Mel Lipman is the immediate past president of the American Humanist Association and a former vice-president of the International Humanist & Ethical Union.  He was a UU for 40 years and is a former president of the UU Congregation of Las Vegas.  He was also facilitator at the UU Leadership Training School operated by the Pacific Southwest District.  He currently serves on the board of the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada.  Upon learning that he could not be a voting member of his UU Congregation without a portion of his membership dues going to support UUA in Boston, Mel resigned his membership.