Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-10-05
Hunnnnununuuuuuuouuupuaans
Trend Of Club Work
Development OF Social Side Of Rural
Life Prominent Feature OF
Club Projects.
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In the early development OF the
agricultural club work the financial
possibilities were usually stressed
and large cash prizes were offered
to induce young people to enter into
and complete the various phases OF
club work. This method OF creating
interest has fallen into disfayor. The
tendency has been to present the
work on its merits. The desire on
the part of club leaders and other eX.
tension workers is that the members
enter the work for the benefits to be
derived rather than in the hope OF
winning large cash prize.
Tho agricultural papers Of the
country have published the financial
side Of the work The school authori.
ties are more and more approaching
the educational value of practical az.
riculture. Many educators. who know
the great need Of rural children for
school training that will fit them
for their environment-life on the
farm--turn to the agricultural club
work as one OF the means of vitaliz-
ing the work Of the rural schools
especially those schools that are at.
tempting to teach agriculture without
adequate laboratory equipment, Such
educators see in club work a means
to the end that the home farm of the
student becomes an efficient working
laboratory without the expense to the
school syctem. They have been con.
WINGED that the schools thai are &C.
tive in club woE are in general be
most efficient schools, and that the
pupils engaged in club work are not
only the best behaved but that their
scholarship grades are much higher
than those OF the nonclub members.
This comes from the fact that the
necessary motive is offered and the
heart interests OF the children are en-.
gagged. As result, the school work
and the home life of the members re-
tiVu NY Ntif NluStly anu tlc itidllDh
between the two Is more firmly Co.
Mented. Club work is an important
spoke in the wheel of vocational
training which is rapidly being rolled
to the forefront Of educational en-.
deavor.
The social side Of club work Is
more and more to receive the atten
ton its Importance merits. The club
groups In practically every State OF
the Union are holding regular month
ly meetings under the direction OF
some mature and experienced leader
lin many cases school teachers). or.
ficers elected from the club member
ship preside and carry on the meet.
ing according to parliamentary law.
The programs, together with refer
ences and suggestions are furnished
to the club each month by the State
agent. Each member reports the pro.
grtSs of his or her work. Timely
articles Of instruction are presented
by the members and by experienced
adults. In most of the Northern and
Western States the club meeting is
divided into three sections First,
business; second, subject matter pro-
gram; and, third, the social program,
suggestions being furnished By lead.
erss on all three phases. As rule,
80 minutes are used. giving 20 min.
utes to business, 40 to the subject
matter, and 80 to the social interests.
The local leader is always present
at these meetings 10 advise and di.
rect when necessary.
The association with each other
and with those taking part in tho
club program causes the members to
wear off the rough corners of 4 cir
social side. The individualistic ten.
dency Of the rural people Is thus
weakened AMI the way to rural co.
operation and organization is paved
Strictly social meetings, p,cnics, field
days, etc, are held at various time; J.
Thus, the club work tends to take an
increasingly important part in the do.
velopment Of the social side OF ru.
raj life.