Sunday Assembly @ Reason Rally '16!
Donation protected
On the weekend of June 4th, tens of thousands of people will flood Washington, D.C. for Reason Rally 2016. It’s already looking to be one of the biggest gatherings of secular, atheist, and freethinking people in history. We here at Sunday Assembly are a part of that movement and are committed to supporting the event by having a presence there. That's why we need your help to make sure everyone experiences the wonder of Sunday Assembly!
Whether you're an organizer for a big Sunday Assembly, enjoy being a member, or are just now hearing about us, we hope you'll agree on the importance of creating secular community as more and more people find themselves leaving religion, were never born with religion, or just want spaces where it isn’t important. Sunday Assembly is a fast-growing, enthusiastic hug-of-an-answer to this change, and we want to spread our message of “live better, help often, and wonder more” even further. What better way than to be out and about, prominently displayed, at Reason Rally 2016?
Here’s a short video explaining a little bit about us:
Sunday Assembly is already excited to be supporting our movement through sponsoring the Reason Rally alongside some great groups like the Secular Student Alliance, Black Nonbelievers, and Foundation Beyond Belief. We’ll be tabling at the event to spread our message and encourage people to attend a local SA or learn about starting one of their own! The morning after the rally at the day-long mini-conference, we’ll be giving it our all at our nation’s capital putting on an assembly, our signature service with live music from our Nashville band, a renowned speaker, and so many other wonderful pieces that make these events unforgettable.
Donate today to make our national debut in Washington, D.C. the very best it can be!
--- Our $6,000 Fundraising Goals ---
(June 14th, 2016: Mini-con costs were much lower than expected, and many volunteers chose to donate their travel reimbursement to Sunday Assembly in America to begin a funding pool for future events like this! Thanks to everyone for your support. The below numbers remain unchanged, reflecting estimates during the campaign.)
This is an estimated budget: preparations are ongoing for the Reason Rally, so allocated funds may shift during our approach to the event. We will share exact expenses afterwards and update this page and donors as appropriate.
1. Promotional Materials: $2,175 (~36% of total)
Our primary goal is funding awesome promotional pieces to distribute at the rally. Our Reason Rally team has designed Sunday Assembly logo-shaped paper fans to give away to attendees. We're expecting the June heat to make these quickly leave our hands and be visible in the crowd. We will have informative postcards to distribute and pins to share, as well.
(The exact items may change due to cost, funds raised, and availability.)
2. Mini-con costs: $1,450 (~24% of total)
Our secondary goal is to cover expenses for having a presence at the mini-con. This includes an honorarium for our assembly speaker (who does not require travel), a fee for tabling at the event, and additional tickets for volunteers. We hope many new faces will come to know the joy of being a part of their local Sunday Assembly by experiencing one at the mini-con. Our big live band, speaker, MCs, and other participants will show them!
3. Team Travel: $2,100 (~35% of total)
Our third goal is to be able to offset some of the travel expenses that our nationwide Reason Rally team will incur while participating in the event. We especially want to sponsor individuals who aren't able to front the cost of travel and lodging but who would be invaluable as volunteers with us.
Our team of approximately twelve to fifteen volunteers will be talking one-on-one to attendees, running our table, handing out materials, and putting on the assembly. We'll be sharing that Sunday Assembly not-gospel with tons of folks. Some of us are coming from across the country. We’ll need a place to crash.
In addition, our assembly band needs to transport their equipment, and we want to cover the cost burden on the folks working extra hard as volunteers to rock the house.
4. Logistical Costs: $275 (~5% of total)
Our final goal is to provide us a small fund for last-minute purchases (which always happen when coordinating such an effort) and pay for shipping costs of any donation rewards for people not coming to the Reason Rally. (Pick it up then if you're coming!)
--- Stretch Goals ---
If we exceed our goal, no funds raised will go to waste! The targets will be fulfilled (in order) by our total goal, but extra will go towards two areas:
- Additional materials, likely shirts and/or buttons (dependent on funding)
- A fund covering last-minute technical needs for the assembly performance or tabling
We're doing this because we love Sunday Assembly and we love secular people. Our team of a dozen or so individuals are getting nothing from this except the joy of spreading community and seeing more people happier like we’ve all felt when they find or form their own local groups. Help us succeed in our goal by giving today!
--- You Can Make An Impact ---
Any gift, big or small, really makes a difference. In fact, if just 200 people reading this GoFundMe page donated $25, we would meet our goal. The number of assemblers in the US alone certainly dwarf that number!
To encourage you: if you donate at least $25, you will receive a video thank you from the Sunday Assembly Reason Rally team upon our return!
As if that weren’t enough, you will also be given a secret code word to deploy at the Reason Rally or mini-conference. When spoken to our trained team members, you will receive one sincere in-person “Thank you!” and an enthusiastic hug or high-five!
If you're really dedicated and donate at least $125, you will also receive a Sunday Assembly pin and a charcoal Sunday Assembly T-shirt!
(The exact shirt design is forthcoming but will look similar to the dark shirts on the right in the above image without "LA". Bonuses for giving are subject to receiving appropriate contact & sizing information.)
When you give, you’re saying you want to see more Sunday Assembly in your secular community, and that means the world to us. Donations are received with our sincerest gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility to fulfill our mission once funded.
If you can’t donate, no worries! Simply sharing this campaign can work wonders on getting us the visibility needed to fund our effort. Thanks so much!
--- FAQ ---
“What’s Sunday Assembly again?”
Sunday Assembly is a secular congregation that celebrates life. We are radically inclusive and want to create a world where everyone lives life as fully as possible. We live by three tenets: Live Better, Help Often, and Wonder More. Started in London just a few years ago, we’re now in 70+ cities around the world.
“Sounds like a cult.”
That’s not a question?
“Are you a cult?”
Nope! We just took loads of good ideas from congregational communities and did it in a totally secular, totally awesome way. While we come together to celebrate, volunteer, and contemplate, every person involved with Sunday Assembly has their own passions and goals, and each SA is a little bit different.
"Is Sunday Assembly politically involved?"
The Reason Rally has a political stance, to be sure. To us, though, it is foremost a gathering of like-minded folk who are a natural fit for a Sunday Assembly in their town. SA is radically inclusive, which fundamentally means we love people regardless of sex, gender identity, race, color, orientation, size, disability... and yes, even religion! We're here to build bridges and make community.
"What if I have more questions?"
Get in contact using the email button at the top-right of this page. We'll do our best to answer any questions you have about this fundraiser, our plans, and Sunday Assembly in general.
--- Meet the Team! ---
The Sunday Assembly Reason Rally team is coming together from assemblies all over the US! We are organizers and volunteers for our local groups who have lots of experience planning assemblies, coordinating people, and getting things done.
Amy Boyle, Los Angeles
Marina Campbell, Nashville
Gillian Claus, Silicon Valley
Ian Dodd, Los Angeles
Bob Faw, Seacoast
Richard Fortuna, Charlotte
Patrick Horst, Nashville
Gina Kirkland, Los Angeles
Deborah Lash, D.C.
David Lyle, Nashville
Aleta Ledendecker, Knoxville
Ross Llewallyn, Atlanta
Meredith McConnell, Boston
Felicia Castillo-Powers, Baltimore
Adam Newton, Nashville
Aaron Tyrrell, Knoxville
With your help, we can make this event a huge success. We can’t wait to see you there!
Whether you're an organizer for a big Sunday Assembly, enjoy being a member, or are just now hearing about us, we hope you'll agree on the importance of creating secular community as more and more people find themselves leaving religion, were never born with religion, or just want spaces where it isn’t important. Sunday Assembly is a fast-growing, enthusiastic hug-of-an-answer to this change, and we want to spread our message of “live better, help often, and wonder more” even further. What better way than to be out and about, prominently displayed, at Reason Rally 2016?
Here’s a short video explaining a little bit about us:
Sunday Assembly is already excited to be supporting our movement through sponsoring the Reason Rally alongside some great groups like the Secular Student Alliance, Black Nonbelievers, and Foundation Beyond Belief. We’ll be tabling at the event to spread our message and encourage people to attend a local SA or learn about starting one of their own! The morning after the rally at the day-long mini-conference, we’ll be giving it our all at our nation’s capital putting on an assembly, our signature service with live music from our Nashville band, a renowned speaker, and so many other wonderful pieces that make these events unforgettable.
Donate today to make our national debut in Washington, D.C. the very best it can be!
--- Our $6,000 Fundraising Goals ---
(June 14th, 2016: Mini-con costs were much lower than expected, and many volunteers chose to donate their travel reimbursement to Sunday Assembly in America to begin a funding pool for future events like this! Thanks to everyone for your support. The below numbers remain unchanged, reflecting estimates during the campaign.)
This is an estimated budget: preparations are ongoing for the Reason Rally, so allocated funds may shift during our approach to the event. We will share exact expenses afterwards and update this page and donors as appropriate.
1. Promotional Materials: $2,175 (~36% of total)
Our primary goal is funding awesome promotional pieces to distribute at the rally. Our Reason Rally team has designed Sunday Assembly logo-shaped paper fans to give away to attendees. We're expecting the June heat to make these quickly leave our hands and be visible in the crowd. We will have informative postcards to distribute and pins to share, as well.
(The exact items may change due to cost, funds raised, and availability.)
2. Mini-con costs: $1,450 (~24% of total)
Our secondary goal is to cover expenses for having a presence at the mini-con. This includes an honorarium for our assembly speaker (who does not require travel), a fee for tabling at the event, and additional tickets for volunteers. We hope many new faces will come to know the joy of being a part of their local Sunday Assembly by experiencing one at the mini-con. Our big live band, speaker, MCs, and other participants will show them!
3. Team Travel: $2,100 (~35% of total)
Our third goal is to be able to offset some of the travel expenses that our nationwide Reason Rally team will incur while participating in the event. We especially want to sponsor individuals who aren't able to front the cost of travel and lodging but who would be invaluable as volunteers with us.
Our team of approximately twelve to fifteen volunteers will be talking one-on-one to attendees, running our table, handing out materials, and putting on the assembly. We'll be sharing that Sunday Assembly not-gospel with tons of folks. Some of us are coming from across the country. We’ll need a place to crash.
In addition, our assembly band needs to transport their equipment, and we want to cover the cost burden on the folks working extra hard as volunteers to rock the house.
4. Logistical Costs: $275 (~5% of total)
Our final goal is to provide us a small fund for last-minute purchases (which always happen when coordinating such an effort) and pay for shipping costs of any donation rewards for people not coming to the Reason Rally. (Pick it up then if you're coming!)
--- Stretch Goals ---
If we exceed our goal, no funds raised will go to waste! The targets will be fulfilled (in order) by our total goal, but extra will go towards two areas:
- Additional materials, likely shirts and/or buttons (dependent on funding)
- A fund covering last-minute technical needs for the assembly performance or tabling
We're doing this because we love Sunday Assembly and we love secular people. Our team of a dozen or so individuals are getting nothing from this except the joy of spreading community and seeing more people happier like we’ve all felt when they find or form their own local groups. Help us succeed in our goal by giving today!
--- You Can Make An Impact ---
Any gift, big or small, really makes a difference. In fact, if just 200 people reading this GoFundMe page donated $25, we would meet our goal. The number of assemblers in the US alone certainly dwarf that number!
To encourage you: if you donate at least $25, you will receive a video thank you from the Sunday Assembly Reason Rally team upon our return!
As if that weren’t enough, you will also be given a secret code word to deploy at the Reason Rally or mini-conference. When spoken to our trained team members, you will receive one sincere in-person “Thank you!” and an enthusiastic hug or high-five!
If you're really dedicated and donate at least $125, you will also receive a Sunday Assembly pin and a charcoal Sunday Assembly T-shirt!
(The exact shirt design is forthcoming but will look similar to the dark shirts on the right in the above image without "LA". Bonuses for giving are subject to receiving appropriate contact & sizing information.)
When you give, you’re saying you want to see more Sunday Assembly in your secular community, and that means the world to us. Donations are received with our sincerest gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility to fulfill our mission once funded.
If you can’t donate, no worries! Simply sharing this campaign can work wonders on getting us the visibility needed to fund our effort. Thanks so much!
--- FAQ ---
“What’s Sunday Assembly again?”
Sunday Assembly is a secular congregation that celebrates life. We are radically inclusive and want to create a world where everyone lives life as fully as possible. We live by three tenets: Live Better, Help Often, and Wonder More. Started in London just a few years ago, we’re now in 70+ cities around the world.
“Sounds like a cult.”
That’s not a question?
“Are you a cult?”
Nope! We just took loads of good ideas from congregational communities and did it in a totally secular, totally awesome way. While we come together to celebrate, volunteer, and contemplate, every person involved with Sunday Assembly has their own passions and goals, and each SA is a little bit different.
"Is Sunday Assembly politically involved?"
The Reason Rally has a political stance, to be sure. To us, though, it is foremost a gathering of like-minded folk who are a natural fit for a Sunday Assembly in their town. SA is radically inclusive, which fundamentally means we love people regardless of sex, gender identity, race, color, orientation, size, disability... and yes, even religion! We're here to build bridges and make community.
"What if I have more questions?"
Get in contact using the email button at the top-right of this page. We'll do our best to answer any questions you have about this fundraiser, our plans, and Sunday Assembly in general.
--- Meet the Team! ---
The Sunday Assembly Reason Rally team is coming together from assemblies all over the US! We are organizers and volunteers for our local groups who have lots of experience planning assemblies, coordinating people, and getting things done.
Amy Boyle, Los Angeles
Marina Campbell, Nashville
Gillian Claus, Silicon Valley
Ian Dodd, Los Angeles
Bob Faw, Seacoast
Richard Fortuna, Charlotte
Patrick Horst, Nashville
Gina Kirkland, Los Angeles
Deborah Lash, D.C.
David Lyle, Nashville
Aleta Ledendecker, Knoxville
Ross Llewallyn, Atlanta
Meredith McConnell, Boston
Felicia Castillo-Powers, Baltimore
Adam Newton, Nashville
Aaron Tyrrell, Knoxville
With your help, we can make this event a huge success. We can’t wait to see you there!
Organizer and beneficiary
Ross Llewallyn
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
Laura Heywood
Beneficiary
