Y.F.C. Leadership Lectures

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 52, 4 June 1948, Page 6

Y.F.C. Leadership Lectures

The Duties Of The Private Member

(By D. S. Ross, Te Puke, Past Dominion President and present Patron of the Movement.) In any organisation a very large proportion of members could be described as “Private Members.” They are members holding no executive positions. It is quite obvious that it is commonly accepted by the majority of these so-called private members that their duties and responsibilities are almost negligible until such time as they are called upon to hold some office in the Society or organisation in whiclj they have accepted Nothing could be further from the truth.

It is quite true to say that executive officers such as chairmen, secretaries and treasurers have a special job to do and special responsibilities for the time being, but it is equally true to say that the very life blood and very existence of any organisation is dependent on the attitude of its “private members.” In their hands a movement prospers or languishes. It lives or dies. The private members elect their officers, decide activities,'approve of functions and determine policy. They decide all important issues even to the final winding up of the organisation if such a course is ever necessary. < 1

Do not allow yourself to assume as a private member, that you are insignificant and unimportant but ■rather you should accept the. fact that you are a very important link in a very important chain which can work efficiently only if there are no weak links. Should some weak links occur at times, see that they are strengthened at once and investigate the cause of the weakening. If all private members appreciated this essential fact, they would not accept membership of any organisation lightly and would always endeavour to live up to the ideals and promote the well-being of their organisation. ’ ; For a '‘Private Member” to live up to his responsibilities, it is necessary for him to know his “Constitu-tion”-^—to know what it stands for—to know what' it seeks to achieve. A copy of the Constitution is available to private members in booklet form from any Club Secretary for sixpence and should be read most conscientiously from beginning to end, and I suggest that it should be read again until it is firmly embedded in the mind. This “Constitution” is the foundation of our whole structure. If is quite impossible to put into practice what you do not know, so let every member make himself familiar with that “Constitution.” Study it, understand it, and appreciate its value. I cannot over-emphasise the need for this. Let every member know his “Constitution.”

Having reached this stage our responsibilities as Private Members are clear and our duties become a matter of details. All Private Members must be loyal to their Clubs. They must respect their officers and assist them at all times to carry out the work entrusted to them. To do this they must attend meetings regularly and take part in general discussions.

After you become a member of this organisation one of your duties sooner or later will be to select officers. Always select officers who have ability, vision and balance and do not allow popularity alone to weigh unduly with you. Having selected your officers, be loyal to them even if they may not be your own particular choice.- Always give careful consideration to the election of officers and preferably do this prior to the annual meeting so that the choice will be sound when the time arrives. This applies to all officers. Formality at meetings is most important. Mr Marryatt has dealt with this but Private Members have their part in assisting to carry it out.

Remember to address the Chair as “Mr Chairman” on all occasions and any reference to members must be as “Mr ” and not by a Christian name. Always address the chair and learn to stand erect and express yourself concisely and to the point; and then sit down. Attend meetings regularly and on time. “Eight o’clock” should mean “8 o’clock” and not 8.15. Punctuality is most important and many Private Members ,(and sometimes officers) are lax in this direction. If by chance you are unable to attend a meeting, always see that an apology for absence is sent td the Secretary in writing or through some tfther member. If called upon to hold office, accept nomination willingly unless some special, circumstances prevent you from doing so; and if elected, take it seriously. Always seek knowledge to fit you to be more efficient for any position you may hold. Advisory members are always willing to advise. I also commend to all members the purchase of some text-book on conduct • of meetings.

Private Members should take a prominent part in Club discussions. Your contribution is worth while. Your Chairman would welcome your opinion at all times and would like a direction from you. Enlist new members. Develop a club spirit and assist your Chairman to conduct your meetings on businesslike lines and in an orderly manner. Remember, your organisation is an educational one and is Dominionwide. Give special encouragement to field days, discussions, debates and lectures. Acquire all the knowledge you can.to fit yourself for your high calling. The care of the soil of this Dominion is entrusted to your care. See that its fertility is preserved for posterity. The part your Y.F.C. can play is in your hands.