Who We Are: The City Club serves Greater Cleveland, the State of Ohio, and the nation with programs that convene leaders, engage citizens, and provide all of our communities with opportunities to learn and participate in spirited dialogue on the issues that shape our future. Our Mission: We create conversations of consequence that help democracy thrive. Our Vision is of strong, informed individuals, and communities that prize freedom of speech and civil, civic dialogue. The City Club is the longest uninterrupted free speech forum series in the country, renowned for its tradition of debate and discussion and established to encourage new ideas and free exchange of thought. Most of the major issues that have affected American life in the 20th century have been discussed here--often with vigor and passion. The City Club firmly believes in the free expression of all ideas and the benefits of an open exchange. It is non-partisan and does not take positions on issues. Each of our forums is an hour long program. The program starts with a brief introduction followed by a 25-30 minute address by the speaker. Spirited, insightful, and often challenging questions from the audience fill the final half hour of the program. All speakers must answer unfiltered, unrehearsed questions directly from the audience.