open forum panel discussion moderated by Carrie Lacy, Vice President, Omaha Metro Area Humanist Association in Rosken’s Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm:  Dinner and socializing began at the Old Market Spaghetti Works, 1105 Howard Street. Conference attendees were responsible for their own food and beverage purchases.
  • 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm: The party continued at the nearby Upstream brewery where attendees enjoyed drinks and each others responses to some interesting discussion questions. Conference attendees we responsible for their own food and beverage purchases.

Sunday:

  • 8:30 am – 10:30 am:  On site registration continued in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.Elmwood Park Pavillion
  • 9:00 am  –  9:45 am:  Introducing Humanism in the Penal System by Dr. Paul Knupp, President and Co-Founder, Humanists of Iowa in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 10:00 am – 10:45 am:  Introducing Humanism in the Military by Jason Heap, National Director for the United Coalition of Reason in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 10:45 am – 10:55 am:  Closing Remarks by Mark Siepker, President, Omaha Metro Area Humanist Association in Roskens Hall, Auditorium 010A.
  • 11:00 am  –  3:00 pm:  Heartland Humanist Conference Picnic, Elmwood Park Pavilion. Buffet style catered lunch provided for conference attendees included with conference admission. The picnic featured burgers, brats, baked beans, chips, lemonade, tea and a special appearance by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Map and directions were included in the conference program guide.