“AMONG THE DEPARTMENTS”

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 3, 1 April 1948, Page 7

“AMONG THE DEPARTMENTS”

GROUPS AT CONVENTION A feature of Convention this year was the study of departmental reports by the “Group Method.” Suitable leaders were appointed for the several Groups, which were composed of members interested in perhaps other departments, but whom it was hoped to interest in fields hitherto unexplored It was intriguing to notice the animation and brightness ot the members when they returned after the Groups were called in. Their “Findings” are given below’. CONVENTION GROUP FINDINGS I— Scientific Temperance. Leader, Mrs. Mountjoy. 1. Every Union should procure copies of Scientific Temperance booklets for use in our Unions and wherever possible. 2. Perhaps change time of examinations to avoid clashing with school examinations. II — Sunday School and Bible Class Temperance. Leader, Rev. J. Chambers. 1. It is the responsibility of VV.C.T. Unions to keep abreast of work being done in their own districts; and either address Sunday Schools themselves or see that it is done by someone else. 2. Bible Classes might he reached through cards printed with date and place of “Y” meetings, distributed by “Y” members. 3. Girls’ Life Brigade and Boys’ Brigade good field for work. ill Anti - Gambling Department. Leader, Mrs. Pirrett. 1. Auckland is the only district to appoint a superintendent for this de- - partment. Other districts are urged to consider the matter. 2. That it is illegal to raffle liquor. 3. That where anything detrimental to temperance and social work occurs Unions are asked to contact their local M.P. and the Minister of Internal Affairs. 4. That Pukehuia Superintendent be commended on using her influence to stop raffles for a Christmas party. The straight-out giving melhod adopted in th'.j place proved most successful. 5. We urge the teaching of antigambling to Sunday School scholars and in Temperance Societies,. 6. We ask that Church and Public Schools be asked to refrain from promoting raffles or Art Unions as a means of raising funds. 7. We recommend that Llnions have a special dav devoted to discussion of anti-gambling. 8. We suggest that Unions approach ministers in their respective districts to bring the evil of gambling before their congregations. 9. That the anti-gambling paper hv Mrs. Pirrett be prepared by the Literature Department for the use of Unions.

IV— Good Citizenship, Flower, and Philanthropic Department. Leader, Miss C. McLay. We feel that there is over-lapping in this department. The work is carried out by Church and other organisations. We feel that work on the ravages of the drink traffic and the curse of gambling should have priority in all W.C.T.U. activities. V— Backblocka, Literature. Library, and Bulletin. Leader, Miss LovellSmith. 1. Recommendations: “That branches establish a “scattered members” department which will keep in touch with absent and far away members. 2. That District Nurses and Maori Welfare Officers be supplied with literature, and their assistance in distribution he sought. 3. That papers, magazines, and hooks he sent to Public Works Camps. 4. That Educational Films he offered to Y.M.C.A. for use in their camps. 5. That branches supply Sunday Schools with the “Y.P.” Supplement of the "White Ribbon ” 6. The World “White Ribbon Bulletin” was recommended to Unions as containing interesting facts al>out the work in other countries. VI — “Methods” Department. Leader, Mrs. Hugh Kasper. 1. All work under W.C.T.U. comes under “Methods" Department. As the departmental work is the life-blood of the LJnion as many as possible of the departments should be worked. 2. Start with L.W.R., go on to L.T.L., and then to “Y” branch. A handful of children meeting in a private home of one of the members may he the hccrinning. 3. Departmental superintendents are urged to write in a hook all they do and learn about their department, and to pass this on to their successors. 4. Especially should we study our Constitution. If small districts cannot hold Schools of Methods, Study Groups should he set up to instruct new’ officers and leaders. 5. We suggest that all Dominion Superintendents he supplied with Questionnaires, every Union to receive one with direct questions to he answered. 6. Helps to work in everv department can he proemed at the Literature Table, such as “Heins to Officers.” W.C.T.U. Booklet, “Special Services and Prayers .or Notable Days,” L.T.L. Manual, L.W.R. Consecration Service. 7. It was recommended that literature from the United States he procured. 8. We suggest that Notable Days Programmes he well organised before the meetings. VII— Suggestion* re “White Ribbon. Leader, Mrs. Kasper. 1. Appoint a faithful and keen District Superintendent. 2. Appoint a diligent and capable Agent in every Union. 3. When a new member is enrolled, a “White Ribbon” should be presented to her. 4. The paper should be placed in all

Public Libraries, gi\en to public official? and those in authority, especially to Ministers and Social Workers, whose influence is farreaching. 5. Pay annual subscriptions as Christmas and New Year gifts. 6. Arrange for a joint subscription for two or three members if necessary. 7. A subscription may he paid by the l nion for a copy to circulate among the members. 8. A clear and concise presentation of the value of the “W.R” might he given frequently at Union meetings, at every Convention and School of Methods. • 9. Above all note the expirations so as to secure renewals. It is so easy to lose subscribers if this is not done. 10. Monthly payments foT papers help to increase the circulation. VIII— L.W.R., L.T.L., and Band of Hope. Leader, Miss V. Jamieson. 1. It is important to appoint District Superintendents, who should send their reports to Dominion Superintendent before December 15. 2. The words “Union Membership” should he used instead of “Adult Membership” in announcing Banner awards. 3. It is important to secure the mothers’ signatures to C.R. cards before enrolling the children. 4. The value of personal contact by visits to mothers and sick C.R. members should he noted. 5. Letters to eight-year-olds are very important. The main object of oui Youth Work is to secure temperance teaching through our departments in sequence. 6 P’ifms should he extensively used in our Bands of Hope. IX— “Y” Department. Talk bv Miss C. M. McLav. “For Our Encouragement.” In 1926 our work was at a low ebb, with about seven “V”’ branches in the Dominion. In answer to praver an organiser was appointed in 1927, and the number rose to 55 branches. Two new Unions also were formed. The Churches were sympathetic at first, hut later Ministers were inclined to keep their voung people in their own church. “Y’s” are drawn from all Churches. The lack of Bands of Hope is one of the causes of the lack of interest in »Y V branches. It is of interest to note that many ex-“Y” members are now Union members. Between 80 and 90 ex-“ Y’s” are now M issionaries. Much use was made in “V” work of Margaret Baker’s “Here’s Health to v oii ” (?th edition). There have been signs of a renaissance in the rise of Belmont and Rrooklvn branches. Good results have followed the distribution of the "Y" Handbook to the Maori Colleges. Hukarere, Tnrakina. New Plymouth. Raneiatea Ran'riniarie, Ohinemutu, Hamilton-Rahui, without charge. (Much condensed.) X — Health and Nutrition Department. Leader. Mrs. Kasper. 1. Hvgicne refers to good sanitary conditions.

2. We should watch for anything un- ' hygienic in public places and homes. 3. Children should he trained in social purity and taught to refrain from reading unhealthy literature, and from attending unsuitable pictures. 4. When meetings are addressed stress should be laid on the effect of improper diet in connection with increasing the appetite for strong drink*. Floral Days. —Til e group recommended that a floral day or evening be held once in the year.