Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-04-24

4
Columns 10 the department sditress Mr..
nsssuA Downey, President Of the Iowa
~, susie redesatioa. III BasAaw stasst. o.
WHY FEDERATE?
With clubs springing mp everywhere
4 and the club fever alarmingly high
the question comes frequently where
does the club derive its bcnefi. from
decorating.
This is question which can be
answered only indirectly, since it in.
wolves mutual responsibility. The
Federation stands ready TO be of in.
valuable assistance, both practically
and inspirationally. if the club be
capable Of receiving and OF assimilating
the good which the Federation can
give.
Everybody knows the story Of the
father who illustrated the strength of
united effort by the bundle Of sticks,
He vowed his son how easily one
standing alone could be snapped, but
how : bundle of the same could stand
great pressure.
It is this principle. applied TO the
Individual club and the Federation
which illustrates.
But how to get this benefit says the
young club. The ways are countless;
through the annual assemblages Of
delegates, through the state year book.
through correspondence and through
the personal contact of club members.
One great weakness in all clubs is
the lack Of seriousness upon the part Of
oembers In casting vote. The dele
gate to the Federation, who is the
0edium between the club and the
Federation and upon whom rests the
responsibility OF receiving and assimi-
iating the good, should be selected
after mature deliberation.
She should be . woman of alert
mind, quick TO realize what her club
needs; quick TO catch the spirit OF the
deliberations and cspab.e Of using
these 70 the Inspiration Of the club to
which she returns.
She should be woman who realizes
the trust imposed upon her. and who
will conscientiousiy perform her duty.
Never mind whether or not she is good
looking or stylish. ThsFederation 10
not : beauty SHOW, neither is il fash
ION parsds
.Fde delegate judieiously chose i
largely accountable for the good her
clsb gets from the Federation.
The Federation stands for culture
81 self, the betserment Of humanity
shrough sduestion and philanthropic
reforms, and whatever good organized
effort may do.
The individual club Who federates 10
q part Of this great movetDent. and un-
less it feels that it Ii part. it is
factor worse than nothing. for it re-
sards 81 being : clog in the wheel OF
progress.
Following the earnest forceful dis
cassion ia the Federation, . report Of
which every delegate should take home
10 her club. there are sent out from
time 70 time by the various officers Of
she Federation, letters. requesting the
individual club to heed some appeal OF
TO perform some duty. II is due the
Federation that the individual club
gives the matter intelligent considera-
ton. Tor, by this, It not only makes it
self familiar with the workings Of the
body which IL Is pledged 70 support,
but it aids tina. body TO further this
special plan
The year book sent out by the
FEEDER alton i, placed with every secre-
tary. These, contain much info1ma-
ton which every club member, and
especially the club officers should
know. such - the standing committees
Though which the Federation works,
the object Of each committee rs set
forth by each chairman. the bylaws
snd constitution, also the roster Of
clubs with their officers.
All these subjects well understood
by the woman who II spathetic, will
take. the good from the Federation TO
the individual club however isolated
il its geographical location.
But 70 the club who sends its best
dressed woman TO the Federation,
whose secretary consigns to the waste
basket the year book and Gil circular
letters, and who never menti, N feder-
alton except when time comes to elect
= delegate--t0 these, there is but little
good TO be derived from decorating.
The annual meeting Of the Iowa
State Federation Will be held in Daven-
port, May IS and -.
The Executive Board and the Daven
port City Federation, which has charge
Of tine local arrangements, are work
ing together tor the success Of the
meeting, and il promises 70 be well at
tended. The topics 70 be discussed are:
i How 70 instill more race pride 10
our children.
; some practical methods Of social
II ,,etterment.
s Mother and child
~ Domestic science in Women S clubs 1
S Nobility OK Federation work. 5a
Il the Negro seeking social equal.
ity.