^;^> w^i »^ Ji**^'' J--^\: y^^r^'^'M^^ ..* 'd.r K ^ m ■^■v*^ yw\ mi^- *!>^' ^:-U:^ *%^.fm -^--b. Date Due Ithaca, N. Y. The Professor Dwight Sanderson Rural Sociology Library HT 41 1.866™*" ""'"*'"■*'"■"'"'•>' J^°'"jn"nify leadership .... 3 1924 014 045 151 COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP A Course in SOCIAL ENGINEERING for VILLAGE AND COUNTRY COMMUNITIES Published by the BUREAU FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING 515 West 122 nd., Street NEW YORK, N. Y. 19 14 3U "Copyright, 1914, by John R. Boardman." ARRANGEMENT OF LESSONS Lesson 1. The Rural Mind Lesson 2. The Rural Problem Lesson 3. The Rural Social Forces Lesson 4. The Rural Social Survey A. Lesson 5. The Rural Social Survey B. Lesson 6. The Rural Social Survey G. Lesson 7. The Community Program A. Lesson 8. The Community Program B. Lesson 9. The Community Program C. The Information Wanted Making the Survey Interpreting the Facts Its Basis Its Content Working the Program Lesson 10. Three Types of Social Agents A, Lesson 11. Three Types of Social Agents B. Lesson 12. Three Types of Social Agents C. The Workers The Leaders The Engineers Lesson 13. Lesson 14. Lesson 15. Lesson 16. Discovering These Social Agents' Leadership Enlistment Practical Leadership Training The Question of Supervision Lesson 17. Effective Social Grouping Lesson 18. The Geography of the Group Lesson 19. Community Social Centers Lesson 20. The Place of Equipment Lesson 21. Making Specialists Available Lesson 22. Inter-Community Co-operation Lesson 23, Some Common Errors Lesson 24. Publicity and Finance Lesson 25. The Contribution of the City Lesson 26. The Goal in Rural Social Life The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014045151 PREFATORY NOTE. This course is offered as a contribution, along a special line, to the rapidly growing body of knowledge concerning the social side of country life. It is based on nearly twenty-five years of work and study in the rural field, on a close acquaintance with the lit- erature of the subject and on personal friendship with many of the state and national leaders in the new country life movement in America. Born of farm-bred parents in a home on the edge of the open country and dedicated to the advancement of agricultural education and progress; graduate of an agricultural college; pastor of a church with a large rural membership, and closely identified for nine years with the rural work of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation the author has had a life-long acquaintance with and ad- miration for the country and its people. The suggestions in this course are the outgrowth of personal visitation and study of nearly five hundred rural communities in twenty states and provinces in North America, personal contact with nearly a thousand rural ministers and teachers and with anoth- er thousand leaders in local social work in country communities. These facts are stated merely to show the opportunity which the au- thor has had for studying country life over a wide area and at close range for a long period of time. Grateful recognition is made of the assistance received from these earnest local leaders, pastors and teachers, and from other leaders in national and state movements related to country life and its development. If this course is of practical value in helping to solve the perplexing problems in the field of rural social en- gineering large measure of credit must be given to these men who have furnished the practical experience on which much of the ma- terial is based. JOHN R. BOARDMAN January, 1914. A WORD FROM DR. BAILEY In a recent personal letter from Liberty H. Bailey, Ph. D,, Chairman of the Roosevelt Commission on Country Life, was the fol- lowing statement, the use of which Dr. Bailey kindly suggests as a word of introduction to this course: "The greatest need in any epoch is for leaders and for managers of men. All crafts and all products express themselves in human lives; and these lives react on each other. So it comes that when men work, they also acquire attitudes toward life and they come togeth- er in groups of common interest. If they work with lands and live-stock, they come together as parts in a rural society; and this society is important not only to those who partake but to every other person in the world. Great problems- of human leadership lie in the rural phase of our civilization, demanding careful prep- aration, fellow sympathy, and clear foresight." L. H. BAILEY. Ithaca, N. Y. Feb. 4, 1914. SUOaESTIONS TO THE STUDENT. In order that the student may get the best possible results from the coxirse the following suggestions are offered: A STUDY Constantly bear in mind the fact that this is a study course. COURSE It is not a popular treatment of the subject. It is a text book and must be so used. The material is presented in the most compact form possible. Each lesson has a vital relation to those which follow it and is based on those which have proceeded it. It will be necessary, therefore, to thoroughly understand each lesson in the order in which it is presented. Do not attempt to take up any lesson out of the regular order. The result will not be satisfactory. BASIS The first three lessons discuss the social situation in OF COURSE country life. They furnish the foundation for the prac- tical suggestions which are given in the other lessons. The student must understand the make up of country people, the nature of the rural problem and the character of the active forces which determine rural social life, if he is to successfully attempt to develop and direct a social service campaign in his own community. In connection with the study of these three lessons it will be of the greatest advantage for the student to make the widest possible use of the books suggested in the bib- liography submitted. LEARN The three lessons on the *Rural Social Sxurvey" should be BY DOIMj studied and used in connection with the actual making of the survey in the conanunity in which the student resides. Wo better method of making immediate use of the course ia possible. Similar use should be made of the three lessons on the "Community Pro- gram". In fact the student should have constant recourse to the text in all his work. The course will prove its practical value in proportion as it is constantly used and its suggestions carefully followed. RATE OF This course is not conducted on the basis of ordinary cor- PROGRESS respondence courses. The rate of progress made by the dif- ferent students will vary. If it is used for individxial study progress may be as rapid as the student desires, provided each les- son is mastered before the next is taken up. One or two lessons a week may be satisfactorily studied. The use of the course for study classes will depend entirely on frequency of meetings, time allowed for each lesson, and the method of study pursued. Each class should regulate these matters to- meet necessary conditions. USE OF On separate sheets accompanying the course the author has QUESTIONS submitted a number of questions on each lesson. These questions have been prepared with the idea of helping the student to make sure that he understands the important points of each les- son. They are in the nature of a test or examination on work covered. It will be an excellent idea for each individual student to put himself through a written test so that he may give careful expression to his own interpre- tation of the material studied, checking up by comparison with the text itself. The tests may be given by the leader where the course is used by study classes « and may be oral or written. CORRESPONDENCE The low price at which the course is sold makes it nec- essary to limit the correspondence to letters regarding the subject matter of the course. We must reserve the right to decide the amount of correspondence to which each student is entitled. Uembers of study clubs have a limited correspondence privilege through the leader of the class. As far as possible all correspondence will be answered imper- sonally. All letters should be addressed to the party through whom the course is secured. The author will be glad to arrange for correspondence with any student who may desire help in applying the course to his own field and work. A fee sufficient to cover the bare cost of stenogirapher and postage will be charged for this service. CRITICISM The frankest criticism of the course will be gladly re- ceived. It is capable of Improvement. The test of its practicability will be made in its actual use in communiiy work. Sugges- tions made for bettering the practical methods recommended in the course will be used in its revision. These will also be sent as supplementary material to all students of the present course. We covet your co-opera- tion along this line. BLAIJKS In order to give all possible assistance in making the social survey two sets of blanks have been prepared covering the study of the group and the study of the individual. These blanks will be fur- nished to those who desire them on application to the party from whom the course is secured. They will cost 50 cents in lots of 100 or less, and 30 cents for each additional 100 with a postage charge of 5 cents per 100 in addition. The blanks are identical with the sheets submitted in the first lesson on the "Rural Social Survey", and are punched so that they may be bound in with the other material. Blank sheets, punched, for making notes and binding them in with the course will be furnished on application at 30 cents per 100, postage included. PURCHASE OF Arrangement has been made with the Association Press, 124 BOOKS East 28th. St., New York, N. Y., to handle orders for books suggested in the bibliography. For information regarding publishers and prices address all correspondence direct to the address given above , EXCLUSIVE It is the purpose of the author to copyright the material as USE a proper protective measure. An appeal is made to the indi- vidual user of the course to further protect the author by refraining from loaning or selling the course to a second party. We have offered the course at a figure little above the cost of preparation to make it available to the widest possible number of students. We shall appreciate the student's response to the request that the course be used by himself exclusively. COUNTRY LIFE BOOK-SHELF QMERAL Country Town - Anderson Country Life Movement - Bailey Chapters in Rural Progress - Butterfield Country Life - American Academy of Political and Social Science Country Tovm - Howe (March 1912 Rural vs. Urban - Bookwalter York State Problems - Bailey Rural Denmark and Its Lessons - Haggard Report of Country Life Commission Rural Life Problem in the United States - Plxmkett Cyclopedia of American Agriculture Rural Life in Canada - MacDougal Rural Wealth and Welfare - Fairchild Conservation of Life in Rural Districts - Robertson Challenge of the Country - Fiske HOME LIFE Farm Boys and Girls - HcKeever Laddie - Porter Bend in the Road - De Weese EDUCATION American Rural School - Foght Among Country Schools - Kern Country Life and the Country School - Carney Rural School in the United States - Hockenberry New Ideals in Rural Schools - Betts Improvement of Rural Schools - Cubberly Work of the Rural School - Bggleston and Bruere Vocational Education - Qillette Teaching of Agriculture in High Schools - Bricker Agricultural Education in Public Schools - Davis Consolidated Rural Schools - Knorr - U. S. Dept. of Agriculture Report of Committee on Rural Schools - National Education Asso- (ciation Report of Committee on Industrial Education in Rural Schools (National Education Association Boys and Girls Agricultural Clubs - Howe - U. S. Dept. of Agri- The Country School - Johnson (culture Nature Study Idea - Bailey Outlook to Nature - Bailey RELIGION Country Church and Community Co-operation - Y M G A Country Church and Rural Welfare - Y M C A Rural Church and Community Betterment - Y M C A Unifying the Country Church with other Agencies - Y M C A Day of the Country Church - Ashenhurst Rural Church Message - Y M C A Country Church and the Rural Problem - Butterfield Rural Christendom - Roads Solving the Country Church Problem - Bricker Country Church - Gill and Pinchot Religious Life in America - Abbott Some Famous Country Parishes - Tipple Rural Economy as a Factor in the Success of the Church - Carver Church of the Open Country - Wilson Church in the Country Town - Bemies Christianity Practically Applied - Evangelical Alliance, Vol. II, Institutional Work for the Country Church - Hayward Social Duties from the Christian Point of View - Henderson The Rural Church Movement - Earp - (in Preparation) Story of John Frederick Oberlin - Beard ECONOMICS Principles of Rural Economics - Carver Farm Management - Card Co-operation Among Farmers - Coulter Organization of Agriculture - Pratt Agricultural Economics - Taylor CIVICS Local Government in Countries, Towns and Villages - Fairlie Improvement in Towns and Cities - Robinson The Making of a Town - McVey Village Improvement - Farwell The State and the Farmer - Bailey The New Bra - Strong Our Country - Strong HEALTH Health on the Farm - Harris Rural Hygiene - Brewer Rural Hygiene - Ogden Civics and Health - Allen RECREATION Education by Plays and Games - Johnson Play - Angell Games for Play Ground, School and Gymnasium - Bancroft SOCIAL ORGANIZATION Social Psychology - Ross Human Nature and the Social Order - Cooley Social Adjustment and Education - O'Shea Outlines of Educational Psychology - Pyle Social Organization - Cooley Boy Life and Self-Government - Fiske Boy Training - Alexander Evolution of the County Community - Wilson Organized Democracy - Stickney History of Farmer's Institutes - Hamilton - D. S. Dept. of Agricul- Constructive Rural Sociology - Gillette (ture Sociology and Modern Social Problems - Ellwood Social Ministry - Ward Social Engineer - Earp Christian Minister and the Social Order - MacParland Training of Farmers - Bailey PUBLICATIONS Rural Manhood - New York. N. Y. Community Building and Permanent Agriculture - Bloomington, 111. The Rural Educator - Columbus, Ohio Bulletins of United States Department of Agriculture Bulletins of State Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations Bulletins of Religious Organizations Bulletins of State Departments of Education and Agriculture. Lesson I* THE RORAL UIND. WHAT IS It is most com&only defined as a place where a certain part THE CODNTBY? of the people of a nation live under well-known physical surroundings and for a definite purpose,- agriculture. While this explanation is correct it is not sufficient. The country is not merely an imnense expanse of fields, pastures « orchards and woodlots, with winding roads and streams I not simply a vast collection of soil areas where crops are grown and animals raised to feed the world of men. The country is certainly a great deal more than a mere place. RURAL- The real definition of the country must be made in terms of UINDBDNESS. people, of huaSLO. life, and not in terms of things alone. If ^ we are to do the country justice it must be explained from the' standpoint of mental and spiritual facts as well as physical facts. It compels the recognition of certain laiique types of brains, hearts and souls, the stuff ' that personality is made out of, as well as spaces, objects and activities. The term ••coxintry" must be defined as a state of mind as well as a place. There is such a thing as rxiral-miudedness and it is this quality which, more than all else combined, separates the country from the city by an impassible gulf, and gives the rural community a distinct individuality of its own. It is natural to think that the country, as a place, has made its inhabi- tants "countrified'* because they were born and have lived there. This is true but it is not the whole truth. The physical conditions which make the country as a place liave mightily influenced the personality of those who dwell within it, but the personality of rural-minded people has raade just as important a contribution to the character of the country, le must give full recognition to both facts. EFFECT OF The character of the country and of country people must be AQRICDLTURE. studied with reference to the characteristic industry of the countryside,- agriculture. There is every evidence that the business of farming has determined what the country shall be. It can never be congested. Tillage and pasturage do not permit crowding. And it is equally true that country people have been shaped vitally, in character and conduct, in inter- est and activity, by the vocation they pursue,- the growing of crops, flocks and ' herds . These three factors, t he c ountry as a place, agricul ture as a vocation and , rural- mindedn ess a. 8 a fundament al tra it of country people must be thoroughly un- aerstood, their inter-action upon each other clearly appreciated before any ade- quate campaign can be undertaken for securing effective, permanent social organ- ization and leadership in rural communities. What are the conditions in the country as a place, what are the influences in agriculture as a vocation, which vitally affect the character of rural peo- pled What traits of personality and what types of conduct result because of these conditions? What is the significance of these facts in terms of social value? What are the causes and characteristics of rural-mindedness? ISOLATION. The most conspicuous physical characteristic of the country is its isolation. Its physical distances create corresponding social distances, separating the farming people as a class from other classes and / I f f ■ one farm or village family from another. The natural result of such physical and social distance is to make the countryman individualistic, independent, or more correctly, self-dependent. Remoteness from neighbor or village help at critical times develops initiative, resourcefulness and self-sufficiency; it fosters the creative power. Reserve and conservatism are practiclly necessary results of the farmer's aloneness. Isolation reduces intercourse to the minimum and where inter- visitation is only occasional carelessness in speech, dress, cleanliness* sanita- tion and habit is easily acquired. MONOTONY Out of isolation comes monotony. Life tends to reach a dead level* TRAITS to crystallize, to become routine, somewhat stagnant. Loss of in- centive induces inertia, physical and social. Conditions become in-bred, with a consequent indifference to situations and opinions, suspicion re- garding the motives of others, a warping of judgments, a stifling of emotional expression. There may be and frequently is, on the other hand, an evenness of life, a poise and balance, a freedom from excesses, an opportunity for meditation, a constancy of purpose and effort because of uninterrupted life and labor, INDUSTRY The various processes of agriculture make particular demands upon TRAITS the physique of the countryman with a resulting development of the big muscles of leg, upper arm and trunk and a less significant de- velopment of the smaller accessory muscles of forearm, hand and fingers. This physical peculiarily induces a motor type rather than a mental type. Mind action tends to become heavy, slow, labored. Ruggedness and strength, enduarance and vi- tality are purchased at the cost of quickness, versatility, alertness. Fatigue becomes chronic. Leisure is more difficult, amusement and recreation less attrac- tive. That such conditions should develop corresponding characteristics in char- acter and conduct is inevitable, WHAT The most intimate and constant contact with nature and Its pro- NATURE DOES cesses, with the endless round of seasonal changes,- spring, summer, fall, winter,- which is inherent in his business of growing things is not without its profound effect on the individuality of the farmer. It demands patience, order, promptness; it fosters genuineness, natural- ness » reliability, reverence; it nurtures faith and hope; it puts a premium on watchfulness, caution, preparedness, thrift, foresight; it rewards industry, economy, integrity. On the other hand the fact that nature does not always reward industry with bounty is apt to engender bitterness, resentment, fatalism and kindred traits which are not without social signigicance, GENERAL Study of the above mentioned traits which are characteristic of EFFEOT people who live in the country indicates that they contribute gen- erally to individual strength but produce, \inder ordinary circum- stances, serious social weakness. Self-dependence, reserve, conservatism, sus- spicion, inertia, indifferent,- the presence of these characteristics in the dwellers of the country constitute a serious handicap to rural social organiza- tion. The drudgery of farm work, the physical heaviness induced by excessive labor, increase the lack of response to social stimuli. SOCIAL We must not lose sight of the fact, however, that the very supei^ VALUES lativenenss of his independence, coupled with the constructive char- acteristics of initiative, resourcefulness, temperance, constancy, genuineness, industry and integrity which the better element in the rural com- munity possesses to a marked degree, lay solid foundations for efficient, reliable leadership and for enduring social organization when related to a social service program which is genuinely altruistic and under the direction of those who inspire real confidence. SOCIAL Nor must we forget that in the heart of most rural-minded people is HUNGER a hunger for friendship, for comradeship, for help, for greater sat- isfaction of every legitimate kind and an increasing conviction that co-operation of every sort which is not selfishly exploitive will bring still greater value to all virtues of worth in personal character. The elements of strength which rural people possess have tremendous social value. Without them no social program could possibly succeed. Socialize these personal characteris- tics, organize them simply and honestly, give them full scope for wholesome ex- pression through the various channels of activity and leadership and a social campaign will develop in the country which the congested centers of population can never hope to approach in solidity and efficiency. The very isolation which breeds these traits in individual character clamors for their use in social ways and for social ends. It will not be permanently denied. Rural populations are >^ more homogeneous than city populations and there are more points of common inter- est about which mutual activity can be organized if its desirability is made at;^^ tractively apparent. These common interests will soon compel co-operative action and usher in a new era in rural community development* A DETERMIN- Crowning the whole range of personal virtues, rendering the so- INQ FACTOR cial limitations which are inherent in country life less domin- ant, is the supreme characteristic of the really rural-minded, - a consuming, passionate love for the country, its industry, its people, its in- stitutions. Assemble all the so-called advantages of the city which the country may never be able to possess and every really rural-minded man and woman, boy and girl will pa'ss them by without regret. They want the country. There are hun- dreds of thousands of these lovers of country life in rural communities. They are the foundation, substantial and permanent, upon which may be reared a splen- did social structure. They can be relied upon to institute and carry to success- ful issue a campaign of social organization and leadership which will develop every phase of rural social life to its farthest limits. The balance of power, on the basis of a most searching analysis of the individual and social rural mind, is with those traits of character which are of vital value in carrying out the program for rural progress. It is with the utmost confidence in the rural mind, individual and social, that we approach the study of the rural problem. Lesson II. THE RURAL PROBLEU. The rviral social problem in America is really a collection of problems, and it will simplify the treatment of the entire subject if we study each sub- sidiary problem separately, not forgetting that each represents only a phase of the situation and that all are closely interwoven in the complex life of the countryside* ISOLATION Isolation must be accepted as a permanent factor in rural social PERUANENT life. The reason lies in the economic situation. Profitable agriculture will always demand individual farm areas of consid- erable size. Farm families and communities must be permanently separated, there> fore, by distances which may be reduced as conditions become more normal but can never be entirely eliminated. Isolation as a legitimate condition in rural life makes certain changes of mental attitude toward it imperative. We must abandon the idea that mere increase in population will solve the rural social situation. Such social mass as the city knows can never be approximated in the country, nor is it necessary. If isolation is the corner stone upon which rural industry is built, it must become the central fact in the rural social structure. le must tnsinsfer our thinking ^ fr^ffl^tl}ejg[imntitative to the gualitatiye point of view. The country needs better people more than it heeds more people. It is a question of character rather thim number. It is less important to reduce social distance between families and com- munities than it is to create social interests which will bind these social units together regardless of distance. ISOLATION The negative aspects of isolation have been magnified out of all UTILIZED proportion. It has been blamed for many conditions in country life for which it was not responsible. Clear thinking along pos» V itive lines will show that the legitimate results of isolation are not prejudicial' but beneficial and that, under proper social treatment, distinct social advantages] will issue from isolation and a unique type of social organization will develop. J Rural social life can be made rich, abundant, satisfying. It will be a type of its own, vastly different from that which arises in the congestion of urban com- munities, but none the less real, vital and adequate* Accepting isolation as a noinnal condition in country life, believing that W does not necessarily involve individual loss or social limitation, realizing that it is inherently a friend rather than an enemy to social progress, the line along which the rural problem will be solved, so far as isolation is concerned, will be that of careful search for the real social values in country life, for the foms of social expression which will be natural and for such a use of the rugged so- cial traits in individual and social life as will make possible a type of organi- zation and leadership in rural life which will give the maximum contentment to the real people of the country. THE SOCIAL The rural problem includes a serious social situation which MIXTURE arises because most country communities contain a considerable j nvmiber of people who are urban-minded. When a normal individiisi has lived in the country a reasonable length of time and is still out of harmony with its life, unresponsive to its benefits, dissatisfied with its atmospheres, it is reasonable to regard him as urban-minded. We should never expect such, people to find the rural type of social life adequate or satisfying. Not a little of the social unrest which prevails in the country is due to the actions and speech of these unfortunately located people. They have irre- proachable characters, are intelligent, industrious. They are discontented, rebellious, disturbers of rural peace, simply because they are social misfits. They are cumberers cf good rural ground, distorters of real rural values, de- stroyers of normal rural institutions. They belong in the city and it will be a great day for the community in which they exist, but do not live, when they shake the rural dust off their feet and take up their residence elsewhere. Rural social organization can never be built up around such people. It would be unwise to expend much energy in attempting to acclimate them social- ly. They should never assume positions of vital rural leadership because they are not rural -minded and would become blind leaders of the blind. They may have to be tolerated for a season, they should always be treated courteously. To locate these individuals carefully and eliminate them as painlessly as possible, helping them to get into a more congenial atmosphere, is one of the important functions of the campaign for rural social service which this course discusses. MIGRATION The migration which is drawing large numbers of rural residents TO CITIES to the city is a serious social problem. Like isolation, how- ever, it is based on an economic condition. 3ities are an econ- omic necessity. The country could not exist without them and it must contribute its share of people to make and maintain them. Migration from country to city is a permanent condition. It is governed by laws which will continue to operate until a normal balance is established. All attempts to diminish this migration must reckon with the laws \vhich underly its movements. In so far as it takes \ city-minded people out of the country it is a blessing. To the extent to whicm 1/ it draws away the really rural-minded dwellers of the country it is a menace. | But the common impression that large numbers have gone to the city who, if th^y had remained in the country would have become conspicuous rural leaders, is open to serious question. This statement needs more definite study than it has yet received. What ever the social problems may be which migration causes in the country they must be solved by other means than through attempts to stop it al- together. Here again the demand is for close analysis, clear thinking, wise action. The real lover of the country will leave it with regret, under protest and after exausting every effort to remain in it. The loss of these people will steadily diminish as the economic balance becomes better adjusted. When the ru-\ ral social structure uses the social values which these people possess, when positions of community leadership offer a place for them to express the individ ual abilities which they possess, the losses of these valuable personal elements J in social life, because of removal to city centers, will be greatly reduced, fo locate these people, to appraise their social and leadership value, to shape so- cial organization so that it will utilize the social power which they possess is a most normal, rational line of procedure and when once consistently attempted its results will be immediate and far reaching. The rural social problem induced by migration,, so far as it is due to purely social causes, will yield to this treatment. MIGRATION Help in solving the rural problem will come when a tide of \ FROM CITIES immigration carries into the country the really rural-minded I ^ people who now exist in cities. No permanent help need be expected from the coming of any other class of urban dwellers, however well equipped or well intentioned they may be. No rural grapes will be gathered from city thorns, nor country figs from city thistles. A "back-to-the-land* movement which unloads undesirables upon the country is pernicious, but one which makes it possible for real lovers of the country to establish permanent homes there will render a valuable service to the city and country alike. The country can use no small number of such people to mutual advantage. An adequate campaign for rural social development will include the use of ways and means of bringing these rural-minded people from the city to the country, appraising their social and leadership value, and helping them to find their place of greatest service in carrying out the rural social program. TOWN The removal of well-to-do farmers from farm homes to town MIGRATION homes is another phase of the migration from the country, which involves serious social problems. The fact that it takes away people who are becoming aged and, whether living in town or coun- try, are sure to become less and less important as social agents, makes the situation more normal than it at first seems. The difficulty, therefore, may be due not so much to the removal of these people as it is to the class of people who take up their farms on a tenant basis. It is commononly held that the absentee landlord is a social liability and that the tenant farmer is sel- dom a social asset in the rural community. Whether these are necessary and per- manent difficulties is a question upon which we have not yet secured suffic- ient accurate data to base sound judgments. Many exceptions can be found with reference to both landlords and tenants. The migration to town will be considerably checked as better social devel- opment comes to the country but it will never be wholly eliminated. The problem/ so far as it relates to the incoming tenant, and particularly if the tenant is a foreigner, concerns his socialization. The burden here is not with the new- comer so much as with the people of the community into which he comes. To change the attitude of the community toward the tenant, to include him immediately, genuinely, fully, in its social life is the real problem involved in his adjust- ment so far as organization and leadership are concerned, ECONOMIC The economic problem is one of the most fundamental In rural SITUATION life. The campaign for the enrichment of country life will.be conditioned by the financial resources. These must come from the cultivation of the soil and allied industries. It is importiuit, therefore, that the growing and marketing of farm products be conducted in such a way as to provide, in each type of agriculture, a maximium monetary return for a given amount of capital invested, area utilized and work done. Agricultural colleges, experiment stations and other federal and state institutions are splendidly equipped to give expert counsel and personal as- sistance in making the average farmer's adminstimtion of his farm financially satisfactory. The problem is one of making this assistance available to him and securing its efficient use. This is a social problem* The question of sucessful marketing, both as to buying and selling, is a matter of co-opera> tion. This again is a social problem. The vital need in both these situations is that of social organization, the development of an intermediary agency which will have close working rela- tions with the sources of help on the one heind and be in sympathetic relation with the man on the land on the other hand. To be efficient such an organiza- tion must grow up from within, on local initiative and under resident leader- ship. It cannot be imposed from without. The suggestions which this course offers along this line will prove of value in meeting a given local situation, INSTITUTIONAL There are a number of problems which are related to fun- PROBLIMS damental rural social institutions,- the home, the churOh, the school, local goverment,- which are occupying the at- tention of students of rural life to a considerable degree at this tune. Thera is great need of deeper and more fundaunental study and treatment of this insti- tutional situation than it has yet received. There are two distinct reasons for the present condition. Most of the difficulties in the administration of these rural social institutions are the natural result of past conditions,- N isolation, migration to town and city, the presence of many people who are not really rural-minded, the economic situation. No permanent solution of the more serious difficulties which rural institutions confront is possible until these fundamental problems receive serious attention and are on the way to solution^ The difficulty is not in the institution itself and it is folly to attempt to treat the institution in an effort to better these conditions. The second reason lies in internal weaknesses of organization and leadership which are en- tirely independent of the general social situation. These are capable of im- ^ mediate treatment and should receive it. The situation demands thorough study, first of all, in order to determine just what difficulties are due to weaknesses in rural social life and what are due to internal conditions in the institution itself. We shall then be in po- sition to direct our efforts at correction more economically and effectively. INSTITUTIONAL Attention may be called at this time to two matters which OBJECTIVE relate to institutions as such, both of which can be remedied immediately. The first concerns the objective in institutional effort. All rural social institutions must serve the community \ r ather thagjae s,ia;cAfed_by the ^imuunity.'^This is especially 'true of those or- ganizations which relate to the educational, religious and social life of the country. They are not ends in themselves. They are only agencies for securing certain standards of life in the community as a whole. The problem is not s( much one of getting the community into these organizations as it is that of permeating the community with the spiritual values of which they are the or- ganized expression. The community is justified in repudiating any and all or- gani::ations which do not meet this test. Many communities are doing it and will continue to do it until the institutions themselves make the necessary and very vital change in purpose and objective which has been indicated. INTERNAL The second matter which should receive immediate attention WEAKNESSES relates to questions of internal organization and leadership in the fundamental rural social institutions. Lack of appli- cation of the vital principles of social organization is one important cause of the present situation. There is a disregard of the natural laws of social grouping which must be remedied. There is a tendency to centralize power in ") the hands of a few leaders to jthe disadvantage of qtliers who have real, but un- ^devel epgtt7 il^ rde^Mf^y owiBrT^'TOr iTiSI: rtu t i on and the community suffer most se*- riousiy fromthis conditiori'^of affairs. Unnecessary dependence upon employed leadership brought in from^u$^^e_the community for thejioirig^df things '^hich 'SnoT3xa 6e~doneraM can be done as well if not bettec^ by r^sideri^ leaders is another error in institutional administration which has cost rural communities serious permanent social loss. It is not necessary, at this time, to enter into a further discussion of these institutional problems as future lessons will con- sider them more in detail and will suggest definite lines of treatment for the correction of these structural weaknesses in rural social organization. THE FARM At the heart of the rural social situation is the rural family. HOME The social problems involved in home life in the rural village and on the farm are of two kinds,- developmental and protec tive. The social unit in the city is the individual. Urban conditions have rapidly disintegrated the family as a -social unit. Grave dangers have resulted from this interferance with the unity of domestic life. The rural family is in dan- ger of meeting a similar fate. It is now the social unit in the rural social structure. Every effort must be put forth to make this situation permanent. The major problem is one of home conservation. Protection of the rural family against social exploitation will demand increasing attention. The development > of social organization along lines which interfere with the unity and solidarity of rural family life must be approached with extreme caution and tolerated only / as they may be absolutely necessary. So far as possible social organization must be built around the rural family and give it every possible opportunity to act as a family in the scheme of organization and activity. The home as a so- cial center must„_receive increased attention. There is great danger, in''"'the' new interest which is being aroused in rural social life, that the matter of social organization be greatly overdone. The rural family will be the one to suffer^ first and most severely as a result of this craze for social organization. , OTHER VITAL Mention should be made of a number of other riu^al problems, QUESTIONS the solution of which demands no small amount of social or- ganization and a high type of local leadership. Conspicuous among these are the problems related to private and public health, sanitation and hygiene. Equally important are those which concern the recreative life of rural people, especially the young people. Questions which concern desirable methods of transportation and communication must make large demands on social organization and leadership before they are satisfactorily solved. The problem of the quantity and quality of the laborers employed in rural industries is so- cial as well as economic and its satisfactory settlement will demand social re- adjustments which will require the most skilful leadership. Better protection of person and property is another matter which calls for community attention. Development of supplementary educational activities such as libraries, fairs, college and university extension work, and the home use of papers, magazines and other rural life literature,- these are all matters which call for thorough organization if they are to be most effective and helpful. The principles of social organization and leadership apply to the solution'^ of all problems. They will yield to such application. This course will indi- cate these principles and the lines along which their application may be made / with wisdom and efficiency. Lesson III. THE RURAL SOCIAL FORCES, The rural social forces are the active powers, personal and collective, which have operated and are operating in individual and group life to bring about the social conditions which are present at any given time in a rural - community* SOCIAL The local social situation is, of course, an his^torical product. ORIGINS It is the outcropping, in a given population center of small mag» nitude, of the larger social movements of racial and national life. It has its roots in colonial days and in fatherlands beyond the seas. It would be interesting to trace these forces to their origin. It would give us much needed information of great practical value in shaping the social ser- vice campaign in the countryside. Material for the study of this interesting phase of the social situation does not exist in the average rural community, and the average rural social engineer must content himself with the study of the present and local manifestations of these fundamental forces which have made rural social life what it is. THE FORCES The real social forces in rural communities are the ideals,] DEFINED individual and collective, which dominate the life of thQ_x * people. The motives which influence action, the desires which proRjpt effort, the passions which dominate the will, the convictions which determine conduct, the ambitions which vitalize endeavor,- these are thef active powers which lift the people of a community to the social heights or / degrade them to the lowest social depths. Social organization seeks to crys- tallize these forces into desirable forms of activity, to indicate the lines along which they shall find expression, to develop here, restrain there, as local conditions may determine, to control their operation so that certain results may be secured in the life of community, county, state and nation. Leadership is the fundamental need in the accomplishment of this importantV social task. FOR OR These rural social forces operate in two radically different di- AGAINST rections and with wideljr divergent results. When these passions, ambitions, desires and purposes are working out the welfare of community life they are termed const ructive forces, »/here they are bringing to pass conditions which ars prejudicial to^coramunity welfare we call them de- s truc tive forces. It is vital to remember that the determining factor in this situa^Toh is primarily the object to which these forces are attached and the direction in which they are moving. The social problem, therefore, becomes "^ one of promoting, strengthening and directing the constructive forces so that they will accomplish the largest results and of inhibiting or redirecting the destructive forces so that they shall not be allowed to work to the community disadvantage. '' BASIS IN The social forces deal with collections of individuals and INDIVIDUALITY while all social groupings have a character of their own, their real nature is derived in no small degree from the physical, mental and moral traits of the individuals of which they are com- posed. It will be seen at once, therefore, how important it is for the student of rural social organization to approach the study of the social structure of the community through an appreciation of the part which individuals play in making the social structure what it is. This fact emphasises the value of a thorough understanding of the rural mind as expressed in rural individuals. > To borrow a medical term we might say that rural social engineering waits on the accurate diagnosis of these forces in their relation to individual and social life. HOW TO It is vitally important for the social worker in the country FIND THEM to thoroughly realize that the social forces which are to be harneased__bj__ means o f sc!cial_,.Qjrgasi£*'t ion for cDmayni ty ^ bet;; terment must be disco yeredj t hey can never b e. manufactured. They are already presen?~iri the social composition of the rural community, operating quietly, steadily and in strict accordance with underlying social^la.wa. Their develop- ment, control and "dipfstre^carr 6hij Be success folly undertaken when w© woi"k in co-opeiration with, rather than in opposition to their nature and the laws of their operation. It is not too much to say that the present unsatisfac- tory conditions in rural social life are due, in no small measure, to hasty action by so-called leaders who were content to do superficial things. So- cial salvation is not the creatiare of chance and haphazard activity. It is the product of patient study and wise application of the laws which control the operation of rural forces. We must consistently and persistently refuse this hit-and-miss method of attempting the solution of social problems in the country and begin a systematic search for the laws which govern the organi- zation of these social forces and a patient campaign to secure the right type of leadership to guarantee their permanent and constructive operation* FORCES VS. Students of rural life often make the mistake .- and in its AGENTS consequences it is apt to be a serious one,- of looking upon jthe^ different socjial institutions which rise in' cbmmimity life as the real and QjLteja. the^^nly social forces. If this is correct in any sense it is only in a very inferior one. "Instittrtifons can never be causes of social life in any correct sense of the term. They are merely the means or methods which society uses to express its collective ideals. They are simply vehicles of which individuals make use to carry their ideals into practical operation through group organization. They c'jh'stallize, focus and concentrate the common desires, sentiments, convictions, motives and ambitions of indivi- duals in order to make them more efficient along certain prescribed lines where co-operative action imparts greater power for the accomplishment of certain de- sired social ends. It is of the utmost importance that the rural social engin- eer make this clear-cut distinction and keep it constantly before him. It is the North star of social navigation and will keep the social structxire from beig wrecked on many a rocky shore. AN The distinction drawn here between ideals and institutions ILLUSTRATION as social agents or forces will be seen with greater clear- ness by calling attention to a concrete illustration. Churches are institutional expressions of religious ideals. They combine the religious power of many rural residents. But to claim that all the religious idealism in the community has found complete and adequate expression through the institution called the church would be far from the truth. There is a vast deal of spiritual power, of moral worth, of genuine religious conviction which has not crystallized in all the churches of any community. Although it nay be held in suspension in individuals or very crudely expressed in other social groups it is a tremendous moral factor in conanunity life and the re- ligious status of any community will not be accurately indicated or its power fully utilized until all its religious idealism is reckoned with. This idea can be applied with reference to every ideal held by the peo- ^ pie of the country and it will help us not to underestimate the real power which the social forces possess if we take into account the quantity which is held in suspension as well as that which has been precipitated in ^ different organized forms. IDEALS VS. There is another consideration which is of decided impor- UETIHODS tance in making clear the difference between ideals and in- stitutions as rural forces. It is much easier to secure agreement on ideals than on methods of securing their expression through co- operative action. Many people will agree most heartily upon the desirability of seciiring certain conditions in community life but will disagree just as positively when it comes to selecting the means to be used in accomplishing the desired result. Ideals " "L ^ l^j, ,, Sf 1iSiP *^^ i i4 | iiiiiii^° ' U'^^"® prominence has been y oT uniformity in method" The given to the necessity oT uniformity in metnod. The important social objec- tive is to secure the rule of ideals in the community life. Energy expended in forcing unnecessary uniformity of method is lost energy. I t i% proja fy^i-^ stand strongly for ideals and to allow wide latitude in mje^thods. Wo better means of reducing undue social friction exists. The tena "federation of r ural soc ial forces'* takes on new significance because of thiV'oor^e accurate WfSfffonoF'v^ forces really are» and their actual federation for practical use, for which country life has long waited, is made possible much more easily, quickly and effectively. Can we \ not agree that the big social task which awaits organization and leadership 1 in any rural community is that of securing the acceptance of high ideals of social character and conduct, and still further agree that we do not need to give the major part of our attention, as we are now doing, to misguided and^ necessarily futile efforts to compel people to use identical methods. If we give people the right to chose their own means of reaching social goeds we are likely to make surprising headway in securing their agreement as to what these goals should be. A One of the greatest temptations which the rural social en- TEICTATION gineer must meet, and to which he must never yield, is the temptation to covet the ideals of the city and seek to transplant them into the country. These urban ideals may look more attrac- tive, they may appear to be more effective, they may produce more spectacu- lar results. None of these things must be allowed to influence us. 5ba. idealu whlph will redeem rural life are native, to the environment and at- mosphere of the c ouaffy. The introduction of foreign social ideals impover- Tsnisis 'ra^^fier tTSanT^eririches where permanent results are desired. The local situaticn must be met by local forces and the local task must be done under local leadership. The only real forces are the native, resident forces. >— — The discovery, development and direction of these local forces is the most important rural social task. Lesson IV. THE RURAL SOCIAL SURVEY. A. THE INFORMATION WANTED. A social survey must be made in any rural community before any cam- paign for social organization and leadership can be wisely attempted or effectively carried out. While the general conditions in all r\iral com- munities are fairly uniform there are special conditions which are purely local and which must be reckoned with. It is important to find out what\ the actual local situation is, to determine the social ideals, to locate \ ^ the social agents, individual and collective, and to make a careful esti-j mate of the value of these facts in terms of organization and leadership^ It is impossible to place too high a value on the right kind of a social survey. Time spent in making a thorough examination of the social situ- tion before a social campaign is attempted will save much time and many mistakes when it is actually undertaken. KIND OF What kind of a survey should be made? What should be the SURVEY character of the information secured? These are important questions. They must be answered in terms of the thing which it is desired to accomplish. What do we want to do with the mate- rial secured? The point of view taken in this course is a very practical one. It is proposed to undertake a definite campaign to secure the par-V ticipation of all the people in the community in social endeavor of some I kind with the idea of securing greater social satis'factT^irand a higher^' degree of efficiency in social servic e. Such a campaign involves social organization and leadership. There are certain social tasks to be under•^ taken. What are they? Certain groups are needed to carry on these en- terprizes. What are they? Leaders are needed to direct these social efforts. How shall they be found? Here is the key to the kind of survey needed. It is one which will aid us in answering these questions. "" WHAT TO The information needed, therefore is primarily such as will EXCLUDE be of definite value in planning and conducting a local campaign for efficient social organization and leadership. This brings the survey within limits which are not difficult to determine. At the very outset we can exclude a large amount of information which, while it may be very interesting and of no small value for other purposes, does not aid us in solving the immediate problem in hand. Little attention need be given to ^mere sociological research. We are making a social not a sociological examination of the community. We do not need to burden the survey with the getting of much statistical information. Niomerical exact- ness is not at all necessary. Numbers do not indicate anything of great social value in the proposed campaign. This is a quality survey and not a V quantity survey. Very little time need be spent in securing the economic y^ facts upon which the average survey places so much emphasis. The survey under discussion does not need to pay great attention to the pathblogical side of rural life. Emphasis is placed very largely on the constructive and positive social facts and conditions. The survey makes search for social assets rather than social liabilities. Where the unsocial ideals have taken organized shape they will be indicated. Under \ ordinary circumstances the unsocial conditions in rural communities are J due more to lack of proper social organization than to any serious unso- | i/ cial characteristics in the individimla which make up the community. •' A LAROER Let it be said in passing that there is much value in the SURVEY more complete scientific sociological surveys which experts alone can make. Such surveys, projected on state, county, or regional lines,- in which certain community data is included,- furnish the necessary back ground for appreciating the big social movements whcse operations make national, state, county and local conditions what they are. Such a local survey as we are considering, however, does not demand the col- lection of such fundamental data at this time and to introduce it makes the survey unnecessarily cumbersome and involved. THE The entire examination to which the community is subjected \ OBJECTIVE is for the purpose of discovering actual and potential tal- ents, abilities, interests, activities, and character traits] which make the individual or the social group of definite, positive value in doing or getting done some specific task which will minister to the lar- ger social life of the community in part or in whole. If the student will keep thio point of view clearily and constantly in mind as the course develops the wisdom cf such a type of community sur- vey will grow more and more apparent. The more closely a conmjunity sur- vey adheres to this standard for judging the value of the information se- cured the simpler and easier the making of the survey becomes and the greater will be its practical value when the time comes to actually use the material secured in making up the social program and providing lead- ership for the various social tasks. STUDY OF The first class of information to be secured through the GROUPS survey is that which relates to the existing social group- ■ings in the community. This study should include formal and informal groups of every conceivable kind,- good, bad and indifferent, significant or insignificant, large or small, and should include all ages, sexes, classes and races. Especial care should be taken not to over look the smaller, less formal and more obscure grotipings. Give special atten- tion, also, to the natural groupings of boys and girls which have no name and no particular object or character but which represent the most funda- mental and vital expression of their social life and are the most important boy and girl groupings in the entire community. This study should cover all groups made up of members of groups such as churches, lodges, schoorts, etc, and related to these larger groups. These smaller sub-groups, such as young people's societies, clubs, classes t.r\d standing and special com- mittees are of no small social value for themselves, and entirely apart from the larger organization with which they are connected. GROUP In securing information about these groups care should be taken FACTS to cover the following points; name of organization (if the group has no name give a sufficient description of group to lo- cate it accurately)} date of organization; character,- stating whether secret or open, whether local, state or national; object of organization} membership requirements,- covering age limits, sex differences, class or race distinctions J number of members for each of last three years j list of members, - to be attached to blank; dates and places of meetings; initiation fees or dues, giving amount of each; list of officials,- including term of office and period of time in office; sub-organizations,- in churches and other large social or- ganizations4 committees; copy of constitution, by-laws, articles of association and other printed material,- to be attached to blank; property owned,- shoving character, use, value and indebtedness on same. Lists of officials should cover several recent years. INDIVIDUAL The second class of material to be secured through the surveyV FACTS includes inforaation regarding members of families and unat- ' tached individuals. The material needed from these sources includes the following: List of members of family including father, mother, children and other relatives; list of all other individuals who room or board with the family; lists of unattached individuals. Regarding each individual the following information will be of value; name; age; length of residence in the community: nationality; owner or rent- er: wage earner or not; tax payer or not; voter or not; occupation; avocationi dependent or not; delinquent or not. It will also be advisable to make, with reference to each individual, a statement showing membership in any organization other than local; rela- tionship with prominent individuals outside the community: possession of collections of articles having educational value; educational advantages i and attainments; special abilities in artistic lines,- music, painting, sculpture, drawing, acting, etc; estimate as to income; estimate as to char- acter traits which have social value; membership in what social groups; of- ficial positions in social groups; member of sub-organizations or committees ; in larger organizations. OTHER There is a third class of information needed which has very ' INFORMATION decided value in determining subsequent social organization and leadership. This material is more difficult to secure. It is more an incidental than a direct outcome of the survey. It concerns the ideas and opinions of individuals,- whose judgment is of value,- about local social conditions and demands; the ambitions of social groups and individuals as social agents; the attitudes of individioals and groups toward existing or- ganizations and leaders; the suggestions of interested people as to new types of social work and the leadership to be used. It also registers the judg- ment of those who make the survey as to the adaptability of existing groups to the meeting of definite social situations; the value of certain individuals for leadership in specific tasks; new groups for which there is local demand; available meeting places in homes, buildings and on vacant pieces of ground; apparatus or equipment of different kinds, in public or private possession, which is available for use in social work. SPECIAL When the material has all been assembled for these three classes BLANK of information it will be of great value to make a seperate blank for each person in the community regardless of age. On this blank should be assembled all the information which has been secured with reference to the individual which will show his or her present or future significance with reference to social organization and leadership. These blanks can be made of standard size and, arranged alphabetically, will make a handy method of preserving, for immediate or future use, a great deal of valuable information. REVISION A final point remains to be considered. The community is OF FACTS constantly changing. Old social groups are disbanding, new social groups are forming. Individual residents are leav- ing the community temporarily or permanently, by death or removal, and strangers are coming into the community for a longer or shorter stay. The development of established groups introduces important changes in their social value. The growth of individuals, especially along lines which have social value, is constantly taking place. It will be necessary, therefore, to maintain a continual revision of the material collected in the initial survey in order to keep fully up-to-date with reference to the social situ- ation. The survey, in reality, becomes a permanent feature of an efficient community campaign for social organization and leadership, Infomation of the sort which the survey gathers deteriorates rapidly in value unless it is kept constantly revised. STUDY OF LOCAL GROUP NAME - Date of Orsanization Character of Group - Object - Membership - Ysar Number 19 19 19 Secret Open State National Local Membership Requirements - Age Limits Class Distinctions Race Distinctions .Meetings - Frequency Day of Week Place of Meeting Initiation Fee - Yes No Amount Regular Dues - Yes No Amount Sex - Male Female Day of Month Officials - Name Length of Time in Office Sub-Organizations and Committees Name Object Property Owned - Character Value Indebtedness Survey of Date - Attach lists of members, copy of constitution, etc, STUDY OF INDIVIDUAL NAME - Location of Residence - Date of Birth - Place of. Birth - Nationality - Length of Residence - Owner or Renter - Tax Payer or not ~ Wage Earner or not Voter or not - Dependent or not - Delinquent or not - Occupation - Grade in School - Avocations and Hobbies - Relation to Prominent People outside of Community - Membership in what Outside Organizations - Articles of Educational Value Possessed - Special Interests - Artistic - Domestic - Educational - Athletic - Amusements - Handicrafts - Educational Advantages and Attainments - Membership in what Social Groups - Official Positions in Social Groups - Present Recent Member of what Committees and Groups in Larger Organizations - Survey of Date Lesson V. THE RURAL SOCIAL SURVEY. B. MAKING THE SURVEY In the actual making of the survey several fundamental principles should be clearly stated and carried out with the utmost caution. The securing of intimate information of any sort about individuals, families and organiza- tions is delicate business and the more intimate and personal it becomes the more delicate it is and the greater care must be used in securing it. SOME The survey does not demand much machinery; the less complicated CAUTIONS its method the more efficient it will be. Keep the machinery out of sight and hearing. Avoid all publicity. Do not let it be known, beyond the small group that is actually doing the work, that such a thing is contemplated or is under way. Use direct questions as little as possiblei do not be simply inquisitive; cut out all gossip and irrel- evant inquiry. Secure all possible information by indirect and impersonal methods. A friendly visit or two, by different members of the survey staff if necessary, a few conversations with individuals who know the facts desired, will be suf- ficient to secure the larger part of the information in each case. Do not annoy, inconvenience or offend. Take enough time to find out 7/hat you need to know without apparent hurry and without arjusing suspicion or resentment. Tact can never be used to better advantage. Make no notes during the inter- view unless you are absolutely sure of your party. It is better to make a fair estimate or a reasonably close guess than to antagonize by persistent attempts to get absolutely exact information. In this type of a survey ap- proximate accuracy is sufficient in most cases. Where absolute accuracy is very desirable the information wanted is usually available in public rec- ordR. Keep the information secured for the confidential use of those making' the survey and for no one else, DETERMINE The first point to be decided in planning the survey is to AREA carefully define the area over which it is to extend. Keep as closely as possible within the boxindaries decided upon. This area may be a scattered collection of farm homes; one neighborhood in a rural village; a hamlet j an entire village; or a township whose social inter- ests are so general as to make it homogeneous and united. Follow established and natural community boundaries. Artificial and arbitrary divisions of ter- ritory are of little or no value. The best results will be secured by confin-~) ing the survey to any collection of people who have a common community life,x^ Thio is quite frequently determined by the direction which the people take in getting their mail from the post office or their ordinary supplies from the store. When the natural line of such a division is established it is comparatively easy to make the finer adjustments which may be demanded. EXPERT It is a serious mistake to think that no one can make the UNNECESSARY kind of survey needed except a trained, experienced employed expert. This would demand, in nearly every community, the importation of someone from the outside and is likely to impose burdens, fi- nancial and otherwise, which are unnecessary and obnoxicus. Such experts are prone to gather information which they desire to knowA y rather than that which the community needs to know in order to accomplish I its own social tasks. They are likely to collect material that is too scientific » academic or general, of little worth in planning and carrying out a practical program for immediate and specific local social service, It^ is not so necessary to know the remote causes of local social conditions as to know what those conditions actually are and how they influence present social character and conduct. Again, these experts seem hopelessly committed to the collection of endless statistics which have almost no local value in nxral social service campaigns. The intrusion of an outside "asker of questions," is apt to be resented. Country people do not take kindly to an "inquisition." Such methods are likely to issue in one of two serious consequences,- the people will either refuse to answer the questions at all or they will be tempted to respond with inaccurate information. Such a result will seriously affect the value of the data discovered and will also increase the difficulty in using the in- formation wisely and to advantage. The unavoidable publicity which this method involves is very objectionable. The more quietly and naturally the survey is ma4s,,jthB Jjfttter. EMPLOYED It may be insisted that, while the actual work of naking the DIRECTOR survey should be done by local people, the supervision of a trained director of experience is necessary to avoid mistakes, suggest approved methods and assist in properly classifying and interpreting the information secured. It is doubtful whether even this is at all advi- sable or necessary, particularly in view of the expense involved. Many of the objections made to the use of imported survey makers will apply also to the use of such survey directors. It is very doubtful whether there is a strictly rural community of such size or so complex in character as to demand such expert direction. It is the purpose of this course to make available the seune assistance which an employed director would give and at much less expense. LOCAL To secure the most permanent, complete, accurate and practi- SURVEYORS cal results the community survey must be made by a local in- dividual or group. Much of the material which has the great- est social value is already well known by those upon whom the making of the survey would naturally fall. The purposes and methods of the survey can be kept much quieter and the survey itself carried on less conspicuously. The most important fact, however, is that very decided value arises from the get- ting of the information. The experience and the consequent efficiency which it has given the workers all remain permanently in the consnunity if the sur- vey is made by local people. If the survey is made by an employed expert from outside the community he takes much of the most valuable data with him and places it permanently out of reach. It is quite impossible .for him to pass it over to those who are responsible for carrying out the community pro- gram. Nor is it possible for an outsider to secure much of the most valuable material, however expert he may be. It can only be found by those who know the people intimately. SURVEY The question as to the number of people who shall be related to STAFF the making -of the survey is a vital one. In many communities, even where the population is considerable, the survey can be successfully made by one person, such as a minister, school superintendent or other person who has been a resident of the community for some time or whose business or profession give^ him an extended acquaintance and an intimate knowledge of community conditions. Such a person can be constituted the responsible agent in making the survey. He may be considered as the direc- tor of the survey and may call to his assistance a few carefully chosen helpers, who will work under his close supervision and turn over to him all information secured. In the case of larger communities, where there are two thousand people or more, it may be desirable for such a director to organize a more definite staff of workers who will be given definite responsibility for securing cer- tain special kinds of information. Occasional meetings of the director and staff members may be held to plan out the work and make definite reports of work done in order that the progress made may be checked up. As a general rule the survey should be made by the smallest number of people possible, A large group of workers is entirely unnecesary. Have the group small enough to be compact and efficient and to make each member feel responsible for the work assigned to him, and large enough to make possible a fair divi- sion of labor. Each worker should be noted for being close-mouthed, reliable, tactful, popular, industrious, of excellent character and good judgment, and vitally interested in the social life of the community. The longer their period of residence in the community the better, other things being equal. PLANNING When the number of people to be used has been determined the THE SURVEY director of the survey should get them together, go over the whole situation with the utmost care, coach them in the gen- eral spirit and method of the survey and give each one clear cut, definite instructions in the particular piece of work for which he is responsible. Do not allow any individual worker to go beyond his instructions in any di- rection. Confusion and consequent loss of efficiency will result. Several divisions of the work among the different workers are possible. The securing of each class of material desired may be assigned to one worker. In the in- vestigation of families and individuals it may be advisable to divide the ter- ritory to be covered by assigning one worker to each sub-division. Make the division of labor on the basis of the individual aptitude and availability of the workers, FINAL It will be advisable to allow each one as much latitude as SUGGESTIONS possible in method. The main thing is to secure the ma- terial accurately and fully. When the work is completed all data should be turned over to the director in proper shape. All material can be preserved on sheets of paper of uniform size and shape. Blanks can be purchased if funds are available, but are not necessary. The information should be put in written form, fully complete and capable of easy analysis and use. It must be self-explanatory and well arranged. Its usefulness will depend upon these qualities. Lesson VI. THE RURAL SOCIAL SURVEY. C. INTERPRETING THE FACTS What practical value has the information secured through this social sur- vey in shaping and carrying out a community campaign for social betterment? What significance does the information have in terras of social organization? What contribution boes it make toward securing the necessary leadership for the social tasks which demand attention? How shall this information be in- terpreted? What is its message in the projection of the social program? These are important questions and their answer measures the real practicabil- ity and actual worth of the community study which has been made. VITAL The determining factors in securing the correct interpretation FACTORS of the information secured through the survey are the sense of social values and the accTxracy of social judgment possessed by those who are called to make the application to the social situation in the community, both with reference to its present status and its future develop- ment. If these people have these qualities coupled with a keen sense of so- cial justice the results will be quite satisfactory. They must be free from partiality and prejudice. Favoritism and bias distort all social data and render it absolutely uixtrustworthy and valueless. Take social facts at their actual face value, their evident, natural significance, _Th_e one standard is efficiency.^ To get the different social tasks done by those who can do them ' ""be'st^and under the wisest leadership,- this is the basis on which all infor- mation must be interpreted and applied. ACTIVITY Let us first consider the material which relates to existing TYPES social organizations. This information gives us a bird's eye view of the entire field of social grouping in the community. The classification of this material is the first thing to be done. It can best be done on the basis of certain types or classes of activities with which they are related. No better key to the individual character and its social values is available than is furnished by a study of what the individ- ual does. There are six main divisions into which the individual and social ■ activities of the people in a community ^y be, plassified: d omesti c,- those ' which relate to the home as a home; educatio naCV- those ,which express the intellectual desires and abilities of '*'|js^epp'Te 5 ^yb cati cn al ,- those which have to do with industrial interests: %■ re-crea'ti^ohai,- those which relate to ri|B ri ■iTi--'"ir the sociable, amusement, play side of life, and to matters of health, hygiene and sanitation; political, - thoaej^flg)|^h concern local forms of government and their related' interests ; reiogious ,- those which constitute the moral and spiritual expressions of individual and social life, CLASSIFICATION In making this analysis it is important that each sepa- OF FACTS rate activity be carefully studied and accurately placed under the proper heading. Such a classification shows just what is being done in any particular line of social life. The phases of activity which are being neglected, and those which may be receiving an undue amount of attention, are clearly indicated. Such a classification also shows the manner in which and the degree to which different social groupings are capable of assisting in the conduct and leadership of any particular phase of the community campaign. SOB- It is important that some of the larger social organizations GROUPS such as the church, school, fraternal bodies, etc., be studied as collections of smaller and somewhat independent groups be- fore their social value is correctly appraised. These larger organiza- tions work mostly through boards of directors, executive, standing and spec- ial committees, trustees, clubs, classes, societies and guilds. The larger organization actually breaks up into these smaller bodies to give its members opportunity to identify themselves with social enterprises which represent special interests and definite social tasks. It is necessary, therefore, to consider the social significance and value of these sub-groups in determining the real social situation in the community from the standpoint of social or- ganization and leadership. ♦ SEX, AGE Under these same six "activity divisions'* it will be desira- AND PLACE ble to interpret the material secured in terms of sex, age and divisions of territory. These will all have very decided value in determining the efficiency of existing groupings in meeting the so- cial needs of certain special classes of individuals and different sections of the community, and in better ministering to the entire situation. Certain' defects in the social structure of the community can be located in no other way. One of the greatest values of the survey is that it crystallizes into" positive shape and content certain conditions which have been known to exist in a general way but which have lacked the necessary definition end locali- zation to make their adequate treatment possible. INFORMAL In the interpretation of group values especial attention GROUPS should be given to the real social significance of those groups which are small in size, obscure in operation, inform- al in character and natural in formation. We are quite likely to think that | size indicates social weight and power but this is not alv/ays the case. ' The more normal a group is, the more homogeneous it is, the greater is likely"^ to be its real social value. The larger, more mixed and more artificially constituted groups are so much more in evidence that their powers and ac- ^/ complishmentd are likely to be overestimated and to overshadow other organi- zations which are relatively of greater social value. The utmost care, therefore, is demanded in order that standards of judgment may be accurate- ly applied. SOCIAL A study of the membership lists of these social organizations CEMENT in the community,- as indicated by consulting the record blanks for individuals, will reveal two important social facts. It will show the number of different organizations or groupings to which any one individual belongs and the positions of leadership which he has occu- pied therein. Other things being equ.al the person who has made a number of such relationships and who has frequently held positons of leadership in these bodies may be regarded as of high social value in the community. Such people may be called the social elite. They furnish the social cement which secures social solidarity and substance in the community. They lock the dif- ferent organizations and groupings together into a social structure and help to make the community cohesive and homogeneous. The number of such people indicates to no small degree the progress which the community has made in so- cialization. It is to the social elite that we must look to help or hinder the operation of the proposed local campaign for social service. To a cer- tain degree they hold the balance of social power and give prestige to so- cial endeavor. We must not forget, however, that these people have come up out of the ranks and we must be constantly on the lookout for recruits. THE This study of the membership of social groupings indicates UNSOCIAL clearly, in the second place, who and where the individuals are who have not become identified with any existing organiz- ation or who are related to but one or two. In other words it indicates the unsocialized families and individuals in the community, those who, either purposely or accidentally, have lost out in the social shuffle. It gives di- rect opportunity to study these cases intelligently and thoroughly, to find out where the difficulty is and how it may be remedied. Valuable sugges- tions will come out of such discoveries as to the demand or need for new groupings in the social structure. These socially "lost" people are apt to become prejudicial, troublesome elements in the social life of the community if ignored or neglected too long. In some cases they will prove to be de- pendent, or delinquent or defective social units who demand special treat- ment. They are the "marginal people" in the social constitution of the com- munity who, because of personal defect or social failure, have been rejected as of little or no social value. FAMILY The interpretation of the material should not fail to take into ^ VALUES account the information relating to the social value of fami- lies. The family is the fundamental social unit in rural com- munity life. Its use as a social center and its conservation as a social agent is of the greatest importance. It is of value, therefore, to appraise the social worth of families as families. Much of the real social value which they possess cannot be made available outside of the home circle. So- • cial organization and leadership, so far as these families is concerned, will have to be considered from the standpoint of going to them instead of taking the family where the organization is. It frequently happens, also that certain equipment, apparatus, collections of articles of decided educa- tional value, and other physical materials are iO intimate a part of the house itself as to make their removal impracticable or impossible. MISCELLANEOUS Mention shoul'd be made of the social significance of some MATTERS of the questions Included in the blanks which were filled out in the study of groups and individuals. Relation- ships to organizations and to prominent individuals outside the community suggest opportunities for social service by such parties not otherwise avail- able at reasonable expense. Educational advantages and attainments indicate leadership possibilities and suggest lines of social organization which may be of great value. So also with the avocations and hobbies which people have and which may be made the basis of other social groupings and other opportunities for lead- ership. The classification of interests indicates the demand for new groups of special character or locates people who should be related to existing groups which are serving the community already along these special lines. Past or present leadership in official positions in existing organiza- '\ tions, with length of time in office, furnishes valuble suggestion as to further use of these parties in leadership along similar lines. The indica- tion of delinquent, defective and dependent individuals and families makes possible efficient public or private ministry in their behalf. The placing of those who are property owners, tax payers or wage earners reveals finan- cial resources for social enterprises. The classification of those who vote indicates the sources of power and responsibility in civic enterprises and in reform movements which involve the exercise of suffrage. MAPS As an aid to the effective classification, visualization and in- terpretation of the information secured it will be of the great- est advantage to have a map prepared on an accurate scale and of good size. It is frequently possible to secure a map already made which will answer the purpose admirably. For a comparatively small sum of money this community map may be copied, in whole or in part, on tracing paper so that blue prints may be made as desired, or the larger map may be photographed at small cost and a cut made from which any number of prints may be taken as needed, GRAPHICS On these copies of the map it will be possible to make a graphic presentation of social conditions along any specific line. Each separate map may cover some one of the following points: loca- tion of farm homes} location of village homes} home location, by families, of members of each separate organization} location of tenants and owners of property occupied} location of buildings used or available for co-operative, religious, amusement, educational or civic purposes} home location of school children by schools} location of hired help, male and female} location of foreign born residents} location of library users} location of subscribers to periodicals} location of those having the same interests} location of sex groups by age and localities} location of farmers carrying on similar types of farming} location of harmful social factors} etc. The use of different colored pencils or paper stickers to indicate location of homes, individuals, buildings, etc., on the small maps is handy, effective and inexpensive. The use of these can be made to indicate at a glance the social significance and relationships of each family as a family, of each individual or group, and of each social center. Such a series of carefully prepared maps will give an analysis of the social assets and liabilities in the community which is remarkable in its value to the social engineers whc are responsible for the conduct of the so- cial campaign. The preparation of a new set for each year or two will show the shifts and changes, the gains and losses, the leaks and dangers in the social life of the community. They will suggest the direction in which the community is developing or retrograding and furnish valuable stimuli or checks to social endeavor. No better method of accomplishing this important social task can be devised. TEST QUESTIONS: LESSONS I - VI UISSON I What is the country? What effect has isolation had on the character of country people? How has contact with nature influenced rural people? What contribution has farming made to the rural mind? How does the rural mind affect rural social life? What is the dominant trait in real rural people? Describe it. LESSON II Discuss isolation as a rural problem. What types of mind compose -the rural social mixture? Contrast them. Discuss the different phases of rural migration. What is the economic situation? Describe the conditions in rural institutional life. What is the most vital rural problem and why? LESSON III Define the real rural social forces and classify them. Why are institutions not real social forces? Which are most essential, ideals or methods, and why? Us-ve urban ideals real value for the country? LESSON IV What is the objective in the community social survey? What classes of information are needed? Describe them. What facts regarding social groups are of most value? What information about individuals is most important? Why should the facts be frequently revised? LESSON V Discuss the perils of survey making and how to meet them. What area would you include in a social survey of your community? Why are employed survey experts undesirable? Describe the survey staff and suggest divisions of work'. LESSON VI Define the six general types of rural activity. What main conditions will the survey reveal? What value have the smaller groups and sub-groups? Who are the social elite and what is their value? How are the unsocial factors discovered and what are they? What value has the information indicated on the two blanks? Describe the making and value of a series of community maps. Lesson VII. THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM. A. ITS BASIS A NATURAL The one fact which determines what the program for a cora- PRODUCT prehensive social service campaign in any rural community should be is the social situation in that community. Out of that situation the program must grow slowly and naturally if it is to be adequate or effective. Any ready made program prepared outside the commu- nity and offered as an immediate and perm.anent panacea for every conceiv- able social ill to which the community is heir is of such doubtful value as to justify its being completely ignored. What the social engineers in a community need is not information as to a collection of things which have worked well elsewhere and which may,- or. may not,- work well in their com- munity, they need to be helped in a practical way to work out a program themselves which will fit their own situation, a program in which the pos- sibility of misfit has been reduced to the lowest point because it has been based on actual local conditions and resources. This lesson, therefore, aims to give to program makers in the country the fundamental facts which control all such work and which, if observed, will issue in practicable programs to meet actual situations. These funda- mental principles grow out of the information secured through the community survey* ) MAIN Three kinds of social activity must be reckoned with in pro FACTORS gram making,- what is now being done, what people want to do and what needs to be done. These should be worked out in th order in which they have been mentioned. The average community program is built around a method which is the reverse of this line of proceedure. It is likely to represent the needs of a community and in most cases it stops there. The basis of this program of needs is likely to be mere assumption rather than a local conviction. Needs are sensitive subjects, their staPEe=" ment is almost sure to arouse resentment, while an attempt to force their recognition by organization is almost sure to awaken a hostility which will make the success of the enterprise difficult if not impossible. There are social needs in every community, and they must and can be met, but any move ment to meet them should be delayed until a basis has been laid and a suf, ficient demand created. THE FIRST Begin, therefore, by carefully considering the things which STEP can be done to increase the interest in, and the efficiency and prestige of the existing social organizations. It should be a cardinal principle in program making to accoiaplish all social tasks possible through established channels of social service. This is particularly true with reference to the longer established and more pri-__^ mary and fundamental institutions in the life of the community. Bearl clearly in mind the fact that the great objective in this new social ser- W vice campaign is the injection of the highest ideals into every phase of ) social life. The campaign program will give large place, therefore, to genuine co-operation with all existing social groupings to accomplish this end. To help in enriching the service which they are giving along any line, to stimulate renewed interest when it lags, to tactfully help in •^ avoiding failure, to guide in the re-direction of attention and energy which can be used to better advantage, to increase the influence which the group already has in community life, to aid in securing wise leadership and to add to its efficiency,- these are very vital parts of the social program of any individual, or group of individuals, who are engaged in developing a larger, more satisfying social life in the community. Through these chan- nels, already established and recognized, it is quite possible to bring about in a natural and normal way, definite efforts to meel community needs, which, if suggested along other lines, would be ignored or antagonized. Such methods of real, vital, valuable, disinterested helpfulness will go far toward eliminating objectionable social conditioiis and pave the way for later co-operation along other lines. IffiETING In a very vital way the program will make Itself rather than\ DEMANDS be made because of deliberate planning. Program makers must \ / learn to place a great deal of confidence in the natural ex- j presaions of social life by the people. They are generally sound at heart,y For this reason the securing of a community program should take carefully into account the things people want to do along social lines which they are not doing now. The interests of people in a community are constantly changing. Inasmuch as social grouping, where it is natural and normal, i's' based on common interest, it will be the part of v/isdom for program makers to study the signs of the times, to note the waning of certain interests and the consequent demand for the re-direction of groups or re-grouping of] individuals to give opportunity for new interests to receive co-operative expression. Program making along this line will take the form of unselfTsT and unprejudiced advice as to ivays and means of doing the things which the interested people want to do, suggesting forms of organization, tactfully guiding in the choice of leadership, assisting in launching the new enter- prise auspiciously, and helping to fit it in with other organizations in the social structure. This is fundamental, constructive social work and the making of a strong social program for the community must not ignore these methods* MEETING When existing organizations have been served unselfishly, and NEEDS help has been extended generously to individuals interested in promoting new types of social endeavor, the social program may begin to reckon with the needs which av/ait social attention. The pre- liminary work already outlined will pave the T.vay for a more hospitable re- ception of suggestions regarding needs which these social engineers desire to see met. It will establish respect for and confidence in these leaders and will awaken gratitude for assistance rendered. On this basis the spirit of reciprocity will help to secure respectful attention to the con- sideration of new needs which existing organizations are not adapted to meet and which are outside the range of interests abovit which new groups have been organized in response to new demands. CREATING Wise social engineers will advance suggestions which touch SENTIMENT vital weaknesses in community life with caution. Before definite organization is even suggested it will be very de- sirable to secure a legitimate basis for it by a quiet, tactful, not too apparent campaign to create public sentiment. A need which cannot be met by existing organization is usually so radical as to be appreciated, at first, by a relatively small group and until there is a real and fairly general sentiment with reference to the matter it will not be wise to pre- cipitate organization. Feed the sentiment indirectly and consistently until such a demand has been aroused then crystallize it into concrete so- cial form. Push the program making only as fast as public sentiment will justify and accept without serious opposition. AVAILABLE Another basic fact in program planning should be stated, LEADERSHIP No social task is possible for which efficient leader- ship is not available. No social limitation is more defi- nite and complete than the lack of leadership. The local program must wait, therefore, in spite of opportunity and demand, for a type of leadership which will make the successful conduct of the proposed piece of social work probable. It is the height of wisdom for social engineers who are respon~ sible for program making to accept this fundamental principle and to refuse to attempt social organization for which adequate local leadership is not in sight. The failxire of their plans, suggestions, and activities is the one thing which will undermine confidence in their own leadership. Social organization without proper leadership inviteb such failure and a conse- quent serious interference with the progress of the social service campaign as a whole. EQUIPMENT The community program will be conditioned by two other CONDITIONS factors, necessary equipment and available financial re- sources. Both these factors are to be treated more fully in later lessons but it will be desirable to state a few fundamentals which have special significance in this connection. There are certain types of social activity which demand equipment for their successful conduct. Its availability must be considered in proposing activities of this character. It is also true that the presence of equipment of a certain kind, such as collections of articles which have an educational value, can often be made the basis of activities which are quite sure at any seasonable time to arouse sufficient interest to attract small groups of people for the study of subjects with which they are related. Generally, however, the use of equipment is greatly overdone in projecting social organization and it will be best to consider the matter more thoroughly before attempting the organ- ization of activities which suggest its use to any extent. FINANCIAL It is generally quite safe to assume that sufficient money RESOURCES or its equivalent can be secured to carry on social enter- prises of every sort if there is a real demand for them.^ Lack of resources is not so apt to be due to actual poverty as it is due to lack of interest. Any group of people who have their hearts set on tak- ing up a certain piece of work will usually be willing to pay the expense involved themselves or will have little difficulty in securing financial help from others. If money for a given piece of social work is not forth- coming after reasonable effort it is quite fair to assume that the proposi- tion does not arouse sufficient interest to guarantee its successful con- duct. Money is an excellent social thermometer. When interest is at a high pitch money comes easily, when there is little enthusiasm money is difficult to secure. These are factors to be considered in program plan- ning. FINAL Some program makers are apt to start something simply SUGGESTIONS because a leader for the proposed activity is available. There must be a market for his leadership wares in order to complete the social organization effectively. If people do not respond to the opportunity, if there is no interest in the proposed line of social work and consequently no demand for it, it will be quite useless to attempt it at that time. Demand conditions leadership, just as it waits on leader- ship. They form the two most essential factors in program making. The real need is for a program which meets an actual local situation. It is not enough to do something. The social program is not a hodge-podge of unrelated activities carelessly set in motion, it is a carefully studied plan for organizing the social interests of all classes into social effort which is well arranged and which does not neglect any phase of social life. The program gives expression to fundamental currents in the stream of so- cial life rather than blows bubbles on the surface of the social mill pond. Lesson VIII THE COMMUNIS' PROGRAM. j8?. ITS COCTENT The preceeding lesson has indicated quite clearly the general nature of the social program for the community. It will be desirable, however, to be somewhat more specific, not in the detail of program making, but with reference to other fundamental principles which are important. De- tailed methods are almost always dangerous. If a leader has personality and understands the principles of his work he will find an abundance of methods. If he does not have personality and if he does not understand the principles the suggestion of specific detailed methods will only add to his confusion. It will be the purpose of this lesson therefore to discuss still fur- ther the question of underlying principles and basic methods in program making * PRIMARY The local program relates, primarily, to three social QUESTIONS factors,- activities, people and places. The primary ques- tions with reference to these relationships are: 1st. I What are the social activities in which the people are now engaged? in | which they desire to engage, or in which they should be induced to engage* 2nd, Who and where are the people who are related, desire to be related, or should be related to these activities? 3rd. How shall activities and people be brought together in the most effective manner and under what leadership? 4th. Where should these activities be carried on from the standpoint of the geography of the comnjunity and housing conditions? CLASSES The program should be shaped up with reference to the fol- OP PACTS lowing classes of facts: I, Social activities: domestic, educational, vocational, re-creationial, political, relig- ious. Each one of these may be subdivided as desirable. The facts in this group should relate to activities already carried on, new ones for which there is a real demani, o-shers which are desirable but not in present de- mand. II. Age groups: under six years of age; six to ninej nine to twelvei twelve to fifteen; fiften to eighteen; eighteen to twenty-five; twenty-five to fifty} over fifty. These are subject to combination in small communities where necessary. III. Sex groups: Men and women, boys and girls. IV Location: the place where people livo is important in program making. The neighborhoods in a community or the natural divis- ion of a township must be considered. V, Meeting places: the location of available indoor and outdoor meeting places where social activities may \ be carried on. Now let us make a concrete study of a program for developing the edu- cational activities in a community, as an illustration of the general meth- od which may be pursued with other groups of activities. SUQGESTED Make a complete list of every educational activity con- MBTHOD ducted by any existing organization or social group during the past year* Then take a large sheet of paper and neai- the left hand edge copy this list down the page grouping similar activities under such heads as educational talks and lectures j study clubs, collection ' clubs, literary clubs, reading clubs, etc. In a parallel column down the page classify, under exactly the same heads, the different new educational activities for which there is a demand. In a second parallel column down -^ the page classify, under the same heads, the different new educational ac- tivities which have been suggested as being needed. In a third parallel column down the page classify, under the same heads, all persons acting as or STiggested as leaders of these different single activities. ADDITIONAL Take other sheets of paper and make several other classi- LISTS fication of these same four columns of activities, one for males and one for females, grouping each one on the basis of the different age periods outlined earlier in this lesson. If the sur- vey covers a large community or a township make additional lists of the same material by neighborhoods or other natural divisions of territory. STUDY BY Now take each of the age divisions and study the infor- AGE GROUPS mation more closely. For example, educational activities for boys between the ages of twelve and fifteen. Study the things now being done for these boys along educational lines. Note all suggestions as to what may be done to increase the efficiency of these activities. Then study the things these boys would like to do along this line but are not now doing, putting these down with any suggestions as to form of organization best suited to each separate interest or activity, and the possible leadership. Then study the things which need to be done along educational lines for boys between these ages and note the suggest- ions as to method and leadership. If the community is large or a township is being considered classify this material into separate studies for each neighborhood or other natural division of territory. RESULT OF When such a study is made for each class of activities, for STUDY each age-group, each sex, each particular class, and for each neighborhood or other division of territory, and when this material is further studied with reference to the things now being done, demanded or needed, you have clearly before you just what the program must be if the social situation is to be met. Now it becomes a question of places of meeting, necessary equipment and available financial resources. Make notations covering each one of these points in the proper place so that all the data regarding any phase of the social situation is quickly available . THOROUGHNESS In this treatment of the content of the community pro- ESSENTIAL gram an attempt has been made to show what must be done in order to make up a program which will include every expression of social life in the community. Such a treatment must be thorough! comprehensive, complete. It looks formidable, and would seem to involve no small amount of study. While the making of such a program does demand real work it will not be as complicated as this treatment would indi- cate, especially if there is a fair division of labor among the program ma- kers. If the survey has been well made the program almost makes itself, it is largely a question of classification. Tlrie value of thoroughness in preparing the social program cannot be overestimated. It is absolutely essential, Many attempts at social or- ganization fail because they are based on insufficient or inaccurate data and on faulty and careless classification. People make wild guesses, they rush in hastily, they ignore proper divisions of age, social status and geographical location and failure is certain. Program making must be carefully done, thoroughly systematized along the lines indicated, if the social service campaign is to have successful issue. The task of getting the program under way, of setting in motion the activities for which it calls will be made easy in proportion as this preliminary work has been thoroughly done. This is because classification always simplifies the' actual work of organization because each separate unit of activity is^ clearly indicated, its peculiar service fully defined and its relation t^ other parts of the social mechanism plainly shown. PART BY Such clear out classification of social tasks which make up PART the community program makes it possible to take up any part of the program and work it out without interfering with the present or future development of other parts. Under such a well arranged system it is perfectly proper to take up first those activities which are most important and most pressing, most ready for treatment, without in any way interfering with efficient subsequent attention to other social interests and activities. Such classification, also, aids the social engineer in avoiding an- other peril which is equally dangerous, that of overworking one set of so- cial interests to the neglect of other types of social activity which are just as important, and that of using certain versatile leaders, equipment and other resources, including money, too freely in some directions while other demands are left unsupplied with these necessities to effective so- cial work. Work the program systematically, thoroughly, with definite purpose and surprising efficiency in social service will develop and a rich, var- ied, adequate, satisfying social life result. Lesson IX THE COMMUNITY PROGRAIjI C. WORKING THE PROGRAM We now come to a study of the machinery which is necessary to put into actual operation the program of social activities which has been de- termined by the analysis of the local situation. COMMUNITY The most important factor in this organization of the so- COUNCIL cial forces and agents in the community is the group of people who are to represent the social interests of the community as a whole. Such a group is vitally necessary in order that the social development of the community be well-balanced, that all organiza- tions, all ages, all classes, all localities, and both sexes may have their particular social interests properly developed and protected, while at the same time this development is not allowed to interfere with or pre- judice other social operations. No better name has been suggested for this central social organization than the term "The Community Council," Its members must be representative in every sense of the word; free from petty prejudices, jealousies, rivalries and ambitions; broad-minded, gen- erous, altruistic; energetic, careful and considerate. Two methods are available for securing the members of this Council. It may consist of persons designated by existing social organizations as their official representatives, or it may be made up of persons who repre- sent the different types of social activity,- dcmestic, educational, voca- tional, re-creational, political and religious, and also the different sexes, ages, classes and localities in the community. GROUP There are some objections to the use of the first REPRESENTATION method which should be noted. The most serious one is the large membership involved. If all the social groupings in the community are represented, as they should be to make the method effective, the size of the Council is almost sure to become so large as to make it unwieldy. In attempting to reduce the size of the Council to the proper limit it would be natural to retain the larger or- ganizations and to fail to recognize the smaller, more informal and more obscure groups. This would result in possible neglect of the interests of these smal- ler social bodies and the placing of undue emphasis on the interests of the larger, more conspicuous groupings, if for no other reason than that they were represented in the Council while the others were not. The Coun- cil should be related to the entire social situaton. It is true, futher- more, that organizations, especially those which are larger and have been longer established, are likely to be very zealous of their prerogatives, to be somewhat competitive, and it would be almost impossible to keep the expression of these organization weaknesses out of the work of the Coun- cil. No method of federating social agents is likely to be as successful as the situation will demand. The successful approach to the entire so- cial sitution in the ccrammunity demands a method of representative admin- istration which shall be as free as possible from the perils of these in-, stitutional entanglements. ACTIVITY-TYPE The second method of organizing the Council avoids many REPRESENTATION of the difficulties and weaknesses which are almost sure to arise in the use of the method just discussed* The community survey, when properly made, will reveal the presence of a num- ber of persons who are recognized leaders in certain types or classes of social activity. They have particular Interests to which they have given special study and in which they have become more than usually proficient. Here is the best possible material for the membership of the Community Coun- cil. Such people actually and vitally represent the real social forces in community life,- its social ideals. Whether they belong to organizations or not is not the first consideration, nor should it influence their selection for the Council. ORGANIZING Such persons will regard the ideals to be attained as more IDEALS important than any organization. But their interest in seeing the ideals worked out in the social life of the com- munity will make them ready to co-operate with every and any group which can help along this line. Ideals are not confined to any particular class, sex» age, or locality. They are found in everybody, everywhere. If no groups are doing the kind of work demanded or n-eeded the idealist opens up new channels in existing organizations or forms new groups to meet the situa- tion. On this basis the Council will be a smaller group of those who are best equipped and most efficient and who will represent all phases of the social life of the community. Men and women, boys and girls will find a place in a body so constituted. The one standard for their selection will be that of unquestioned efficiency and absolute, unprejudiced loyalty to the social interests of the community as a whole. ORGANIZING When the membership of the Council is determined its or- THE COUNCIL ganization may be perfected by the election of a President or Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer. It will be ad- vantageous to divide the membership of the Council into departments as a step toward efficiency of administration. It is suggested that these de- partments correspond to the six main classes into which the social activi- ties of the community have been divided,- dom.estic, educational, vocational, re-creative, political and religious. Each department should have at its head the most efficient worker in the special phase of social acivity which the department represents. These department heads may be called Directors, Associated with each department director should be a small group of members of the Council who are interested in the same phase of social activity. In this group should be representatives of the different ages, sexes, classes and localities. EXECUTIVE The directors of departments should represent their group COIiJMITTEE as members of an Executive Committe which also includes the three officials mentioned above and which should have general charge of the work of the Council, the work itself being very largely handled by the department committies. It may be advisable to ap- point standing committies on finance and publicity, the chairmen of which may also be members of the executive committee. These matters may be handled by the executive commitee directly, however. The size of the department committees will depend on the size of the community and the de- gree to which it has been developed socially. In .'^mall, scattered farm com- munities and in some more isolated villages the work of each department may be left to one person with ezcellent results. In the larger villages and those more highly developed socially, and in township organizations these committees should be large enough to be representative and to provide a proper division of labor and small enough to be compact, homogeneous, and to locate responsibility effectively. THE COUNCIL Tlie work of the Council is first of all a careful study AT WORK of the information secured through the survey and classi- fied as suggested in the two proceeding lessons. In the hands of each director of a department should be placed all data which has been collected relating to the special phase of community life under its di- rection. In a meeting of the department committee this material may be worked over and a statement prepared outlining the plans which the commit- tee believes should be put into operation in their special field of social activity. The plans of all department committees are brought into a meet- ing of the Council as a whole at which a decision is reached as to the or- der in which these activities should be taken up, and the questions of or- ganization, leadership, finance and publicity which may be involved care- fully discussed and decided upon. Such general program making will be necessary at definite intervals during the year, particularly in the fall and spring when seasonal changes in social activity are demanded. It will not be advisable to plan the pro- gram too far in advance. Social conditions and demands change quickly and the program must Le sufficiently elastic to adjust readily to the social situation. The number of meetings necessary for the proper conduct of the work must be determined by each Council for itself. POINT Every social program may be made up from two different view OF VIEW points. It may be considered as comprising a small number of relatively big general social tasks, or regarded as a large collection of smaller social tasks each one of which represents some par- ticular social activity which appeals to a smaller group of people having some common interest in a more detailed part of the general or mass activ- ity. The latter is the more simple, direct and practicable line of ap- proach. It does not involve such complex organization nor require such su- perior leadership. Each detailed activity of a small group contributes to the solution of the entire social problem just as each atone in a mosaic contributes to its completeness as a work of art. SBRVINQ If this Council is made up of really representative peo- INSTITUTIONS pie who are actuated by right desires it may be made a clearing house through which the established institutions may be aided in more satisfactorily ministering to the social needs of the community as a whole. Each primary social institution,- the home, school, church, local government, etc., is related particularly to certain re- stricted lines of social service. The more closely they work along these lines of effort the more efficient they become and the less necessary it is for these institutions or others of secondary importance to do substitu- tionary work in attempting to meet the social situation which arises be- cause the different institutions do not do their work properly. The real Conanunity Council will make a positive contribution to this end by aiding these organizations in rendering i>heir most complete and effective ministry to the social life of the community along specialized lines. To this end the Council can aid in locating the responsibility for the conduct of certain activities, in preventing unwise competition and unnec- essary duplication, in reducing social friction and promoting inter-insti- tution harmony, in arranging plans for co-operative service, in avoiding conflict in the choice of dates for important social functions, in utiliz- ing leadership power to the greatest profit to the community as a whole and in making available financial resources secure maximum social returns. OTHER Such a Council may institute new forms of social activity FUNCTIONS and set in motion wise methods of arousing public sentiment regarding vital needs in the social life of the community. It may take the initiative in providing practical methods of training and supervision over leaders in different types of social activity. It fur- nishes a logical point of contact with national, state and county organiza- tions whose services may be of value in meeting the local situation. It may serve as a court of social arbitration in adjusting perplexing social controversies. In fact its opportunities are limited only by the wisdom, tact and unselfishness of those who comprise its membership. It is capable of being made the most vital part of the entire social organization. Lesson X THREE TYPES OF SOCIAL AGENTS A. THE WORKERS The social survey of a cotmnunity reveals two important social facts. It indicates the social tasks which demand attention and locates the social agents vfhich the community contains. These two facts have already received considerable attention in this course. It will be advisable, however, to study them further and from a particular standpoint. TASKS AND It id a fundamental principle in local social organiza- INDIVIDUALS tion that "there is a social task for every individual in the community." This applies to every man and woman, boy and girl, who has reached social age. < The social structure is built out of individual units and eacn 'uni^'Tms a vital place therein. There are a large number of social tasks of all kinds in the social life of even the smallest and most isolated ccmmunity, each one of which represents an im- portant field for individual service. The corollary of this fact consti- tutes a second fundamental principle in local social organization,- "there is an individual for every social task in the community." Every man and woman, boy and girl, of social age has a piece of social v/ork to do for community betterment and the enrichment of its social life. No one can af- ford to neglect the opportunity offered,, no one should be allowed to escape ^ the obligation involved. The efficiency of the local social organization can be measured in terms of the application of these two principles to the social situation. SOCIAL The first principle will be quite genei-ally admitted, ENGINEERING The casual student of the social situation in the average rural community will be inclined to think the second prin- ciple too ideal and impracticable. The absolute integrity of both princi- ples will be confirmed, however, under thorough study and careful demon- stration. They are fundamentally sound. The constructive forces in com- munity life are the resident forces. Community destiny must be worked outV by those who live in the community. Whatever it should be, it can be, and\ its citizens can and will work out all social problems involved. The main | problem is one of social engineering. It involves the grading and apprais- ing of the social tasks. It demands the placing of accurate values on so- cial agents,- personal and collective. It calls for the fitting of tasks to individuals and individuals to tasks, THE The tasks which make up the social structure in the local com- TASKS munity differ widely in character, magnitude, /relative impor- tance and difficulty of operation. The fitting of each sepa- rate task into the "altogetherness" of the social organization is most im- portant. To this end careful appraisal must be made of the social value and significance of each task. To some extent this will be determined by the individual character of each task. Some will demand the attention of only one person for their successful conduct while others will require the service of a group of people if they are to be properly administered. The grading of these tasks will be largely automatic. They will practically grade themselves. Some will be very genei'al in character while others will represent some small detail of the social life of the community. The fit- ting of each task into the social organization, the assembling of all the tasks into a piece of social machinery which can be operated with the least possible social friction, the/ smallest loss of social power, and the great- est degree of social efficiency and satisfaction,- here is the crux of the whole social sitviation from an engineering standpoint. GROUP The services of two distinct types of social agents will be AGENTS demanded,- organizations and individuals. There are three varieties of social groupings. The first class may be called institutions. They are usually of considerable size, have complex systems of organization and a considerate number of persons occupying official posi- tions. The second class includes minor groupings which are of smaller size, with a simple method of organization and a few persons in executive posi- tions. The third class is made up of informal grouping which, while they have a real body and individual leadership are quite informal, frequently without name and would not be r'egared as social organizations under ordinary analysis. They are true social groupings, however, vital parts in the so- , cial organism and must not be ignored if the social life of the community is to be developed properly. PERSONAL No phase of social service in rural communities needs more AGENTS careful attention than the study of the personal agents who are to find a place in the social machinery. The present weakness in rural social organization is due, in no small degree, to the lack of clear cut thinking along this line. There has been a great deal of hopeless confusion as to the different kinds of personal agents whose services are essential and as to the limitations which should be placed upon the. service they are to render. The terms "leader" and "leadership" have been used indiscriminately to define any and all kinds of individual service along social lines with a consequent loss of personal power and social ef - ficiency. This must no longer be tolerated and the following classification is offered as a contribution toward better definition of function of these important personal factors. / TYPES OF The method of social organization which this course PERSONAL AGENTS advocates can make use of three distinct types of personal agents,- workers, leaders and engineers. The rigid division of the available agents into these three classes will make the administration of the social program much easier and more effi- cient. The assignment of any individual in the community to one or the other of these classes must be made on the basis of personal aptitude, equipment, availability and interest. The placing of each individual will depend on the accuracy with which these different qualifications are esti- Eoated. It will help in our appreciation of the imperative necessity of such a grading of personal agents if we consider the organization which characterizes any business enterprise of corresponding magnitude. From the president of the company the organization moves on through boards, commit- tees, divisions and departments, through general manager, division superin- tendents, heads of departments, foremen and operators, through clerks, ac- coiintants, stenographers, and office boys, through engineers, firemen, jan- itors and cleaners, until there is a completeness of organization which guarantees the highest efficiency in working out the successful conduct of the enterprise as a whole. Here is the "task" and "individual" idea well worked out. Here are the workers, leaders and engineers carefully deter- mined and effectively related. The application of the principles involved to social engineering in the community should not be difficult. THE REAL Of course every one who does a piece of social service of WORKER any kind is a social worker, but there is a more definite and technical use of the term "worker" which it is important to define, and which it is more important to put into ar,tual operation in the arrangement of the social organization in the community. (The real worker is the social agent who actually does the piece of social work which is being carried on. He is not responsible for planning or supervision. He is not responsible for the way others work. He merely does his own piece of work, which is performed alone or in co-operation with others as tJ*B character of the task determines. ' Every average member of a social group is a worker. Every member of a committee is a worker. Every one to whom is assigned a piece of social service under the direction of some one else is a worker unless that piece of social service involves oversight of the work of others. In a well organized community most persons of social age should be re- lated to one or more social groups in such a capacity. The real strength of the social structure lies in the number and efficiency of these primary- social agents. The social "drone" who is a resident of the community but is bearing no part of itslsocial burden, doing no part of its social service is himself a social tax on the community. The worker's efficiency de- pends, to no small degree, on his interest in the matter in hand. Social service is a volunteer proposition in almost all cases and, other things being equal, the average worker responds to the call with more enthusiasm and works with greater persistency and efficiency if the task is along a line in v/hich his interest has been developed previously and to quite a high degree. PROMOTION Out of this large or small aggregate of workers in a commu- nity are developed the leaders and engineers for present and future social enterprises. It is a place where the potential, latent social ability of different people is tried out and its character and value are determined. By a sort of "social service" examination promotions to positions of greater social responsibility are decided upon and the worker is graduated into a position of greater opportunity and responsibility. Let it not be understood, however, that the position of a worker is in any sense inferior. It is a position of great importance and value and the training of these fundamental social agents is one of the most important social tasks which the community presents. These are the "privates*^ of the social armjf and their skill in handling the instruments of social service is no small factor in determining the success or failure of every social canipaign* LESSON XI THREE TYPES OF SOCIAL AGENTS B. THE LEADERS WHAT IS The second class of social agents is the leaders. Webster A LEADER defines a leader as "one fitted by force of ideas, charac- ter, or genius, or by strength of will or administrative ability to arouse, incite and direct men in conduct and achievement." This definition contains several suggestions of value in the present study but it is rather too general to meet our purpose. The word needs to be ex- plained in terms of social organization and with reference to other terms which have similar meaning. For the purposes of this course the term ••leader" is applied to a man or woman, boy or girl, n/ho has been appointed, elected or otherwise designated and accepted as the one who is to have charge of a relatively small group of their fellows in directing their ef- forts in carrying out some one piece of social work of a definite, specific character. Some such definition is quite essential if any adequate attempt is to be made to grade the different types of social agents and to apply such grading in a practical way to the social organization of the community. LEADER AS This definition places the largest emphasis on; the abilityU DIRECTOR which the leader possesses in directing the services of y^ others rather than his ability to do the work himself. It j is an important distinction and one which is of great practical value in eT- fective social work. The weighing of every leader in the social scales of this definition is absolutely necessary. No one should be designated by this term who does not meet this test and no one should be placed in any po- sition of leadership who will not work in this capacity. The term is pro- perly used in defining two relationships. Any person who has charge of the work of a small independent group is a leader in the correct sense of the term. On the other hand the person in charge of a small sub-group or com- mittee of a larger social organization or institution is a real leader al- though he may in turn work under the direction of one or more officials of the larger grouping of which his own group is a part. The wisdom of this limited use of the term will become more apparent when the subjects of training and supervision are discussed and the work of the social engineer is considered. This will be done in later lessons of the course. CHARACTER What traits of character must be present in such a QUALIFICATIONS leader? He must have moral worth, the power of init- iative, a large measure of sympathy, an enthusiasm that is genuine and which begets the same quality in the workers who are under his direction. He must be a hard worker at his own task, consistent with himself and with those who are in his group, unselfish in his desire to serve them and to accomplish the task in hand, free from jealousy and egotism. He must study his work and the workers, must be able to estimate the contribution each worker is best qualified to make. He cannot be a mere "boss" or manager of others, i The essential element of leadership is comradeship, fellowship. His work must never be mechanical but always vit- al. Common sense and tact are very necessary qualifications. Teachable- ness is a most desirable quality, and appreciation of the efforts of those in the group is absolutely essential. FUNCTION The first duty of such a leader as has been defined is to OP LEADER secure a clear cut idea of the work to be done by the group he is to direct. This involves a careful study of the task itself and its place in the social campaign in the community as a whole t or, in case the group is one of several in some larger organization, the relationship which it bears to the work of the other groups. The next step is to study the members of the group, their especial interests and abili- ties and the part of the work which they are most likely to do with the greatest satisfaction to themselves and success to the group. Then the assignment of the work to each worker should be made. -=— The task of the leader now becomes one of direction of the work whil© it is being done, and the training of those who are doing it to ensure greater efficiency. No small part of the leader's task is to stimulate en- thusiasm, determination, stick-to-it-iveness in the members of the group* This is of especial value where the work continues for quite a period of time and where the danger is that it become monotonous, routine and irk- ' some. His adroitness in preventing friction between the workers and in building the workers into a compact, satisfied and united group is one of his great ministries in their behalf and a source of power in getting the work done, NATURAL VS The method by which the leader is determined is an impor- ARTIFICIAL tant factor in group efficiency. It is very desirable to bring this about as naturally as may be. In every pos- sible case the group should be allowed to make its own choice. It will be better still to make use of existing groups which have already indicated their choice of leadership. This method is quite possible with independent groups but is more difficult where the group is one of a number of others which make up a larger social institution. The assignment of a leader to a group by arbitrary means is a source of much difficulty and must be made with extreme caution, ' Sex, age, and class distinctions are important con- siderations in this matter and must be given careful attention. Whatever the method may be the important fact is that the leader's po- sition be conceded by the group heartily and genuinely. To attempt to force any leader upon a group who is not acceptable or to continue his re- lationship as leader after the group has shown its lack of respect or con- fidence is fatal to effective organization. PRESTIGE The essential element in all effective leadership is pres- „ tige. It is somewhat difficult to account for this subtle quality. It is native to many people and their acceptance as leaders comes as a natural consequence. Without it the leadership is neither acceptable nor effective. Prestige comes, in part at least, from two conditions. It represents more than usual knowledge about some special subject with reference to which the group is related, a knowledge greater i than that possessed by any other member of the group, or it represents a ' greater ability to do the things in which the group is engaged than is pos- sessed by any other member of the group. To be able to initiate rather \ than to be obliged to imitate is another element of prestige which sepa- j rates the leader from the disciple. THI No study of the leador as a social agent is complete with- DISCIPLI out reference to the personal relationship which should ex- ist between him and the members of the group. They have been referred to as workers and he as director. This is a most /important relationship and it should be carefully maintained for the sake of the task to be done. There is a more intimate relationship which should be men- tioned. In the ideal group every member is not only a worker; he speedily becomes a disciple, a follower of the leader. The social distance between *> the two should be just enough,- and in natural groupings it always is,- to surround the leader with a certain atmosphere which at once marks him as the master of the situation and makes the others in the group content to sit at his feet and learn, and eager to do his bidding and serve. There is an element of genius in all real leaders which the disciple is quick to discover and perfectly willing to admit. In the ideal group there is an affectional relationship between the disciple and the leader which is most essential in securing the most endur- ing results. Respect for learning and ability, confidence in judgment and power, warm regard for personal worth and spiritual character,- these fac- tors in the attitude of the follower toward the leader make him preeminent- ly an imitator of the leader in thought, word and deed. Here is the greatv power in all true leadership and in this quality of imi tat|jy j)n is found the] basis for the serious responsibility which every leaaermusx assume in his/ relation to those who are under his direction. AUTHORITY Out of prestige, out of superior attainment and ability, out of greater knowledge and power, out of comradeship and fellowship, comes the authority which is essential in all leadership, The\ highest type of authority is that which is never demanded by the leader and) is immediately and gladly conceded by the group. When authority has to be invoked by the leader his real leadership is gone and his repudiation by the group is only a question of a brief time. Watch these elements in the situation. They are trustworthy signs of the vitality of leadership and cannot be safely ignored. SUGGESTION There is a science as well as an art in leadership. There are certain fundamental principles and methods without the (/ application of which leadership becomes weak and inefficient. One factor which is of the greatest value is that of su£gest^n. It is both principle ( and method and is at the very heart of success nuTuadership. Knowing that ^ his followers are imitators, the wise leader "suggests" by doing just enough to get all the rest following his example. Command is inferior to suggest- ion as a social force. "Let's do," "What do you say if we do," and "How would it do to go," or to "do," are far more powerful than any mere orders. There is great social force in the suggestion of partnership in "doing" and "going" to which the average disciple responds immediately and heartily,- a response which can never be secured through orders and commands. Lesson XII THREE TYPES OF SOCIAL AGENTS C. THE ENGINEERS OLD TASK In attempting a closer grading of social agents in order NEW TITLE that the division of social service by means of careful- ly correlated organization may be made more effective, rec- ognition must be given to still another type of personal agent,- the so- cial engineer. The term is a comparatively new one although the person to whom it has recently been applied has long been an important factor in the social life of the community. It must be admitted, however, that his task has never been adequately outlined until the application of the new title made a more accurate definition both necessary and possible. The -use of the new term will have been amply justified if it serves no other purpose than to insist on the setting of very definite metes and boionds to the pe- culiar service of the social agent in question. RECOGNITION As a matter of fact the term '•leader" has usually been NEEDED applied to the person now called the engineer and he has been practically the only generally recognized social agent in the community. A consequent loss of efficiency in the conduct of the social organization has resulted. The practical application of the method of grading suggested in this course,- in which three types of so- cial agents are advocated and the work of each one indicated,- will aid materially in bringing a new era of social efficiency into rural commu- nity life. There is every indication that the training and supervision of rux*al social agents are to receive cons-'.antly increasing attention. The most impor'-.ani preliminary to the necessary efficiency in these matters is some such a classification of social agents as has been suggested in order that the function of each '-lass ms.j be clearly determined and generally agreed upon. Wien this has been done definite standards can be established and a mnre uniform and high grade efficiency attained. The social engineer will be especially benefitted by such action for two reasons,- he is, in many respects, the most important social agent, and his duties have never been carefully stated. 'flHO The social engineer can be defined in general terms as the co- " IS HE cial agent in the community who has charge of a number of groups of social workers, each group being under the immediate direction of a leader, and who may also have charge of the v/ork of certain general officials who are related to the work of all the groups. Two ap- plications of this general definition v/ill be made in most communities both of which are legitimate and serve to illustrate the real work which this social agent does. The first application is to the larger social organiza- tions or institutions in the community. The pastor of a church, in so far as he is related to its organized social life, is a social engineer. So is the principal or superintendent of schools, the, master of the grange, the chief official of any other secret society, the local head of a political organization, the official head of a co-operative organization, the super- intendent of the Sunday school, the president of the young people's socie- ty, or the head of the Young Men's or Young Women's Christian Association. / WIDER There is another application of the term which may be re- APPLICATION garded as a more accurate one. The person who is at the head of the "Community Council," or who bears the same general relation to the social organization in a community which has no Council, is a real social engineer. The term may be applied properly also to the department directors who have charge of the six main divisions of social activities under the supervision of the Council,- or persons doing similar work where there is no Council,- as indicated in previous lessons. The application of the general definition to these different group combina- tions serves to indicate clearly the special relationship of the social en- gineer and to locate similar agents in other phases of the social organiza- tion with accuracy. ENGINEERING- Another step is necessary,- the organization of the engi- STAFF neers,- if their highest usefulness is to be secured. The, main problem here is to work out such an inter-relation between them as will prevent competition, duplication of effort and other sources of weakness and loss of energy which are sure to result unless their work is carefully correlated. The Community Council, the work of which has been discussed already offers an excellent clearing house for this work of inter-relation. Where it has not yet been organized some similar method of co-ordinating the work of these over-head agents should be devised. CHIEF Every v/ell organized engineering enterprise in the business ENGINEER life of men has a chief engineer- There is a place for such an official in the social organization of any commu- nity cf several hundred people. Such an official is the president or chair- man of the Community Council or some one occupying a similar position. The relation of the chief is mainly to department or division engineers. The chief should be the most socially versatile and accomplished person in the community, the one who knows the community best from a social standpoint, and who has the clearest conception of its social needs. He may be one who has a peculiar genius for social oranization and the planning and conduct of social enterprises. Fortunate the rural community v/hich has such a well- equipped social agent to administer its social activities in a broad, statesmanlike way. The securing of such a chief engineer should be the goal in every community. It is entirely feasible however to do effective social work without such a community leader by merging the efficiency of a group of engineers and securing a sort of a "composite" chief who will suc- cessfully serve as a substitute for a personal chief. ENGINEER'S The primary relation of the social engineer is to the TASK leaders of group activities in the organization under his immmediate charge, and to the persons who work as individ- uals in carrying on the general activity of the organization as a whole. This relationship is mainly one of training and supervision. The engineers are largely responsible for planning the work of their organizations, rela- ting the work of each group to that of other groups so that the entire ef- fort of the orgaization may be well balanced. In consultation with the leader of each group or with officials of the entire organization the par- ticular task of each may be thoroughly studied and the methods by which it IS to be accomplished carefully decided upon. Similar consultation should be held with representatives of other organizations or institutions in the community as provided for by the Conmunity Council. General principles and methods for training and supervising the work of leaders will be thoroughly discussed in later lessons of the course. The engineer is also the discoverer of those who have social ability and who would be capable assistant engineers, officials of institutions, and leaders of individual groups. He is the main recruiting officer of the social army and the one who enlists many of the other social agents for the tasks to which they are best fitted. Through him the outside organizations are related to the social life of the community and other helpful agents are assisted in making their contribution to its social satisfaction. WORKER AND What should be the relation between the worker in the in- ENGINEER dividual group and the social engineer of the organization of which the group is a part? Much the same relation which maintains between the general of an army and the privates in a com- pany. The engineer must be just far enough removed from the rank and file of workers to win their confidence and respect and close enough to inspire their personal affection and devoted service. He works with them indirect- ly, but very vitally, through the system of organization. There is no dan- ger of serious social loss here if he is efficient and considerate. The devotion of the workers is based, not on intimate, personal friendship but on a genuine conviction that he is master of the situation and appreciates to the full the contribution they are making to the success of the socia.1 organization of the community. This does not preclude personal relation- ships of the most intimate character with many individual workers, it sim- ply means that such relationships are not a necessary part of his efficien- cy as a social engineer. GRADING Let us re-state for purposes of emphasis the different REVIEWED grades of social agents in the social organization. Work- er,- the actual "doer" of the vital social tasks; leader, - who directs the members of a small group in their social activities; engi- neer,- who supervises the leaders, and other general agents of one social organization or one type of social activity; chief engineer,- who adminis- ters the clearing-house work along social lines for the entire community, A plea should be made, in closing this lesson, that such a grading be put into operation in every, rural community as far as possible and that the task of each one of these social agents be clearly defined and adhered to as closely as possible. Greater social efficiency is sure to result. TEST QUESTIONS: LESSONS VII - XII LESSON VII Why must the program grow out of the local situation! To what three kinds of activity is the program related and how! Suggest methods of creating public sentiment. What restriction does leadership put on program making! Discuss equipment and financial resources as factors in program making LESSON VIII What five classes of facts must be considered in program making! Describe the suggested method for making the program chart on paper. What group studies of the program are suggested! Discuss necessity for thoroughness and value of program, LESSON IZ What is the "Community Council!" Contrast the two possible methods of securing the Council, Discuss the plan suggested for organizing the Council, What is the work of the Council! How may the Council serve established social institutions! LESSON X Name and apply two fundatcental principles in social organization. Define the three types of social organization and give examples. What are the three suggested types of personal agents! Discuss the term "worker" as technically used in this course, LESSON XI What is a "leader" in the technical use of the term! What is the major function of such a social agent! What are the leader's character qualifications! How should the leader of a group be determined! Discuss prestige, authority and suggestion as leadership elements. Describe the worker in terms of discipleship. LESSON XII Is there a place for the engineer in rural social organization! Who is the engineer! Make application to illustrate. How many engineer's may there be and how organize them! Discuss importance, qualifications and function of chief engineer, . What is the engineer's relation to the average social worker! Lesson XIII DISCOVERING THESE SOCIAL AGENTS The search for leadership for the social campaign in a rural conanuni- ty will be effective in proportion as it is intelligent and systematic. Clear-cut, definite work is imperative. The adjustment of leadership re- lations is delicate business. Careless, indifferent approach to this matter must not be tolerated. Leadership misfits are costly. Preliminary study will save time and energy and ensure greater final efficiency, THE FIRST IBhat are the specific, separate social tasks for which QUESTIONS leadership is demanded? Answer this question clearly, con- cisely and completely. Cut out each task so that it is distinct from every other. The community program, if properly outlined, should be of value in this work. When the individual task is determined and its nature defined the next question is "What kind of a social aeent is needed for this task?" Note qualifications as to age, sez, education, character, temperament, ability, etc. These qualifications must be spe- cific, related to the task to be done, and not general or indefinite. The great question is one of "fitness," It is not a question of finding "some" one, it is a question of finding "the" one, "Some" one generally fails, "the" one always succeeds. The search for social agents must be uncompro- mising. It must discover the best available person for each specific task. If that person is already related to another task, the relative importance of each task and the difficulty of securing leadership for each must decide where the individual's service should be used. METHOD OF When the specific task has been determined and the q\ialifi- SELBCTION cations of the needed agent have been defined, reference should be made to the "individual blank" on which the in- formation regarding the different residents of the community has been tabu, lated. Study these blanks on the basis of elimination. Assemble those of the right sex and age. Then on the basis of education, interest, charac- ter, and ability out out those who are very evidently undesirable. Such elimination will narrow the number down so that final choice may be con- fined to a few of the most desirable persons. Grade these as to their fitness for the task under treatment, placing the best qualified first and so on down the list. Such grading demands careful study of all information available, not only that which has been placed on the blanks but that which has been secured through a supplementary investigation of each person on the preferred list, with special reference to the leadership position under consideration. The final selection will, of course, be conditioned by availability, a matter which cannot be fully determined until a personal approach has been made to the desired individual. It is very desirable that this method of selection be followed in each separate case and that it be done with the utmost care. There will be a constant temptation to make hasty selection under pressure. Some system of selection must be adopted and rigidly used. Only by such a method can the best results be secured. All favoritism must be eliminated. Efficiency is the one test. System in selection makes the use of such a test much more lik«ly. LEADERSHIP The beaten paths of social leadership end at comparatively TRUST few doors in most rural communities. There is a sort of "leadership trust. •* Every leadership task, large or small, significant or trivial, is absorbed by the "trust" and assumed by some one of its omnivorous "doers-of-things»" The very versatility of these people becomes a social liability. It develops an abnormal appe- tite for leadership tasks on the part of a few. It induces social laziness and indifference on the part of others who are only too glad to escape so- cial responsibility. Whether such a "trust" operates wilfully or ignorantly, the result is the same. A few people become "over-efficient" socially while the rank and file grow socially weaker and less valuable because the tasks which really belong to them are more or less vicariously performed by the few overworked social aristocrats who comprise the "trust." This situation is tolerated in some communities because of the mistaken idea that all the leadership power that is really worth while is concentrated in the social elite and that it is useless to expect others to do the work satisfactorily. It does not follow that the best person for a given social task is the one who ap- pears as the most conspicuous candidate. This condition is allowed to con- tinue in some places because people do not want to "hurt the feelings" of friends who are prominent members of the local "combination in restraint of leadership development," This position is not a valid one. Both ideas must be opposed in the interest of a better social development for the com- munity as a whole. LATENT One task,- and only one,- for each individual in the oom- LEADERSHIP ounity is an excellent principle of social organization and should be carried out as far as possible. It means the necessary discovery of more workers, leaders and engineers and that in- volves hard work. The emphasis must be placed on the strongest development of the social life of the community and not on the ease with which the work is done. The healthy community, socially speaking, is the one where there are many social agents at work, each one engaged in the specific task for which he is best fitted. The wise social explorer who ia out on a journey of leadership discovery will shun the beaten tracks, therefore, and, for the sake of the social future of his community, will keep a sharp lookout for latent leadership material* LEADERSHIP There are four distinct sources which may be expected to SOURCES yield valuable material for the various leadership posi- tions in the social organization. The first and moat ob- t^ vious is the group of persons who are already leaders. Attention is called to this source because it demands careful examination. Are these leaders being used in their proper places and if so is their leadership ability being used to its full power? Are these leaders doing more than one thingt These are important questions and demand careful answer. There are also other leaders who are not conspicuous who need attention. They are leaders '/ of obscure groups, natural leaders of small, informal collections of people. These are real leaders, vitally related to the groups they serve. They should not be disturbed, under ordinary conditions, and unless we discover their present leadership relation we are apt to consider them for other po- sitions with consequent social loss. On the other hand these persons may not be properly placed. They may be able to render better service at other points in the social organization but they should nat be changed unless the desirability of the transfer is very apparent. VOOkTlOTURL The second source of leadership material is the vocations^ SOURCES of people,- the business in which they are regularly en- gaged. Uany trades and professions are of definite social value in an indirect way. Many business and professional men could make their business relations a source of social benefit and leadership service. Carpenters, machinists, engineers, physicians, dentists, lawyers, teachers, bankers, veterinarians, florists, gardeners, poultrymen, farmers and many others are doing things as a business which are of genuine interest to other people in the community from a purely cultural standpoint. Such peo- ple are the very best ones to give practical talks and courses of informal lectures on their special subjects. They can conduct effective study class- es for several weeks at proper seasons of the year and render a piece of social service that is of positive value. THE A third class of people who have great potential leadership HOBBYISTS value are the people who have avocations or hobbies. They are interested in birds, insects, wild animals, pets, trees, flowers, inventions, astronomy, minerals, chemistry, stamps, coins, an- tiques, and many other things. These people are always glad of a chance to talk with others about these hobbies of theirs and there are always small groups of people who covet the privilege of sitting at the feet of these hobbyists and learning something about the things in which they are special- ists. Many times these hobbyists have splendid collections of things along their line. These may be made the basis for evening after evening of the , finest social intercourse,- that which has real educational value. Such people are real leaders, as well as the finest kind of teachers. The groups which gather about them are real social organizations. The more of such groups there are in the community the better. It is of such groups that a vital social structure is built. They make a valuable contribution to the socialization of the community, especially with reference to the younger people of the commimity. GROWING A fourth source of leadership material is worthy of atten- LEADERS tion. Leaders can be made to order, they can be grown from seed. Social engineers frequently meet a demand for the organization of certain groups for which there is no available leader. It becomes necessary then to select some person who can fit himself for the work by definite study and experience. It is possible to take many boys and girls and by proper training prepare them to become leaders in some special line. The County Work of the Young Men's Christian Association has succeeded in securing many effecient group leaders by this process of discovering latent leadership and developing it into actual leadership. These four sources should furnish all the leadership needed for the largest possible development of the social organization in any community. Lesson XIV LEADERSHIP ENLISTMENT There is no more important question in the field of rural social en- gineering than that of leadership enlistment,- the work of securing the pos- itive acceptance by individuals of definite social tasks. There is a great deal of difference between the assumption of a social task by an individual and the assignment of a social task to an individual. In one case the in- dividual volunteers in the social service cause, in the other he is drafted into social service. The volunteer is much the better social agent, other things being equal, and this discussion of leadership enlistment considers solely the method of securing vital volunteer leadership. Leadership con- scription needs no method, it works itself. Volunteer enlistment involves a recruiting officer and this treatment is a discussion of the work of such an individual in the social army. SOUE There is a specific social task requiring leadership. PRELIMINARIES A person has been selected who seems to be the best one to render the proposed service. How shall he be se- cured? That is the problem which the recruiting officer must solve. Any task for which leadership is needed demands a certain amount of time, study and effort. The one who accepts such a task carelessly, indifferently, lightly, will not do the work thoroughly or steadily and will be very like- ly to quit when the pressure begins to be felt. Such an outcome is serious from every standpoint and must be avoided. The work of enlistment must be very throughly done, therefore, if the social agent secured is to stay by the task until it is all done and well done. Let us consider the different factors to which the recruiting officer must give careful attention if his work is to be permanent and effective. ENTHUSIASM In the first place he must have a clear-cut idea as to just what the task is, and a strong conviction as to its vital importance as a piece of social service. Unless the task grips him he can never make it grip the one whom he is to enlist. Enthusiasm kindles enthusiasm. It has a compelling power when it, is real. Exact knowledge of the task and real conviction of its value fan the fires of enthusiasm to the point where it becomes contagious. The task must be big enough, import- ant enough, to be attractive. Never put too small and insignificant a task before anyone. On the other hand the task must not make unreasonable de- mands on the one who is asked to take it. He must be made to feel that he can and should give the time needed as a service to the community's social life. If the demands along these lines are not reasonable he should not be expected to respond favorably. If they are reasonable he should not be al- lowed to escape them without realizing the seriousness of such a decision. ANOTHER In the second place the recruiting officer must feel that CONVICTION the one he is to enlist is, beyond all question, the best available person to do the task under consideration. No argument is more powerful than that which enables one to honestly say to the person he is approaching that it is the opinion of himself and others that he is the one available person best qualified to do a specific piece of social work in a strong, effective way. This brings a pressure to bear which is legitimate and compelling. It awakens a sense of personal respon- sibility which it is difficult to evade. The power of this appeal is rendered still greater if the recruiting officer is the bearer of a defi- nite, urgent request from a group of persons to the recruit that he is the one person whom they desire as leader or engineer. Pew are able to ignore such an appeal. Most people are glad to respond to it if they can be con- vinced of its genuineness. It is a big enlistment argument. While the re- cruiting officer must never flatter nor cajole he must in all seriousness insist that the peculiar ability of the person he is approaching to do the task, and that he is wanted above any other available person, are very pos- itive reasons why he should respond to the call and accept the service, TIME OF When conviction regarding the task and the one to do it INTERVIEW have become definite and positive the recruiting officer is ready for the interview and not until then, A most im- portant factor in a successful interview is the time when it is held. The convenience of the person to be interviewed should be consulted. It is never advisable to attempt an interview during business hours. It takes time to present the matter properly and discuss it thoroughly. When the time is too short there is a great teaptation to hurry the presentation. This is almost always fatal. It is better to wait until a sufficient length of time can be secured to do the matter justice. In the evening or on Sunday is usually the best time for such work. The mind is then more free from other matters and better able to concentrate on the subject under consideration. If more than one interview is necessary, and this is almost always the case, do not hesitate to ask for it. The request for sufficient time is not a personal but a social request and needs no apology. Take time enough to do the work well. PLACE FOR Where shall the interview be held? This is an important INTERVIEW matter. Here again the convenience of the one to be in- terviewed must be considered. The regular place of busi- ness of the person should be avoided. It is apt to be noisy or crowded. Interruptions are likely to occur frequently. Other distractions are num- erous. Effective work can never be done under such conditions. The undi- vided attention of the person is very necessary and it is equally important to be able to carry the interview to a close without interruption. Most interviews will occur in the home of the one to be interviewed or in that of the recruiting officer. It is important that the parties be quite alone. Social restrictions which the presence of the family or other parties might impose are unfavorable to the best work. Some of the finest places for such interviews can be found on a walk together. A seat by the side of ocean, lake, or river, a quiet spot in the woods or on the side of a hill are splendid places for the work of leadership enlistment. There is an atmosphere present which contributes to serious consideration and a sense of responsibility. The place is an important success-factor- THE Only enough time should be spent in preliminaries to be INTERVIEW courteous and to create a friendly atmosphere. The pur- pose of the call should be outlined and a comprehensive statement made of the special leadership task which the recruit is asked to assume. The place which this particular task has in the social program of the community should be shown and its importance to the social life of the community clearly indicated. The reasons why the party interviewed has been selected as the one to do the work under consideration should be carefully presented. If a definite request has been received from any group asking for the leadership of the particular individual with whom the interview is being held it should be placed in his hands, in written form if possible. The facts mentioned above should be presented in one statement if pos- sible and placed before the one interviewed before he has opportunity to reply to the invitation. It is important to get the main argument in early and fully. Ample time should then be given to the person interviewed to state his own views on the matter and to ask such questions as he may desire. These questions should be ans?;ered fully, frankly and honestly. If there is a hesitation on the part of the person interviewed, an expres- sion of reluctance to accept the invitation, a desire to give further con- sideration to the matter it will not be wise to press for a decision. The reasons for or against the proposition in the mind of the one interviewed are worthy of the greatest consideration. Before the interview is closed the main facts in the case should be briefly emphasised, and another interview arranged. The entire conference should be kept on a high plane. Any joking or story telling should come before the real interview begins. The interviev/ should not degenerate into a mere visit. It is a business matter,- and it is serious business. FOLLOW-UP If more than one interview is necessary to secure the fav- WORK orable action of the person approached there are several things which may be done to advantage between the differ- ent interviews. It may be well to write the party a letter, stating the nature of the task and his especial fitness for it and expressing the hope that the matter is being favorably considered. It will do no harm to get other parties, who have influence with the person approached, to see the party personally or write to him and urge favorable action on his part. It will be well for some influential person in the group desiring his ser- vices to present the appeal of the group in person or by letter as a method of supplementing the more formal appeal which was presented at the first interview. Care should be taken not to overdo this follow-up work. The burden of the second interview will fall on the one interviewed. The re- cruiting officer must be ready to answer questions and supplement his first presentation. Real reasons why a person cannot accept a task must be re- spected, mere excuses must be met and overcome. It is never wise to make an appeal for social service as a personal favor to any one. The matter must be presented and decided on its merits. Easy assent to a proposition indicates tha+ it has receieved superficial attention, that the real nature of the task has not been appreciated. The one who resists and then enlists because he cannot allow himself to do . otherwise is worth the effort,- few others are. Any social task has vital \ / spiritual significance. It is a ministry in the kingdom of God. This mo- \ ^ tive must underlie all enlistment. Nothing will hold a social agent to the \ task in times of discouragement but a spiritual passion. J Lesson XV PRACTICAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING The real work of providing adequate leadership for the social campaign in the rural community has only begun when the social agents have been dis- covered and enlisted for the various social tasks. A most serious mistake in social organization is apt to be made at this point. The danger is that undue dependence be placed on the ability of the new agent. "A new broom sweeps clean,"- seemingly, and i+ is easy to mistake activity for efficien- cy. The enthusiasms of new social agents are apt to be dangerous. There is a zeal that is not "according to knowledge." ART PLUS Leadership efficiency consists of natural ability plus knowl- SCIENCE edge. It is easy to feel that the former is the more im- portant factor. It is important because it represents the "art" of getting things done, but we must not underestimate the value of the science of leadership,- the knowledge of just what should be done under given circumstances. The "natural leader" often seriously lacks this es- sential element in successful leadership. His natural power must be sup- plemented, therefore, at the very outset and continuously throughout his service as social agent, by training in the science which makes it possi- ble for his power to become fully available. This training in the science of leadership includes three distinct elements,- knowledge of human nature, knowledge of the principles of social organization, and knowledge of the specific subject in which the social agent is to assume the position of leadership. Let us consider these points more in detail. KNOWING Leadership is successful in proportion as it knows human HUMAN NATURE nature. This is especially true in work with children and with young people. The social agent must be able to appreciate the significance of individual differences in the persons under his leadership. He must know the peculiar traits and charateristics, the personal likes and dislikes, interests and abilities, strengths and weak- nesses of each one to whom he is related. He must be able to analyze char- acter into its separate jiarts in order that he may make the wisest use, in the work of the group, of the peculiar power which each individual possess- es. This knowledge of the individual will be greatly helped by the ^tudy 1 of elementary psychology,- the way the mind works and how it influences character and conduct. KNOWING Every group over whose activities a social agent is asked SOCIAL LAWS to preside as leader or engineer operates in accordance with certain fundamental principles. His administration of the activity of the group will be sucessful according as he understands what these principles of social organization are and applies them to the operation of his own group. The right methods of forming social groups, the way in which the group works, the methods of group control and the reasons for difficulties and weaknesses in group organization, all these must be known by the successful social agent. It is safe to say that no small number of leadership failures are due to lack of knowledge along these lines. Native ability can never take the place of this lack of sci- entific information. . SUBJECT Knowledge along still another line is very necessary to KNOWLEDGE successful leadership. The social agent must know the subject with reference to which he is to direct a given group. The social engineer and the leader of the small group have a great deal of teaching work to do, and should have a good working knowledge of the subjects which they teach. This is especially true in the work of those groups which are largely educational and recreational in character, but the principle applies very generally and is of great importance. It will also be found necessary to train those who are to give definite in- struction to the various clubs and classes which must have a place in the social organization of the community if the need for supplementary educa- tional activity is to be adequately met. THE Who shall do the training? This question must be answered TRAINING in terms of social organization. The leader of a small AGENTS group whose work is relatively simple must be made respon- sible for the training of the workers in his group. He may do this work himself, or better still, he may get it done by others who are specialists in any particular line. The training of leaders of sepa- rate groups is the duty of the member of the staff of social engineers who has the supervision of the special kind of work which the group is doing or of some specialist whose services he makes available. The dif- ferent members of the staff of social engineers must themselves become students under specialists who are able to give them the expert training which they need. COIiMDNITY A well developed system of training for these social FACOLTY agents will require a number of instructors and it will be of decided advantage to bring them together through some simple method of organization. This may well take the form of a "Community Faculty." In this faculty may be included the individuals who have special abilty along certain definite lines and who are willing to use that ability in training the various social agents for the greatest effi- ciency. The average country community will contain from six to a dozen or more such persons and their service will be much more complete and effect- ive if they work together in the definite way which the faculty method of organization makes possible. STUDY The treatment of this subject of practical leadeship train- CLASSES ing will not be complete unless some suggestions are offered as to the methods which may be used. Some of the best work along this line will be done through study classes. All the leaders and social engineers may well be brought togther for a number of sessions of study on elementary psychology and the principles of social organization. A number of elementary text books on these subjects are available. If no one can be secured to teach such a class it will be quite satisfactory to allow the members of the class to take turns in conducting the class ses- sions. The study of these subjects may be continued with profit for weeks or even months during each winter, using different books as text books. The same method may be used with other groups of leaders who are handling similar subjects or activities. SPECIAL At intervals during the season it will be of advantage GATHERINGS to hold a number of separate gatherings of groups of so- cial agents when special training may be given by experts brought in from outside the community. These gatherings may take the form of institutes, where for two or three days definite instruction is given in different subjects in the leadership of which the local social agents are engaged. At other times the gatherings may take the form of confer- ences, under the direction of specialists, where the different social agents make reports of their work and discuss methods and principles. These gatherings may also take the form of conventions where addresses are given, the main purpose being the arousing of greater enthusiasm for the work and the imparting of inspiration to those who are conducting the different phases of the local campaign. PERSONAL In many communities, especially in isolated and scat- CONFERBNCES tered communities where the number of social agents en- gaged in any one phase of social work is very small, most of the training must be done in personal conferences with individu- als. This is one of the most valuable methods of training as it gives op- portunity for applying principles very closely to the practical problems which the individual social agent is meeting. Even where the community is larger and the number of social agents is greater this method of per- sonal conference should be used constantly. The personal character of the assistance given is a big factor in securing that sympathy and confidence between engineer and leader, between leader and worker, between engineer and specialist which guarantees the most effective service. LITERATURE This is an age when every phase of social endeavor has been made the subject of treatment in books, pamphlets, charts, diagrams and other literature. The work of training will be greatly aided by as general a use of all this literature as may be possi- ble. It will be an excellent idea, especially in larger communities, to provide a library of these printed helps to leadership training, where they may be made available for reference use or loaned to different social agents for home use. Where there are public libraries it will be quite possible to interest the committee in charge of the selection of books to purchase some of the more valuable literature of this character for gen- eral library uses. OTHER It will be an excellent plan for different social agents TRAINING in the community to visit other fields where similar work METHODS is being done for purposes of comparing this work with their own. It will also be of advantage for the different social agents to attend county, state and even national gatherings where the special subjects in which they are interested are given consideration by experts. The bringing in of outside workers in similar lines of commu- nity work will be of advantage. The holding of demonstrations, exhibits, illustrated lectures, etc., is another excellent means of stimulating lo- cal effort and increasing the efficiency of local social agents. Lesson XVI THE QUESTION OP SUPERVISION A fourth factor is essential in securing adequate leadership for the social campaign in a rural community,- supervision. Given a definite body of carefully selected, deeply interested, well trained social agents and the maximum result can never be secured from their efforts unless they are intelligently directed. It will be of value to discuss some of the rea- sons for and methods of adequate supervision. GUIDING It is the temptation of all new social agents to overdo the ACTIVITY matter of activity at the outset. Too many things will be started, and too many over-pretentious efforts made. This temptation increases in proportion to the native ability and efficiency of the social agent. These individuals need the direction of some careful, conservative person or persons who will counsel with them as to the char- acter and extent of the work they are to undertake. Such supervision will conserve the efforts of all the social agents and focus their ability and energy on the most important pieces of social work which are needed in the community. It will also be an important factor in securing the completion of social tasks which are undertaken. . It is a peril of enthusias m that it begins many thin^s_and finis hes_X fijau. This^disorganizes the^lTcle social ''machine and will ultimaTely" discourage the agents themselves and undermine the real leadership ability and power they possess. It is wiser to com- plete a few tasks than to partially do a larger number, BALANCING Unless defini+e supervision is given the social work in a THE WORK given community is likely to get far out of balance. So- cial agents vary in ability and the more ambitious and per- sistent workers are in danger of pushing the work of their immediate de- partment to the ignoring of other phases of the work which may be of equal or even greater value to the community, A restraining, guiding hand is absolutely necessary if all departments of social effort are to receive proper attention and the social structure given a well-balanced develop- ment, SETTING The greatest importance attaches to the establishment and STANDARDS maintenance of proper standards in the different phases of social work. Most social agents are so close to their own work, so much attached to their own ideas, plans and methods, so absorbed in doing things, that it is almost impossible for them to rightly estimate the real value of the work they are doing. Inferior work is almost sure to result. Few social agents possess the ability to analyze their own work without prejudice. Pressure of other things is likely to become heavy and induce neglect of social tasks and unless there is some method of checking up the work and its results, of holding the work up to certain more or less general social standards, deterioration is sure to follow. The supervisory agency, -far enough away from each task and each social agent to guarantee unbiased judgment, and related to the larger places of social work in country, state and nation in such a way as to give know- ledge of the most approved plans and methods,- brings to each part of the social organization a directing influence which maintains tone and se- cures high-class results. INSPIRATIONAL Social work is difficult of accomplishment, there is ELEIJENT no small drudgery necessary to its operation, the de- mands of business and other interests are insistent, enthusiasms wax and wane. Ho part of the supervisory work is cf greater value, therefore, than the purely inspirational work of encouragement, commendation and stimulation. The social agent is human and with many of them the greatest need is not formal training but the word of appreci- ation, a sentence or two expressing approval, and a little time given to spiritual fellowship and communion. They return to the task with new vig- or, fresh interest, more determination and greater courage. Supervision .. must be inspirational in order to accomplish its best results. ^ AGENCIES OP Who is to do this work of direction and supervision? SUPERVISION The general agent for this work in the community should be the Community Council. This body, representing as it does the concensus of social wisdom and ability, is in a stronger position than any other local body to direct the work of the different social agents. It possesses the outlook over the whole field of social service in the community J it sees the different social tasks in their relation one to the other} it has an authority of administration, the mere concession of which has a wholesome influence on the different social agents, especi- ally those who are difficult to guide and control} it is in touch with those outside organizations whose help in fixing standards is of the great- est value. No better local agent for supervision can be found. Under the general direction of the Council the direct supervision of different groups and different social agents may be assigned to certain individuals. The heads of the six main divisions of community activity, - domestic, educational, vocational, political, recreational and religious, - may well exercise a supervisory relation over the work of their own de- partments. Of course, the regular agents,- the leaders and the engineers, - will supervise the work of those imder their immediate direction quite largely, but there will always be a need of overhead supervision by those who are not quite so close to the work or those doing it, and whose advice will have greater authority because it comes from a gi'eater social distance. SUPLEMENTARY The most effective conduct of a local campaign along SUPERVISION social lines demands another agency in the field of supervision. The Community Council, however efficient it may be, will find its work of much greater value if it has the co-opera- tion of some more general organization from outside the community. There are a number of county, state and national organizations,- public and pri- vate,- whose counsel and advice are of the greatest practical value. It will be the part of wisdom for the Council to affiliate as closely as possible with all proper agencies of this character. The grange, the col- lege of agriculture, the various federal and state agencies of educational and v3fe.tional character, the religious organizations, end other institu- tions/ furnish these supplementary lines of supervision whose ministry in a local community is of the greatest value. As the number of communities which are well organized along social lines increases in a given territory it will be quite na+ural for them to combine in various ways to secure the overhead supervision which they need. It will be bet+er to connect with these existing agencies than to establish new institutions for supervisory work. The entire social structure should be kept as simple as possible from the standpoint of the econoiay as well as the efficiency, of operation. The value of these national, state and county organizations, so far as supervision is concerned, lies in the fact that most of them employ field agents whose business it is to visit communities as occasion arises and make locally available the wider experience and greater wisdom which these agents represent. They are, for the most part, experts in their own line and their advice represents the best and most up-io-date information which is available. CONSTANT The supervision of the Council, the local department heads, OVERSIGHT and such outside experts as may be available should be constant and not intermittent. Mistakes in social organ- ization and procedure are difficult to correct. Supervision should be sufficiently close and regular, therefore, to prevent unwise social en- deavor rather than to correct mistakes which have been made. If this kind of supervision is made available the social organization can be kept in a healthy condition constantly and the maximum results from the service of all social agents thereby secured. Lesson XVII EFFECTIVE SOCIAL GROUPING It is impossible, in the brief compass of a single lesson, to give adequate consideration to the question of social grouping, but there are some fundamental principles which may be indicated in this connection which should be cf no small assistance to the social engineers of a community in organizing groups along right lines. Many failures in group work are due to the fact that no regard has been given to the laws which underlie the organization and conduct of these small social units. They are formed very artificially and a constant succession of difficulties results, which could easily be avoided if some simple rules of proceedure had been applied at the outset. Some of the more important of these principles will be indi- cated in this lesson. SIZE OF As a general thing the size of social groups increases as the GROUPS age of the persons in the group advances,- small groups for children and young people, larger groups for older and more mature people. It is also true that the size of groups will be governed by the character of the group objective,- small groups for particular pur- poses, larger groups for more general purposes. Small groups are more compact and homogeneous, and their organization and conduct are less diffi- cult. Larger groups invite division into competitive cliques, the member- ship is more complex and the problems of administration are more difficult. A small number of large groups and a large number of small groups is the"^ ideal toward which the social organization of a community should be di- rected. The sub-division of large groups into smaller units should be carried out as far as possible. AGE AS In groups of persons under twenty years of age, the age A FACTOR factor is an important one in determining the membership. Boys and girls and young people have very strong convictions along these lines, and these convictions must be respected. The older ones rebel against the presence in their groups of younger ones and in the inter- est of harmony and efficiency this condition must be reckoned with. The calender age does not count for very much in grouping young people, espec- ially boys and girls in their early teens. The physiological age,- which is governed largely by adolescent conditions,- is more important as a basis of grouping, and the psychological age,- the reflex of physical adolescence on mental conditions,- is a most important factor. In grouping boys and girls and young people it will be advisable to let the membership require- ments be determined largely on the basis of natural selection by those Interested. BOND OP One of the greatest factors in determining the membership IITOCREST of groups, especially among children and young people,- when these groups are formed on the initiative of those composing them,- is the "common interest" which the members have in a very few kinds of activity. It is the part of wisdom, therefore, to apply this principle to artificial groups. Bring together the people who have a small but def- inite number of common interests and the resulting social organization will have the highest vitality and efficiency. The more complex the number of interests the greater the opportunity for friction and consequent diffi- culty of leadership, and loss of group power. These interests may be voca- tional, educational, recreational, political or religious,- whatever they are the common character of these interests will determine the solidarity and efficiency of the group to no small degree. ABILITY Ability is a strong factor in determining effective social BASIS grouping. Differences in financial standing, in social pres- tige and in intellectual attainment place very effective re- strictions upon the grouping of the people of any community, and these lim- itations must be reckoned with by the social engineer. This is especially true in adult organizations. Children are more democratic and less re- sponsive to ability-restrictions, but even here the influence of home con- ditions and paren+al ideas si of no small significance and must be care- fully considered before organization is attempted. Tradition and conven- tion and racial and class distinctions are deep seated, especially in rural communities, and determine the membership and activity of many social groups to a large degree. FRIENDSHIP No method of organizing arbitrary groups of people of any BASIS age or interest can afford to neglect the most careful recognition of the personal friendships which exist among ' people of all ages. This question of friendship creates bonds which unite people of widely different ages and very diverse interests. To attempt social groupings which ignore these most vital lines of friendship-cleavage is to invite disaster and a complication of +he whole social organization of the community. Here again it is better to accept the lines of social cleavage which friendship establishes. The "friendship group" si somewhat difficult of analysis and it is one of the most difficult groups to incor- porate into the social structure, but once it is determined and included it becomes a very strong, permanent factor in the social life of a communi- ty. It is worth all the time and effort it costs to secure its co-opera- tion in the social scheme. PERSONAL One of the strange factors in social organization is the EQUATION strength of personality possessed by the leader of a group. Some leaders have a remarkable power to overcome all common lines of cleavage and unite into most efficient groups persons of every age, of all classes and of the most diverse abilities. They are a law unto themselves and when such leaders are available they will aparently accom- plish the impossible. Such leadership genius is not cormnon, however, and extreme care should be taken not to judge the whole method of social group- ing on the basis of the exceptional power which such people possess. With a large majority of groups such leadership is impossible and it will be the part of wisdom for the social engineer, in most cases, to follow the sug- gestions made in this lesson if he desires to obtain effective results. ADULT One fact should be given consideration in the organization GROUPINGS of adults into social groups. They are more amenable to the arguments of reason. They respond more readily than younger persons to the fact that a thing needs to be done and the need arouses an interest which, while it is not natural in a strict sense, is none the less real and vital and furnishes an adequate motive to call them together into a group and hold them to continued endeavor until the object has been accomplished. The important thing, therefore, in securing the \ effective grouping of adults is to furnish a motive sufficiently strong to\ compel them to organize to give it a working basis, and a backing suffi- -^ cient to promise probable success. COIISTAKT The social life of the community is constantly undergoing RE-GROUPDIG change. The interests of young people especially change very rapidly and the social development of the adult portion of the community is also subject to rapid modification. Social organization must keep pace with these alterations in interest and purpose. The transcient character of most groups, therefore, must be accepted. We should not expect groups, especially of boys and girls, to continue in op- eration for any great length of time when they are organized about some particular interest. If the attempt is made to continue groups in opera- tion beyond the time when interest in the thing they are doing is vital and genuine it will not be successful. The entire social organization must be kept flexible and subject to immediate change to meet new interests and new needs. THE "DEAD" The only thing to be done with a "dead" group, with one ^ GROUP which has lost its grip on its membership and receives little or no vital support, is to bury it and re-group the members about other interests which are attractive and dominant. This will mean that the members of one group will scatter and ixnite as individuals in a number of different groups organized about other interests. This principle is a simple recognition of the fact that there are strong indi- vidual differences, that each individual has his own interests,- peculiar to himself,- and that different interests develop in different persons at different times. It is not necessary, therefore, to lay too much emphasis on the length of time which groups continue, or the frequency with which their members re-group. It is only important to see that they do- their work well while they are in existence and are stopped when they have accom- plished the thing for which they were organized. Lesson XVIII QEOGRAPHY OP THE GROUP A study of social organization would not be complete without giving some consideration, at least, to the voluntary, functional group as a social unit. We have studied the natural history of groups in the preceding les- son. It now remains for us to consider the individual group from the stand- point of its internal organization. The group we are to study is called voluntary because its members take up group relations of their own accord. It is called functional because its chief characteristic is activity, it has been organized to do things. The study we are now to make may be called the study of the geography of the group,- its surface area. There are four parts to most normal groups,- th^_J.fia£[e'^i the nucleus , the "commoners," and * the ma rginal mem^ grs. Some of these terms a.]r€~ somewhat arbifraPjnBu^ their signTficance will appear as they are given definition. THE At the heart of every natural group, and of every properly or- LEADER ganized artificial group, is the leader,- the director of its . activities. As has already been stated,- and is here re- peated for the sake of emphasis,- the real leader is one of the group. Some other person may be called a leader but the term is a misnomer. We are in need of a new word to define such a person's relationship to the group. /The real leader must be a member of the group in good standing, who, because of the possession of certain outstanding characteristics, has been pushed to the front as the accepted leader. ) This is especially true of groups of boys and girls. He represents the ideals, motives, purposes and standards of the group more completely than does any other member. The group revolves around him. All other members of the group are to a greater or leas extent his disciples, content to do his bidding, to follow where he leads. Their regard for him, especially in boy groups, goes from respect and confidence to admiration, and in extreme cases to a certain blind devotion. THE Around the leader, near the center of the group, are usually NUCLEUS to be found two or three others who compose a sort of nucleus or "inner circle." In the discipleship of Jesus, Peier, James and John were the "nucleus" men. They share the ideals, purposes » standards and motives of the group with the leader to a larger degree than do the other members of the group. Their devotion to the interests of the group is second only to that of the leader. It is to them that he looks for co-operation, for backing in the various things which the group does. It is upon their allegiance that the real power of the group depends. The leader is quite helpless apart from their endorsement and support. One or more of them may develop into "under studies," those upon whom the leader- ship of the group depends when the leader himself is absent. They/may also act, temporarily, as leaders of the group in certain phases of its work in which their particular ability is recognized. They are "potential" leaders and as their leadership power develops and the original group breaks up they are likely to be found in positions of actual leadership over new groups which are organized. The real strength of the group de- pends, to no small degree, on the size of this inner circle and the effi- ciency of its members. THE Working from the center to the circumference of the "COMyOHERS" group, the next part of the normal group is composed of "commonera." Their membership is nominal rather than vital. They stand for the ideals, purposes and standards of the group in a general wajf and take a general and more or less indifferent interest in what the group is doing. They do things without any real conviction. They are Ijirgely imitators, possessing little of the initiative of the leader or those in the "Tnner circle". They respond quickly and without serious thought to almost any suggestion which the leader makes. They are impor* tant factors in group activity mainly because of their willingness to do their share in carrying out the plans determined upon by the more aggres- sive members of the group, MARGINAL Well toward the outer edge of most groups will be found one IfflUBERS or two individuals who are properly called "marginal" mem- bers. The ties which bind them to the group are far from strong and their participation in the activities of the group is intermit- tent and of small value. In many cases they are a positive hindrance to group action. Their characteristics are largely negative. They are indif- ferent representatives of the ideals and purposes of the group. It is dif- ficult to account for their presence in the group either from their own choice or that of the other members. They are strong^ individual ists and are notably lacking in the social qualities which are tT'e'ssential In effec- tive grouping. They are quite likely to vote "no" on most questions under discussion, no+ because of intelligent conviction, but largely because they are built that way. The negative traits which they display are likely to be due to in- heritance, unfavorable environment, physical defects, or unfortunate early training in home and school. It may also be true that their position on the margin of the group is an indication that the group itself has lacked the power to pull them sufficiently toward the center to make them effect- ive. The reason for their position on the margin should be carefully de- termined in order that their more complete incorporation into the group may be accomplished. In case they do not respond to continued treatment, they should be eliminated as undesirables. / GROUP It is very desirable that the social engineer, and particularly POWER the leader of the group, should study each member of the group, with the purpose of locating them in one of the three parts into which the group is naturally divided. The power of the group is meas- ured by the aggregate power of the individual members of the group. It is of value, therefore, to know just how many members are in the "inner cir- cle," just how many "commoners" there are, and the number of marginal mem- bers the group contains. Such an analysis of the group gives the leader a fair estimate of the ability of his group to carry any particular activ- ity to successful issue. The leader retains his position because he is able to get the group to do things. Failure imperils leadership. It will be wise, therefore, for the leader to make a careful study of the power of the group to do the thing contemplated before it is attempted. Such action will reduce the possibility of failure and add to the prestige of leadership. GROUP It will be of advantage to the leader, in administering the GRAPHICS activities of his group, to make a diagram of the group and thus visualize its power in a graphic way with reference to each activity. The diagram submitted will suggest a method by which this may be done. Draw a straight line from L to C. Let L represent the center of the group and C the circumference. The letter L will also represent the leader, who is at the group center. Now decide the task to be undertaken. Esti- mate carefully the power which the group must have L n-n — n c — c-c c-c — c m m — C as a whole in order to accomplish the task suc- cessfully. Estimate the contribution which each member is able to make to- ward the power of the group in accomplishing this particular project. Then locate each member on the straight line of the diagram. The greater the 1 power of the individual member, the greater the contribution he • C . is able to make, the nearer he is * * placed to L, the center of the * * group. The less power he has m . the nearer he should be placed to . c « C, the circumference of the * c . group. In locating these members « c . let the letter n represent the i c n , members of the "inner circle," C n L C the letter c, the "commoners," • . and the letter m, the marginal . n c . members. . c * c . The geography of the group . c m may also be visualized very ef- . m . fectively by another diagram in which the group is represented C • by a circle. The position of the different members with reference to the leader is shown very clearly. The interpretation of the diagram is made in the same manner as that of the other diagram. In the use of both diagrams it will be well to make the drawings large enough so that the name of each member can be writ- ten in at the proper place. Such a graphic diagram will show the leader with considerable accuracy whether the combined power of the members of the group is equal to the task or not. A separate diagram should be made for each Important activity, just as a separate program is made for each meeting, and a separate commit- tee is appointed to carry on different parts of the work. These diagrams may be preserved and will make an interesting and valuable history of the group, a record of its activities and of the development of its members. TEST QUESTIONS: LESSONS XIII - XVIII LESSON XIII What is the first question in the search for social agents 1 Describe the method of selection by elimination. Discuss the peril of having a "leadership trust." What are the four main sources of social agents? What two sources are the most promising and why? LESSON XIV Is the "volunteer" or the "drafted" leader the better and why? What are the two most important enlistment preliminaries? What is the best time for the interview and why? Where should the interview take place and why? Describe the ideal intex*view. What should be done to follow up the interview? LESSON XV Is the "art" or the "science" of leadership most important? Why? Why should the social agent understand human nature? Why is the knowledge of social laws important? Why is "subject" knowledge important? Discuss the training agents and community faculty. Describe the general training methods suggested. LESSON XVI ?ilhy is the supervision of local agents important! Discuss the local agencies for supervision. What supplementary agencies are valuable and why? State the reasons for constant supervision. LESSON XVII Discuss the effect of size on group organization. Discuss the four main reasons for natural groupings. What is the important factor in adult grouping? Why is re-grouping a constant necessity? What shall be done with a "dead" group and why? LESSON XVIII What are the four parts in the geography of the group? Describe them. Upon what does group power depend? Make and explain a circle diagram of some actual group in yoxir community. Lesson XIX COMMONITY SOCIAL CENTERS The "social center" idea, as applied to the rural community, has been under discussion for several years. The idea itself is a most important one. It represents a vital factor in the social structure. The idea needs careful definition, however, and its discussion has been of doubtful value thus far. As a matter of fact much of it has been entirely unjustified and positively prejudicial to the best and most permanent rural community development. This unfortunate result has been due, in no small measure, to the narrow, biased point of view of many of those who have been promi- nent in the discussion of the matter. They have made the serious mistake of using the term in the singular number, "social center," and of placing before the term the very strong definite article, "the." Two classes of people have been especially involved in this one-sided treatment of the subject,- ministers and teachers. The former have vigor- ously argued that the church was "THE social center" of the community, while the educator has been no less insistent that the school was "THE social center." Each has approached the subject from the standpoint of the par- ticular social institution with which he was connected. He v/as unduly prejudiced. The only approach which will secure a correct view of the situation is the approach from the community as a whole,- an approach from which all personal prejudice and institutional bias has been eliminated. CIRCLE VS. The use of the term in the singular number,- "social ELLIPSE center,"- and the use of the definite article,- "the,"- practically compel us to accept the idea that the commu- nity, socially speaking, is a circle with only one social center. Unbiased study of the social situation in a community will disprove this definition. No normal community is a social circle. Such a definition argues that any one social institution,- which the term "social center" usually means,- is able to minister fully to all the social needs represented in the commu- nity life. In actual community life this is far from the fact. The normal community is really a social ellipse. Instead of having one social center it has several places where the social life of the community comes to a focus, and each one of these social focuses is of fairly close co-ordinate importance with the others. The social life of the entire community will gather around each one of these points at different times and for different purposes. At such times each separate focus becomes "A" social center but it never becomes "THE" social center. The acceptance of this more accu- rate analysis of the social situation is important in any adequate study of social organization in the rural community. THE TERM The term "social center" generally suggests the idea of DEFINED a place to which people go to engage in social activities of different kinds. When we speak of the church, the school or the grange as a social center we think of the building in which the ac- tivities are carried on. This is of course a very crude and inadequate conception. It should be broadened to include the institution which is responsible for the organization and conduct of these activities, the build- ing being merely a means to an end. The real social center is the social organization by means of which the social power of a community is "cen- tered" or focused, where the social influence of an individual or group meets and unites with the social influence and power of other individuals or groups for the purpose of carrying on certain community tasks. A social center, in the best sense of the term, is a generating sta- tion of social power. It is not merely a place where privileges are se- cured and benefits received but one where social service is dispensed as well. It is not solely a place to which people go to get something but a place from which they go to give something. It is not always a place where the community is brought into an institution but is often a place from which an institution goes out into the community. It is a point of departure as well as a place of assemblage. This puts the emphasis not upon the conduct of activities at a given building but upon the diffusion of activies over the entire community area. The institution which requires people to come to it is not necessarily the best demonstration of the so- cial center idea. The institution which generates a spirit and an ideal- ism which permeates the social structure of the community along definite lines is a vital social center in the real sense of the term. It is quite conceivable that such an institution may possess no physical property of its own, or may not hire any, and may yet become a most vital instrument for social service. MODIFICATION If the social center idea is to become a practical fac- NECESSARY tor in community socialization, making its largest pos- sible contribution to this end, it will be absolutely necessary for those who represent the older, larger and more firmly estab- lished social institutions to modify their present position with regard to their own activity as social centers. Each one must recognize its own limitations, genuinely respect the rights of other social institutions, and refuse to assume social tasks which can be done better by some other institution. If the plural idea of social centers is worked out properly, if each institution takes its proper place as "a" social center and aban- dons its selfish struggle to be "THE" social center, if the different in- stitutions will co-operate in a friendly manner in determining which part of the social life of the community focuses in the most natual and proper way in each institution as a social center, then the social center idea will receive its legitimate expression and will contribute in large degree to the solution of the social problem. CARE IN In working out this matter in a practical way care must be GRADING taken not to attempt too close a grading of these social centers on the basis of relative importance. Here again the natural selfishness of some social institutions, and their desire to be re- cognized as "THE most important" social center, precipitates a similar sit- uation as arises when the institution assumes to be the one and only social center in community life. The importance of any social center is indicated by the efficiency with which it does its own work and makes its most com- plete contribution to the social life of the community. If each institu- tion is working out its own definite, special tasks,- which no other insti- tution attempts to duplicate,- the temp+ation to consider one institution \ as of greater value than another will be eliminated, the coordinate impor- tance of each will be recognized and each will receive an equal measure of credit for the contribution it has made to the unity, solidarity and com- pleteness of community life. DANGER IN Shall one institution, either temporarily or permanent- SUBSTITUTION ly, become a center of activity and influence with ref- erence to certain tasks which properly fall within the province of some other institution, because that institution is not render- ing the needed service? Shall the church do educational work or re-crea- tional work because the school, library, play ground or other social cen- ters are not meeting the situation? It is argued that the important thing is to meet the need. There is a danger in this position which must be faced. Substitution, either of responsibility or activity, weakens the in- stitution which ought to do the work. Immediate gain is purchased at fu- ture and permanent loss. It will be the part of wisdom to strengthen the organization which should do the work, to inspire it to assume the task and help it to meet the situation properly. While the need may not be met quite so quickly it will result in greater permanent benefit to the commu- nity if every effort is made to influence the proper institution to assume responsibility before substitutionary work is attempted at another center of activity and influence under other supervision. Substitution is apt to be a subtle cloak for selfishness or laziness. It is often a plausible ex- cuse for gratifying the old desire to be first and greatest in the local social order, or to accomplish social tasks in the easiest way regardless of future consequences. HOME AS The home as a social center has suffered by this pol- SOCIAL CENTER icy of substitution. It is easy to neglect the family as a social center. It is difficult tO' utilize the family properly as a social center. Its importance as such has not been adequately recognized. Its power as a social center may be made very con- siderable. The entire social organization may be made to focus in each in- dividual home more frequently and definitely than is now the case. The power of the family as a social agent is poorly utilized at present and the social organization of the community has not yet found the place where the family as a fundamental social unit may function as a whole. Serious disintegration of the family has resulted. It must be checked. OTHER The entire community is the field of service of each social CENTERS center. Each institution, with the buildings utilized, acts as a center of influence and activity with reference to clearly defined tasks. The church should center the religious worship and instruction; school and library should center all general educational ef- . fort J the vocational interests may well center in the grange or other co- operative organization; re-creation may become the special concern of a separate social institution; another special social institution may proper- ly center the power which makes for good government. As each separate task is undertaken the responsibility for its conduct is placed with the insti- tution to which it most naturally belongs and the power of all other so- cial forces is made available for its fullest accomplishment. Each social center is thus developed and the social life of the community conserved. Lesson XX THE PLACE OF EQUIPMENT, Almost every community, in taking up a definite social service cam- paign, confronts a more or less considerable and insistent demand for mate- rial equipment for the various social organizations, large and small. lIFhat attitude shall be taken toward this demand and to what extent shall favora- ble response be given? This constitutes one of the most difficult problems in rural social engineering. It demands careful study in the light of ex- perience. WHAT IS The term "equipment'* as used in this connection has a very EQUIPMENT definite meaning. It refers first of all to buildings or rooms owned or rented by social organizations in which meetings and other social activities are held. It refers also to the fur- niture, apparatus, etc., used in the conduct of these meetings and activi- ties. It further includes the apparatus and other paraphernalia used in the conduct of out-door sports and games. IS IT It may be conceded at once that with the larger, more NECESSARY fundamental organizations,- the church, the school, the grange and certain fraternal bodies,- the need for build- ings or rooms as places of meeting is justifiable to a reasonable degree. The number, size and character of such buildings, however, is a debatable question of vital importance. Beyond these larger organizations it has been demonstrated without question that physical equipment has proved to be more of a curse than blessing in most rural communities. It is an open question whether this result is due to the mere presence of equipment or to the method adopted with reference to its use. Much of the difficulty is due to the latter condition. THE "PLACE" One of the most subtle perils in the use of equipment FALLACY arises from the tendency to expect "things" to do the work that "people" alone can do. How frequently it is said: "If we only had a place where the young men could spend their even- ings." Money is raised, a room secured, furniture installed and the "place" is opened. This seems to be the end. In some miraculous way it is believed the work will go on and wonderful results be secured. Why is it that in al- most every case failure results. Simply because "getting a place" begins instead of ends the real difficulty. Tables, chairs, pianos, phonographs, games, pool tables, etc.,- these alone do not do any thing for young men or others. They are not ends but means to ends. They demand, not only people to use them but people to run them. They will run themselves,- into the ground. Providing a "place" merely focuses the difficulty, heads it up at one point. It really increases rather than reduces it. Equipment adds\^ social burdens instead of removing thsm in most cases. "^ SUPERVISION The greatest step will be taken in securing a proper at- ESSENTIAL titude toward this question of equipment when it is clearly recognized that the mere need of equipment to meet a social situation is no reason why it should be immediately provided. There are other questions involved. The most important one is proper super- vision. One vital principle which should be insis-fced upon without excep- tion is this: NEl^lR PROVIDE EQUIPMNT OF ANY SORT OR KIND UNLESS PERMA- ITOOT, CONSTANT SUPERVISION IS AVAILABLE BY PERSONS WHO ARE PROPERLY TRAINED TO FURNISH SUCH SUPERVISION. To open social rooms which are unsupervised is to invite all sorts of evil consequences. They should never be open one minute, especially when used by children or young people, unless they are closely supervised by mature, responsible, reliable persons who are partic- ularly adapted for such tasks. The average janitor is worse than useless for such purposes. It is out of the question, in most rural coinmunities, to provide employed supervision, because of the expense involved. Volun- teer workers who are able to do this work properly are very rare in rural communities unless trained for such work. To rely upon the intermittent, tactless, ignorant supervision of the average person available for such a task is to court disaster. It is better to do nothing than to do this. It is better still to train people to do this work as it should and may be done. This is possible. It must be done. QUESTION OP In no phase of social work is supervision so essential GYMNASIUM as in those activities which involve the health of those engaging in them. This is especially true of gymnasium work, swimming, athletic events and certain games. Injurious strains, accidents, diseases, permanent injury and even death are likely to result unless the supervision of such activities is in competent hands. No com- munity can afford to gamble with the health of its people,- especially those who are young in years,- in such ways in the name of social service. It is little short of criminal. Let no enthusiast rush your community into such expenditure of money for equipment of this character unless additional funds are available for permanent supervision of unquestioned efficiency. This does not necessarily involve large expenditure of money in salaries, it does involve a positive program of definite training. On no other basis is equipment of this character justified. SOCIABILITY The sentiment of the community should be strongly ex- COMfflRCIALIZED erted to prevent the commercializing of real social equipment. When the place for general sociability, - the bowling alley, billiard or pool table, athletic grounds and other equipment which has vital social value are commercialized through private ownership for personal gain results are possible which will be very preju- dicial to the general good. Such an outcome may be avoided by bringing these utilities under the specific control of the community just as far and just as rapidly as the sentiment of the community warrants, as finan- cial resources are made available, and the supervision which is essential can be secured. Under no circumstances should progress along these lines be attempted on any other basis. COMMUNITY There is danger that a social organization will secure EQUIPMENT equipment for the main purpose of increasing its prestige and power and enlarging its membership, rather than to serve the common good. The smaller the community the greater the necessity for making all equipment for social purposes available to the entire com- munity without artificial or selfish discrimination. Money for such pur- poses is not too plenty in country communities. All that is available should be placed in a common fund in order that the best may be secured for common usage. Wherever the social rooms are, wherever the gymnasium may be, wherever the bowling alley or pool room or swimming pool or other equipment may be housed, its use should be open to any person in the com- munity under proper regulations. For any one institution to attempt to "corner" these agents of social service is deplorable and should not be tolerated. The institutionalizing of any social organization should reck- on with this fact when equipment is being considered. The time will come when the "community building" will house most, of the equipment needed by social organizations for their proper service to the rural com munity. GETTING When equipment of any sort can properly be secured it be- EQUIPMENT comes a question of what it shall be and how to get it. Get the least amount possible: secure things most needed at first; get good things, they are cheaper in the end; get only those that can be paid for in cash when purchased} get only those the supervision of which is provided. It will be better to let the people interested in the equipment needed,- those who are to use it,- take the initiative and re- sponsibility in securing the money necessary. This is especially true in getting equipment for work with boys. Equipment made at home is better than the ready-made article especially where it is made by the ones who use it. People need little done for them in equipment lines. They get much good in getting their own equipment or in making it. It is surpris- ing how much can be done with little money and how much greater the satis- faction and benefit secured when equipment is provided on this basis. FOR THE What has been written in the preceding paragraph applies OUT-OF-DOORS with special force to the equipment of athletic field and play ground. Splendid apparatus for out-of-door activities can be made very easily and cheaply. In this connection empha- sis should be given to the natural apparatus of woods and mountains, lake and river supplied to the dweller in the country. No better equipment for social work is needed than is here provided without other expenditure than that of time and effort. This is especially true in work with boys between the ages of ten and fifteen when the out-of-doors makes strong appeal to them. Such natural equipment may be supplemented by the build- ing of wigwams and log-cabins by the boys themselves to be used as places of meeting for Boy Scouts and other lads who are attracted to the out-of- doors. The only problem is that of supervision. GRADUAL Equipment will play an important part in the social ser- DEVELOPMENT vice work of a thoroughly organized community, - but it should be acquired slowly. Develop sentiment for the right kind; provide for financial expense involved; make the use of all equipment available for all the people; take over the different phases of equipment from purely commercial exploitation. Begin at once systematic, careful, intelligent methods of training persons for volunteer supervision so that when each piece of equipment is made available the right person is ready to supervise it in the right way. So will equipment become a help instead of a hindrance in the social development of the rural community. Lesson XXI MAKING SPECIALISTS AVAILABLE Throughout this course the position has been maintained that the full- est development of rural conmunity life can be secured only through those who reside in the community. The workers, the leaders and the engineers, - all must live in the community if the best results are to be secured. This does not make impossible or inadvisable the use of the expert residing out- side the community, just as the eminent medical man is brought in for pur- poses of consultation with local physicians or surgeons in particular cases. In fact the use of the specialist in different forms of social organization is a necessary and important factor in the best community development* THE MAJOR It is easy for the social leaders of a community,- the CONTRIBUTION the Community Council or other governing body,- to shut themselves in and become too circumscribed in their out- look and too provincial in their methods. The social development of the community suffers seriously in consequence. It is just here that the ser- vices of the outside specialist become of decided value. He brings to the . local Council from other communities of similar size and social status the V most approved plans and methods in the special line in which he is an ex- pert. He helps the local leaders to project new plans wisely and to check up on past accomplishment accurately. It is only through such expert coun- sel that the highest standards of social service can be guaranteed to the rural community and the services of these experts must be made available as far as possible to this end. ADVISORY In order that the services of these specialists may be of COUNCIL the greatest and most permanent value it will be advisable to control their work through some special channel. This may be accomplished through the Community Council. Under the direction of the head of each one of the activity-departments of the Council a group of these specialists may be associated with each department, the entire number related to all departments becoming a very valuable "Advisory Council" to the work as a whole. The character and extent of the work of these advis- ors should be determined by the Community Covmcil in order that no depart- ment may receive more than its proper share of their service. COUNSEL BY No small amount of the advice which these specialists CORRESPONDENCE can give may be made available through correspondence. The head of each department may secure help in the conduct of his work by maintaining systematic correspondence relations wi+h a small group of experts representing the special phase of social work in which his department is interested. The longer this correspondence is main- tained with the same persons and the more closely these specialists are kept posted on local conditions and developments the more valuable they be- come as advisors. This counsel by correspondence may be effectivly sup- plemented by the use of bulletins and other publications issued by the or- ganizations with which these specialists are related. The addition of a Corresponding Secretary to the official staff of the local Council will furnish an additional method by which this correspondence may be kept under careful supervision. COUNSEL BY In the natural development of the social campaign in the VISITATION community problems will arise which cannot be adequately met through the correspondence method. It will be neces- sary to meet these exceptional situations by arranging visits by the proper specialists. This intimate personal acquaintance with the community will also give added value to the later relationship to be maintained by cor- respondence with the same person, Where financial resources are available it will be an excellent idea for the local Council to arrange for regular visits at least twice a year by different specialists in the work of the six activity departments into which the Council is divided. The primary purpose of all visits of these specialists should be to train the local people who are working along the line in which the visitor is an expert. Institutes, conferences and personal interviews should be the main methods used in making the specialist of the greatest use in the local field. In almost every case it will be an excellent idea to give the evening over to a public presentation, illustrated by lantern slides, reflectosoope or motion pictures if possible, as a means of stimulating the interest of the people as a whole in the subject under discussion. In con- nection with such visits also it will be excellent to arrange demonstrations of a practical character. Exhibits can also be used by the expert to good advantage. Center the main work of every expert on the training of local leadership to handle the special subject under discussion with the greatest/' efficiency. In most cases visits of experts can be arranged if traveling and entertainment expenses are paid. HOW TO It is not practicable, in the brief compass of a lesson of GET THEM this character, to tabulate the sources from which these specialists may be secured. Some general suggestions may be of value. The Federal Government at Washington employs a large number of specialists on all phases of rural life, especially on domestic econ- omy, agriculture, co-operation and on rural education. The same is true of many state governments. Almost all agricultural colleges and many other colleges and universities have well developed extension departments cover- ing a wide range of subjects of practical value to rural residents and using large numbers of the best available lecturers and teachers. Movable schools, demonstration trains, exhibits and other forms of extension work are all available through these sources. The various denominational organizations, state and national, the county, state and national Sunday School organizations and the county, state and international committees of the Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations can furnish experts on religious work. The last named organizations can also furnish valuable counsel on recreation and general social work. The Playground Association of America and the various county, state and national medical organizations can render valuable as- sistance in matters of recreation and health. The grange and other frater- nal organizations have a limited number of traveling specialists who are available. The number of private organizations through which counsel can be secured along special lines is very large. The publisher of thia course will be very glad to aid in locating specialists on request. Lesson XXII INTER-COMMUNITY CO-OPERATION The natural isolation of many rural communities easily works to the disadvantage of their social development unless given careful attention. The counsel of specialists helps to prevent this result very materially. The subject of this lesson indicates another means by which provincialism, narrowness and other besetting sins in rural social organization may be still further avoided. The communities of a county, a district, region or other natural division of territory are closely bound together in the "bundle of life," No one of them lives or dies unto itself. The social health of one influences that of another. The social experiences of one,- its social successes and failures,- are of great significance +o the others. There are certain lines of social development which demand inteir-community action if the best permanent results are to be secured. Some suggestions along the line of inter-community co-operation may be of value. LINE OF How shall inter-community relations be established? It is APPROACH quite likely that something along this line has already been accomplished and that the real need will be that of developing the present relationship and extending the co-operation into new channels. If county organizations of different kinds already exist the easiest line of approach is to work through the channels thus established. If no vital bond exists between communities along social lines, the most direct method will be to attempt co-operation along some one line between two near-by communities, the initiative coming from the community whose social leaders see the desirability of such action. A successful effort of this character may be followed by similar co-operation in other lines until there is a strong social bond uniting the two communities. It will be easy then to reach out in other directions until many communities are regularly engaged in co-operative activity along a nianber of lines that will be of great social advantage to each community involved and decided benefit to the region as a whole. Such efforts are highly contagious. INTER- A very simple and very effective method of securing a basis VISITATION for extensive co-operation may be brought about through an invitation extended by one group of people engaged in some special social interest to a similar group in a neighboring community. One boy's club inviting another} a literary club extending an invitation to a sister club in another community} a Sunday school class inviting a class in an adjourning township to foregather for a picnic or social af- fair,- these are suggestions as to the line of approach. Such exchange of social courtesies are very simple and inexpensive and they may be developed gradually until there is a constant inter-change of these visiting cour- tesies and the social bonds between the communities become very vital and permanent. ATHLETIC Another easy line of approach in establishing vital CO-OPERATION inter-community co-operation along social lines may be made through recreational activities. Inter-community rivalry in athletic events of every sort is easy to establish,- in fact it is already established in most sections,- and the social values which such co-operation contains may be made very positive. Such contests in base- ball, tennis, track and field events, games of every sort and other ath- letic activities fixrnish an excellent vehicle for carrying the inter-com- munity co-operation idea to very practical and valuable expression. This is especially true where such events are carefully supervised so that they may be conducted on a high plane and secure the best results, and where they are made of educational value by introducing the training of leaders for their supervision as a part of the program, SUMMER This idea of inter-community co-operation along recreation- ACTIVITIES al lines may be made very interesting and of high social and educational value throughout the summer months by the organization of camps in which the boys or girls of the whole section may be gathered for vacation life of the most wholesome and helpful character. Festivals, pageants, picnics, fairs and other gatherings of similar char- acter furnish splendid opportunities for bringing the entire population of several communities together for co-operative efforts which break down un- wholesome jealousies and rivalries between communities and lead to other lines of community co-operation which are even more vital and valuable. EDUCATIONAL Another entirely new class of people and interests may ACTIVITIES be brought into inter-community relationship through in- troducing the contest idea into educational lines of act- ivity. The old-fashioned spelling bees, singing schools, and dramatic en- tertainments still have great attractivness and real social power and are capable of inter-community development. The exchange of articles which are occupying the interest of various collection clubs among young people and the introduction of joint programs for literary, musical and art clubs among older residents furnish excellent points of contact in developing inter-comraunity co-operation. Similar activities between the schools of different communities are also valuable as developers of good feeling be- tween neighboring rural or village districts. VOCATIONAL In these days when co-operation among farmers along very CO-OPERATION definite industrial lines is being advocated so gener- ally it is quite possible to include in this intei?-com- munity program the institution of practical lines of co-operation in grow- ing, packing and marketing many products of farm, orchard and dairy. Cer- tain large regions of country,- including several communities,- adapted to certain types of agriculural production make the growing of highly special- ized crops a very practical matter and the establishment of inter-community co-operative methods by which high standards nay be maintained over a wide area and higher prices secured for the entire product are practical meas- ures which promise large social returns to participating communities. EXCHANGE It may be somewhat difficult, especially in scattered farm LEADERSHIP communities, to secure local leaders in all subjects for which there is a local demand. Each community will have a few hobbyists in one line or another and it is quite possible and desir- able,- temporarily at least,- to arrange an exchange of such hobbyists so that they may lead groups in their specialty in near-by communities where local leadership in their line is not immediately available. The objec- tive in this exchange of leadership should be the discovery of some resi- dent in the conanunity to which the exchange leader goes who, under his training, may in a brief period of time become sufficiently proficient to take the leadership of the group permanently. As a step to this end ex- change leadership is of real and legitimate value. TRAINING On the basis of the definite program of inter-community ac- LEADERSHIP tivities outlined in preceding paragraphs it will be quite possible to introduce some co-operative features which, while less spectacular and more difficult of arrangement, may be made very valuable to local community leaders in the various departments of social activity. This is especially true in securing training for leaders and engineers. Gatherings of leaders of boy or girl Bible classes of different ages, leaders of certain types of recreational groups, leaders in all sorts of educational clubs and classes, and in other lines of social effort in which the methods of different leaders may be discussed and the advice of the highest grade of outside experts may be made available, will prove in- valuable. No such results can be secured by any method which is limited to the leadership of but one community. Inter-community co-operation gathers a large group in each subject, furnishes greater enthusiasm, and divides the cost of secxiring the services of experts. COMPARATIVE When this spirit of inter-community co-operation has STUDY been well developed a basis has been established for the study of different phases of rural social activity by comparison of the development which each type of activity has attained in the different communities of a given territory. Different communities are quite likely to work out especially strong social organization along some one line. A study by the leaders in similar departments of social endeavor in other communities of the principles and methods which have been so suc- cessful in the community under observation will be very helpful in suggest- ing the lines along which improvements may be made in the community whose leaders are making this study. RESULTING It is quite likely that these methods of co-operation ORGANIZATION may result in a demand for some form of organization which will become responsible for the carrying out of these inter-community activities in a thorough-going, comprehensive manner. Existing county organizations will become more efficient directors of these inter-community functions along their own special line. If there are no adequate regional organizations it will be very desirable for the leaders in the social life of a natural group of communities to come together and organize such an inter-community federation or to unite in extending an Invitation to some state or national organization to come into the field and perfect a local branch under its supervision. Such union of effort may make possible the employment of some one or more persons to give their en- tire time to the development of the communities uniting in this demand for richer, more adequate social life. Such development will be natural, vital and productive of splendid results. Lesson XXIII SOME COMMON ERRORS Under this subject presentation will be made of certain mistakes in action, errors in principle and weaknesses in method which are common to most attempts at social organization in rural communities. These mistakes and weaknesses usually arise because of lack of adequate experience. Some of these errors have been indicated already in previous lessons of the course. They are repeated here because it is important that they be clear- ly stated in order that they may be avoided more successfully. Some of them constitute serious perils to the social development of the community. GOOD "The good is always the enemy of the best." There is a con- VS BEST stant temptation to be satisfied with doing "good" things. The doing of the best demands time, study, hard work. It is easy to stop when things are "going well." To hold the work in every de- tail to the highest standards, to demand the best effort of the best peo- ple,^ nothing short of this will solve the social problem of the community adequately. It is not always best to follow the line of least resistenoe. Superficial things are good, fundamental things are better. The one is easy, the other difficult. It is almost an axiom that the thing that is easiest to do is the least worth doing. Most social leaders are content , to do a lot of unrelated social "stunts" which are showy and attract atten- tion, rather than to do a few constructive things which are carefully se- lected parts of a social program which has been thoroughly worked out and which, while much of it is out of sight, will deliver a richer social life at the end of a given period of time. With these far sighted social proph- ets study always precedes action. When a thing is done it is because it should be done and not merely because it could be done. CITY No greater or more common error is evident in the present METHODS social life of the rural community than the tendency which is running riot in all phases of its social organization to import the methods which are used in the social mechanism of the city. They do not fit and never will fit. The time spent in trying to "adapt" city methods to the open country and the rural village is time wasted. The social machinery of the country must represent rural life,- individual and collective. It must reckon with rural bodies, minds and souls. Both in principle and in practice rural social organization is unique. We must find out what these principles and methods are and apply them, EXPLOITATION Exploitation is another danger which threatens rural social life. Extreme care should be taken to protect the community from the evil designs of itinerant promoters of social nos- trums. Their number is legion and they go about as "angels of light." It is frequently the case, that some one social institution will try to ex- ploit the community for its own ends. The community must serve them. Any social organization guilty of this type of institutional selfishness must be "brought up with a round +urn," This is also true of ambitious indi- viduals who live in the community and who cleverly use the social ability they possess to gratify their own social or business ambitions. The soon- er these persons are shown up in their true light the better it will be for the social life of the conanunity. Centralization of social power, personal or institutional, is one of the things which must be watched with the greatest care. It throws the social life of the community out of bal- ance and results in a one sided development which is prejudicial. NEGLECT OP It is difficult to secure an appreciation of the value ORGANIZATION of social organization among a people who are so intens- ly individualistic as are the dwellers in the country. In no place is social organization more greatly needed. The smaller the place, the more scattered the people, the greater is the need and the greater the difficulty of meeting it. Lack of definite determination of tasks, careless relationship of leaders to tasks, artificial methods of group organization, the tendency of social groups to become rigid, the over-working of certain "willing" individuals, the absolute neglect of the "marginal" people in the community, the tolerance of cliques, the niggard- liness of financial expenditure,- all these common errors, weaknesses and evils in rural social life would disappear before the type of social or- ganizati on advocated in preceding lessons. In every community^muH'T^r" raised up a group of people who will quietly, persistently, courageously work for a real organization to undertake the symmetrical development of the social life of the people. FAILURE IN In most communities the real work of the "social engin- ENGINEERING eer" is not understood or appreciated. There are really very few such social directors in rural communities. Most rural social work is a low type of leadership work pure and simple, and in many such communities few tasks rise in magnitude or importance above the character of "jobs" for "workers." Even the pastors, teachers and other professional men are mere "doers of things." Social life in such ooamunities never reaches the higher levels because it lacks the planning power of the social engineer. In some way the need for these members of the social structure must be recognized and the people required to fill these important positions must be provided, SUBSTITUTION The common evil of allowing "substitutionary" work to AGAIN be done by individuals or institutions must be over- come. It is difficult to accomplish this because the substitutionary method "gets things done" and most people worship at this shrine. Few there are who ask the question "What individual or what in- stitution really ought to do this piece of social work?" This question must be asked, however, and when properly answered every effort must be made to get the task accomplished by the proper parties. Resulxs are slower but they are more permanent. It must be clearly understood that when an organization or an individual is doing social service which someone else should do they are neglecting their own legitimate work and are making the other person or institution weaker instead of stronger. IMPORTANCE The "making" of leaders through methods of training is OF TRAINING more essential in the country than in the city. The pro- portion of "natural" leaders is small in the country because the populations of rural communities are small. It is a common thing to neglect this "training" of rural leaders. Little or no effort along this line is attempted. The social development of the country abso- lutely depends on it. Special attention is called therefore to the study of those parts of this course which discuss the principles and methods which underlie this matter of training leaders for rural social enterprises. It cannot safely be ignored. PERMANENT Another common mistake in the conduct of social organiza- LEADERSHIP tion in rural communities is the fact that so much of the leadership is handed over to those individuals who are not| in most cases, permanent residents in the community,- the pastors of churches and the teachers of schools. We must look to these people them- selves to correct this regrettable situation. They must be asked to as- N sume as few of the leadership tasks as possible, to use their exceptional ability in training perTaanent residents for leadership in the different local social tasks, and so far as they do accept positions of leadership to do their work in such a manner as to make it easy for their successors** to carry the work on. PROGRESSIVE A community newly aroused to its social needs commonly DEVELOPMENT overdoes social organization at the outset. It swings from the doing of too little to the attempting of too much. Let the wise social leaders of the community stand strongly for a quiet, steady development rather than a mushroom growth. "Op like a rocket and down like a stick" writes the life history of many a premature attempt at wholesale social reconstruction. Failure discourages. It is better to I begin with a few things and do them than to half do or leave undone a large niaaber of elaborate but illjudged social efforts. Evolution and not rev- [ olution is the key to the social development of conservative rural commu- ' olties. OVER-DOING Communities seem determined to hang the mill-stone of EQUIPMENT equipment about their social necks. No greater opportu- nity for serious results exists. Few communities are in a position to assume the maintenance of buildings, rooms and other equip- ment except at the end of a carefully executed campaign for financial sup- port and the training of competent administrators. Institutionalized equipment is a source of contentions and difficulties which have wrecked many otherwise excellent social campaigns. Approach the equipment proposi- tion with extreme care, and avoid it as long as possible. When it must be assumed conduct it on the broadest possible community basis. HOME It is not necessary to fill every evening of every week CONSERVATION with social events of all sorts. Social rest is as nec- essary as social action. Too much social effort weakens rather than strengthens. There is at least one institution which must pay the price of over-organization along social lines,- the rural home. The holding of so many activities that the family is broken up and its members taken away individually night after night is a positive menace. The best community program is the one which best conserves the interests of the home and the rural family. Lesson XXIV PUBLICITY AND FINANCE Our consideration of the fundamental principles and the basic methods in rural social organization may be brought to a close by giving brief attention to two matters of no small importance,- publicity and finance. Consideration of both of these matters will be largely in the nature of cautions,- what "not to do." SURVEY Care should be taken to avoid all publicity regarding prep- PUBLICITY aration for and conduct of the community survey. Make this examination of the social life of the community as quietly as pt^sible. Knowledge that it is being made is likely to arouse suspicion, prejudice and resentment and result in deceit, evasion and op- position. It will be wise also to keep the findings of the survey for the confidential and exclusive use of the members of the Community Council or similar body responsible for arranging and carirying out the social service j campaign in the community. It is very seldom advisable to give publication' to information uncovered by the survey. Here again the reaction aroused is almost always a detriment to the accomplishment of the purposes for which the survey was made. This is particularly true with reference to publicity of conditions which are prejudicial to community welfare. When it becomes necessary to state these conditions in order to arouse public sentiment for their correction caution should be used in treating the mat- ter so that the least possible offense may be given. Confine all public- ity to positive rather than negative propositions as far as possible. PROGRAM It is seldom wise to publicly outline the entire prospect- PUBLICITY tive program for social betterment at any one time. While it is very desirable to have the entire matter well worked out and in the possession of the social leaders in the conmunity, it will be the part of wisdom to confine publicity to relatively small individual parts of the program as they come up for actual consideration. People in** rural communities resent the idea of "uplift" which is inherent in all , pretentious programs for community betterment. Each social accomplishment may be exploited as a separate activity without arousing such resentment and with proportionately larger and more permanent results. PUBLICITY The more informal all publicity becomes the more effective I METHODS it is. Publicity methods should be conservative and dignl-\ fied. Spectacular methods are not necessary or successfxil in rural communities. Country people are -rugged and substantial and wise publicity will partake of these same characteristics. Economy in the ex- pense of printed matter and advertising will awaken a better response than the use of a display which suggests unnecessary expenditure of money. A neatly written invitation posted in a few conspicuous places, and a care- fully worded announcement in piublications which handle local news items will meet the situation adequately in most cases. Announcement in church or pulpit are excellent supplementary methods. Articles descriptive of social efforts in rural communities are of increasing frequency in magazines and papers. The general effect of these articles is questionable and they should be handled with extreme care. They easily result in more harm than good. They usually exploit the com- munity on the "before* and "after* method of the patent medicine advertise- ments and are very apt to leave a "bad taste in the mouth" of the community so exploited. It may be very necessary to have a far-reaching community house cleaning but it is not so necessary to make the matter the subject of general gossip. FINANCES It is not within the province of this course to discuss the financing of separate social institutions but to offer some suggestions regarding the financing of the more general, inter-institution- al activities which are likely to come under the direction of the Community Council or some other similar body. It may be stated as a guiding principle that no individual social institutions or organizations should be financed to a point where they interfere with the expenditure of the necessary funds for conducting the more general social enterprises which serve the entire community. The proper expenditure of public and private funds for the so- cial welfare of the community as a whole should be given careful considera- tion before any response is made to any appeal for money by any separate organization. The improper enlargement of school, church, or other proper- ties to secure the introduction of unwise "institutional" methods levies a severe tax on many communities. The amount of available money for social enterprises in the average community, is relatively small and its absorption by some one over-ambitious social organization should not be tolerated. LEGITIMATE The making of the community survey, the training of EXPENDITURES leaders and engineers, the proper supervision of these social agents, the employment of outside experts to a reasonable degree and the provision and maintenance of buildings and grounds for the use of all the people,- these are the more important phases of the local social service campaign for which ample financial provision should be made. The Community Council should have little difficulty in securing the few hundred dollars required to provide for all expenses necessary to look after all these matters, except in the case of the erection, mainten- ance and supervision of necessary buildings and grounds. FINANCIAL All expenditures incident to securing community buildings METHODS and maintaining them are legitimate charges against the community as a whole and may be properly secured through the ordinary methods of taxation. The absence of public sentiment along this line may necessitate the enlistment of private funds for such purposes as a temporary expedient. Extreme care should be taken in accepting large gifts for general or special uses. The endowed church or other building often becomes a menace to real social development and a burden upon the conmunity not commensurate with the service it renders. It may be wiser to courteously decline such gifts than to accept the burdens which they may impose on future residents. The most legitimate and desirable method of securing money for the general expenses of the social campaign is by personal contribution by in- dividuals. The size of individual gifts to this end should decrease and their number should increase as the service rendered becomes better recog- nized because of its efficiency and real worth. Methods of raising money fay entertainments, suppers, and other affairs are quite perinissable provid- ed they serve a legitimate social situation and meet a real social need in a proper manner. SELF- Whatever is worth having is worth paying for by the people SUPPORT which are to be benefited. Keep this principle to the fore in working out the financial support of local social enter- prises. There are few local needs which cannot be met properly by local resources. It is easy to pauperize a community by the acceptance of gifts from outside sources,- institutional or individual. Such methods are likely to result in the over-development of partisan institutions, in attempting too pretentious a program, and in assuming obligations impossible to main- tain in event of subsequent loss of outside support. It is wise to subject such methods to careful scnitiny in order that the outcome may be fully appreciated and intelligently accepted. If the future of the community is to be socially "bonded" by any such method the responsibility for such action should be clearly indicated and deliberately assumed. It is far better to attempt a more self-reliant method and to patiently undertake the slower but safer and wiser plan of educating the people themselves to give adequate support to all proper and necessary social enterprises. Social advantages which are purchased at the loss of self-reliance and self-support cost much more than the mere money expenditure that is saved. They cost character-elements which are of vital importance in the social development of the community. ECONOIHES Uany types of social effort and many kinds of equipment for social enterprises which are made available only by the considerable expenditure of money in the city can be secured on a much more economical basis in many rural communities. Leadership of a high order in many phases of social life in the country is made available gratis through a genuine desire to be of service to the community. So it is with the securing of equipment. Labor is very often given without the expecta- tion of monetary compensation and many forms of equipment can be secvtred at a minimum cost which if purchased at a city mai-ket would make their pos- session a financial impossibility. These economies make for a better social spirit in commainity life and should be encouraged. Svery effort should be made to retard the coming of that day in the country which will witness the commercializing of the social service abilities of rural people. The fabric of rural social life must be woven out of the unselfish efforts of the rank and file of the people whose sole compensation comes through the satisfaction of having made the commiinity a happier, better place in which to live because of their contribution. Lesson XXV THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE CITY City and country are bound together inseparably in the "bundle of life" of this great American nation. Independent development of either is im- possible. Attention must be given to the study of the inter-action of each upon the other in order that American civilization may develop symmetri- cally and completely. It would be presumptuous for this course to attempt to outline the method by which this desired end may be attained. The prob- lem is many sided and demands the most expert treatment. The casual stu- dent may note some of the self-evident steps in the process. THE CITY The city will always be the great market center for the pro- A MARKET ducts of the country. Its merchants must approach the prob- lea of purchasing country produce from a new viewpoint,- one in which the economic rights of the producer are fairly protected and his legitimate part of the profits guaranteed. Organization of bodies of producers will help in solving the question to a degree but the marketmen of the city themselves must stop exploitation and in the spirit of good will must help the man on the land in the solution of this mutual problem with justice and equity. IN-COMING The city must assimilate the in-coming tide of urban-minded TIDE people,- born and reared in rural homes,- more effectively than it has done in the past. They will always migrate to the city. To locate these people, to facilitate their transfer to the city where they belong, to protect them in transit, to safeguard them in the first crisis days of new residence, to protect them from exploitation, to locate them in congenial home quarters and work relations, to provide them with social atmosphere, to train them for largest service, to help them to high attainments,- these are matters which the city must work out for the salvage of many who, without such attention, will become a burden upon, and a menace to its entire life. No more important task challenges the city churches, social institutions, and the municipal governments. Vital service to this end can be rendered by many state and county organizations of city men who have made good in the city, who know the "ropes" of city life and are in touch with definite sections of the rural region in a manner which makes such service practically possible. 0DT-G0IN3 The city must develop methods to facilitate the movement TIDE to the country of those rural-minded people who have been born and bred in city communities. The problem here is one of locating these people in the city, of determining their real fitness for rural life, of training them for its industries, of placing them in proper rural environment, of aiding them in getting their feet firmly placed on their own land or in other vocational relations, of making credit avail- able for their legitimate development as property owners. These things may well be undertaken by the men and the institutions which are located in the city. The responsibility is with the city as a public institution and with private and personal agencies located in urban centers. Attention along this line thus far has been confined to the removal of the derelict, the delinquent, the defective. The city must cease this selfish unloading of those who will never succeed in city or country and focus its service on those for whom transfer to country life would mean industrial and social salvation and whose location in another environment would render a service to city and country alilte, TRAINING The most important part of the ministry of the city to its DEMANDED rural-minded temporary residents relates to the system of public and private education which trains those of grammar and high school age and those who should be advanced through collegiate and university grades. The system of every elementary and grammar school in the city should be so organized as to discover the child whose inheri- tance and aptitude indicate that he belongs to the country and will reach his highest efficiency therein. In the later grammar school grades and throughout the high school years this instruction for country life should play a constantly larger part in the study and training of the urban^ninded boy and girl. College and university instruction in the profession of ag- riculture and in other rural industries must be placed within reach of every city dweller who is distinctly rural-minded. There is no good reason why every city of considerable size should not maintain high grade « thor- ough, comprehensive methods of instruction which will train every proper person, from early childhood through the entire school and college period, for successful life in the open country and the rural village if his in- clinations and aptitudes are in that direction. THE CITY The city is the legitimate and proper place for locat- CLEARING-HOUSE ing many social service institutions which operate entirely in rural life. It does not necessarily fol- low that they will get out of touch with real rural conditions and needs because of such location. This close contact is guaranteed where field supervision is vital and genuine. Such institutions need to be located within easy working distance of each other. Close inter-relationship of these organizations, in the interest of greater economy of administration and efficiency of service, must be worked out more carefully immediately and the collection of these agencies into city centers is a necessary step toward a practical clearing-house relationship. The expenditure of city money for these supervisory agencies is a most legitimate and praiseworthy contribution by the city to the solution of the rural problem which may properly be increased without any prejudicial results to country people. PRESSURE The people of the country must, through every legitimate NECESSARY channel, keep before the attention and upon the conscience of the people of the city the obligations which they must assume in making country life what it should be. The city is a busy place, it has serious problems of its own, it is essentially self-centered. Only by continual pressure on the part of the people of the country can those of the city be compelled to do what they should do and must do. Through insistence upon proper legislation, adequate systems of public instruction, necessary methods of co-operation and other lines of service, the city can be made to see its responsibility and do its share in making the country, - and the city and nation too,- a fit place of residence and industry. The city will never reach its own estate unless it helps the country to its own heritage. Lesson XXVI THE GOAL IN RURAL SOCIAL LIFE What shall be the objective in the rural social service campaign! What are the goals for the attainment of which the rural social organiza- tion is operated! What is it desired that the rural social structure shall become when fully developed! What kind of a rural community life shall we have when its social forces are working with the greatest effi- ciency! These are interesting questions concerning important matters. They deserve present consideration. Careful anticipation of the goals to- ward which effort is being directed should act as a corrective and deter- minant on the activies which are undertaken to secure their attainment. The suggestions of this lesson are offered to rural social engineers as a contribution to that end. COUMONITY Every possible effort should be directed to make the com- SDPREMACY munity idea supreme in the minds of rural people. The worth of every social organization must be measured in terms of its unselfish contribution to commtmity life. The tendency of any in- stitution, regardless of its character, to place itself above the communi- ty must be corrected. To this end each institution should be held closely to its specific task. Every attempt on the part of any institution to as- sume prerogatives of any other organization should be prevented. In no other way can commimity balance and solidarity be secured. Prevent substi- tutionary work by developing responsible organizations so that they will do their own legitimate work properly. When the goal in rural community life is attained every separate organization, large and small, will be found doing its special work and nothing else. SOCIAL A coordination,- genuine and practical,- of all social COORDINATION organizations is one of the goals to which the rural so- cial engineers should address themselves. The losses incident to rivalry, jealousy, duplication of effort and other social sins must be eliminated by a clear-cut definition of the task for which each or- ganization is responsible. This is one of the intermediate steps which should be taken to guarantee the highest efficiency of each separate agency and the greatest efficiency of the so ial organization as a whole. A second contributing factor will be the thorough training and supervision of all leaders, engineers and other personal agents who occupy positions of def- inite leadership in rural social life. No greater contribution can be made to the coming of the rural millenium than the establishment of a well-ar- ticulated social machine, which does not become so mechanical as to lose its real spirit and purpose. SELF- The service of every separate institution in community SUFFICIENCY life should be directed toward making the community suf- ficient unto itself as far as possible. Self-reliance is an excellent community trait. This does not mean that no outside as- sistance will be needed or accepted. It does mean that such assistance will be solicited or permitted only when the community itself has exhausted every means of meeting the situation through its own resources, or where the service to be rendered is not within the province of any individual or institution vithin the cozmnunity. These lines of extra-community service have already been indicated in other parts of the course. To secure this desirable condition forces must be set in motion which will win the personal and financial oo-^peration of every individual in the community to the full- est measure of his ability* UNIQUS Rural life should be peculiar to itself. It does not CIVILIZATION need to be urbanized. Every expression of this life should be "countrified" in the real sense of that term* Every activity should have in it the spirit of the country. Imported stand- ards of living introduce artificial types of life which are prejudicial to real rural development. A rigid censorship on these matters should be main- tained in every community. Along with this should be organized a definite effort to Interest the people in discovering and perfecting those activities and forms of social organization which are native in character and opera- tion,- both to the open country and the rural village. GOlffilDNICATION Rural development waits on its methods of communication* PACILITIBS The building of proper highways of every sort for pur- poses of transportation is an imperative necessity. The facilities of the rui^ mail service, parcels post, the telephone, the telegraph,- Including the wireless variety,- must be extended and perfected until Isolation has been shorn of its preventable disadvantages* The de- velopment of a real rural life literature,- including the real agricultux«l journal which has not yet arrived,- is another goal the reaching of which is well worth much time and effort. The establishment of a genuine democ- racy which recognizes every resident of the community as a vital factor in its life and eligible to all its activities will go far to aid these methods of coianunicatlon in secxuring the greatest benefit to the greatest number. THE RURAL The goal in rural education is important. It must include IHTELLEC3T the establishment of a public school system which will pro- vide adequate training for two distinct types of children* The urban-minded child must be prepared,- in an elwnentary way at least, for life in the city, and the rural-minded child must be equally prepared for permanent residence in the country. The road to college and university must be kept open to every child whose endowment justifies such attention. The field of adult education is almost limitless. It must be occupied to the fullest, possible degree. The facilities of library, lecture courses, movable schools, demonstrations, correspondence instruction and other idiasds of university extension must be made available to people of every age and sit\iation,- both along cultural and technical lines. THE GOAL The supreme test of the real worth of industry is that it INDUSTRIAL be intelligently performed, genuinely enjoyed and adequate- ly con^ensated. The forces and agencies which have al- ready begun to operate for the attainment of these vocational goals show sufficient virility and efficiency to justify the conviction that, under proper develoiment and adjustment, they will ultimately produce a type of agriculture and allied ii^ustrles which will result in permanent economic satisfaction for those who work in the open country and the rural village. The establishment of more adequate methods of co-operation, the provision of sufficient sources of credit, coupled with the improvement and enlarge- ment of the methods of technical education will bring the industrial goal within actual reach at no distant day. COUNTRY The status of rural community life is unerringly revealed in HOMES the character of its homes, IShere it is adequate they are strong, where it is insufficient they are weak. When it is argued that all social institutions must serve the community it is simply another way of saying that they must serve its homes. Every member of every rural family is the ward of every rural community and every social organization is the guardian of the last member of every home circle. If its ministry disintergrates family life it must either be reorganized or abandoned. The most valuable social organizations in rural life will be those which minister to the family as a whole rather than to its members as individuals. RURAL Relaxation, recreation, health,- these are important goals SOCIABILITY in rural social life. The development of recreative activities is one of the most Important immediate necess- ities. Life must lose its drudgery. Sociability is an important constit- uent in the social cement which makes a community solid, substantial and homogeneous. A campaign of education along these lines is now demanded. Consistently and persistently carried out it will do nuch toward making rural life happy and satisfying. The amusements of the city are not necess- ary but those which grow out of rural conditions and environments must be provided. The country should be the synonym for health, but sanitation and hygiene have played little part as yet in making the country desirable as a place of residence. The mere statement of the fact blazes the trail to- ward the goal of rural health. RURAL The goal of political life for the rural community has GOVERNMENT not received the attention it demands. Few phases of rural life are more inadequate and weak. The local lim- itations of partizanship, the real prerogatives of rural community govern- ment, the recognition of rural needs by national, state and coxmty govern- mental bodies are matters of the gravest concern. The goals along this line cannot wisely be defined until the political life of the country-side has been studied more carefully and experimented with intelligently. RURAL Every phase of rural social life must be spiritualized, RELIGION There are no strictly secular interests in rural life. The widest recognition of this truth will place every social in- sitution under the necessity of so conducting itself as to make a positive contribution to the ethical life and the spiritual atmosphere of the com- munity as a whole. At the pinnacle of this spiritual structure is the church,- without regard to denomination or creed,- mediating the father- hood of God and the brotherhood of man to every individual and every so- cial organization. Inspiration, instruction and worship are its peculiar prerogatives and when well done the entire social fabric will be trans- formed until rural America takes its place in the universal Kingdom of God, TEST QDESTIONS: LESSONS XIX - XXVI Lesson xix .t Discuss the "circle" vs "ellipse" idea of the coiraimnity. Define the tenn "social center." Discuss the "substitution" idea in social service. Is it wise! What are the legitimate social centers? Itesson zx Define the term "equipment." Discuss "place" and "gjrmnasium" ideas and show their perils. What place have supervision and training in the use of equipment? Outline a plan for proper equipment in your community. Lesson zzi Give the arguments for the use of outside experts. What are the two methods of using them? How can the service of these specialists be secured? Lesson xxii What value has inter-coramunity activity? (co-operation. Discuss inter-visitation, atheletic, educational and vocational Discuss the exchange and training of leaders by this method. What overhead organizations may properly result? Lesson xziil Discuss five most important social organization perils. What wrong social methods are in use in your community? Lesson xxiv What perils are there in "survey" and "program" publicity? What are good publicity methods? Name the legitimate financial expenditures. Discuss financial methods and ideals. Lesson xxv What should the city do in solving migration problems? What change in the city school system is advisable? Discuss the city as a "clearing-house" center. Lesson zxvl What are the five most important rural social goals? What is meant by "community supremacy?" Outline some needed preliminary educational campaigns. ti.*, 'T^^.»^A»*f m-t ^tp^^'" ^.tt; 3^* -■'■^%-