The Way We Are

The Five O’Clock Club means sobriety, refinement of thought and speech, good breeding and good order. To this, much of its success is due. The Five O’Clock Club is easy-going and unconventional. A sense of propriety, rather than rules of order, governs its meetings.
–J. Hampton Moore, History of The Five O’Clock Club (written in the 1890′s)

Just like the members of the original Five O’Clock Club, today’s members want an ongoing relationship. George Vaillant, in his seminal work on successful people, found that “what makes or breaks our luck seems to be . . . our sustained relationships with other people.” (George E. Vaillant, Adaptation to Life)

Five O’Clock Club members know that much of the program’s benefit comes from simply showing up. Showing up will encourage you to do what you need to do when you are not here. And over the course of several weeks, certain things will become evident that are not evident now.

Five O’Clock Club members learn from each other: the group leader is not the only one with answers. The leader brings factual information to the meetings, and keeps the discussion in line. But the answers to some problems may lie within you, or with others in the group.

Five O’Clock Club members encourage each other. They listen, see similarities with their own situations, and learn from that. And they listen to see how they may help others. You may come across information or a contact that will help someone else in the group. Passing on that information is what we’re all about.

If you are a new member here, listen to others to learn the process. And read the books so you will know the basics that others already know. When everyone understands the basics, this keeps the meetings on a high level, interesting, and helpful to everyone.

Five O’Clock Club members are in this together, but they know that ultimately they are each responsible for solving their own problems with God’s help. Take the time to learn the process, and you will become better at analyzing your own situation, as well as the situations of others. You will be learning a method that will serve you the rest of your life, and in areas of your life apart from your career.

Five O’Clock Club members are kind to each other. They control their frustrations–because venting helps no one. Because many may be stressed, be kind and go the extra length to keep this place calm and happy. It is your respite from the world outside and a place for you to find comfort and fun. Relax and enjoy yourself, learn what you can, and help where you can. And have a ball doing it.

There arises from the hearts of busy [people] a love of variety, a yearning for relaxation of thought as well as of body, and a craving for a generous and spontaneous fraternity.

–J. Hampton Moore
History of The Five O’Clock Club

The original Five O’Clock Club was formed in Philadelphia in 1883. It was made up of the leaders of the day, who shared their experiences “in a spirit of fellowship and good humor.”

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