New York Junto: Weekly Intellectual Discussion

New York Junto: Weekly Intellectual Discussion
Join us for a weekly gathering inspired by Benjamin Franklin's Junto, founded in 1727 as a society for mutual improvement through thoughtful discussion, shared knowledge, and helping one another succeed.
Our goal is to expand our knowledge, develop wisdom and character, help one another succeed, and build meaningful, lasting friendships.
Meeting Schedule
Every Wednesday, 6:00–6:25 p.m. Eastern, online.
Each meeting is limited to five participants to encourage meaningful discussion and personal connections.
RSVP Deadline: Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (the day before the meeting).
How Our Meetings Work
Our meetings follow 6 selected Standing Questions from Franklin's original 24, covering knowledge, success, failure, character, practical wisdom, and mutual assistance.

1. Members briefly introduce themselves (30 seconds each).
2. The moderator introduces a question from the list.
3. Members share relevant knowledge, experiences, observations, or ideas.
4. Members discuss the responses respectfully, asking questions and exchanging insights.
5. The moderator moves to another question when the discussion concludes.

The same 6 questions are used every week. There is no obligation to cover all 6 questions during a meeting.
Meeting Agenda

• 6:00–6:03: Welcome and introductions.
• 6:03–6:25: Discussion of Franklin's Standing Questions.

Preparation & Participation Expectations
We're building a group of members who enjoy attending regularly, coming prepared, and participating actively.
Members are expected to:

• Attend regularly: Arrive on time and participate consistently.
• Come prepared: Have at least two thoughtful contributions based on any of the 6 questions.
• Use a portrait photo: Have a clear, recognizable portrait of yourself as your Meetup profile picture.
• Keep your camera on: Remain visible on camera throughout each video meeting to encourage engagement and personal connection.
• Stay focused: Give the discussion your full attention and participate actively.
• Be concise: Keep each response to 60 seconds or less so everyone has an opportunity to contribute.
• Listen respectfully: Welcome different perspectives and engage constructively.

No special expertise or reading assignment is required. Please review the questions below before attending and consider what useful knowledge, experiences, or observations you might contribute.
Franklin's 6 Standing Questions
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. Ideas — Have you met with anything in the author you last read, remarkable, or suitable to be communicated to the Junto?
2. Failure — Has any citizen in your knowledge failed in his business lately, and what have you heard of the cause?
3. Success — Have you lately heard of any citizen's thriving well, and by what means?
4. Vice — What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? Of imprudence? Of passion? Or of any other vice or folly?
5. Virtue — What happy effects of temperance? Of prudence? Of moderation? Or of any other virtue?
6. Advice — Have you any weighty affair in hand, in which you think the advice of the Junto may be of service?
These six questions are selected from Franklin's original 24 Standing Questions. Members should apply them to modern life while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of others.
Discussion Principles
Our guiding principle is Seek truth rather than victory.
We value intellectual humility, open-mindedness, respectful disagreement, attentive listening, and genuine curiosity.
Members are encouraged to respect others' privacy when sharing personal experiences or information about third parties.
Who Should Attend?
Intellectually curious, thoughtful, reliable, and growth-oriented people interested in lifelong learning, personal development, mutual assistance, and meaningful friendships.
We're building a close-knit community of engaged members who value regular participation, thoughtful discussion, and helping one another grow.
We look forward to meeting you!