Universal Pantheist Society
"We seek a renewed reverence for the Earth and a vision of Nature as the ultimate context for human existence..."
Universal Pantheist Society
EIN: 51-0190374
Mission
The purposes of the Society are: "to unite Pantheists everywhere
into a common fellowship, to undertake the conveyance of
information about Pantheism to the interested public, to
encourage discussion and communication among Pantheists, to
provide mutual aid and defense of Pantheists everywhere, to
stimulate a revision of social attitudes away from
anthropocentrism and toward reverence for the Earth and a vision
of the ultimate context for human existence, and to take
appropriate action toward the protection and restoration of the
Earth." Pantheists seek to improve their relationship with the
natural world as their fundamental religious responsibility."
Notes from the nonprofit
Since our founding in 1975, we have strived to encourage a shift away from humanity as the focal point, to embrace the intrinsic value of nature and to recognize that all species have a right to exist for their own sake. We also hold to a duty against abstract "speculation"- so called "Belief" is not really the crux of true religion; instead it is a substitute for entering into an authentic relationship with the Universe that honors doubt as a positive value. Another core value is the realization that reverence for the natural world is necessary for treating our fellow human beings respectfully.
Ruling year
1976
President
Ms. Margie Gibson
Treasurer and co-founder
Mr. Harold William Wood Jr
Main address
P.O. Box 69644
Tucson, AZ 85737 USA
EIN
51-0190374
Humanities
Religion
Population served
Adults
Secular groups
NTEE code
Religion Related, Spiritual Development N.E.C. (X99)
Humanities Organizations (A70)
Humanities Organizations (A70)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is not required to file an annual return with the IRS because it is a church.
Communication
Programs and results
Reports and documents
Download other documentsWhat we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
About Us
Pantheism holds that the Cosmos is synonymous with the theological principle of God. The Cosmos is divine, and the earth sacred.
The Society is comprised of individuals who feel that fundamental religious experience involves an individual relationship with the natural world.
Recognizing that freedom of belief is inherent in the pantheist tradition, the Society's bylaws explicitly prohibit any requirement imposing a particular interpretation of religion or subscription to any particular religious belief, doctrine, or creed.
Universal Pantheist Society Members participate in the following activities: our quarterly publication Pantheist Vision; discussion forum on our website, www.pantheist.net; member exchange listings in Pantheist Vision; spotlight web-space, public dissemination of information on modern Pantheism; sharing opportunities with other Pantheists; support of research on Pantheism; special publications and bibliographies; promotion of Pantheist celebrations, holidays, and special events; and support application of Pantheist principles to solve social and environmental problems.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
Members and readers of our journal.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Suggestion box/email,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
We have modified our website in response to questions that some potential members have had trouble with. This includes increasing the options available to new members, and adding clarifying statements for required "legalese" that some find objectionable. We have also clarified on our website that our position is in support of COVID-19 vaccines, and why, in response to potential members who wanted us to oppose such vaccines.
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our board,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
Our bylaws and our inherent structure is intended to ensure that "The core of modern Pantheism rests upon the spiritual self-reliance of the individual."
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
President
Ms. Margie Gibson
Margie Gibson is a conservation activist and artist. Most of her working career has been in Alaska, starting as Alaska Representative for Friends of the Earth. She later returned to college to study graphic design, and opened her own graphic design business. She returned to conservation work as executive director of an Alaska-based organization, the Arctic Network. Currently, she lives in Alaska during the summer and New Mexico in the winter. She was active with her husband Mike Holloway supporting medical training in the third world though Health Volunteers Overseas until Parkinson's Disease made it too difficult for him to travel. In addition to time spent in nature, Margie enjoys gardening, cooking and photography. You can see her images at: www.margieanngibson.com
She joined the Society February 13, 1980 and is a founding board member, serving as the At Large member for many years. In 2007 she became Secretary for the Society, and then President in 2012.
Treasurer and co-founder
Harold Wood
Harold has volunteered for the Universal Pantheist Society since he and Derham Giuliani co-founded the organization in 1975. He has served as the editor of the UPS quarterly journal Pantheist Vision and its predecessor newsletter since the beginning of the Society, authoring dozens of articles, essays, and book reviews relating to Pantheism. Harold is the webmaster of several websites for environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club’s John Muir Exhibit and LeConte Memorial websites, and a personal site, Planet Patriot. He volunteers for several environmental organizations as well as his local Unitarian Universalist congregation. He recently retired as a government attorney. He lives in central California, with ready access to the Sierra Nevada mountains.Harold joined the Society on January 29, 1975 and has served on the board since then, currently as Treasurer, and earlier as secretary and a brief original term as President.
There are no officers, directors or key employees recorded for this organization
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
Universal Pantheist Society
Board of directorsas of 02/01/2023
Board of directors data
Ms. Margie Gibson
Harold Wood
Founding Member & Treasurer
Nancy Pearlman
Broadcaster and environmentalist
Margie Gibson
Photographer/Environmental Activist
Bernie Zaleha
Academic, Sociology of Religion
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
No data
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
No data
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
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