Smyrna times., 1928-06-20
DELAWARE CITIZENS At FIRST
ANNUAL MEET OF ASSOCIATION
HELD ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING
AT HOTEL DUPONT, WILMINGTON
Association Now Has a Membership
of 572-President BOyce Urges Eff
fort to Perpetuate Organization

of 572-President BOyce Urges Eff
fort to Perpetuate Organization
At the first annual meeting Friday
at noon of the Delaware Citizens As
sociation in the dupont Biltmore Ho-
tel, Wilmington, Former Judge Will
liam H. Boyce, in making his report
as president of the organization, had
this to say of its future: Delaware
can well stand more, rather than less,
Of the type Of stimulation described in
this report. There can be no doubt,
however, that such further activities
cannot be carried on without financial
support beyond that which, the exper-
fence of the year has proved, can be
secured through general appeals to
the public. The question before the
meeting today is, What of the future
Of the association? Shall it be con-
tinued, adequately financed, or shall it
cease to engage in activities in behalf
of the people? All possibility of
further expansion has been curtailed
during the last year by lack of funds.
1t would seem unwise to attempt to
continue the association for the Par
ent-Teacher work only, since the state
Parent Teacher organization already
has the machinery set up (if it can
secure a group of contributing mem
bers such as the membership of the
Delaware Citizens Association) for
carrying On its own program under its
own constitution.
'The consensus of opinion Of your
president, members of the executive
committee and executive secretary is
that tn association, if it is to be con-
wider field of activities for a period
or, at least, three or five years. Those
of US who have worked together dur
ing the past year feel that the asso-
citation should not be abandoned, but
it cannot meet the original purpose of
the organization, if left dependent
upon membership dues, that IS, if it is
inadequately financed
'"The president and the members Of
the executive committee have been
pleased to serve the association in the
interest Of the people Of the state as
best they could and without remuner-
alton. We feel confident that the
work of the association has not been
fruitless of good results"
Rounding Up" Members
President Boyce thus stated the be
ginning of the association: "The Del
aware Citizens Association was form
ed on June 80, 1927, largely by former
members of the Service Citizens of
Delaware, 'for the purpose Of study
ing and promoting movements of pub
lie interest which in the judgment Of
the new association will advance the
civic welfare of the state Pierre 5.
DUPONT, on making known to Service
Citizens Of Delaware, at meeting
thereof, held in May, year ago, that
the deed of trust, the income from
which had largely supported the ac
tivities of Service Citizens, would
terminate July first following, eX-
pressed the feeling that in the future
the work should be that Of a greater
number, SO that any plans developed
will be those of the State Of Della
ware, and not mere handful Of its
citizens It was, therefore, planned
that the new association should secure
members from all parts of the state
who would support its work by mem
bership dues and voluntary contribu-
tions."
Speaking Of the quest for members,
he said: ''Ten towns responded and
well-attended meetings were address,
ed, upon request, by Bishop Cook, Mr..
Marvel and Mr.. Ridgely at different
centers in the state. The membership
Of the association is 572. of these 266
are residents Of Wilmington, 125 of
New Castle county, 85 Kent, "a Of
Sussex and 2, former Delawareans,
now living outside of the state. Dues
from these and additional contribu-
tions, together with the surplus of
S11,805.45, turned over to the associa-
ton by the Service Citizens, amount
to SIS, 5,862.55, the working capital of
the association for the year.
4As a result of the recommendation
made BY Mr. dupont and favored by
the members at the last meeting of
the Service Citizens of Delaware, Par
ent-Teacher Associations and school
attendance became an immediate con-
cern Of the new association. In view
Of the state Of funds, the years pro-
gram therefore, has been very large
w built around the Parent-Teacher, OF
community organization groups, and
the efforts of the association in this
direction have been attended with very
satisfactory results.
''These organizations, particularly
in the rural districts, have manifest
ed deep interest in the work. The
children, parents and other adult
members of the community organiza
tions, as well as the teachers in the
Z 4