The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-10-16
LAB DEVELOPS A DIRECTORY OF
STATEWIDE ASSOCIATIONS

lose sight of the specific practical
goal of achieving the directory itself
Underlying Theory Significant
The underlying theory of this prof
ect is what makes it significant. To
me, it is more important than the fin
ished product. In writing the preface
of the directory, | sketched it briefly:
zone Hundred Montana Builders was
prepared for several reasons. The
democratic commonwealth of Mon
tana contains many organized inter
est groups All concern themselves
with developing the welfare of the
state as we'll as with more immediate
detectives. They should be compli-
mented on their achievements. How
ever, their continued activity and
growth are necessary and desired. To
give recognition to a selected list of
associations and to popularize their
place in the social life of Montana
is the chief reason for the Directory.
"Of course there are practical rea
sons too which underly this effort.
Statewide responsibilities are con-
tinuously arising which call for some
joint effort to meet them. The Di-
rectory facilitates cooperative activ-
ity to meet these responsibilities and
to allow particular associations to
exercise leadership. The more they
assume leadership the more vital they
tend to become because their mem
bers take pride in their associations
and give a little more thought and
effort to make their associations sue
coed. Up from the foundation of our
democracy, therefore, spring life and
color, effort and achievement, and a
value to the commonwealth which all
too often is overlooked and unrecog
nized. The release Of this resource |
is our biggest responsibility. 1t is
this respect"
We Have Many Associations
1t seems true that we as citizens
are not particularly aware of the real
stuff our democracy is made Of We
nave people and their families. They
.ry to achieve and enjoy what they
,an. But these people often are mem
1ers Of several groups, some which
which have lost the chief purpose for
which they were organized. 1t is sur
)rising to note the varied types of
such as the fraternal,
eligious, occupational, professional,
ocial, educa tional, health, recreation
u, political, service racial, youth, pa
riotic, etc. There are several hun
lred statewide associations in Mon
ana
associations Analysed
Statewide associations have local ;
part of the state organiza. /,
ion. Most of these state organiza- q
ions have national and international I
onnections. They make up vast \
yeb of human associations and rela
ionships. All exist for some recog- 9
lied need. All have budgets, many a
ave full-time secretaries and admin S
,trative staffs, all have some quality t
f leadership ranging from poor to
God leadership and most have regu 9
IT conventions and publications.
eading Questions Involved y
To what extent are these associa-
ons effective-do they achieve their
How efficiently do they s
with each other? To what b
xtent do they contact political au a
lorities to make their interests 4
nown? Are some getting by with I
together-too-much power and influ-
ice? Is the democratic community
} overly organized that most asso-
atoms get in each others way there
Y allowing chaotic community con- a