A Compassionate Response to COVID-19
MAY 1 - MAY 10

What is The Week of Action

The Secular Week of Action exists to mobilize secular people to make positive changes in our communities. Local secular organizations across the diverse nontheistic spectrum — atheists, agnostics, Ex-Muslims, freethinkers, humanists, skeptics, and many more who make up the one-in-four Americans unaffiliated with religion — work together to demonstrate our shared commitment to making this world, here and now, a better place. During this inspiring week, participating organizations buckle down and do the work that matters, taking social, political, and charitable actions that make a difference.

Why a Week of Action?

The National Day of Prayer — a day set aside in federal law for “people of faith to pray for the nation” — takes place on the first Thursday in May. Rather than observing a day of thoughts and prayers, the secular community focuses its efforts on a full week of action and inclusion. Secular groups all over the country organize service projects and educational events, with this year’s emphasis being a compassionate response to COVID-19, and creating virtual service opportunities.

A Compassionate Response to COVID-19

This year, Secular Week of Action falls in the midst of a public health crisis that is especially threatening for medically and economically vulnerable people. While it is necessary to postpone in-person events to help stop the spread of COVID-19, there are many ways that secular communities can provide aid to those facing hardships as a result of business and school closures, travel bans, and the virus itself. Starting a Mutual Aid group, donating to local food banks and homeless shelters, and delivering meals are just a few ways to give back. The president recently called on Americans to petition God for protection, but the secular community knows that it is our actions — not our thoughts and prayers — that matter during this crisis.

In addition to aid for those impacted by COVID-19, secular people and their communities can participate in many other positive, impactful activities from home. Citizen science, humanities, activism, and service projects can all be done virtually and coordinated by secular groups online. Week of Action will give people fulfilling opportunities to contribute to the greater good during this time of uncertainty.

Service

Give back and serve

Run a Virtual 5k
Team up with friends, family, coworkers, or community and get moving to support people facing food insecurity. See Foundation Beyond Belief's Virtual 5k Guide.
Create a Mutual Aid Group
Start a neighborhood/organizational mutual aid shared Google Doc, social media group page, or Google Form for people to share their needs and how they can help.
Donate to a Local Food Bank
Donations are down and need is up. Search for a Feed America food bank in your area.
Donate to Local Homeless Shelters
Shelters are not closing during this crisis. Many are asking for essentials like toilet paper, soap, and hand sanitizer.
Donate Blood
Blood drives across the country have been canceled and the blood supply is low.
Deliver Meals for Vulnerable Neighbors
Donate to or volunteer with Meals on Wheels America. (Volunteers are no longer entering homes and are delivering more shelf-stable or frozen meals to allow for a less frequent delivery schedule).
Organize an Online Fundraiser
Many of our usual fundraising events are not possible while we practice social distancing. Check out our COVID-19 Service Guide for ways to fundraise without gathering in groups.

Find more ideas here: Responding to COVID-19 as a Community

Virtual Volunteering

Citizen science, humanities, and service projects you can do from home. Click to learn more!

Zooniverse
Participate in online research projects of all kinds, from classifying galaxies to counting penguins to transcribing manuscripts.
Smithsonian
Help make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible by transcribing field notes, diaries, ledgers, logbooks, currency proof sheets, photo albums, manuscripts, and biodiversity specimens labels.
Project Implicit
Help researchers learn the best ways to break down stereotypes by taking tests about attitudes, stereotypes and other hidden biases that influence perception, judgment, and action.
United Nations Online Volunteering
Volunteers contribute directly to the work of development organizations, working from a computer, tablet or mobile phone anywhere in the world.

Social Media

Help spread the word

Like the Secular Week of Action Facebook Page
We’ll be posting project ideas, memes, and other fun stuff you can share to let your friends know about Week of Action.
Share the Week of Action Website
Help raise the visibility of the secular community and the work we are all doing to make positive change.
Post pictures
Whether you’re participating in a virtual group activity or as an individual, find creative ways to photograph your servicework and share online to inspire others
Go live
Live stream on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms. Are you working on a creative project? Interact with your audience while you work. Take suggestions from viewers as you go, or auction off creative choices! Make sure to talk about your activity regularly in advance so people know to tune in.
Network with other groups
Like, follow, and share the posts of other volunteer groups across the country to support one another’s work!
Use the hashtags #SecularAction and #WeekOfAction

Top Things to Keep In Mind:

Have a brainstorming session to decide what makes the most sense for your group.
Choose one person to organize, but make sure to delegate tasks. Know who the backup is for top organizers.
Keep up with the latest info from your local public health department.
Communicate timely and accurate information from credible sources. Help counter stigma and discrimination.
Consider partnering with other local groups.
If you are collecting money to support community members, make sure multiple people are involved and record when and where money is spent or distributed.
Remember that you don’t need dozens of people for a successful event.