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About us

Welcome to the New York Junto
Founded in 1727 by Benjamin Franklin, the original Junto was a small society of intellectually curious individuals dedicated to mutual improvement through thoughtful discussion, shared knowledge, and helping one another succeed.
The New York Junto brings this tradition into the 21st century.
Our Purpose
To bring together thoughtful, curious, growth-oriented people who want to:

  • Expand their knowledge through reading, learning, and intellectual discussion.
  • Develop wisdom and character by examining ideas, experiences, and practical questions.
  • Build meaningful friendships based on mutual respect, trust, and shared values.
  • Help one another succeed through advice, encouragement, introductions, and mutual assistance.
  • Contribute to society by exploring ways to improve our communities and help others.

How Our Meetings Work
We meet virtually every Wednesday from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. Eastern.
Following Franklin's original model, our meetings revolve around his 24 Standing Questions, covering knowledge, character, practical wisdom, relationships, mutual assistance, and service to society.
Meeting Procedure

  1. The moderator reads the next question from Franklin's list.
  2. Members share relevant knowledge, experiences, observations, or ideas.
  3. Members discuss the responses respectfully, asking questions and exchanging insights.
  4. When the discussion concludes, the moderator proceeds to the next question.
  5. At the following meeting, we resume the list wherever we previously stopped.

Members are encouraged to review the questions beforehand and contribute whenever they have something useful to share. There is no obligation to answer every question.
Members may also periodically present short essays or reflections on subjects of their choosing.
Our discussions follow Franklin's guiding principle: Seek truth rather than victory. We value intellectual humility, open-mindedness, respectful disagreement, and genuine curiosity.
Franklin's 24 Standing Questions (Modern English)
Have you read over these questions this morning, in order to consider what you might have to offer the Junto concerning any one of them?
1. Have you met with anything in the author you last read, remarkable, or suitable to be communicated to the Junto? Particularly in history, morality, poetry, medicine, travels, mechanic arts, or other parts of knowledge.
2. What new story have you lately heard agreeable for telling in conversation?
3. Has any citizen in your knowledge failed in his business lately, and what have you heard of the cause?
4. Have you lately heard of any citizen's thriving well, and by what means?
5. Have you lately heard how any present rich man, here or elsewhere, got his estate?
6. Do you know of any fellow citizen, who has lately done a worthy action, deserving praise and imitation? Or who has committed an error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?
7. What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? Of imprudence? Of passion? Or of any other vice or folly?
8. What happy effects of temperance? Of prudence? Of moderation? Or of any other virtue?
9. Have you or any of your acquaintance been lately sick or wounded? If so, what remedies were used, and what were their effects?
10. Who do you know that are shortly going on voyages or journeys, if one should have occasion to send by them?
11. Do you think of anything at present, in which the Junto may be serviceable to mankind? To their country, to their friends, or to themselves?
12. Has any deserving stranger arrived in town since last meeting, that you heard of? And what have you heard or observed of his character or merits? And whether you think it lies in the power of the Junto to oblige him, or encourage him as he deserves?
13. Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?
14. Have you lately observed any defect in the laws of your country, of which it would be proper to move the legislature for an amendment? Or do you know of any beneficial law that is wanting?
15. Have you lately observed any encroachment on the just liberties of the people?
16. Has anybody attacked your reputation lately? And what can the Junto do towards securing it?
17. Is there any man whose friendship you want, and which the Junto or any of them, can procure for you?
18. Have you lately heard any member's character attacked, and how have you defended it?
19. Has any man injured you, from whom it is in the power of the Junto to procure redress?
20. In what manner can the Junto, or any of them, assist you in any of your honorable designs?
21. Have you any weighty affair in hand, in which you think the advice of the Junto may be of service?
22. What benefits have you lately received from any man not present?
23. Is there any difficulty in matters of opinion, of justice, and injustice, which you would gladly have discussed at this time?
24. Do you see anything amiss in the present customs or proceedings of the Junto, which might be amended?
These questions preserve Franklin's historical approach. Members should apply them to modern life while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of others.
Who Should Join?
We're building a close-knit circle of 12 committed members, following Franklin's original membership model.
This group is for people who are intellectually curious, thoughtful, reliable, open-minded, committed to self-improvement, and genuinely interested in helping others grow.
You don't need to be an expert in any subject. What matters is your curiosity, character, willingness to contribute, and desire to learn.
Membership Qualifications
Benjamin Franklin established four qualification questions for admission to the original Junto. We uphold these same principles of mutual respect, tolerance, and commitment to truth.
Franklin's Four Qualification Questions (Modern English):
1. Do you have any particular disrespect for any present members?
Answer: I do not.
2. Do you sincerely declare that you love mankind in general, regardless of profession or religion?
Answer: I do.
3. Do you believe anyone should be harmed in body, reputation, or property merely because of their opinions or religious practices?
Answer: No.
4. Do you love truth for its own sake, and will you endeavor impartially to discover and accept it yourself and communicate it to others?
Answer: Yes.
These principles form the foundation of our discussions, relationships, and conduct as members of the Junto.
Our Long-Term Vision
Our aim is to build something lasting: a group of people who become wiser, better, and more successful together, while developing genuine lifelong friendships.
If this resonates with you, we'd love to hear from you.

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