Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a Service Club? No, our community is blessed with an abundance of established and active service clubs that do fund raising and volunteer community projects. City Club membership involves simple annual support of our program activities.

What does City Club do? We provide non-partisan presentations for local citizens "to explore topics of interest and importance to us all" (or sometimes just to entertain). Focus varies from local (Dr. Jim Douglas - Head of St. Joseph's Cardiac Unit), through regional (Michael J Parks - Marples Pacific Northwest Letter) to broader venues (Robert Gates - former CIA Director). You may browse our Past Programs with the 'Programs>Search Previous' menu and see our for more information.

Meeting Format and Schedule? Usually we meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month for a luncheon presentation at (except December - or near Thanksgiving).The buffet opens at noon, presentation is from 12:30 until 1:30 (including a question period (for which Members get priority). Speakers often linger after the presentation for informal discussion. There are occasional evening meetings and special events (e.g. Summer Cruise to stay in touch with waterfront and maritime developments).

Who can come, what does it cost? Almost all meetings are open to the general public, exceptions include the Annual Meeting and special dues subsidized events like a Summer Cruise. Facility fees are paid through purchases at luncheon events so those not eating pay a modest fee to help with facility costs and are asked to use seating provided for non-lunch guests rather than occupying seats at tables.

Who can join? How can I get to know more about it? Membership is open to all who support our . If City Club sounds like an organization that you might want to join but you would like to learn more first you may set up a to receive notice of meetings.

Why join? To meet other members of the community that support our mission and to help us to continually improve the speakers and subjects we present. There are . It is simple to online or off.

What does it Cost? Annual dues are $35 for an individual or $55 for a two person household. (A "contribution in lieu of dues" policy is available also and described ).

What are the criteria for selecting a City Club speaker? Speakers are chosen at the discretion of the Program Committee.

Criteria for choosing speakers include:

• Established speaking ability
• Credibility/expertise of speaker on the proposed topic (How will professionals in the field regard the speaker? Is this a good topic but the wrong speaker?)
• Marquee value (Is he/she a "name" that members may recognize?)
• Does the speaker have a "hidden agenda" or is there any self-promotion involved?

Criteria for choosing program topics:

• Is there a clear, concise, and defined subject?
• Timeliness of topic
• Is the topic of broad interest to Club members and the community?
• The relationship to City Club's overall programming

Other considerations:

• Format: What is the best way to feature the speaker or subject: single speaker, debate, or panel?
• Marketing: How might we broaden the interest in, and attendance at, this program? What other groups could we contact? Is a co-sponsorship possible?
• Source of the recommendation