Retrospect: The 50 Club of Cleveland

"The 50 CLUB OF CLEVELAND is made up of top business executives, corporate lawyers and other well-known Cleveland figures who meet to hear prominent speakers and engage in strictly off-the-record, frank discussion. According to its constitution, the club's purpose is to provide an informal organization through which leading citizens representing the business, professional, or cultural life of Greater Cleveland can come to know one another better, understand one another's points of view and become better informed on problems of local, national, and international interest. The club's policy is to not take any formal position on issues or projects.

The 50 Club was formally organized with 43 charter members 8 June 1939 at a dinner meeting at the Union Club. Membership (by invitation only), is based primarily on personal qualification rather than on business or other institutional affiliation. Membership was increased to 55 in 1942, and to 60 in 1946. In 1947 two classes of membership were created--"Active" (membership limit 100) and "Honorary" for those members who have reached the age of 65, who no longer have Greater Cleveland as a principal residence, or who have retired as an active principal executive officer. Regular Club (dinner) meetings are held on the first Monday in the months of October, November, December, January, April, May, and June (the annual meeting), with time and place decided by the Executive Committee. The meetings are open only to members and invited guests. George A. Martin served as the club's first president from 1939-40."

Source: Enclyclopedia of Cleveland History

Exclusive economic and business clubs have been a figment of American communities for many years. These groups formed for different reasons. The stated reason why the Cleveland 50 Club formed was to promote relationships and understanding among the area's top business, professional, and cultural leaders. Note: Government leaders were not included in this grouping.

In 1939, Cleveland's economy was booming. It was the 9th largest U.S. city in population with a metro population of 1.25 million and a central city population of 878,000, which is nearly double Cleveland's 2004 estimated population. In 1940, the Cleveland MSA had a manufacturing productivity rate that was nearly 125% of the U.S. rate. Today the region's manufacturing productivity rate is about 91% of the U.S. rate.

Things and times have changed.

Clevelanders formed an image of themselves during those days of plenty that lingered in the imaginations of men and women for many years. The factory, skyscraper, big house, big car, and many other symbols of material life proliferated those visions of 65 years ago.

There was little question in anybody's mind that Cleveland was a prosperous place in 1940. Few today would claim Cleveland to be a prosperous place.

Where will we be and what will we think 65 years from now?