Minimum Standards of Affiliation

The Secular Student Alliance welcomes student groups that build inclusive communities, proudly express their secular identity, and advocate for a better world. SSA groups are often composed of atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, skeptics, First Amendment advocates, and others who identify as non-religious, questioning, or secular. SSA groups also welcome theistic allies who support strong separation of state and church. 


To gain SSA recognition and affiliation, a student group must agree to meet the following minimum standards. 


1. Chapter activities must align with the core values of SSA.


  • Civic Engagement: We change the world through advocacy, service, and education. We are committed to demonstrating our values through tangible efforts.
  • Community: We foster safe, welcoming, and supportive spaces for secular students. Strong communities form the foundation upon which we aspire to build lasting change.
  • Cooperation: We multiply our ability to effect positive change by working with individuals and entities who share our values, including interfaith allies.
  • Critical Inquiry: We promote skepticism, innovative thinking, and the use of evidence and reason to question personal and cultural beliefs. We aim to understand and take responsibility for our own biases, weaknesses, and privilege.
  • Humanist Ideals: We embrace human and civil rights, social justice, and other ideals informed by the philosophy of humanism. We advocate for change that promotes dignity and minimizes suffering.
  • Inclusion: We take steps to include those who share our core values, reaching out and offering opportunities to those historically marginalized or underrepresented within the secular movement.


2. SSA chapters must adhere to the SSA statement of nondiscrimination.


We embrace and welcome individuals regardless of their identity. This includes, but is not limited to, religious affiliation, worldview, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. An SSA group may not deny membership to individuals based on their identity.