Co-founders of the nascent Stanford Conservative Society (SCS) are hoping to spark far-reaching discourse that attracts students of all ideological stripes and mobilizes the University’s conservative community.

“We wanted to expand conservatism,” said Grant Starrett ‘10, co-founder and president of SCS. “We want to be a home for engaging people, not just a home for conservatives.”

Steve Flory ‘10, SCS treasurer, said that he initially was a member of the Stanford College Republicans but left the group to help form a new organization that would reach out to a variety of conservative thinkers, including libertarians, moderates and even moderate liberals.

“A lot of people are feeling disenfranchised by the Republican Party at the moment, so I want to reach out not just to Republicans,” Flory said.

Flory emphasized the group’s informality and said that SCS would not require large time commitments or duties from members.

“It will be an informal, noncommittal group where we discuss the events of the week and share conservative ideas,” he said. “We want group members to feel involved and be having fun.”

George Shultz — who served as secretary of state during much of Ronald Reagan’s presidency — will be the featured speaker at the group’s opening meeting on Apr. 10, which will also include a series of informal “Coffee with Conservative” discussion meetings.

Starrett discussed the importance of fostering personal connections between conservatives at Stanford and noted that encouraging this social interaction is one of SCS’s goals.

“Politics will unite everyone [at the group events] but will come second to getting everyone there,” he said. “I like the personal connection between conservatives, especially with the minority mindset. I am very excited about what we can do by reaching out to people.”

Though the group will always have an informal dynamic, Flory said he expects it to become more active next year as the election approaches. Starrett plans to bring more guest speakers to campus, including Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts.

Starrett said he pursued Schultz because of his record as a Hoover Institution Fellow and public servant.

Flory said that Schultz normally charges a $50,000 appearance fee but waived that commission and agreed to speak at SCS’s opening event for free.

The group has been trying to publicize itself and the upcoming event via Facebook and word-of-mouth.

“We are also going to dorms to feel out who the conservatives are and to try and invite them to join our group,” Flory said.

Flory said that the group’s youth and energy will set it apart from other conservative groups on campus.

“The Stanford Conservative Society will be different from other conservative groups on campus because we are a young, very excited group of kids,” he said. “All three of the officers are freshmen, as opposed to the officers of the Stanford College Republicans, who are mostly seniors. We’re a good group of guys — really committed and excited about being together for the next four years.”