Thanks for the feedback about potential pitfalls....I've never felt happier to work in government :)
We're all from very different departments and skill-sets including wastewater, civil engineering, community development, IT, etc. I believe this eliminates the workplace competition aspect that a few people mentioned.
The club/gathering will definitely be after-hours with no endorsement from our employer.
Based on the feedback we will definitely not be sharing numbers, and I think we'll keep it small - only inviting those who have shown a real interest in the subject.
The problem with your plan is the
personal part of the finance club. Were it just a finance club in general, an investments club, etc... it would not be a big problem. But by sharing any personal information or life goals that might be unalligned with the workplace, you open yourself to risk. Is it a big risk? That only you can determine; you have indicated a govt job, presumably with job security. Perhaps risk is minimal. Nonetheless, there is some risk, and so people here are risk averse and will advise otherwise.
Another aspect is that some people see work friends and RL friends as separate categories. This again comes to risk, as well as the aspect that work friends can sometimes be forced relationships. Again, only you can determine where you are here.
The point is, to minimize risk, it's best not to shit where you eat. Who knows how your relationships with oru friends/coworkers will change with time. Who knows how real your job security is, even if it is a govt position. I would fathom that the most common reason people here want to FIRE is that they dislike being attached to their jobs, and that there is a general feeling of distrust of the employer (can fire the worker whenever it wants). Therefore, people here find solace by escaping as soon as possible, by saving up and minimizing risk in order to do this. The reason I explain this is to explain how your plan is to some degree is at odds with this, or at least at odds with many mustachians.
Anyways, this is not meant as a criticism, but rather to play devil's advocate. Hindsight is 20/20. It seems that your intentions are either altruistic or social in nature. These are good things, no doubt.