Communication Etiquette

A Two Minute Sand Timer

At City Club, the foundation of our community is a Securus Locus—a safe space where members can converse, debate, discuss, and engage in Jeffersonian dialogues on diverse topics, fostering learning and connection. In that spirit, I would like to adopt the sage advice of City Club member Ted B. Page and suggest the following rules of engagement to facilitate meaningful interactions in a group setting:

One person speaks at a time while others listen intently.

Avoid cross-talking and preparing rebuttals while someone else is speaking.

Pause for a second to ensure the speaker has finished.

Old habits die hard. As our community grows and gatherings become larger, we aim to strengthen these principles further. Here are a few suggested guidelines to foster meaningful communication:

Verbal Communication: Be sensitive to verbal overreach in your speaking time to avoid resembling a filibuster during a discussion. To sensitize our members, we may strategically place a two-minute hourglass timer at each seat.

Written Communication: Limit the size of all announcements, invitations, member bios, and course outlines to 272 words. If Abraham Lincoln could deliver the Gettysburg Address in 272 words, we should aspire to similar brevity and impact.

Discussion Duration: Let’s agree to keep discussions to one hour, allowing members to engage meaningfully while respecting the demands of their daily lives.

City Club’s greatest asset is—and will always be—our members and their ability to connect, bond, learn, and form lasting friendships. By adhering to these principles, we hope City Club will remain a beautiful place and a living, breathing community where ideas flourish, friendships deepen, and every voice matters.

— Sina.