YOUTH PROGRAMME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 August 1943, Page 2

YOUTH PROGRAMME

MASTERTON Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES

POLICY OUTLINED.

YOUNG WOMEN’S DIVISION TO BE FORMED.

The Y.M.C.A. Directorate held a special meeting on Friday night there being present: Messrs J. A. Kennedy (chairman), W. Flaws, E. M. Hodder, D. E. Lyttle, W. L. Hunter, E. Esler, C. Sutherland, J. Y. Douglas, T. A. Russell, and L. M. Johansen (general secretary). Mr Kennedy said that the meeting had been called, at the request of the General Secretary to consider and adopt a youth programme. The resolution from the Youth Council being that the youth programme and secretarial remarks be adopted and put into operation immediately. The secretary stated that the aim of the Y.M.C.A. was to develop physical, educational, social and spiritual training among young people, thereby assisting to raise the social standard of the community, and to maintain sound health, reason, and devotion in the individual. It sought to encourage the individual to convert leisure hours into opportunities rather than periods of idleness. It was far better for youth to bd equipped to make a life than to make a living. No achievement of lasting importance, or national value could be made without the complete co-operation and loyalty of the entire membership, and the community in which they served. The future of’ the association’s work depended upon the manner in which it met the challenge made to all interested in the welfare of young people today. They lived in a practical age, an age of grim realities and they could best serve, by adopting in all their activities a practical, reasonable, real, consistant Christianity. Although not a church the association was the real auxiliary of the church.

The youth programme for consideration was:—(l) Formation of a Young Women's Division within the Y.M.C.A. having its own secretary, who would co-operate with the general secretary, in the execution of the division programme. (2) Dividing the Y.W. and Y.M. divisions into sections, each section working on a club basis, competing annually for club and divisions trophies. (3) Physical: Gymnasium, tennis, cricket, swimming, tramps,' athletics, badminton, basketball, etc. Educational: Lectures and discussions, educational films, public speaking, play reading, health talks, first aid, debating, educational visits, music, and leaders’ training course. Spiritual: Youth rally, service, Bible study, study of suitable literature, and attendance at some church. Social: Optimist Club, Men’s Discussion Circle, Business Girls’ Club, and combined divisional social functions. (4) Adult education and entertainment: Public forum, parents’ education groups, public health addresses, world affairs, industrial psychology and young married groups. On the motion of Mr W. L. Hunter, seconded by Mr E. M. Hodder, it was decided that the programme be adopted and put into operation immediately. Congratulations were expressed to the general secretary and the Youth Council.

Mrs C. A. Pickering, secretary of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, was appointed hon. secretary of the Young Women’s Division.