This is a meetup group to bring people together for fun and friendships. We will be doing a variety of events.... from BBQ's, to Restaurants, visiting new places, wine tasting, hanging out at my house, celebrating birthdays, dinners, movies, billiards, concerts, musicals, jazz at McConnells Estate Winery, Diva/Divo nights, and whatever suggestions and ideas you throw in. A WORD OF CAUTION, WE ARE FUN LOVING, HAPPY LET YOUR DOWN TYPE OF FOLKS ...IF YOU HAVE RESERVATIONS AND HANG UPS THAN THIS GRO …

Ethical Culture is a humanistic religion that seeks to inspire ethical living and to create a more just, loving and sustainable world for all.

ATTENTION: This Meetup.com group is just a placeholder.  Actual meetups are announced on the Bay Area Less Wrong mailing list: http://groups.google.com/group/bayarealesswrong.  Generally they happen Wednesday evenings at a private residence in Berkeley.  You can read the mailing list and email the organizers for more details. - - - This is a group targeted at readers of the rationality group blog LessWrong.com.  You're welcome to come if you don't read the blog, but you might want to spend an ho …

"The mystery isn't in the technique, it's in each of us." - Harry Callahan, American Photographer 1912-1999 What Harry Callahan said about film photography holds true in todays digital world. Learning to use your digital camera and truly understanding the digital process will free you to concentrate on creating your vision. This meet up is dedicated to resources that will help you become a better photographer. I originally conceived this group as a way to create a sense of community for students …

Q:  If you had to declare a manifesto for this group, what would it be? A: That philosophy is for everybody.  That, while it uses abstraction, its value rests on its concrete utility in everyday life.  For example, you don't have to know how to program a computer to benefit from one (though of course you can do more with it if you know how it works). Q:  I'm very busy ‐ what preparation is involved? A:  We do not assign reading, because we are interested in your original thinking.  As the the …

Join us! San Francisco Bay Area Journalists is a nonprofit group of journalists navigating the transition to the next era of journalism by sharing insights on high quality reporting, sustainable jobs, diversity, editorial independence and press freedoms. (We also have a lot of fun!)  Our meetups are all free or low-cost. SF Bay Area Journalists operates as part of Newswire21.org, an award-winning nonprofit news organization focused on finding sustainable ways to blend the passion of community r …

Do you possess a special spirit of compassion that doesn't allow you to turn away from animal suffering? Do you feel called upon to do something to help change the way animals are treated? My intent is to post events and issues of interest.  Participation can be individual or as a group, as energy and time permit.  For example, on August 22 Dr Melanie Joy spoke at the Artisan building on Del Paso Blvd about "Why we love dogs, eat pigs, and wear cows". I will also list "pages" of animal friendly …

If you are interested in establishing an active Humanist organization in San Francisco and the East Bay, please join this Meetup.  As meetings and events are organized, you will be invited.  We envision discussions, speakers, social activities and events to work for a better world.  For those who may not be familiar with humanism, below is the Humanist Manifesto III, which describes what many Humanists believe. HUMANISM AND ITS ASPIRATIONS Humanist Manifesto II Humanism is a progressive philosop …

Welcome to the Davis Meetup Group "Buddhist Study & Meditation for Cultivating True Happiness”. Come meet with other warm-hearted, sincere Buddhist Practitioners and spiritual seekers, as we explore the precious Mahayana & Vajrayana Teachings and learn incredible meditation practices helping us to transform our lives. This group is wonderful for both newcomers to Buddhism and students who have been studying Buddhism for awhile. Society has trained us to search on the outside for happiness, yet t …

This group is intended to develop opportunities for families - with children of all ages - to find and volunteer at community-enriching activities. Definition of a family? Well, volunteer service isn't picky. If you feel like family, you're a family! This is a kid-friendly opportunity. Volunteering as a family is a no-cost opportunity to share your values, demonstrate responsibility, work ethic, and compassion. Time commitments will range. Remember, the sacrifice and the commitment will be great …

Hi! I am starting this group in the hopes of finding some fellow foragers and urban gleaners to go on some outings with out here in Contra Costa and in the East Bay. We will forage for wild edibles fruits and vegetables, fungi, and wild herbs and greens.  We will research and plan outings for foraging in public lands and parks, untended residential lots, and whatever other fruit we can gain access to without violating good etiquette and ethics. Note: Due to the logistics and such of organizing …

We took over this group because we liked the idea of various professionals helping each other.  It does not matter whether you have been running your own business for the past 10 years or whether you are now thinking of starting a business.  Nor does it does not matter what profession you are in.  We do hold high regards for those who believe in candor, hard work, and ethics. We would like to get together a supportive, dedicated group that is not just about building their own business and contac …

I have a lot of problems and a lot of challenges. I am not able to decide what to do in most of day to day situations. I need people who can listen to me and tell me what I should do. Sometimes I am just stuck in simple problems. This is the problem example we will discuss on March 7th: Axiom1) I always wanted to do the business. I wanted to make money and tons of money. This money will be for my family and their families. Axiom2) I also want freedom. I want to live my life. I want to use …

The Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry is a fraternity including men and women of every race, nationality and religion. Wishing to do away with all cause for division and strife, it continually seeks the means which to help all human beings to unite and work together for the perfection of Humanity. This discussion group meets monthly to discuss subjects important to humanity. From philosophy and religion to science, history and politics, this group ponders any subject which helps us to bett …

We are a group of students and professionals in the Bay Area, interested in exploring Gurbani and improving our lives for the better. {Typically every friday night 7:30 pm. Yes this is our idea of a night life ... btw some of the hang outs blend into movie nights. Though that is not the norm.} The best part about the weekly meetups is the awesome food the host prepares ( and yes one of the turns will be you too. Join at your own risk :) ) BTW in order to join all u need to bring is an attitude …

This is a group for those in the Sacramento area who like to discuss politics and philosophy. We have all had different experiences in life, but we always find that political issues are very relevant to our lives and we want to discuss these issues with others. These days, political discussions are sometimes constructive, but unfortunately they often become hostile when people with differing views are in the same room. It is important for us all to hear views other than our own from time to time …

Hello! This is a group for IT and Network security professionals in the US SouthWest (CA, AZ, NV, NM, TX, UT) to network and keep apprised of current security issues, threats, solutions etc. Feel free to post educational webinars, local events or other shindigs. Please keep all discussions and meetings to IT and network security related topics.

The Spiritual Naturalist Society www.SpiritualNaturalistSociety.org The Spiritual Naturalist Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration, development, and promotion of spiritual naturalism, and promoting happiness through compassion, reason, and practice. We have a naturalistic and rational scientific worldview, but pursue the flourishing life through various contemplative practices. Influences and inspirations include (but are not limited to) philosophic Buddhism, Zen, St …

Through the reconciliation of seemingly opposed perspectives - faith and modern understanding - THINK seeks to preserve the faith of those who question.

USED TO BE LIBERAL. TEND TO BE CHRISTIAN, BUT AM STILL IN DIALOGUE. TAUGHT DIVERSITY GROUPS. WANT ETHICAL RELATIONSHIPS BASED ON THE INTERFACE OF THINKING/ FEELING. BELIEVE THAT MORALS ARE BORN OF RELIGIOUS AND/OR FAMILY VALUES OR CONVERSION EXPERIENCES. WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES WHERE DIALOGUE CAN HAVE A VOICE AND NOT BE SHUT DOWN.

This is a group created to bring together local (and not so local) forensic scientists in all forensic disciplines and aficionados of forensic science and crime scene/incident investigation. Let's get together and socialize, talk about interesting (closed) cases and approaches to forensic investigations. Sharing our knowledge will make us better professionals and the members of the public better educated to consider evidence and testimony.

Desi Rationalists This is a group on rationality and how we incorporate it in our day to day lives as well as in our thinking. WHY DESI (Indian, (also includes-) of Indian origin)? Higher chances meeting people with similar experiences as yourself, Cultural relatability, Easy to organize discussions concerning India, and another parameter to restrict the size of this group if it ever grows big:)- This group will be suitable to you - - If you are either Indian or have Indian roots that have had a …

Research, discuss and deconstruct exploits at the code level -- maybe even make our own. The objective is to get a code level understanding of how it works and to get a feel for common techniques. An engaged, participatory and fun atmosphere is of utmost importance. Target audience is for the people who aspire to become super l33t established hackers (or something like that). That said, if you are truly l33t and want to share your skillz you are way more than welcome to join/participate.

This is a group that will be forming for the purpose of assembling working teams of ambitious and creative budding entrepreneurs who are interested in working together to share their skills and ideas and collectively put together at least one fundraising proposal on Kickstarter. The results of the work that is done collectively will be shared collectively. A variety of skills are required to create an effective and successful fundraising campaign and no one person embodies all of them, so lets w …

For hackers and laymen alike. SF Cyber Security is a great excuse to get together and geek out about drive-by downloads, spearfishing, and your favorite Metasploit exploit. Also, because I'm a layman myself, we'll be sure to break down all those 1's and 0's to everyday English and talk about why cyber security matters for business and personal life. We'll aim for a regular slate of interesting speakers and the occasional startup showcase.

The Serbian Investment Conference is a unique opportunity to interact with highest-profile political and business leaders, including Serbian Prime Minister, Ivica Dačić, and the US Ambassador to Serbia, Michael Kirby. As many US companies have discovered, Serbia is quickly becoming the next European tech hub for expanding IT services and software development. CEOs have found highly skilled, talented and enthusiastic engineers who are fluent in English, have a strong work ethic, and want to work …

Do you ponder the idea of the Good Life? Do you ask questions like, What is the nature of Truth? What is the meaning of Justice? Do you long to discuss these topics with others, in a friendly, informal setting? Look no further! The Philosophy Cafe of Walnut Creek is exactly what you need to satisfy your philosophical urges!

To gather as a humanist community around the ideas expressed in the book Good without God by Greg M. Epstein Humanist Chaplain at Harvard University. Epstein defines humanism as Good without God. If you want the support of like minded nonreligious people with the advantages of a church atmosphere but without the disadvantages of false dogma, this is the group for you.