The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-08-21
By DIR. HAROLD TASCHER

~~~>~~
Editors Note The following is
Dr. Tascher's second article on the
Social Work Laboratory at the Uni
versity of Montana at Missoula)
There is a fairly we'll accepted ex
lpression in the Laboratory that mice
big red apples can be picked" almos
at will by the Laboratory. In Other
words, unusual opportunities frequent
ly offer themselves to us simply be
cause we have a varied activity pro
gram These opportunities are serv
ice opportunities which if accepted
mean new challenges and more train
ing for all of u.s. Since January, 1888
we in the Lab have been in the midst
of an "ever-bearing patch" with plen-
ty of choice fruit available. Let me
describe some of these experiences.
They will demonstrate how the Lab
oratory has operated on specific prof.
ects and some of the results obtained.
Lab Helps to Establish
Opportunity School
Our first big project was one re-
ferred to us by the Missoula Recrea-
ton department in January, 1888.
This community agency wished to
make a survey of adult recreation
and education interests in Missoula
before establishing an adult program.
The Lab accepted the project and by
cooperating with the agency launched
survey which resulted in a tabu-
lated return of approximately 1900
missionaries and the eventual es-
tablishment of the Missoula Oppor-
tunity School in October AS high as
LOO adults received services from
this school.
The administration of the survey
was no easy task. The fifteen stu
dents in the Lab were not organized
as a disciplined group ready for
action. The traditional pattern of
class organization with the instructor
the fountain of wisdom and author
ity" had had it's influence on the
members. 1t took an underlined ac-
tivity" with student responsibility to
help achieve this needed discipline.
The first task was to discuss the
problem of the survey fully to see
what had to be done, the recognition
of the most immediate requirements
Of the project, decision to act and
the actual action. The final goal had |
to be kept in mind All members /
Ia,
two special committees to carry the |
action along were selected, one to de-
tine the QUESTIONABLE to be used and
The other to recommend administra-
i've policies. The process to decen-
.ralize the responsibility was begun.
Project Requires Intensive Work
The drafting of the QUESTIONABLE
vas a healthy challenge. What did
he adults in the community view as
heir educational and recreational
leeds? The QUESTIONABLE committee
recommended a long list of needs but
hey revealed gross overlapping,
as to possible content and
title evidence of a common-sensed
The problem was re-
erred back to the committee for a
more thorough study. This was re-
,eated several times and outsiders {
we're asked to help. The president
4 the university, the dean of the /
chool of education, one of his grad |
ate classes and many others were {
iven a chance to help. Gradually, a |
arefully drafted QUESTIONABLE came
lto being. 1t took one full month to '
ct this done. {
The administrative policy commit c
se made it's recommendations too v
18th the same general result-a re-
erral back for additional work to be T
one. Outsiders were again called in h
Or suggestions. Finally, the mechan- 7
IS for actually distributing the ques- e
onnaires were agreed upon - using a
sveral methods rather than by put t
ng all eggs in one basket" Chief d
ependence was put on the booth il
the chief places of bust "
ess in Missoula. s
reject Influences Public
The problem of carrying out the
stribution of the questionnaires O.
ought up the matter of community 81
lucation. We had to have a public Il
cations director. Luckily, a mem ts
,r of the Lab had had considerable Of