AEU 111th Assembly
The American Ethical Union is proud to announce the 111th Assembly – 150 Years of Eliciting the Best – on the sesquicentennial year of the Ethical Culture Movement. Our Movement’s founding Society, The New York Society for Ethical Culture, is looking forward to hosting our gathering in New York City. We encourage all Ethical Culture members and friends to join us in exploring “150 Years of Eliciting the Best: Then, Now and Always.”
Assembly Schedule
The 111th AEU Assembly schedule is now available. We will be opening up check-in for the assembly on Friday, July 24 starting at 4 p.m. in the NYSEC Lobby. This year’s gathering will include the Assembly Business Meeting, workshops, anniversary programming, community conversations, and opportunities to connect with Ethical Culture members and friends from across the Movement. Attendees are encouraged to review the schedule as they make travel plans and prepare for the weekend.
For those attendees that are joining virtually, finalized virtual-access links will be emailed to registered virtual attendees no later than Wednesday, July 22, at 5 p.m. The following programs will be available for a virtual webinar option: Opening Ceremony, Crossroads Conversation, Awards Banquet, and Sunday Platform (open to all/public). The following program will have a Zoom (interactive) option: Business Meeting. We are currently working out which two breakout sessions will have a hybrid option. See the schedule for dates/times.
Important Final Assembly Details
Assembly T-Shirts
A limited number of Assembly T-shirts will be available for purchase at the check-in table for $25. Sizes range from Small through 3XL and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Assembly T-shirt Design
Food at the Assembly
The following meals are currently planned, although selections remain subject to change:
- Friday Opening Ceremony Dinner: Greek food from YaSouvlaki
- Saturday Breakfast: Bagels, lox, schmear, and other Jewish-inspired breakfast selections
- Saturday National Ethical Service Luncheon: Lebanese food from Manousheh
- Saturday Awards Banquet Dinner: Italian food from Carmine’s
- Sunday Breakfast: Continental breakfast
- Sunday Farewell Luncheon: New York-style pizza, salad, Dr. Brown’s soda, Hal’s Kettle Chips, and Tate’s cookies
A designated snack area will be available on the fifth floor Saturday and Sunday.
Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options will be available at each meal.
Water Bottles and Name Badges
Filtered water-bottle filling stations are available at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Attendees are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to stay hydrated and help reduce disposable-cup use.
For safety and building access, attendees will be required to wear their Assembly name badges while inside the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Staff members at the front entrance will be checking for badges.
Assembly Check-In
Assembly check-in opens at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 24, in the New York Society for Ethical Culture lobby.
During check-in, attendees will receive their name badges and reusable tote bags containing key Assembly information and additional materials.
Assembly at a Glance
What: 111th American Ethical Union Assembly
When: July 24–26, 2026
Where: New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th Street, New York, NY 10023
Theme: 150 Years of Eliciting the Best: Then, Now and Always
Who: Ethical Culture members, delegates, volunteers, youth, friends, guests, and Ethical Culture Leaders
Assembly Platform
The Assembly Platform, Embodied Belonging, Ethical Becoming, will take place Sunday, July 26, from 1–2:30 p.m. at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Virtual option will be available. This Platform is organized by the National Leaders Council as part of the 111th American Ethical Union Assembly.
An Assembly platform for all-ages in Felix Adler Hall as an imaginative invitation to the Future of the Ethical Culture Movement – embracing the many unique ways in which Ethical Culturists may embody, engage, enliven, and express the Ethical Culture Movement on Earth.
Special music contributions will be offered from NYSEC resident Musician John Michael Hersey and The Peace of Heart Choir.
Please note: This part of the 111th AEU Assembly is open to the public, at no cost.
Assembly Accommodation and Parking Options
For attendees who are driving, discounted parking is available at LAZ Parking–One Lincoln Plaza Garage, 20 W. 64th Street, New York, NY 10023, just two doors from the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Please enter the garage from the 63rd Street entrance. The cost is $17 per day; overnight parking is not included.
We encourage those who are thinking about attending the assembly to book their accommodations now, as NYC in the summer is busy and as lodgings become more scarce, the prices do go up. Feel free to book on your own as there are many options, but below are three that have been vetted to consider:
LaQuinta Hotel, 31 W. 71st Street, New York, NY 10023
Although we could not secure a block of rooms, this hotel is moderately priced for NYC and is only a few blocks away from the New York Society for Ethical Culture. You can learn more or directly book a reservation by using the link: HERE.
West Side YMCA, 5 W. 63rd Street, New York, NY 10023
We have secured a block of rooms at this hotel, with group pricing guaranteed until May 26, 2026. This option is directly next to New York Society for Ethical Culture. Although this is the most affordable option, it does have the least number of amenities. Please note the following room options: a private single room and ensuite bathroom ($170 per night), a private single room but a shared bathroom down the hall ($140 per night) and a bunk bed for two and ensuite bathroom ($190 per night). If you would like to learn more about the West Side YMCA use the link: HERE.
If you are interested in booking at the YMCA with the AEU group pricing, call Mayesha Hoque (mhoque@ymcanyc.org) at 212-912-2686 or Jennifer Ventura (jventura@ymcanyc.org) at 212-912-2697 during the weekday and state that you are with AEU/Ethical Culture.
Home Hospitality
Although we do not have many available, some members from the New York Society for Ethical Culture and Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture have offered extra rooms that attendees can use. If you are interested in a home hospitality option please contact Co-Chair of the AEU Assembly Planning Committee, Ellen McBride at: erbride225@gmail.com.
Please note, on Sunday, July 26 we will have a designated space at NYSEC for luggage for those attendees who will be checking out and would prefer not to have to go back to their hotel/accommodation.
Review the 2026 AEU Board Officers Slate
Everyone is invited to review the 2026 American Ethical Union Board Officers Slate ahead of the Assembly Business Meeting.
The Board Development Committee has shared information about the open Vice President and Treasurer seats, which will be filled by election during the Business Meeting.
Pre-Assembly Activities
Come spend time with fellow Ethical Culture members before the official start of the Assembly. Activities scheduled for Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24, include:
- A New York City bike tour
- The Tony Award-winning musical Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway
- An official Lincoln Center complex tour
- Tours of the New York Society for Ethical Culture building
Advance registration is required. Some activities require payment, while others are free. Space may be limited, so attendees are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Ready to join us in New York City?