THE Continental 21
Commemorating the 19th Century New York Social Club, we created a community defined by unique individuals known for “Quality People Doing Quality Things.” Members of the Continental 21 have something peculiar and unique to their own life passions, which are seen as a mark for their future success. Our belief is an assembly of peculiar people will generate a culture both powerfully and organically suited to itself. Our motto stands for a celebration of the human experience and the prospect to spark innovation and confidence that elevates the tribe in its’ entirety. At the very least, we strive for genuine relationships to grow naturally while experiencing an unrepeatable event hosted by The Continental 21.
The Guest Experience
Here on this page you may find the only public explanation for The Continental 21 and its origins however still vague in nature. An organization that makes a fun attempt at having a secret society, not for pride, but to protect the unique culture within the grand events that take place once every so often. One day you may be noticed working hard in your class, showing charitable action to a peer or perhaps one day your sense of passion and sincerity is exposed during a conversation between coworkers at an arbitrary outing. One day an acquaintance or a friend extends an invitation to you with a wax sealed envelope. You may ask, “What is this for?” and the only reply you get is a smile and a short explanation of a wonderful party taking place that they thought to invite you as their guest. Nothing more than a party, and a request to arrive in dress code with the invitation. You are not exactly sure what you are being invited to, but the trust in your friend or respected associate is enough to say yes assuming this will be fun or interesting at the very least. The night of the event, your sponsor finds you signing your name into a guest registry shaking your hand, soon walking you through the crowd to grab a drink. No expectations were set, but you walked out enjoying yourself and feeling happy about the people you met, the laughs, and the general experience. A speech may have been made at the start, and the Continental 21 may or may not have been named only a handful of times. You still had no idea what the event was about, but you left hoping there would be a next time.
GENUINE INSPIRATION
Our world is fast paced and the context of alleged “success” is speculated often by the schools we attend, the people we know, and being at the right place at the right time. I won’t argue these things being true, however our fast paced society has created a climate all about individualism and the objectivity of relationships, experiences, and choices. For myself, I have recognized a short sighted step in our public education about “success.” Throughout this website there is an overwhelming experience base that has been acquired at such a young age in my career and never by merit of a formal education or personal contact. Once upon a time, I believed in academic merit being the defining pathway for opportunity, but I can’t express how far off I was from the reality I witnessed personally and externally among many people far more brilliant than I. In context, my undergraduate education was unconventional as a student working full time positions in senior roles, lecturing in engineering classes, and finding love half way around the world. I have understood the most rewarding actions in life to be acquired by a faith commitment and measure of personal honesty. “Genuine Inspiration” is a philosophy that’s really about honesty with one’s self by seeking confidence in the small still voice (instinct) an individual possess to find a pathway through uncertainty.
The Continental was created with an effort to assemble “Quality People Doing Quality Things.” A mantra stolen from a conversation 5 years ago when I asked how he found amazing people to join his organization. Our intention is to protect a unique culture that is acquired through the assembly of people with personal passion and authentic temperament brought to an event undefined to them initially. Anyone that comes with an open mind does well, as they were invited based on the appreciation of their host and hopefully are introduced to the rest of our society which becomes attractive on its own merit. We have confidence that their life story will be full of adventure, adversity, and something admirable to look up to. Our intention is to produce an organic culture that grasps the genuine inspirations of the individual. Defined not by a credential, or a characterization of wealth, but rather an energy that sparks confidence to being true to ourselves.
