SiebenbuÌˆrgisch-Amerikanisches Volksblatt. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1917-1971, 1940-10-24
Saxon Leadership
BY Hilda Bodendorfer

For a number of years | have
been impressed with the innumer-
able opportunities our own T. S.
J. A. offers it member to develop
the much deired quality of leader
ship. At every Saxon affair we
hear our elders mention leader
ship, but they never commit
| themselves on just what type Of
individuals are most desirable as
leaders nor how person can be-
come a leader in Saxon organi-
zation. That is the point | wish
to develop.
After a Junior has successfully
J passed all requirements for mem
bership and has adjusted himself
to the activities of his own local
club and the T. S. ]. A., he is
! considered an active member. He
will serve on committees. partici-
pate in the sports. hold minor Off
ces in his local club. and in gene
raj try to make himself an asset to
his group. If, howevere. he is just
a little more ambitious and is will
ing to work and think a little bet
ter than average, in a few years
he will become leader.
| From the above you are lead to
believe that it is easy to become
a leader in the local group. Yes,
that is my impression and | will
tell you why believe it so strong
ly. There are too many Juniors
in our groups who are content to
sit by and mildly accept anothers
opinion rather than exert a little
of their energy to think for them
selves. They go to meetings with
the idea of having a good time
and behaving like infants. and arc
so engrossed in their own idle
chatter that they do not know
what is happening. Too many join
with the idea Of getting all they
possibly can out of the club with
the least amount of effort. They
are not sincere when pledging
their support in the development
of the Saxon youth in Amel ica.
Those are some of the reasons
why | believe that a person who
is really and truly sincere and
who wishes to become Saxon
worker and thinker can become a
leader in the T. S. J. A.
| Now, the question Of just who
will make a good Saxon leader
arises SO. in my mind ! have built
a group of people who. in my
humble estimation. would be
most desirable as. leaders in a
Saxon Association h., e. ~.... .
/. People. who arc thrilled
, when they hear or sing such
songs as "Siebeuburgen" or
Sachs halte Yacht. If these
songs can strike an emotional
response in a Junior we can be
sure that he is real Saxon.
2. People. who are ambitious
and are willing to work ard think
and strive for better things for
the club in which they are inter
ested.
3. People who are honest. None
of our clubs are SO well fixed f.
nancially that they can afford to
! have leaders plunge into their
cocers to pay for irills and fads.
4. People who are sincere and
are not afraid to make a decision
they know to be right even though
it may not be in keeping with the
masses.
5. People who are friendly and
natural. A real leader mixes we'll,
is friendly and sociab!e, ard does
not hold himself apart from his
group.
! 8. People who cooperate. Those
clubs that seem to be doing we'll
have people in them who know
how to work together. That is the
key to their success anl prosperi-
ty.
7. People who are good sports.
In any Saxon group one must
not only be able to give it. II a
person can not adjust himself to
this give and take proposition he
will never make leader among
the Saxons.
8. People who go to conven-
tions with the idea that there is
work to be done, know what is
happening at all times and help
as much as possible. +.
9. People wh are intelligent. If
/ the leaders of a club use their
heads. the group usually pro-
crosses.
10. My impression of success
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