THE SCHOOL AND CIVIC LEAGUE BULLSTI2J. A ^ . '/-'.if '.:■ The School and Civic Leasrue Bulletin How to Organize a League Issued by Department of Public Instruction, J. D. Kggleston State Superintendent and Co-operative Education Associa- tion of Virginia, Mrs. B. B. Munford, President : ; : ; V The Co-operative Education Bssoeiation of Virginia. OFFICERS Mrs. B. B. Munford President Gov. Wm. Hodges Mann 1st Vice-President J. Stewart Bryan 2nd Vice-President J. P. McCoNNELL 3rd Vice-President Henry W. Anderson Treasurer J. H. Binford ......... ...... Executive Secretary State Capitol, Richmond, Va. Mrs. L. R. Dashiell Director Citizens League State Capitol, Richmond, Va. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE J. D. Eggleston^ Chairman Murray Boocock Bruce R. Payne E. A. Alderman Chas. G. Maphfs S. v. Fletcher Jackson Davis H, B. Frissell Jas. H. Dooley George H. Denny F. W- Darling Rosew^ell Page DEPARTMENTS PubJc Health Dr. Allen "W. Freeman Press T. Sf Settle Demonstration Farms .•♦ • ' T, O. Sandy Libraries •.•*•' G. Carrington Moscley Taxation Bruce R. Payne Good Roads P. St. Julien 'Wilson Industrial Work Miss E. G. Agnew Field Work Robert Frazer Legislation . , ,,-••. Rosewell Page WHY A LEAGUE? '^ "The neglected school" is a familiar expression. The man in the commiinit}^ has time for lodge, politics, and business, in fact for everything except the school. In some way he feels that this institution can get along without his lielp and sympathy. And the mother, while interested in the education of her children, rather dreads to visit the school. This state of affairs should not exist. The school w^ill never occupy the dignity in the community that it deserves, until all people take a lively interest in its welfare. There are more than four hundred school and civic leagues in Virginia. They are doing a great work. The citizens who com- pose these leagues work in conjunction with teachers and school officials and as a result of their efforts schools are beautified, libraries are secured, school terms are lengthened, and a greater interest in education is spread abroad in the community. One of the greatest benefits derived from a league is the good that comes to the members themselves. The regular monthly or semi-monthly meetings bring the people of the community to- gether. There is needed everywhere, but especially in town and country, the group idea. People live too much to themselves, give too little heed to the needs of school and community. What more desirable than for the people of a community to come to- gether at stated times in their school building for the purpose of enjoying social intercourse, encouraging the teachers in the work and planning for the improvement of school and community? ORGANIZATION. The First Meeting. The first step is, of course, to gather a few people, interest them by setting forth the fact that the school should be the cen- ter of social, civic, and literary interests in the conmiunity; further, show what the school owes to the community and par- ticularly what the community owes to the school. Invite and be- speak the co-operation of every citizen in the effort to bring the school into close relationship with the home and the community. This meeting should be held in the school. If the teacher is the prime mover, let her get out a crowd by having Patron's Day, with recitations and songs by the pupils and an exhibit of school work if practicable. By all means have present the ministers of the community and the Division Superintendent. At this meeting organize a league, no matter how small the gathering may be. Appoint a secretary for that particular meet- ing, then elect a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Adopt, with such changes as are seen fit, the following constitution and by-laws : Suggested Constitution for the Citizens League or • Article I This league shall be called the School and Civic League of and shall form a branch of the Virginia Co-operative Education Association. Article II The object of this league shall be to aid in advancing the so- cial, civic and school interests of this community. Article III (a) Any person interested in the objects of the league may be- come a member. (b) Each member shall be entitled to vote at all meetings of the league. Article IV The officers of the league shall be a president, a vice-presi- dent, a vice-president, a secretary, and treasurer, and such others as the league may deem advisable. Five members shall constitute a quorum. Article V The general management of the league shall be vested in an executive committee to consist of the officers and three members, to be elected at its annual meeting. Article VI The league shall hold an annual meeting in the month of May and such other meetings as it may deem necessary. Special meetings may be called by the president or on written request of three members. Article VII In order that this league may be in touch with the general work for the improvement of educational conditions throughout the State, it shall enroll 'itself with the Director of Citizens' Leagues of the Co-operative Education Association of Virginia and send a formal report of its progress in November and May of each year. Article VIII This constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the members present at any annual meeting. THE SECOND MEETING. Before the adjournment of the preliminary meeting the time and place for the next meeting should be determined upon; and it is desirable that this meeting be held as soon as possible. At the second meeting a committee on Constitution and By-Laws (ap- pointed at first meeting) should make a written report. In the adoption of this constitution be sure to give the league an ap- propriate and distinctive name, to distinguish it from other leagues in the county. In the by-laws such matters as the amount of dues to be paid, the time for regular meetings, and the number and character of league committees should be determined. All leagues should have the following committees: Membership, Grounds and Buildings, Lectures and Entertainments , Sanita- tion, Good Roads, and Boj^s and Girls Agricultural and Domestic Science Work, Library and School-visiting. SUGGESTIONS FOR REGULAR MEETINGS. Meetings should be held at least once a month. Some of the most successful leagues in the State hold two meetings a month. However small the attendance a regular order of business should be followed, such as, 1. Call to order by President, with song, scripture read- ing or other appropriate exercises. 2. Roll call of members with collection of dues. 3. Minutes of last meeting. 4. Treasurer's report. 5. Eeport of Committees. 6. Unfinished business. 7. New business. 8. Address, or some other form of entertainment. 9. Report of Entertainment Committee as to the program for next meeting. 10. Adjournment with appropriate exercises. Item 8 in the above order of business is very important. At each regular meeting there should be an address on some topic of interest, or there should be recitations and music by the pupils of the school. People will naturally lose interest unless the meet- ings are interesting, and one of the principal duties of league officers is to secure speakers and otherwise arrange for instructive and interesting features for the regular meetings. As often as possible provide for light refreshments at the close of each meeting, THE COMMITTEES. The Membership Comtnittee should seek at all times to secure new members for the league. This committee might also serve in the capacity of a School-Visiting Committee. The Corrymittee on Grounds and Buildings has a very impor- tant work. In Virginia we must convert our unsightly school buildings and grounds into places of beauty. The rooms must be adorned with pictures, while the grounds need walk-ways, green lawns, and shade trees. Then again the building needs to be kept in repair and the class rooms need comfortable desks, window shades, maps, and many other things too numerous to mention. In making these improvements the Grounds and Building Com- mittee should seek the help of the school trustees. The Library Cdmrmttee should secure a library for the school along with a few select periodicals and magazines. Write to the State Library for information concerning traveling libraries. Write to the Department of Education for the pamphlet telling how a league may by raising $15 secure a $40 library. After a library is secured this committee should see that new books are purchased from time to time. The Entertainment Committee should provide for amateur plays and other entertainments whereby money may be raised to carry on the work of the league. This committee should also provide several free lectures during the year. The Co-operative Education Association publishes a pamphlet giving the names of speakers who may be secured. The C ommittee on Health should see to it that everything about the school is in a sanitary condition. Among the important things that might be mentioned are: a jacketed stove with some means of ventilation, oil for the floors to keep the dust down, water coolers and window shades, and two good closets. The State Department of Health will gladly give full information on all the above subjects. Besides the work outlined above, this committee should distribute health bulletins, obtained from the State Health Department, throughout the community and should have at least one public lecture on health each session. The Committee on Good Roads should seek to improve the roads leading up to the school, and should also hold at least one Good Roads meeting in the school each j^ear. The Committee on. Boys'' Agricidtural and Girls'^ Domestic Science Work should seek to interest the boys of the school in the farm demonstration work carried on by the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture, and by the State of Virgiuia, under the direc- tion of T. O. Sandy, of Burkeville. Va.. and in the Girls' Tomato Club work being done by Miss Ella Agnew, of Burkeville. Va. This committee should also seek to interest the boys and girls of their school in competing in the county fair, and should, Avhen circumstances justify it, seek to have cooking and sewing intro- duced into the school. The president of the league is ex-officio a member of each of these committees and should advise with the several chairmen, from time to time, as to what work should be undertaken. OTHER SUGGESTIONS. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the league should not be neglected. For several reasons it is deemed advisable to hold this meeting in May, or at least near the close of the school term. Written re- ports should be submitted by the president, setting forth what the league has accomplished during the year and by the treasurer, showing the financial condition of the league. Copies of these reports, along with the names and addresses of the newly elected officers should be sent to the office of the Co-operative Education 8 Association. At this annual meeting there should be an address by some invited speaker. DELEGATE TO ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFEKENCE. Each league should elect one or more delegates to attend the yearly educational conference, in order to represent the league at the general meeting of the Co-operative Education Association. These delegates should carry a report from the league they repre- sent. Many leagues appoint one of the teachers to represent them at the conference. The wiser course is to appoint some officer or member of the league, other than a teacher. The expenses of the delegate should be borne in whole or in part by the league. CLEAN-UP DAY. It is desired by the Co-operative Education Association that each school in the State hold a Clean-LTp Day once a year, at which time certain definite things be done to beautify the school grounds and rooms. At this time shade trees should be planted, the grounds cleaned up, a few framed pictures hung up on the school walls and other work of a similar character undertaken. We give two dates for Clean-Up Day — the third Friday in October and Washington's Birthday. It is advisable to commence this work early in the session for many reasons, October is a fine month for plowing, grading, and though rather late, grass seed sown at this time sometimes do well. The best time for the plant- ing of trees is about Washington's Birthday, hence the latter date. Why not observe l^otb days'^ IMPORTANT. The Co-operative Education Association in order to help the local leagues in their work as much as possible, desires to keep an accurate list of the officers of all leagues together with their post- offices. Therefore^ it is earnestly requested that the organization of a league or any change in the list of officers be reported at once to Mrs. L. R. Dashiell, Director of Leagues, Department of Public Instruction, Richmond, Va. It is fuithermore urged that each league send to the general office in May and Novemher of each year a written report^ showing meiThbership ^ amount of money raised and the general ivorh aGconvplished. J. H. Binford, Secretary of the Co-operative Education Association, and Mrs. L. R. Dashiell, Director of Leagues, devote a large part of their time to field work and will gladly visit leagues for the purpose of arousing interest in the work. WHAT THE LEAGUES ARE DOING. The Hamilton High School League, organized by Supt. C. W. Dickinson, Jr., in October, 1910, has had a very successful year. Eev. J. W. Gee is president, under whose wise leadership more than six hundred dollars has been raised and expended on the new school building. The league has a membership of about eighty and has held regular meetings each month. The dues consist of five cents per m,onth. The school lot is a seven-acre tract. At the request of the league. Dr. S. W. Fletcher, of Blacksburg, fur- nished a plan showing how the grounds should be beautified. Trees have been planted, walks and driveways laid off, a first class baseball diamond has been built, and sanitary out-buildings erected. The league has purchased a piano, desks for the assembly hall, and a large bell. For the purpose of securing funds and to carry out these improvements, the league, in addition to other entertainments, held a bazaar, from which was realized nearly three hundred dollars. One of the most valuable features of the league work was a series of free public lectures given by prominent educators and State officials. DEEP RUN SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE. June 7, 1911. Deep Run School Improvement League was organized April 5, 1911, by Mrs. L. R. Dashiell wdth 13 members. It now h-as an enrollment of 100, with the following officers and committees: President, Mr. C. A. Bowles, Vice-President, Mrs. W. S. Jones, Secretary, Miss Mamie DuVal. Treasurer, Mrs. J. M. Briggs. Grounds and Building, School Visiting, Entertainment, Library, and Membership Committees. The league meetings are held regularly every two weeks and several times a called meeting has been necessary. A petition for a consolidated school gotten up by league mem- bers, resulted in an appropriation for the Short Pump High School. 10 Application for a traveling library has been sent to the State Librarian. The Entertainment Committee deserves special mention for the financial help and interest added to the league meetings. They have given two minstrel shows and thus raised the receipts of the league to $73. Stage curtains, lamps, oil, &c., for use in entertainments and league meetings and a Steinway Grand Piano have been bought by the league, also a piano cover. The Citizens' League of Amelia, organized in October, 1910, by Mr. J. D. Harris, has a membership of seventy-five and has raised $600 during the session, has also put a wire fence around the school grounds at a cost of $160. The league has purchased a piano and bought for the assembly hall handsomely framed pic- tures of Washington, Lee, Jackson, and others. The league has held seven regular meetings, at all of which an interesting pro- gram has been carried out, and addresses made by prominent people. The Junior League, organized by this league, has purchased a picture framing outfit, sold pictures at cost and have thus caused 400 well framed pictures to be placed in the homes of that sec- tion. The membership of the Junior League consists of the pupils of the High School. The secretary of the Rodden High School Junior League, organized by Mr. J. H. Binford, will write you a report of what the school has done and how our school is progressing. The first work the league took up was to improve the school grounds. Several trees have been planted, and the baseball diamond plowed up and laid off. Basket ball and tennis courts were also made. Baseball, basket ball and tennis outfits have been purchased. The next improvement work taken up was in the school build- ing. The floors have been oiled to keep the dust down, and this was a wonderful improvement. Three very pretty pictures have been purchased for the walls, one of George Washington, one of Robert E. Lee, one of the Windmill, and one of the University of Virginia. The latter was given to the school by the University. There is no senior league in our community, but we have tlic junior league, and it is both a literary society and an im- provement league. The league meets twice a month and very 11 interesting programs are carried out at each meeting. The pro- grams consist of essays, debates, declamations and recitations. There have been seven meetings during the session. Some of the subjects discussed were: Debate — Resolved, That Lee was a greater general than Jackson. Essay— Contrast between city life. Debate — Resolved, That the saloon keeper is greater in the com- mission of crimes, than he who commits the crime while under the influence of drink. Debate— Resolved, That women should vote. Besides the above subjects many other interesting ones were discussed thoroughly. We have had two entertainments so far and are now making preparations for another. Both of these entertainments proved to be a success. From the first we realized $37.80, and from the second $22.67, making a total of $60.47. All this money has been used by the league in improvement work. The league has accomplished great work this year, and we feel that it will accomplish even greater next year. We have all been benefited in more than one way by the league. (Signed), Kate Powell, Secretary. . REPORT OF DRIVER CITIZENS' LEAGUE. June, 1911. The league, during the past year, has been especially engaged in the work of improving school conditions and in adding a new equipment for the school for the laboratory wark. The funds raised, consisting of dues and a special amount, the result of the work of the Entertainment Committee, amounts to $184.88. This money has been utilized to defray part of the cost of installing a system of running water for the school, and have purchased a new apparatus for work in Biology and a laboratory. The general scope of the work of the Association has been the improvement of school conditions, all of the members working toward that end. During the coming year the plan will be changed. Instead of holding a single general monthly meeting, the body will be divided into three groups: A farmer's meeting, a woman's meeting, and a young people's meeting. Each group will consider separately those topics most deeply interesting to its own members. 12 The government demonstrator for Nansemond county, who is also Director of Agriculture, will have charge of the demonstra- tion work, and the principal of the school will have charge of the discussions in the farmers' meeting. Under the leadership of the president of the league, and of the teacher of domestic science and art in the Driver Agricultural High School, the woman's meeting plan to hold its session in the form of round table discussions, of problems in home economics, domestic science and art, and useful manual training work. For the younger people of the neighborhood, and for the older high school pupils, a literary society, with a membership of 40 is organized. The general business of the league does include still the im- provement of school conditions and the continuation of the present intense interest .in educational matters of the members of the league. The Association has one hundred and twenty-two mem- bers. Mr. Eeps Williamson, Pres., Miss Lillie Everett, Sect. P. S. In connection with the school board, tlie league will undertake the erection of an $8,000 school house and a $1,500 barn.