DISCUSSION GROUP

The Yale Club of Philadelphia's Discussion Groups offer an open venue to exchange different ideas and view points about various topics through a thoughtful, enlightening and civil atmosphere.

NEXT DISCUSSION GROUP: POSTPONED. NEW DATE TBA

TOPIC: WHAT SHOULD BE THE GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSE, AT ALL LEVELS, TO NATURAL DISASTERS OR TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES TO MINIMIZE LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE?

TIME: 5:00pm - 5:45pm — Wine and cheese reception
5:45pm - 7:45pm — The Discussion
(You are welcome to stay later and continue the discussion informally until the wine and cheese run out).

LOCATION: The Offices of Pepper Hamilton LLP in Two Logan Square (Eighteenth & Arch Streets – enter on Eighteenth Street).

• Proceed to the 30th Floor and the sign will direct you to the room where the discussion group will meet.
• Because of increased security, visitors must obtain building passes in the lobby, and will probably be unable to gain direct access to the 30th floor from the lobby.
• We will have someone there to assist you until approximately 5:30 p.m.
• Alternatively, go to 29th floor (access until 6:00 p.m.) and walk up one flight. After that, you will have to call the Johnson Conference Room at 215-981-6026 to gain entrance.

COST: $5/person. Cost will cover the wine and cheese. Money to be collected at the meeting (exact change will be appreciated!)

R.S.V.P.: RSVP for this event no later than Tuesday, November 8 by 5:00 p.m. to:

Peter O. Clauss, Esq. ('58 Law) - (215) 981-4541 in order to gain admittance to the building.

When you RSVP, leave a contact number and/or email address in the unlikely event of a change in date or plans.

We can only accommodate 25 people, so there will be a cut-off for late registrants.

OUR DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE...

• When is a natural disaster a government problem and when it up to individuals to take some measure of personal responsibility for their own safety?
• When does the government become too intrusive in private affairs – for example, can the government order a person to leave his or her home?
• Should governmental assistance be means and color blind, or should certain groups receive priority of assistance?
• Should the government compensate victims for property loss when they knowingly chose to live in areas prone to natural disasters?
• Are evacuation plans likely to work in large metropolitan areas?
• Should government provide public funds to compensate victims for personal or property loss or should this be handled thorough private insurance or voluntary donations by concerned citizens?
• If public or donated funds are to be used, who decides allocation of the funds and who audits or oversees the allocation to prevent diversion, waste and fraud?

We will follow our traditional format of exchanging ideas from every point of view in a thoughtful, enlightening and civil atmosphere. We expect that this question is already ripe for consideration.

Below is a list of previous discussion groups that have taken place.

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