World Future Society Chapter Information

World Future Society Chapters

Objectives Activities Functions
Chapter Coordinators Other Futurist Organizations

OBJECTIVES:
Futurists are concerned about the world as a whole, but that effective action to achieve a better future generally takes place in one's local area. Local futurist groups enable futurists in a given area to get to know each other, share ideas, and work together to educate the community about future possibilities.

Local groups affiliated with the World Future Society support the objectives stated in the Society's charter:

To contribute to a reasoned awareness of the future and the importance of its study, without advocating particular ideologies or engaging in political activities.

To advance serious and responsible investigation of the future.

To promote the development of methods for the study of the future.

To increase public understanding of future-oriented studies.

To facilitate communication and cooperation among organizations and individuals interested in studying or planning for the future.

Local chapters focus their attention on the future but do not become over-specialized in any one aspect of the future. It is also extremely important to note that local groups do not align themselves with any particular political party, religious group, or other grouping so that potential members or participants will not feel that their viewpoints do not receive a fair hearing.

ACTIVITIES:

Meetings. Most active chapters hold monthly or bi-monthly meetings with programs. Some chapters also hold "networking" meetings, where members meet with each other without a formal program.

Field trips. Many chapters sponsor trips to local facilities of interest, such as museums, exhibits, animal reserves, observatories, etc.

Conferences. Chapters sponsor small conferences, usually one- or two-day affairs, inviting speakers from the local community and from around the world to discuss topics of interest to the local area. Conferences like these offer a good opportunity to attract new members and make a contribution to the local community.

Speeches. Chapter members can be recruited to give presentations to local civic organizations and high school classes in order to "spread the word" about futures-oriented topics.

Newsletters. Many active chapters publish newsletters on a regular basis to keep their members informed of upcoming activities and to publicize their events.

FUNCTIONS:

Futurists in a given city or area can meet each other face-to-face and discuss the issues that concern them.

Local experts are identified and their expertise shared with people in the locality.

A knowledgeable person is able to make a presentation before people in the community who are interested in what he or she may have to say.

Government officials, business leaders, educators, and others in the local area can become acquainted with the work of the World Future Society and the general field of futures studies.

Local talent is identified and made known to the World Future Society's headquarters and the global network of futurists. This may lead to important articles in THE FUTURIST and an invitation to speak at a Society General Assembly, Annual Meeting, or at other meetings.

CHAPTER COORDINATORS

Africa/Middle East Asia/Pacific Europe

North America South/Central America