The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-03-29
WOlANS AUXILl4RIES
The Qualifications and Work of
Committees.
III.


working committees of Womans Auxiliary,
rests, In large part, the permanency of the or
gauization and the hold it takes upon public
confidence. As the president rs selected for her
executive ability and her capacity to lead and
direct the general affairs of the association; as
the secretary is chosen for her cleyerneSs with
the pen and pencil and her special aptness as
the medium through which the organization
preserves its relations with the public; and as
the treasurer must be woman of method and
intelligence qualified to discharge her duties
systematically and keep her accounts faith
fully; so, also, must the various committees be
chosen because of their peculiar adaptation TO
the work required at their hands.
Upon the president of an Auxiliary devolves
3 special trust in the appointment of commit
tees, and her care should be 10 make them up
so as 10 prevent a factions spirit and bring into
service every variety of workers There are
women whose particular adaptation TO devise
and means for renleDlshing the treasury,
ressdprs their services invaluable upon the eX-'
ecuiive committee. These should be placed
there. There are others whose abundant sym
pathies and tender interest direct more GER
iainly to deeds Of kindly ministration,-to the
care of the sick, the feeding of the hungry, the
clothing o. the naked their place is clearly
upon the visiting and supply committee.
Again, there arc those who are familiar with
the various institutions provided by town, or
city, or State, for the care Of the unfortunate
and the orphaned; who know how 10 secure
access 10 the home or asylum; who know where
work can be found and how TO command it;
these have their true place upon the home and
employment committee. These are the only
considerations the president should consider IN
selecting her aids and advisers.
As a factious spirit stands at the door Of
every human organization, so II VIII be found
that even W0man's Auxiliary is not exempt.
For this reason the president, while welcoming
al the inward light she can get, must consent
to be blindiolded in making up her commit
-blindfolded. IN the same sense that Jus
fiee is represented, whose balance OF the scales,
which she holds. is affected solely by merit
and demeri6. Personal friendships, social ties,
individual bases must be ignored as far as pos
Eible. ii there are cligues, the president should
have no part IN them. IL is for her TO unite the
various clements, to harmonic disturbing spir-
Its, and. while asking proper suggestions AID
wise. criticisms, TO make up her mind TO close
her ears 10 the t&le-bearer and the common
grumbleF.
Because a G. A. r. Auxiliary is, more than
al other societies, composed Of mixed elements,
are these hints Of the more Importance. The
writer knows whereof she speaks and is tamil
far with ali the trials and temptations that be-
set an organization at Its beginning. The rea-
son that so many Posts fall out Of the ranks
and that SO many organizations of misceila-
neous order 90 TO pieces is that spirit of
6issensiOn is allowed TO come in and thrust out
She spirit of unity and torbearsnce.
So much for the qualifications of committees
and the necessity of iudieious appointments,
particularly in the selection of chairInen. These
aaving been selected, the president may, with
propriety, consult with them as TO the balance
of the committees, receiving such suggestions
ms may seem wise and practicable.
The committees are the more important, as 10
them is intrusted in large measure the work of
an Auxiliary. They may have as many meet
ings as shall be necessary; meeting bi-monthly
or weekly. or as frequently as 1t shall be found
necessary for the work in hand. In outlining
the duties Of each, the variety and kind of
work to be performed, practical illustration
viii be found in the work of Forsyth Post
Auxiliary, closing for the year, March Is, 1883
Take the executive committee, and we find
that its work for the year was as follows: The
arrangement and successful carrying out OF the
plans for the annual reception, held March,
1SS2 the evening following the annual meet
ing; the collection Of dues and special assess
Enents the planting of flowers on The soldiers
plat at the cemetery, and the care Of the same;
the purchase of a widows and orphans plat at
Forest Cemetery, and the proper care of the
same; the burial Of the friendless dead and
marking their graves with marble tablets
the payment Of incidental expenses, including
printing, music, flowers, etc They also di-
rected the arrangements for Decoration Day, so
faT as the Auxiliary was concerned, and at the
various entertainments given had the manage
ment of refreshments served, etc.
The executive committee performs It's work
lin this way: BY resolution the association
votes 10 have. for instance, al annual reception.
Il is decided that there shall be music, oEches-
tral or vseai, q supper or collation., flowers and
such other features as may render the occasion
pleasant and attractive. This decided, the
whole matter is referred 10 the executive com
adjourns. subsequently The executive com
1nittee holds a meeting, when subcommittee
are made up. they may be required. One
Subcommittee has the exclusive management
OF the music; another has charge Of the floral
decorations. There is z committee on coffee q
committee on ice cream committee on sand
witches. committee on cakes, and so on
through the various details. Each chairman is
personally responsible for the work of the COM
mittec Vi which she is the head
OF cougse while the executive committee
takes the management and makes the sab CON-
mittces, al the ladies of the society, unless for
special reasons they are excused are expected
% lend their services ora call 1t wiz be appar-
ent, on sight that under such management the
affairs Of an Auxiliary viii move on smoothly
and tremendously. what is eycrybodv's bust
ness is nobodys business is a motto built on
comBaon sense and experience. Divided work
Is easy work, and with perfect machinery, all
III ft2AAo AA-ef4i.S CSiACSiAs SAlNSl Only Bs
common motive pewer, there is no undue fric-
ton or kalIing movement All is harmonious
pleasant, satisfactory IN results
Ire importance 81 committee work cannot
be sufficiently impressed upon associations
forming. An open meeting is no place for ar
ranging details, for maturing plans, and the
accomplishment of the best results. There il
no time iOt going ever the thousand and one
little matters that must be met and examined
before the right thing is struck But when 9
subject has been handled by competent com.
miISee, turned over and over and upside down
judged iD connection with ali It's bearings, it II
then ready for practical application to the
work 10 be done.
lake, another instance Of the desirability
Of committee work, the arrangement TO
Decoration Day. The Auxiliary is invited
by the Post, OF it may volunteer its ssrV
ices, te assist upon that occasion. The matte
Us brought before the regular meeting of TIT
Society, or, if there is net time for this at
special meeting called by ths president. TIL,
general arrangements for the day ara discussed
SomstBles, in Toledo. when cut flowers ar
scarce, the ladies furnish living plants, which
are placed in pyrasnidai shape in the centre O
the soldiers plat. One year they built there
large wooden archway, which was wrcathes
with eysrgreens and from which WAS suspende.
the motto To Our Unknewn Dead" and be
meath this dove with brooding wings Their
are buttonasle bouquets TO provide for the oil
veterans; wreaths, asehsrs. banners. crosse
stars, in evergreens or Sewers; baskets OF will
flowers for strcwlng, ana many other beautiful