Y.F.C. Leadership Lectures

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 42, 30 April 1948, Page 8

Y.F.C. Leadership Lectures

At* the request of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Young Farmers’ Clubs, the Beacon has agreed to publish a series of articles giving the full text of lectures deL livered at the recent leadership } evening. Though delivered primarily to help officers of Young Farmeds’ Clubs, the lee’s tures have value to executives in any organisation. Later they Will be published in booklet form and will be available from | - Mr E. R. Marryatt, District Secretary. Following is the first article, the introductory address delivered by the chairman, Mr J. M. Barr: — It is my privilege as Chairman of , the Eastern Bay of Plenty District Committee of Young Farmers’ Clubs, to open this course of instruction. I feel that this Leadership Course /-is the most important activity that the Young Farmers’ Clubs of this district have yet attempted and I am sure that the lectures that follow will be of great value and assistance to Executive officers of all clubs. I am pleased to welcome tonight members of all clubs and I am confident that something really worthwhile will be gained from the proceedings. By way of introduction, I wish to explain the reasons for the District Committee’s decision to hold this Leadership Course. At the 1947 Annual Meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, Mr S. G., V. Avery, the retiring Dominion President, expressed his conpern at the

Stock Sale Advertisements on Page 4"

manner in which some Clubs and District Committees were functioning. Executive officers were not sufficiently versed in general procedure and conduct of meetings to enable them to conduct their clubs efficiently. The revival'of the Young Farmers’ Club movement and'the large increase in membership has been ' largely,the result of old clubs being resuscitated and many new clubs being formed. These clubs, not having the guidance of older members experienced ip the running of clubs, were being, conducted by executive officers who were new to the organisation and to the responsibilities of their positions. This resulted in a general lowering in the standard of the clubs’ work. In order to help raise the standard Mr Avery suggested that each year, during May, a leadership conference, comprised of District Com- , rnittee executives an& club executives from the whole of New Zealand, be held and a course of instruction be given by qualified men to cover all branches of Y.F.C. work with particular emphasis on Leadership. The suggestion was referred back to all units of the organisation and recommendations and opinions were forwarded through clubs to District Cbmmittees, on to Councils and back

to the Dominion Executive. The general opinion in the Auckland Council area was that the value of leadership training was fully appreciated by all units, but owing to the difficulty members would have in attending such a conference on a Dominion or Council basis, it was generally felt that leadership training on a District Committee basis was the solution. The Eastern Bay of Plenty District Committee fully discussed the suggestion of leadership training and recommended to" the Auckland Council that training be conducted by each District Committee as soon as possible after the annual meeting of clubs in its district. The usual procedure is for officers to hold office, for one. or two years. A longer period of office is not encouraged. The responsibility of running the club is therefore spread among members and new blood is introduced from time to time. Club officers, in the district, elected at the club annual meetings, held during March, are with a few exceptions members who are holding office for the first time. It is therefore, the District Committee’s duty • to offer as much practical assistance to them as possible. Hence this leadership evening has been arranged. and if members fellow the lectures intelligently the information they gather and take back to their clubs will be of immense value. It must always be kept in mind that our* Y.F.C. movement is primarily concerned with education. One of the main objects is to help young farmers fit themselves to take their place in their community and to .take jan intelligent, active interest in community affairs. Citizenship and leadership training play an important part in Y.F.C. activities. To these ends members.,must have a sound knowledge of meeting procedure and how to conduct a meeting and .must gain . confidence in themselves and improve their ability of thought and expression. One of the poorest features, of all our community K organisations is the inability of many persons to express themselves adequately and clearly. If the Y.F.C. movement makes some improvement in this respect it will be doing a great service to the country as' a whole.

The Y.F.C. movement in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, over the past two years has had a complete revival with many new clubs, and a greatly increased membership. The enthusiasm which members have put into the club work is to be commended and speaks well for the future of the movement in this district. At the same time it should be remembered that there is always a danger of a new organisation starting off with a flourish on the crest of a wave of enthusiasm which gradually subsidies and finally disappears. It is the duty of club officers so to guide their clubs that interest and enthusiasm is preserved and that something worthwhile is achieved. It may even be necessary in some clubs to curb too much en-

thusiasm in certain directions while in others it may be necessary t.o urge more enthusiasm. Clubs most now consolidate their work and keep their activities flowing smoothly, always keeping in mind the aims and objects of the movement.

The District Committee has endeavoured, for the purpose of this Leadership Course, to arrange a programme that is interesting and one which covers the most' important phases of Y.F.C. work. The panel of lecturers chosen are, in the opinion of the District Committee, well qualified in their respective subjects and their views and opinions are based on experience in public work.

The District Committee is indebted to these gentlemen for their interest and co-operation, and deeply appreciates their generosity in sacrificing valuable time in order to prepare and deliver their addresses. I trust that they will feel adequately recompensed by the knowledge that their addresses will be a great help to clubs during the coming year. The District Committee extends to the District Secretary, Mr E. R. Marryatt, its thanks for the work he has put into organising this course of lectures. He has spared no effort in obtaining the best material. Jt is now my privilege to introduce to you our speakers and their subjects. 1 . Mr E. R. Marryatt, District Secretary, Eastern Bay of Plenty, will take for his subject, “Is Formality Desirable at Clubs Meetings?” Mr lan Gow, Edgecumbe, a prominent figure in many public affairs, “Hints to Club Chairmen.” Mr A. V. Alio, District Secretary, Western Bay of Plenty, “How to be an Efficient Club Secretary.” " Mr Noel Hockin, A.R.A.N.Z. Accountant, Whakatane, “Instruction for Club Treasurers.’ Mr Gordon Spratt, Te Puke, Chairman of the Auckland Council of Y.F. Clubs, “The Duties of the Private Member.” Mr D. C. Stevens, Editor, Bay of Plenty Beacon, “Preparing Material for Publication.” Mr C. R. Wilson, Edgecumbe, a prominent local figure in many public organisations, “Leadership.”