The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-06-03
BUYING SHARES
FOR BETTER SONS
An Organization Offering to Pro
vide Ways For Growing Bet Z
ter Boys and Girls
PROPOSED WORK OF Y. M. c. A.

many people who nave had more
or less profitable experience with
them We are ell familiar with pro-
jects for the conservation Of forests
and tho retaining of arid lands into
which men have put their means,
and efforts have been expended on
determination of pests, bills have
been introduced into congress to
raise the standard of stock, and Ella
borate expenditures have been made
to protect sheep, cattle and hogs, all
OF which Is commendable and profit
able, but there has been a neglect In
respect to the providing better facil-
tiles and enrichment for the growing
OF strong characters in our young
people. So that we welcome any
movement looking toward the better
ment Of the moral atmosphere tor
1.-THE youth. An organization with
years of experience has offered to
provide ways for the growing better
I boys and better boys makes better
girls. y. They Will provide the ex-
I. periencer-and ways; we should be
willing to provide the means let us
match their experience and good will
with our means In this important
undertaking Following is q brief
outline of the proposed work Of the
interstate X. M. G. A. county work
for our youth in the smaller places:
The County Work Of the Y. NJ. @. A.
What it is: -
What it does: +,
How it operates: $3.50
i. It is the plan of the Young
Mems Christian association to meet
the needs of young men and boys In
country communities, in towns, VII
lagos and country places too small to
support q local building or an Gnu
ployed secretary.
2. 1t operates without special
buildings or equipment but makes
use of the equipment already at
hand, such as churches, schools,
homes and halls.
8. 1t is movement rather than
an institution, and as such, recos-
nizes the more fundamental Offices
of the home, school and church in
training the youth, but finds a field
by working with and thru these in
situations, and by supplementing
them with it's specialized methods
and programs.
A. It's affairs are directed by a
committee Of fifteen or more repre-
sentative farmers, business and pro-
fessional men, elected at the annual
county convention. This committee
is responsible for directing the activ-
tiles undertaken and for wise ex-
penditure Of funds.
5. A county secretary, who Is
trained in working with boys and
young men, is employed for his whole
time under the direction OF the
county committee. He enlists the
leadership of various communities
for organized groups, co-operates
with the ether agencies at work FIR
good, and promotes certain move
ments for the county as whole.
6. The annual expense is $4,000 to
$500, covering salary, travelling eX-
penses, office expenses, printing,
postage, conferences, etc. This Is
met by voluntary subscriptions,
Z. While its work is primarily re-
ligious, it takes into account every
phase of boys life, social, physical
and educational and co-operates with
every wholesome effort that is for
the betterment of the community.
8. 1t believes that the resident
forces of any community are its re-
demptive forces, and does not at
tempt to do their work, but rather
seeks. to discover, inform, enlist and
encourage these local forces in the
working out of their own problems.
What is Done in Local Communities
A central organization OF a few
leading Christian men directs what
ever is attempted in each local field.
The work is conducted thru small
groups of young men, and boys who
meet weekly for bible study, social,
educational and atheletic activities.
Promotion and cooperation is
given to community movements such
as farmers institutes, good roads,
Sunday schools, community sings,
health education, thrift and savings,
social hygiene, agricultural clubs,
school playground activities, church
attendance, boy scouts.
Special events are promoted each
year: Father and son banquets,
athletic meets, community picnics
and play festivals, union church
service.
Countrywide Activities
Annual county convention which
elects the county committee and per-
petuates the entire work.
County older boys conference for
inspiration and development of lead
ership.
The county summer camp serves
as an outing and for training of
leaders.
County athletic meets.
Cooperation with county agricul-
tural movements. The United States
department of agriculture has ex-
pressed the desire that every county
agent might be paralleled with d
county secretary.
Cooperation with churches and
Sunday schools in their work for
boys and young men,
A group Of local men have vol
to present the movement tC
the county constituency in the same
manner as our war drives were made
and ask the citizens interested in
better boys to subscribe to the allot-
ment for this county. This is part
of simultaneous movement in all
the counties of Idaho and Oregon.
We have not failed in one of our
warfare and welfare undertakings, so