Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1918-02-28
BY James L. Fieser,

Director, Bureau Civilian Relief, Lake
Division, American Red Cross.
American Red Cross Home Service
workers in Ohio, Indiana and Ken
lucky, already administering to fami-
lies Of some 1900 enlisted men, carry
on their work with "catechism"
which includes what may b. termed
eleven commandments" AS these
commandments" typify the spirit in
which this type of Red Cross relief is
given, | am stating them here, leav-
ing the reader to draw his own con-
clusions.
l. Don't overwhelm people with
questions before they have chance
to say what they want to say.
2. Don't suggest to them the an
swers they should make.
8. Don't forget that their hopes
and plans are more important than
any single fact that the Home Service
worker wants in order to make COM
plete report or record.
4. Don't encourage the children to
talk about things that concern their
elders-about family difficulties and
80 on.
5. Don't let the children come to
the Office with messages and requests
except when there is a real emergency
and no older person can possibly
come.
6. Don't discuss the affairs of a
family, nor -.tell-the far,s that come.
u your attention in the course OF
Home Service work to any outsider.
Z. Don't give confidential informa.
ton about the family when making
inquiries.
5. Don't make inquiries of the
present neighbors or do anything that
will expose the family to gossip. Pro-
tect the family in question as you
would your owns family from anything
that would help their selfrespect.
g. Don't venture to make perma.
nent plans on a first visit
10. Don't fail to discover whether
there is immediate and urgent need
OF relief and to make some temporary
provision for supplying il before
waiting to make further inquiries.
IL. Don't fail, however to inquire
before paying the first visit II possi-
ble) what other agencies are inter-
ested.
True. the dos" taught Home Serv.
fee workers in Red Cross Home Serv-
ice Institutes, far outnumber the
"don'ts," and one or two should be
mentioned to further exemplify the
spirit Of the service and the manner
in which 1t is given.
One is; BE sure that there is q
definite invitation from the family or
some responsible person competent to
speak for them before entering the
home in the name Of the American
Red Cross"
Another: BE sure that the mem.
ber Of the family in question is in
some branch of the service"
Casual reading of these instructions
may lead TO the impression that Home
Service Is a simple bit of work to be
done in the odd moments Of the mem.
bers OF chapter committee. 1t is not
simple work, nor is It an odd mo
ment" task.
In addition to mastering knowl
edge OF government regulations on
separation allowances and the Wal
Risk Insurance Law, Red Cross
Home Service worker must either be
naturally endowed with or be able ia
acquire the qualities of tact, patience
and kindness, and must study the
problems which beset home life,
With all its ramihcatons, Rec
Cross Home Service is the most exact
2 ing type of work now required by thi'
humanitarian institution within th'
boundaries OF our own country, II!
requirements for immediate and au
thentic information of the broades
scope are such that 116 page hand
book Of information for Home Servic,
workers is now being prepared by tn
Director General of Civilian Relief 70
early distribution.
so MUCH PAINSTAKING Carl
HAS BEEN AND is BEING TAKEN
IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
WORK THAT ENLISTED MEl
FROM OHIO. INDIANA AND KEN
TuCKY SHOULD KNOW THA'
THIS ARM OF THE AMERlCAl
RED CROSS Is STRONG ENOuGI
80 MAKE THEIR FAMILIES
CARES EASIER AND TO EXTENT
A KIND, YET UNPATRONlZINC
HELPING HAND SUCH FAMlLlE
SHOULD WITHOUT HESITANC'
COMMUNICATES WITH THEIR RE-
CROSS HOME SERVICE COMMIT
TIE WHEN TROUBLED IN AN
WAY.