The American Ethical Union (AEU) Board has been active with email correspondence, an August teleconference, and one meeting in New York City on September 15th. AEU Executive Director Bart Worden reported to the Board about his work thus far, including his schedule of Society visits (12 scheduled as of 9/15/12). Law'nence Miller, AEU Director of Administration joined Bart in reporting on Lay Leadership Summer School 2012, which was well attended. Bart also told the Board about very preliminary plans for a Lay Leadership Academy, which would provide more specific training and contain some online classes, which will also help provide training for those who cannot make the commitment of time and money it takes to attend Summer School.

Law'nence Miller also reported on how the AEU Office is using technology to work more efficiently. A new mailing software package has been implemented very successfully. The office's computers are still in need of updating. The office continues to work with the IRS to gain approval for the AEU to provide tax exempt status for all its member groups which do not already have such status. An outside audit of the AEU's books for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 has been completed. It is expected that the years 2009 and 2010 will be started as soon as we can schedule the auditors, followed by 2011/2012.

New President Richard Koral has been overseeing the task force on the AEU's "e-presence," which is currently looking at the websites of the AEU and the Ethical Society Without Walls (ESWoW) as well as other sites from which task force members can draw inspiration. A request for proposals is in progress, as well as plans to ensure good and up-to-date content. Additional task force members are current AEU webmaster Ivo Antoniazzi, ESWoW Leader Susan Rose, Catherine Bordeau, Jan Broughton, Karen Elliott, Ken Karp, Tyler Lurie-Spicer, Law'nence Miller, Emily Newman, Paulo Ribeiro, Scott Walton, and Bart Worden. The task force continues to meet regularly.

Information about the Religious Education Conference coming in November 2012 is ready for mailing by the AEU Office. Also in November will be the YES Conference. It is being held on a different weekend and in a different location than the RE Conference this year.

Randy Best, National Leaders Council President, reported on recent meetings he attended of two AEU affiliates, the International Humanist and Ethical Union and the Secular Coalition for America. The IHEU held a General Assembly (smaller than its periodic Congresses) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Randy reports "This year the IHEU GA was held in conjunction with the Humanist Canada Conference 2012. The Canadian Humanists hosted a conference under the umbrella title of 'Sex and Secularism'."

Several new people have been accepted as Leaders-in-Training, bringing the current total to five: Catherine Bordeau, Ian Coughlin, Richard Koral, Paulo Ribeiro, and James Croft. It is planned that materials being developed for Leadership training will also be available for lay leadership training. The Catalog of Leader Services is not being used as much as it might be – it's a great resource that provides information about platform talks and workshops various Leaders are prepared to provide to all Societies. Contact the AEU Office for more information if your Society is are interested in using one of the Leader Services listed in the Catalog.

The next AEU Board meeting will be a series of teleconferences scheduled for November 8 and 15 from 8-10 EST. Members of Societies are always welcome to attend Board meetings. Contact the AEU Office for details.