Most anyone may participate in activities organized by the Ethical Action Committee (EAC), which meets monthly either in-person or virtually by way of video-conferencing. Contact the EAC chairperson for more information. Some of the (1) projects and (2) partnerships are listed under the tabs below.

Our Society has taken the lead in these ongoing or recent activities:

  • A small revolving loan fund with Kiva for more than 15 years which is used by joining with other lenders to support small loans to people who lack good bank access. PES members to date have contributed approximately $1600 for this fund and as loans are repaid the funds are relent so PES to date (September 2021) has made more than 328 loans totalling about $10,000 to borrowers in 62 different countries with more than 90% of loan recipients being women who are looking to improve their lives. PES welcomes contributions to support this fund (which has been shrinking because not all loans are repaid) and PES also encourages members and friends to establish their own Kiva accounts and to join the Ethical Society-Philadelphia Kiva lending team
  • Prior to the Presidential Election in 2020 (following the lead of the American Ethical Union) Society members encouraged over 2,000 citizens to exercise their right to vote by providing information about voting rights.  This was a non- partisan postcard writing campaign.
  • We participated in the campaign to Shut Down Berks, an ICE run detention center, over violations of Immigrants’ rights and federal law.” in Berks County in 2021.
  • Attendance at rallies:  in support of equitable and fair funding in public schools,  Voting rights. and the redrawing of Fair Legislative Districts resulting from  the newly completed Census.
  • One of our committee members presented a workshop at the American Ethical Union Annual Assembly on the “Wastefulness of Racism.”
  • Organizing some, and participating in other Peace Day Philly events during the week around  Annual International Peace Day.

Our Philadelphia Ethical Society works in cooperation with other organizations to build a more ethical culture by:

  • Being an organizational member of POWER, our very dynamic and very effective Statewide interfaith coalition.  With POWER we advocate for: * full fair funding for Philadelphia public schools; * a criminal justice system that is fair and does not participate in practices of mass incarceration, cash bail, stop and frisk and other policies of institutional racism; * police     accountability* economic dignity through the POWER Green Jobs Initiative; * a $15 Living Wage for City of Philadelphia contract and subcontractor workers; and * Together We Vote Voter Engagement activities including registration and issues education; *Public Bank for the City of Philadelphia; * Housing for the homeless.
  • “Participating in CCORD (Center City Organized for Responsible Development) to monitor and weigh in on development projects in Center City Philadelphia to include affordable housing and living wage jobs.”
  • Calling for member and platform attendee actions as recommended by our own Ethical Action Committee and by our federating organization, the American Ethical Union.
  • Hosting meetings in our building as possible and working with  March to Harrisburg and Peace Day Philly.

The Ethical Society engages in civic affairs but does not support individual political candidates or political parties.

Learn About Current EAC Activities

Send e-mail to EAC Chairperson at ethicalaction@phillyethics.org or phone the Society at (215) 735-3456. Also, upcoming and recent ethical actions by the Philadelphia Ethical Society are often covered in the Society’s newsletter, Ethical Views.