Event
2024 AEU 109th Assembly in Minneapolis
26 Jul 2024 - 28 Jul 2024 | 07:00 pm - 03:00 pm
Mindful Stories: A Ritual of Care
Friday, July 26 – Sunday, 28, 2024
Join us at the AEU’s 109th Assembly to reconnect and share stories that bring us closer.
After spending years apart attempting to curb the spread of COVID, we come back together in need of a healing experience of one another’s presence and the Ethical Culture value of bringing out the best in one another. These hardships don’t have to define us; instead, we can integrate them into our story and move forward feeling a sense of shared overcoming. This is why the Assembly will center around stories that change us and the healing practice of storytelling itself.
Call for Workshop Submissions
You are invited to submit a workshop proposal for the American Ethical Union’s 109th Assembly, “Mindful Stories: A Ritual of Care,” July 26-28, 2024. Submissions must be received no later than April 15, 2024.
Read more about workshop submissions →
Read the full description in the submission form →
Call for Nominations: Elliott-Black Award
Both John Lovejoy Elliott and Algernon Black were known for their personal courage and for going beyond the usual limits in their commitment to social justice. The criteria for nominating an individual or organization for the Elliott-Black Award have included the element of personal risk, sacrifice, and hardship as the deciding factor from the inception of this award. Nominees may include individuals and organizations whose ethical action has made a significant positive impact on society and the achievement of ethical ideals, whether or not this is done at significant personal risk or cost.
Read the call for Elliott-Black Award Nominations →
Read about the Elliott-Black Award and previous recipients →
Call for Nominations: Anna Garlin Spencer Volunteer Award
The AEU Anna Garlin Spencer Volunteer Award recognizes a lay member of any AEU Member Organization in good standing for their significant volunteer contributions to the success of their organization and/or to the AEU. The AEU Board presents the award on behalf of the AEU and the nominating congregation.
Read the full criteria for the award →
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Minneapolis
1101 La Salle Ave,
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Please note the schedule is still being developed and the information below is subject to change.Friday, July 26, 2024
3-5 PM: Registration & Exhibits
6-7:30 PM: Welcome & State of the Union
7:30-8:30 PM: DinnerSaturday, July 27, 2024
Breakfast on your own
8 AM-6 PM: Registration & Exhibits
8-8:45 AM: Coffee & Light Refreshments
8:45-9:15 AM: Welcome & Keynote
Meet & Greet
9:30-10:50 AM: Panel
11 AM-12 PM: 2 Sessions
12-1 PM: Lunch
1-2 PM: Activities
2:15-3:15 PM: 3 Sessions
3:30-4:50 PM: Panel
5-5:30 PM: Closing
6-7 PM: AEU Reception
7-8 PM: Elliot-Black Dinner
8-9 PM: Eliot-Black Ceremony & AwardsSunday, July 28, 2024
8-9 AM: Colloquy
9:15-10:45 AM: Business Meeting
10-10:45 AM: General Assembly
11-12 PM: Platform
12:15-1:15 PM: Farewell Lunch
1:30-4:30 PM: AEU Board Meeting
Q: What is the AEU Assembly about?
The American Ethical Union organizes national Assemblies to learn, connect, and share about growing a more caring and humane world. Each Assembly includes a social justice theme, workshops, business meetings, a keynote program, Sunday Platform, and receptions. All are welcome.
Q: Why the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis?
The First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis (FUS) enthusiastically invited us to their space to host the AEU 2024 Assembly without a cost. FUS has deep humanist roots in the Unitarian Universalist tradition and has a thriving community in Minneapolis. FUS has been connected to the Humanist Institute in Minneapolis, where many Ethical Culture Leaders have been trained.
FUS is generously offering their space to us at no cost, which can accommodate 450 people with up to three breakout rooms, and hotels are within a mile’s walking distance from the building.
Q: What does Mindful Stories: A Ritual of Care mean?
A: After spending years apart attempting to curb the spread of COVID, we come back together in need of a healing experience of one another’s presence and the Ethical Culture value of bringing out the best in one another. These hardships don’t have to define us; instead, we can integrate them into our story and move forward feeling a sense of shared overcoming. This is why the Assembly will center around stories that change us and the healing practice of storytelling itself.
Q: How will young people be included in this Assembly?
A: As Co-Chairs of the Assembly, Julia Julstrom-Agoyo and Anya Overmann — two Future of Ethical Societies (FES) members — are inviting Youth of Ethical Societies (YES) members and former YES members to participate in planning so they can spend time together in Minneapolis. If you are a current or former YES member and would like to be involved in planning, email Julia (jjulstrom-agoyo@aeu.org) and Anya (aovermann@aeu.org).
Q: What airport should I fly into?
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is a less-than-20-minute drive and an hour and 15 minutes by metro from the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Minneapolis.
Q: How do I check-in for the conference?
Go to First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis at 3pm on Friday, July 26th and you will enter to find a registration tabler where you will get your name badge and more. AEU staff and volunteers will be available throughout the conference if you need assistance.
If you are attending virtually, no check-in is required.
Q: How do you get to the conference site from the hotel?
Walk: (22 mins) Left on LaSalle Ave, right on S 12th St, left on Yale Pl, continue straight through Loring Park until you reach Hennepin Ave, turn left on Loring Greenway, turn right on Groveland Terrace and FUS will be on your left.
Bus: (13 mins) Turn right on LaSalle Ave, left on S 11th St, and right on Hennepin Ave to catch the bus at the Hennepin Ave & 10th St stop. Take bus 6, 4B, or 6U to the Hennepin Ave & Groveland Ave bus stop. Cross the street onto Groveland Terrace and FUS will be on your left.
Drive: (5 mins) Left on LaSalle Ave, right on S 12 th St, left on Hennepin Ave, right on Groveland Terrace, and FUS will be on your left.
Q: What if I want to purchase a workshop or meal on-site?
We will try to accommodate late registrants as best we can.
Q: Will members be expected to attend the Assembly in person to vote?
No. The 2024 Assembly is a hybrid event that will accommodate virtual attendees and delegates.
Q: Who can I contact if I have questions?
Assembly Co-Chairs Julia Julstrom-Agoyo (jjulstrom-agoyo@aeu.org) and Anya Overmann (aovermann@aeu.org) are your contacts for all things AEU Assembly 2024!