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FORUM
FORUM PURPOSE STATEMENT
The forum brings together Unitarian Universalists of San Francisco and fellow citizens to gain a deeper understanding of the issues of our time and to hear powerful presentations that both inform and inspire.
Paul Larudee: Prospects for the Continuation of Life on Earth, and of the Human Species
Sunday, September 28, 9:30 am, TSK Room and on Zoom.
A light breakfast will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m.
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This treatise on evolutionary science attempts to update the laws of evolution, the current state of knowledge and research on the subject, and the role of the advancement of technology in determining the direction of evolution. It will also address the question of whether there are limits to technological advancements and the potential relevance of such limits to an explanation of Fermi’s Paradox.
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Paul Larudee is a former Ford Foundation project supervisor and Fulbright-Hays lecturer in Lebanon and a US government advisor to Saudi Arabia. He has been on the faculty of San Francisco State University, the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s College in Moraga, and Haigazian College in Beirut. He was with the International Solidarity Movement in Palestine and co-founded the movement to break the Israeli naval siege of Gaza. He was aboard the boats that entered in 2008 and the 2010 flotilla attacked by Israel. He was shot by an Israeli soldier in 2002. He co-founded the Global March to Jerusalem, the Free Palestine Movement, and the Syria Solidarity Movement. He was one of six US observers of the Syrian presidential elections in June 2014.
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You can phone in at +1 669 444 9171. Meeting ID: 919 7200 5116 Passcode: 577908
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Email us at forum@uusf.org or humanrights@uusf.org
Forum & the Women’s Rights Group present: Alicia Maldonado
Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault
Sunday, October 5, 9:30 am, TSK Room
A light breakfast will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m.
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In this workshop participants learn how to define the scope of sexual violence and how to use essential techniques around supporting survivors. Safety considerations such as how and where to get medical treatment in the aftermath of an assault, community resources, and self-care tips are explored to build skills and knowledge of available options for survivors.
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Alicia Maldonado (she/her) is the Director of Community Initiatives at San Francisco Women Against Rape (SFWAR). SFWAR is the only community-based rape crisis center in San Francisco and is committed to addressing sexual violence and the root causes that sustain it through a survivor-centered and anti-oppressive framework.
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Alicia has been with SFWAR for 13 years in the prevention education & outreach program, working with youth, adults, and staff of all backgrounds throughout San Francisco, providing training and prevention education around sexual violence, anti-oppression, bystander intervention, and healthy relationships. Her work is centered on serving survivors and allies in communities by providing education, tools for healing & response, building leadership, and community organizing.
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This forum is in-person only, and there is no Zoom.
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Email us at forum@uusf.org or humanrights@uusf.org
Physicians Organizing Committee: Fighting for a Healthcare System Based on Patient Care Instead of Profit
Sunday, October 12, 9:30 am, TSK Room and on Zoom.
A light breakfast will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m.
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Physicians Organizing Committee (POC) is an all-volunteer medical advocacy group that works with doctors to fight for a healthcare system based on patient care instead of profit. They focus on fighting insurance denials, budget cuts, and closure of essential services by organizing doctors together with the community they serve, with the goal of building a healthcare system where doctors can actually serve their patients, not the bottom line. POC will be discussing some of the current issues they are fighting in the healthcare system, past victories like stopping the closure of the stroke, STEMI, and trauma department in East San Jose Hospital, current fights like the corporate takeover and subsequent understaffing in Fresno, and what you can do to help.
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Sydney Ragsdale-Cronin is a full-time organizer and the Education Director at POC. She has been a volunteer since 2020. She grew up in the Unitarian Universalist church in Monterey (UUCMP) and moved to SF to study Biology at SF State before transitioning into organizing with POC. Angus Hamilton is an undergraduate Physiology student and researcher at SF State and plans to go to medical school in the future. He has been a volunteer with POC since early 2025 and is the Speaking Engagement Coordinator. Dr. Naveen Reddy is a Neurologist at UCSF who is working to integrate newly approved technologies into the Veterans Health Administration. He grew up in Los Angeles and completed his undergrad in neuroscience at UCLA. He went to Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine in Connecticut for Medical school and UC San Diego for his residency. Currently, he researches emerging pharmaceuticals attempting to treat Alzheimer’s, Migraines, and ALS and does clinical work at the San Francisco VA.
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You can phone in at +1 669 444 9171. Meeting ID: 975 0868 2829 Passcode: 192506
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Email us at forum@uusf.org or humanrights@uusf.org
Bruce Clements & Athena Papadakos: A Post-Mortem on the Elements Addressed in the UUSF 10/18/25 Performance/Reading of Bruce Clement's Play: "Hansel vs. Gretel"
Sunday, October 19, 9:30 am, TSK Room and on Zoom.
A light breakfast will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m.
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Producer: Mark Sumner
Director and Author: Bruce Clements
Guest Provocateur: Athena Papadakos
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The focus will be on adult perceptions of guilt and innocence in our childhoods. It will feature an interview and question and answer session with psychologist Dr. Athena Papadakos.
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Reference will be made to the church performance of "Hansel versus Gretel," a play in two acts and 20 boxes, the night before. The presentation will refer to that play, but attendees need not have seen it in order to find the Sunday presentation and conversation interesting and enlightening.
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You can phone in at +1 669 444 9171. Meeting ID: 960 8800 1016 Passcode: 433012
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Email us at forum@uusf.org or humanrights@uusf.org
Sunday Forum with Saikat Chakrabarti: Winning with Courage, Leading with Vision
Sunday, November 9, 9:30 am, TSK Room and on Zoom.
A light breakfast will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m.
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Saikat Chakrabarti, who is running as a Democrat for California’s 11th congressional seat that is now held by Nancy Pelosi, will speak about lessons he learned inside Congress about why big ideas often fail and how grassroots movements can break through entrenched political barriers. His vision for making government work for ordinary people again, from tackling housing and affordability crises to reining in corporate influence. How progressive campaigns like Zohran Mamdani’s in NYC and now Saikat’s in San Francisco can inspire new voters, unite communities, and win transformative change for us all.
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Saikat Chakrabarti is a software engineer turned political strategist, best known for co-founding Justice Democrats and serving as Chief of Staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, where he led the creation of the Green New Deal. After building tools for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign and helping elect a new generation of progressive leaders, he now leads a policy think tank focused on delivering economic prosperity through a clean energy future. Today, he’s challenging Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco’s 2026 Democratic primary to bring bold, new leadership to Congress.
You can phone in at +1 669 444 9171. Meeting ID: 919 4672 9128 Passcode:913061
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Email us at forum@uusf.org or humanrights@uusf.org
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Ideas?
To suggest speakers, please fill out the form below. Your input is crucial for creating a diverse and engaging program for members and guests. We value your ideas for future presentations. Questions? Email forum@uusf.org