Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-08
THE
AMERICAN RED CROSS
Circular of Information
ON
Membership
A r c 107
Bureau Of Membership
American Red Cross
Washington, D. c.
July, 1916

ABS. mbership-One of the funda-
mental necessities of the American Red
Cross is a large permanent individual
membership. The organization and it's
work have received much publicity during
the past year. the interest of the people
in it seems to be at the highest point and
every indication leads to the belief that
the time is now ripe for a general drive
throughout the country to realize our am
bition of a membership worthy of the in
stitution.
The Chapters in Boston. New York,
Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and
other cities are conducting vigorous mem
bership campaigns and we hope that all
other Chapters will take advantage of
what we feel to be an exceptional oppor-
turity to multiply their membership.
With the slogan THE RED eros
NEEDS YOU-JOIN NOW" we hope to
sweep the country with such success that
the disparity in numbers between the
membership of the foreign Red Cross So
cieties and our own will be swiftly re-
duced.
We urge that each Chapter begin prep
arations Immediately to cooperate in this
movement. if 1t has not already done so.
We urge that each person, who is re-
quested to act as the Chairman of a Mem
hership Committee in his community after
reading this circular, will pledge himself
to interest his neighbors to the end that
our desire for large membership may be
attained.
The time is ripe
Only two things are necessary to secure
large accessions of members:
First.-Publicity. Let people understand
the principles of the Red Cross and the
work it has done, and stands ready to do:
that no special qualifications for men,
bership are demanded; and that members
are wanted.
Second.-Make it Easy. Provide a con-
venient way for people to pay the dollar
fee while the impulse is strong.
4S6. Public.ty-It should be remem-
bered that enlarging membership is
mainly matter of organization and
craftsmanship; and to sell anything, pub
licity must be obtained through adver-
Using. advertising" does not necessarily
mean paid ADVERTISING.
Information can be Disseminated:
(a) Through the press-local, daily,
weekly and monthly periodicals. Give
the press fresh interesting accounts of
work of the Red Cross and its plans and
above all keep the local papers supplied
with full details of the local plans and
activities, never forgetting to mention the
names of the people who are leading the
local work or are helping loyalty and eff
fectvely. Papers are always intereste
in local news, but it must be news. 1t is
shle use Of the local paners, and thew
will respond if you give them the sort of
material they want. 1t is suggested that
the Chapter appoint publicity commit
tee maze up IN part Oh newspaper Hcli VI
standing and public spirit.
(b) Through public meetings of gen
eral character addressed by people famil
lar with Red Cross work.
(c) Through meetings of various clubs.
churches. commercial associations. and
other orga nizations whose cooperation Is
secured. Remember that with their nat
ural interest in all movements of this
kind pastors of churches are invaluable
helpers. Enlist them.
(d) Through organized effort in schools
and colleges.
(e) Through window displays of pic
lures and placards and exhibits of Red
Cross activities One Chapter installed
in a store window little scene which at
tracted considerable attention. 1t was
simply a small tent. a doll dressed as a
Cross Surgeon. and one which had been
bandaged, all arranged in proper group
ing. Old copies of the Red Cross Ma@a-
zine will furnish many pictures for win
dow display. Some Chapter members who
feel that they cannot help in any other
way. will undoubtedly be glad to cut out
these pictures and arrange them in at
tractive groups on large cards. space
should be left for proper lettering calling
attention to the desire for membership,
These may be displayed In windows
wherever permission might be obtained
to do so.
In Washington the enormous sign bear
ing the frank statement
THE RED CROSS NEEDS YOU
1T COSTS YOU ONE DOLLAR A YEAR
JOIN NOW
attracted considerable attention. An
other
THE JAPANESE RED CROSS
100000 MEMBERS
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
1900 MEMBERS
JOIN NOW
brings to all who pass the realization that
the time has arrived for action. On all
signs and printed matter reference should
be made to the fact that membership IN
cludes a subscription to the Magazine.
(D Do you realize that half the postage
used in the stores of your city is wasted.
Each letter costs the proprietor two
cents and for that amount he is entitled
to send one ounce of matter. The average
letter weighs less than half an ounce III
properly approached dealers might be
willing to give you the beneht or this
difference by enclosing with their letters
small advertising dodgers which you 1ur-
nish.
(g) Street Railway Companies and
merchants might be persuaded TO dispiay
on their vehicles signs advertising the
campaign. The sign used in washington
for this purpose was about 22x2s inches
and bore in addition to a large red cross
the words "BE PATRIOT1C-BE HC-
MANE-JOIN THE RED CROSS to
DAY. So ~ n.J4 ~ '-'
4s7. Make It Easy-(a) In the larger
cities a vacant store should be secured II
possible. in the most prominent part OF
the business section to be used as READ
quarters. Even in the smaller towns, II
vrould he we'll to omen a special center