The Benefits of Belonging

Over the past many months I've researched many areas for ideas for a topic for tonight's paper. Those topics have been wide ranging, from mental health, the impact of Al on healthcare, and the rise of misinformation and its impact on democracy. My thinking and focus has been influenced through other papers presented, professional reading, and conversations I've had in the community. I found the process of searching, learning, and gathering insights to be interesting and engaging. But the question that I continued to ponder was, why am I doing this? Why do I belong to 33 Club? What value does this bring to me, to all of us. That question actually began to connect the dots of the various pieces I had been learning about. And through that process has helped answer that question of why 33 Club. But I'll get to that later.

Belonging to a club is not just a social activity but an important contributor to your well-being and longevity, many offering a blend of intellectual engagement, social connection, and purpose. The foundation for any community lies in its dedication to personal and collective growth. As members of 33 Club, we write papers on current events or topics outside our expertise, we participate in stimulating discussions, and support one another through these experiences creating strong social connections. These experiences and activities align closely with contemporary research on longevity, mental health, and purposeful living.

Tonight I will share how the interconnection of curiosity, social engagement, and purpose within this club helps stimulate collective well-being. To put this in more useful terms, while it might not be the Fountain of Youth, it may help us live a longer and more productive life. While many of these concepts apply to any civic or social club and organization, the unique nature of 33 Club makes it stand apart.

Social Connections: A Foundation for Longevity

Over the past 10 years, more than 300,000 scientific papers have been written related to longevity. The anti-aging therapy market has been recently valued at $25 billion, and it continues to grow. Life expectancy had been on an increase decade after decade from 1900, until more recently, which has seen a decline. Substance abuse, suicide, and COVID 19 have seen a recent decrease (Time, 2024). Currently it is 74.8 for men born in the US, which is still lower than pre-pandemic levels . At the same time a significant increase has been seen in dementia and sensory impairment. Leslie Kenny, founder of the Oxford Longevity Project suggests that beyond the research on sleep, diet, and movement; vibrant social connections, ideally those that are multi-generational, are vital for mental health, and living a longer and more functional life. The focus has begun to shift from life span to health span, that provides not just a longer life, but a better quality of life.

This club offers a space that builds genuine connections. Monthly meetings, discussions, and shared traditions ensure that members remain engaged with each other. These types of consistent interactions have the opportunity to reduce loneliness- which has been classified as a modem epidemic-and cultivate emotional and physical health. Research from Harvard

Medical School underscores that strong social bonds can lower mortality risks by as much as 30%. In this sense, the 33 Club does not just connect us; it can enhance and extend our lives.

Social connections are not merely emotional anchors; they are physiological safeguards. Such networks have been associated with stronger immune systems and lower levels of inflammatory markers, reducing risks for chronic diseases. This mirrors findings from Dan Buettner's "Blue Zones," where longevity thrives on community ties and regular interactions. The connections developed within social clubs and organizations embodies this principle, fostering both

individual health and collective resilience.

These types of groups frequently have traditions that encourage accountability and shared growth. Within our context the presentation of papers, discussions and feedback, members challenge perspectives, and deepen their understanding of the world. By actively nurturing these connections, it enables members to reduce isolation, creating a greater sense of belonging and engagement.

Curiosity and Intellectual Engagement: A Path to Cognitive Resilience

Our requirement to explore unfamiliar topics, research them deeply, and present coherent arguments drives lifelong learning. This practice is vital for fostering cognitive resilience, as intellectual stimulation promotes neuroplasticity-the brain's ability to adapt and form new neural connections. The National Institute on Aging emphasizes that such engagement reduces the risk of dementia and supports mental agility.

Engaging in intellectually challenging activities also triggers the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine and promoting feelings of excitement and motivation. Writing papers for the club-a center piece of our membership-demands not only critical thinking but also creativity and adaptability. This process enriches our minds while building confidence in tackling complex problems, especially through topics outside of our area of expertise.

Longevity research consistently highlights the link between curiosity and health outcomes. Studies published in Psychological Science reveal that individuals who maintain curiosity experience lower levels of stress, improved immune function, and greater life satisfaction. In our context, curiosity becomes not just a personal trait: it is a shared value that unites members in their pursuit of growth.

Our intellectual endeavors extend beyond individual benefits, deepening the connections among members. By presenting and discussing diverse topics, we create a dynamic learning environment where other perspectives are valued. These interactions promote mutual respect and camaraderie, enhancing the social connections within the club.

Moreover, curiosity reframes challenges as opportunities for discovery. This mindset nurtures resilience and adaptability in both personal and professional contexts. Curiosity is a cornerstone of this club, exemplifying how curiosity-driven engagement can enhance lives, and providing each member a better opportunity to understand and thrive in an ever-changing world.

The Decline of Social Organizations in the United States

Across the United States, membership in traditional social organizations and clubs has been steadily declining. Robert Putnam's book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, highlights how participation in civic groups, fraternal organizations, and other social clubs has diminished over recent decades. This decline is attributed to various factors, including the rise of digital communication, increased work demands, and changing cultural values. This decline is seen in almost every established social and civic clubs and organization. Rotary, Kiwanis, PTOs, church membership, all of them have seen a decline in participation and

membership.

The implications of this trend are significant. While the primary concern in "Bowling Alone" is the socio-political structures and protecting our democratic values, a secondary concern relates to social isolation. Social isolation and loneliness have surged, creating what former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called an "epidemic of loneliness." Research has demonstrated that this "epidemic" is as detrimental to an individual's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, increasing the risks of heart disease, stroke, and other conditions. As fewer individuals engage in structured social environments, opportunities for meaningful interaction and community-building decrease. This concept of social isolation and the epidemic of loneliness was also a central theme discussed by Dr. Jim Kim this fall at the Community Foundation's Mental Health Forum. While social media and cell phones have had a significant impact on social isolation, the trend was well on its way. Bowling Alone was originally published in 2000, well before the invention of the iPhone or social media platforms. However it has been revised in 2020 to reflect these changes, and is the basis for the Netflix documentary "Join or Die".

33 Club is unique, and this broader societal trend presents both challenges and opportunities. In an era of digital distractions and surface-level connections, the intellectual engagement offered by this club stands out. However the challenge to maintain membership and meeting attendance demonstrate this club is not immune to it either. In many ways because more is required for membership, more is gained. These traditions and expectations create and require more purposeful engagement.

The Power of Purposeful Engagement

Every paper written, every debate held, and every conversation shared contributes to a collective mission of growth and understanding. Purposeful engagement, as shown in studies by Hill and Turiano (2014), is strongly correlated with increased life expectancy.

Preparing papers on diverse topics requires delving into unfamiliar areas, fostering a growth mindset. This intellectual exploration reduces stress and builds resilience by shifting the focus from challenges to opportunities. The sense of accomplishment from mastering a new subject strengthens psychological well-being and reinforces our commitment to the club's mission.

sometimes even on the way to leave. It provides a sense of stability, and can also provide some insulation to the stress of our daily lives and challenges.

The predictability of a club's structure further contributes to stress reduction. Regularly scheduled meetings, shared traditions, and collaborative discussions provide stability and continuity, creating an environment of security and ease. It's going to be the third Tuesday, rain or shine, or really cold.

By integrating social and intellectual engagement, this club offers a unique and comprehensive approach to stress management. Tackling complex topics and collaborating with each other cultivates optimism and a proactive mindset.

I don't know if the founding members of this group really understood how the core components of membership really created such significant benefits to health and wellness. They probably just really wanted to get out of the house once a month. But what is clear is the foundations the club was built on are what has allowed it to stand the test of time, and still provide engaging relevance today.

Conclusion

Membership has its privileges. Belonging and being actively engaged in social or civic clubs and organizations does have significant benefits to individual and group health and well being. In particular, 33 Club and its long history stands as a testament to the power of community, curiosity, and purpose. Our shared experiences and collective pursuits create an environment that I believe has the ability to enrich our lives in many different ways. Much of the research highlighted this evening applies to many contexts. Like other research on longevity, happiness, etc., it's not a specific recipe, but a general commitment to action. Movement is important, it doesn't really matter what it is, find what you like and do it consistently. Belonging is about social engagement, it doesn't matter what that is, find what you like and do it. I hope you encourage others to as well.

Recommendations

While living forever isn't a primary driver for my participation in 33 Club, this process has made me reflect about my membership and commitment to this club. I am admittedly somewhat of a social recluse. Like many of you, there is a certain level of always being "on" when I'm anywhere in public. Being in this club pushes me to get out in a more social context. I typically walk away feeling like I've learned something, and that has value. In putting together this topic, I've come away with a better perspective of why I am here, and the benefits it does provide.

Ultimately the "why" I'm a member of this club is that it makes me better. It pushes me to think differently, more critically, to understand other perspectives, and it pushes me outside of my comfort zone.

In reflection from the process I have identified some personal commitments that will increase my engagement within this club.

Committing to better attendance - While certain months are difficult, I will focus on improving my attendance. It isn't always easy to get here. Last month I didn't make dinner, but made it to the presentations. I'm glad I did. The topics and discussions really galvanized my focus on this paper.

Staying for discussion - While I don't often say a lot during the discussion, it is usually entertaining and enlightening. We all have long days, and for me it always feels good to be home. I will stay for the discussions, unless it's absolutely necessary for me to leave. I will also commit to speaking up more.

Stress less about "writing" the paper, and focus on the process. What am I learning? What about this is interesting to me? What about this would be collectively interesting? I've also started a list of possible topics for future papers based on my research this time.

I look forward to our discussion.

References

•      Buettner, D. (2008). The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest. National Geographic Society.

•       Davis, Pete (2024). "Join or Die", Delevan Street Films.

•      Gogarty, Josiah (2024). "Why Healthspan is More Important that Lifespan", GQ Magazine.

•             Harvard Health Publishing. (2017). "The Health Benefits of Strong Relationships." Harvard Medical School.

•             Hill, P. L.,& Turiano, N. A. (2014). "Purpose in Life as a Predictor of Mortality Across Adulthood." Psychological Science, 25(7), 1482-1486.

•             Murthy, V. H. (2020). Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection ina Sometimes Lonely World. Harper Wave.

•             National Institute on Aging. (2019). "Social Isolation, Loneliness in Older People Pose Health Risks.''

•             Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster.

•             Smith, E. (2017). The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters. Crown Publishing Group.