HSNM is a democratically-run organization. These are the current HSNM By-Laws, which were ratified in 2011 and revised in 2021. HSNM members in good standing may request a copy of the final document by writing to president@humanistsocietyofnm.org.
President – Terrence (Terry) Sloan, MD
Dr. Sloan did his undergraduate work at Adams State College in Colorado (BS in Chemistry) Medical School at University of Colorado, and trained in Internal Medicine at UCLA and University of New Mexico.
He served Native Americans for 41 years in the Indian Health Service (a single payer health system) and is retired. He is a member of the American Humanist Society and Committee of Skeptical Inquiry.
Vice President – Charlene Baker
A member of HSNM since about 2018 and have previously been vice president during Allen Robnett’s presidency. I especially enjoy finding speakers for our speaker meetings and providing opportunities for social gatherings at my house.
Treasurer – Richard Grady
Richard is a retired accountant. He loves music, especially classical, opera and jazz, and sings in a barbershop chorus and quartet. He is a member of the local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and also a trumpet player who once played in the Tulsa Philharmonic. His other principal hobby is Tournament Bridge. He has three children and 10 grandchildren.
Secretary – Cynthianne Yabut
Cynthianne is a retired technical editor, volunteering to do my bit to promote humanism and thus reason and civil rights in New Mexico. Otherwise enjoying retirement in New Mexico, with its great climate, scenery, history, and people.
Member at Large, Parliamentarian – Weldon Merritt
Weldon Merritt has been a member of the American Humanist Association since 2019, and a member of the Humanist Society of New Mexico since 2021. In addition, he is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians, the American Institute of Parliamentarians, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, American Atheists, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
A retired lawyer, retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp, and a retired professional parliamentarian, Weldon currently serves as parliamentarian for the HSNM Board of Directors. In his service as parliamentarian, Weldon has always kept in mind that Robert’s Rules itself says, “Good judgment is essential; the assembly may be of such a nature, through its unfamiliarity with parliamentary usage and its peaceable disposition, that strict enforcement of the rules, instead of assisting, would greatly hinder business.”
Member at Large, IT – David Stelle
Originally from the Boston area, David came out to San Francisco in 1984 after hitch-hiking through Holland and Germany. Earlier (1978) he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Windham College in Putney VT. First time in Albuquerque was for 7 years starting in 1998 after earning a Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon, which included a summer in Rome Italy and traveling around Switzerland. After living in several locations in SoCal and the Bay Area, David returned to Albuquerque in mid 2016.
Member at Large – Robert (Bob) Carleton
Retired for 19 years and a happy NM resident for 18. Married for 56 years, Gayle and I have lived in seven states and have enjoyed each. Gayle followed me for school and work so our retirement location was up to her. We bought a motor home just before pulling the plug on work and spent a full year looking for a permanent home.
My work-life was as a “protection professional”. I earned that designation during my last 20 years of work. Undergraduate work was at the University of Minnesota.
HSNM Authors and Artists
David Stelle, sculptor, painter
Sculpture website (davidstelle.net)
Donald Gutierrez (1932 – 2013)
Feeling the Unthinkable: Essays on Social Justice
Zelda Gatuskin (Former HSNM President)
Bibliography Artwork Humanist Essays
Fred March (Former HSNM President)
The Bible Through the Eyes of its Authors
The Many Faces of Humanism: An On-Line Course
Paul H. Deal
Find Paul’s many titles at Amazon.com
Arden Tice
Find Arden’s poetry at Amazon.com
Humanist Society of New Mexico 