The AHA President’s Award is to be given annually to an individual who exemplifies humanism and demonstrates being “good without a god.” The president is the top of the volunteer pyramid of the American Humanist Association, but there are thousands of members who are doing good works every day. Some individuals’ exemplary accomplishments are done under the banner of humanism, and others are just acting on their inspiration to raise the human condition and better the environment. These humanists rarely get recognition; and we know they aren’t counting on congratulations after they die! We want to encourage members to continue doing the good things they are already doing, and we also want to embolden them to do these things while being openly humanist.

There is to be one winner each year and two runners’ up. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to the AHA’s annual conference—that includes basic transportation to the conference, three hotel nights, and full conference registration including award banquets. The winner will be formally recognized at an awards banquet, presented an award, and given an opportunity to say “thank you” in a 1-3 minute time slot. Runners up will be recognized at the award presentation above, all of which will receive further public recognition via the Free Mind newsletter and AHA social media.

As the purpose is to recognize and honor the value of our volunteers in furthering the purpose and causes of humanism and specifically the American Humanist Association, the following will be the basis for the award:

• Eligible nominees are dues paying members of the AHA over the age of 18 who consent to their nomination and are nominated by another active member of the AHA. You may also nominate yourself, as long as you are an AHA member. Nominees may not be board or staff members of the AHA.
• Nominees should report the number of hours worked/volunteered in their community where they are openly humanist, such as tutoring children, working a science fair, fundraising for humanist causes, lobbying on a humanist issue—even working at a church-run soup kitchen, so long as they wear clear identifiers of their humanism.
• Nominations must include pictures of the person performing these activities since the point is to be visible as a humanist doing good.
• Nominees may also report any time developing their local humanist chapter or affiliate.
• Nominees may also report any time promoting or enhancing humanism on the national level.
• Nominations must be received by March 15 each year.

Fill out the form below, or if you cannot see the below form, click here.