As the brutal war continued in Europe, the Chicago City Club (CCC) members became increasingly militant, sponsored more war debates, and encouraged "citizenship" involvement. George Herbert Mead symbolized pre-war positions through his election to a virtually unprecedented two terms of office as the club president, from 1918 to 1920. Mead's closing address to the City Club is vitally important because it signals his sea change towards active city leadership, his views on World War I, his return to a co-operative model, and his withdrawal from political debates. Charles R. Henderson, the Chicago sociologist, served on the employment committee, Charles Zeublin, another Chicago sociologist, was on its municipal parks committee, and W. I. Thomas was a member for two years. In 1917 he was one of several influential city leaders who called for more information before making recommendation for increased taxes for city planning changes.