What are local Humanist groups for?

Since organising Humanists is slightly harder than herding cats, I expect there are quite a few potential answers to the question above.  Not a few Humanists I know see no need for local groups at all. 

The Bedfordshire Humanist Society, of which I am a member, recently asked the membership what they thought.  There was a choice of 7 options, with the opportunity to write in another.  Members were asked to rank these, 1 to 7, and then the results were totted up - low score wins of course.

• To support and affirm each other in identifying and applying Humanist principles, by means of open and honest debate. [32]
  
• To work to establish in the minds of local people an awareness and acceptance of the values of Humanism. [34]
• To support, locally and nationally, causes that we recognise as consistent with Humanist and secular principles. [38]
• To attract, and retain by appropriate activities, like-minded people. [43]
• To contribute to the well-being of our local community. [64]
• To give each other pastoral support when needed. [70]
• To have a nice time instead of a nasty one. [81]

It's interesting that I was having a discussion today where the potential for loneliness and the lack of support that Humanists can experience was raised.  It's something religious organisations are good at, but by and large Humanists are not.  Well, we don't want to look or act like a religion, do we?

None the less there is a normal human need for support and companionship from like-minded people, and I'm glad to see it high on the list of priorities that members of the Bedfordshire group profess.