“City Club is a safe place for passionate and caring people to discover our differences, find our common ground, and make the world a better place, while having fun.”

Eighteen years after its launch, City Club’s vision statement is still as fresh and robust as ever.

In a world where most major universities strive to isolate students rather than expose them to new ideas, where opposing views are judged, not on their merits, but summarily dismissed as inherently immoral, City Club strives to create a safe place where one is heard, not shamed; where discussion is honored and measured in the sense of a Jeffersonian dialogue, rather than being one marked by chaos.

Since our inception, City Club has expanded from the modest south portion of historic Highland’s basement to encompass the entire building and is now featuring delicious and healthy lunches that are the best value in town, gardens that provide shelter from the storm, and a safe place where members can unequivocally show up as their authentic selves.

Young or old, male or female, wealthy or resource-constrained, liberal or conservative, City Club members are equally embraced with the understanding they can say what they mean and mean what they say. In today’s world, this rare quality is not to be taken lightly, which is why we remain resolute in its reinforcement and protection.

Given the above, let me offer myself up for a heavy examination. Most of you know I have a tendency to take strong positions on various issues, to the extent I may be viewed as a provocateur. Please regard this as my way of promoting discussion and an invitation for full and frank debate on serious issues. To that point, others are invited to do the same, so long as it is likewise done in the spirit of seeking truth and connection with others.

In light of the above, City Club strives to practice principled neutrality and active listening, as distinguished from the usual dialogue of the deaf. Easier said than done, of course, which is why we call it a practice.

Regarding freedom of speech, we endeavor to model ourselves after the University of Chicago, and Vanderbilt University.

— Sina.