r^U ( lO^^UNITY LEAGUE BULLETIN Giving Plan of Organization, Consti- tution and By-Laws, Suggestions for the Work of Each Committee by the Co-operative Education Association of Virginia ^ / (^ -/ 2^ y the Moral. There are in nearly every community a few places that are very unattractive from the moral standpoint and these should be removed or improved. There are certain places where boys and men congregate, tell questionable tales, and indulge in rather unbecoming talk. This may be a street corner, a store, pool room or some such place, that may by a little judicious effort on 3^our part be cleaned up. The most effective corrective is to provide a more suitable meeting place such as a Y. M. C. A. or young people's club, with a reading, bath and play rooms. This place can be provided even in a small community, by a real co-operative effort. Search out the immoral features of your own community, then strive to find the most effective corrective. Church Co-operation. In many communities there are three or four churches, with a monthly or bi-monthly service. It is well to plan with the min- isters to have these services so arranged that there may be at least one preaching service in the community every Sunday. When that matter is adjusted, you should put forth an earnest, steady ef- fort to have all the members of all of the churches attend these Gommunity League Bulletin ' 21 services. If there are four churches with service in each one once a month all four memberships should be induced to unite in the service at the respective places. In such a community it would be well to hold a union mid-week prayer meeting, having the service in the several churches in regular monthly rotation. Such services for Sunday and mid-week will reach the largest number of people, and thereby prove of greatest moral worth. Sunday School. Your committee can do much for the moral life of young and old, by keeping up a systematic, non-partisan campaign for the enlistment of every member of the community in some Sun- day School. In order to make the Sunday school attractive and efficient, it will be necessary to have efficiently trained officers and teachers. Fortunately every church has, or is making it possible for its Sunday school workers to be trained, by providing teachers study courses for the teachers, officers and those who may be called into these positions. Classes composed of young men and young women who should be making preparation for service can be formed to take this course of study at the regular Sunday school period. The regular officers and teachers can arrange for a week- night meeting to pursue this course. No school should be without such a course of study, and you should give your attention to this matter at once. Puhlic Places. One of the best ways to keep a good moral atmosphere about public places like the court house and yard, railway station, or public park, is to make these places attractive, with a well kept lawn, flowers, etc. The railway company will usually give every assistance in making and keeping the depot and premises in good condition, if the people of the community will manifest a real interest and spirit of co-operation. Appeal to the city and countv officials to keep the court house and parks in the very best condition. Important Work. When boys and girls are dropping from school and idling around the village, become a Big Brother or Big Sister to them, encourage them to go to shcool or to work; for from the ranks 22 Co-operative Education' Association of these idle youths are recruited the criminals of tomorrow. Pre- vent them from going to jail by turning their energies in the right direction while young. If you see children groAving up without proper guardianship, notify the local magistrate who can remove them to wholesome surroundings. Try to decrease your criminal and pauper element by freventive measures^ if iJossihle; but if your county still needs the jail and almshouses, see that the influences at these institutions are as healthful as possible. En- courage the people of the county to visit the institutions and make use of the county farm for demonstration purposes. Teach the inmates to do what they can to help themselves. Co-operate with the State Board of Charities, Eichmond, Va.. in placing friend- kss, feeble-minded persons in the State Colony and thereby cut off your supply of degenerate folks. Better Church Day. There is given in our bulletin on Special Days, a program for Better Church Day, which we urge this committtee to have observed in jouv community on a Sunday in the month of August. Have all the churches unite in this service and make the occasion really beneficial to the churches and the community. Home Improvement Committee This committee has a great opportunity to help make the com- munity more attractive, the home life more inviting, and the citi- zens, both young and old, happier. There is something abouc a well kept, attractive yard and home, that just makes a fellow love life and want to get the ^^ery most out of it. Yet the home and its surroundings are so often sadly neglected. Will not this committee work systematically and energetically to make every L'ome in the community, whether it is the grand old homestead or the humble home of the hired man, really attractive? Outside of the House. Have every family straighten up and put in good repair, the fence around the house, then either whitewash or paint it. No matter how large or small the front yard, sow it in grass, lay a winding walk, put out some shrubs and flowers. Don't spare any trouble to make this spot beautiful, and keep it so. There is plent}^ of room elscAvhere for wood, farm implements, etc. If every family can't afford a lawn mower, two or three families can purchase one too-ether. but o-et one in some way. Now it is just as important to keep the back yard in good condition. It should Community League Bulletin 23 be clean, have some flowers in it, and the scmitary outbuildings, chicken houses, wash house, closets, etc., should be covered with vines. Family Garden. Every family should have a productive, well kept garden, free from weeds and trash. Straight rows and well made seed beds do just as well as the other kind, and look so much better. It w^ould not be amiss to have flowers planted all around the edge. Every family should be encouraged to have a vegetable garden, producing every vegetable that can be grown in your locality. The comniittee should seek to introduce new vegetables that have not been grown before. « The House Itself. For protection even, but just as much so for the aesthetic effect, the house should be kept painted. For the protection of health it should be screened and plentj^ of light and air should be let into each room ever}^ day. Some vines on porches and chimneys will add to the beauty of the house. Inside the House. This should be made convenient and attractive, and the kitchen should not be neglected in this arrangement. If it is at ail pos- sible water should be pumped into the kitchen from the spring or well. A good sink with drain pipe is very essential. The Avhole room should be arranged so that the good housekeeper Avill b-e, ■ .4 • ,^>'' Ih . -, /ft -si ^^^^^^//K^^^^^^^^t'-^^ f i^F- ^VB^'^^ i» ^ ^ ^ f^^^ll L J wS^^^^^^^^^^^Hh^^^^P^ V 'HlBlal' Wk- ■ ' fl '^^^^^^■^^^H •%t:'-i:\':y'i/';': ix^;, ' ■ '' ' HEALTH JUBILEE After making this little one-room building and the outhouses clean and sanitary, then cleaning up and laying out playgrounds, the League met for an all day meeting and had every child of the community examined by a capable physician The School Building and Surroundings. Since at present we cannot dissociate the school building from our ideas of proper school equipment, it becomes of first importance that this building be sanitary, in order that whatever may be the physical quality of the child as he comes to the school, he shall not be deteriorated by his surroundings. Let the Health Committee ask itself the following questions and answer them, by careful consideration and such action as may be possible to it, remembering that earnest effort can move mountains : ' Is the school building well and healthfully located? How close are swamps, pigpens, ugly drains and puddles or other public rraisances? 38 Community League Bulletin Is the school building well ventilated ? If not, why not ? In the country, window boards or window weights may be all that is necessary, except the prime necessity of a sensible teacher. Is the school building properly lighted? Let no window re- main in front of any desk. The eyes of small children cannot stand this glare any more than grown people can. Water. Has the school a good water supply? If a well is used, is it provided with a good pump? Has it a concrete protected top? If not, the committee has a job of supreme importance to its hand. The open bucket well is unpardonable in the light of our present knowledge. If a spring is used, has it a good deep trench protecting it against surface pollution? Is oare being used in dipping from it? A good spring and a filthy water boy are a bad combination. School Fountain or Cooler. Has the school a good water cooler or a good bubbling foun- tain? Are individual cups used? If not, the Health Committee can with propriety get busy. Sewerage. Is the sewerage disposal sanitary? Are there adequate ac- commodations for the boys and for the girls? Is there proper discipline of the boys, particularly, in the care of the sanitary ar- rangements of the grounds? The Health Committee ought to de- vise some sanitary rules for the conduct of the pupils of the coun- try school. The State Board of Health will help if asked. Seats. Are the seats adapted for small children as well as large? If adjustable seats are not feasible, perhaps thei Health Committee can have the seats cut down or footstools made. Janitor. Has the school a good janitor? Every appliance provided for the health and convenience of the children as well as for the proper conduct of the school as a teaching institution, may be nullified or ruined by poor janitor service. No money can be better spent than in securing a competent man or woman who will look after the school property in a cleanly and responsible manner. Co-operative Education Association 39 Cleanliness. Then there is the matter of floor oil and its application, dust- less chalk and erasers, disinfectant solutions and their use. All of these pertain to the janitor and to health. Play. Then there is the question of healthful supervised play. The boy or girl who will not play should be made to play. He usually does not know how, or he is sick, in either event he needs atten- tion. The Health Committee should provide it. Physical Condition of the Children. Now we come to the consideration of the child himself for whom all this machinery is assembled. Is he what he ought to be physically? And what is the re- sponsibility of the Health Committee in the premises? C ontagious Diseases. Before school l^egins, will it not be possible with the co-opera- tion of the doctors and health officer to find out what contagious diseases are prevalent among children of school age in the neigh- borhood ? Could not a list of infected homes be furnished the teacher so that he (or she) may be on guard? Medical Inspection. Have the children been medically inspected for physical de- fects? If not, no one can know how to accurately gauge school progress. A defective child is in a different class from the well child and must be judged differently. One of the first duties of the Health Committee then should be to get this information by having the school inspected. The State Board of Health may be able to offer some helpful suggestions along this line. Visiting School Nurse. When the children are inspected, what are you going to do about it? Up-to-date cities and towns find that they must have visiting school nurses, or the inspection reaches in a helpful way only those most highly intelligent, leaving great numbers uncor- rected. The counties must employ school nurses too. Two counties in Virginia are successfully doing this. The nurses doing the school 40 Co-operative Education Association inspection as well as the home visiting necessary to get the parents to take their children to the doctor or to the dentist. A Health Committee that wished to start a campaign to put a school nurse in the field would have the active aid of the State Board of Health if it was requested. Local doctors may be induced to make inspection, but they cannot with propriety drum up trade for themselves by going into the homes and advising people who have not sent for them to have their children treated. The nurse is not thus handicapped. C o7Tection of Defects. From fifty to seventy-five per cent, of school children have decayed teeth, dentists for these must be provided. Fifty per cent, of Virginia children have enlarged tonsils, specialists must be arranged for. ]Many poor children have crooked spines that may be helped if treated in time. Many are terribly handicapped by intestinal parasites, which may be absolutely removed by three doses of medicine furnished free b}^ the State Board of Health. The Health Committee can and should deal Avith these things in a constructive way. The Com'mMnity Health. ISTot alone with the health of the school child should the Health Committee concern itself, but with community health problems as well. Is your town or village or community sanitary and healthful? Are the privies all open at the back? Does the air in the summer time smell of roses and honeysuckle or does it reek with the odor of manure ? Are the wells and springs unguarded ? Are the stores and food unscreened ? Is your milk uninspected ? Does every way- side tramp have free opportunity to leave the filth from his hands on the village well rope? Do the hogs and cows wander at will through your streets? Are weeds left uncut to harbor all sorts of insanitary material? Are your houses screened? Are tlieri^ a lot of old vacant ram-shackled buildings in the town in which all sorts of nuisances are committed ? Have you an active health (.fficer? If so, what is he paid? And how much of his practice should he destroy for the amount he gets? All of these things are the concern of a Health Committee. Organize and get to work and the State Board of Health stands ready with free literature, free advice, free speakers to help you make your community a model of good health and beauty. Com/munity League Bulletm 41 ' Syecial Days and Helfs. You should have a genuine community clean-up day at least twice a year, and better, four times, or every season. This committee should make the very most of the Better Health Day program, given in the Special Day Bulletin, issued by our Association. Bulletins on school sanitation, school inspection, and on every phase of community health may be had for the asking at the of- fice of the State Board of Health, Richmond, Virginia. Send j'^our request on a postal card and you will be placed on the mailing list. Advice as to pure food and milk inspection will be furnished gratis by the Dairy and Food Commissioner, Library Building, Eichmond, Va. Publicity Committee This is an advertising age, and it has become just as necessary for communities to give due publicity to their resources, as for a business house to advertise its goods. The good feature is that, newspapers — daily or weekly — are ready and willing to grant their service if the community will furnish the means in real news form. You need to cultivate the art of seeing a good news item in every community happening. Social News. You sliould see that the community has a good correspondent who will furnish items of the social activities of the community, to every paper that comes to your locality. Make these items breezy, not just a lifeless statement of facts. League Neivs. Everything your League does that is of any interest, should be giA^en account of and it will be wise to give plenty of advance in- formation about the special day programs, but to play fair with the newspaper, be sure to give a good write-up of the day, after it is over, for this will be news. Eegular and special meetings should also be announced through the papers, and by notice at some public places, such as the post office, or other prominent locations. Faithfully report the activities of each committee. Your an- nual report should receive special attention. 42 Co-operative Education Association Business News. All important business items, such as the building- of a new store, house or factory, the bringing in or sending out of any es- pecially large orders or anything that happens in a business way on the farm that can be made into a news item, should be pub- lished. If a farm sells for a good price, or a very large crop has been made by one of your citizens it will attract attention to your community if this is put before the people. Social N'ews. Anything of special interest in your school may be made help- ful to others if you will only let it be known. New work under- taken or accomplished, or good work done by a class or room, and the monthly honor roll, with enrollment and average attendance should be worth telling. Be constantly on the lookout for news, search for items of in- terest, use all legitimate means to learn what is going on, put this in the very best form and send it forth, is the real duty of this committee. Items that are of more than local interest should be sent to us that we may make use of them. Membership Committee The goal of this committee should be "Every white adult of good character a member of the League,"' then earnestly and stead- ily strive to reach this goal. Hoio to Begin. The chairman should secure a list of the names of the present members, and make a copy for each member of the committee. The committee should carefully make up a list of those who should be members, then let each committeeman be responsible for a given number on this list, and as the}^ are brought in, the names should be checked oif. At each meeting see how the committee- men are progressing in reducing their lists. Follow Uj). The committee should be responsible for the work and direct the movement to secure new members, but the^^ should use every old member of the League if necessary to bring others in. If the committee cannot prevail on a person to join, then other members of the League should be sent to see this one until he is won over. Never give up a good prospect. Do the work systematically and Community League Bulletin 43 faithfully, month by month, keeping a perfect record of the work, rather than by exciting whirlwind campaigns. Be sure at the end of the year that you have made some progress. Keeping Old Members. This committee must also remember that it is just as essential to keep the old members in as it is to get new members. It is the leakage that hurts. If you hear that a member considers withdrawing, see that one at once and tr}^ to prevent the step, or if one withdraws visit that one at once and make an effort to bring him back. Look after those who are neglecting the work or the regular meetings for they are the ones that are likely to drop out. As long as a member is working and attending the meetings regu- larly there is not much danger of his quitting. This committee should make a report each month and keep a faithfal record of the membership. Community Fairs A Tentative Suggestion hy the Office of Markets and Rural Organisation^ United States Department of Agriculture. The community fair is a miniature countrj^ fair with the "mid- way," horse races, and catch-penny schemes left out. It is, of the community, by the community, for the community. It is one of the finest types of community co-operation, in which the resources of the community are brought before the eyes of everyone in the community. No one need feel he has nothing to exhibit. He is in friendly competition only with his neighbors. No one from "afar off" can spring any surprises and capture all prizes. The whole scheme is purely community effort, and can be large or small, elaborate or otherwise as the people of the community de- sire. Athletics, speakers and pageants may be introduced. The exhibits may and ought to be transported to the county fair as a community exhibit. A friendly rivalry between com- munities in this way would greatly increase the social and educa- tional value of most county fairs. The attached list of things that may be exhibited is only sug- gestive and is not intended to limit exhibits to articles named. It will not cost you one penny. Spend a day of profit apd pleasure, and you will feel proud of your community. 44 Co-operative Education Association Bring something to exhibit in one of these departments: Animal and Pwiltry Department. Such as horses, mules, cows, goats, sheep, hogs, dogs, all breeds of chickens, pigeons and pet birds. Crop Department. Such as corn, cotton, sugar cane, sorghum cane, pumpkins, peanuts, oats, wheat, soy beans, velvet beans, peas, grasses, and clovers. Coohery Department. Such as jellies, preserves, canned fruits, canned vegetables, pickles, cake, pan biscuits, display and variety of corn bread, light bread, butter, catsup, and sauce. Domestic Art Department. Such as embroidery work, crochet work, china painting, drawn work, hemstitching, quilts and rugs, dresses and trimmed hats made by girls under fifteen j^ears of age, dressed dolls by girls un- der ten years of age. Home Economics Department. Such as fireless cooker, iceless refrigerator, sanitary cream sep- arator and convenient ironing board. Orchard and Garden Department. Herbs, apples, pears, plums, peaches, dried fruits, grapes, figs, chestnuts, pecans, walnuts, potatoes, cabbage, beans, carrots, cel- ery, beets, onions, turnips, parsnips, collards, cucumbers and egg plant, Swiss chard, cauliflower, and all other garden products. Floioer Department. Such as collections of cut and potted flowers, ferns and any- thing representing the beauties of the flower yard. Art and Craft Department. Such as map of Virginia and map of your county, dfaWti by boy or girl under fifteen, specimens of copying and business writ- ing, any kind of manual training work, such as bird cages and houses, dog houses, home-made toA^s, toy houses, boats, guns, bas- Corwmunity League Bulletin 45 kets, mats, clay modeling, collections of leaves (named) and mounted on card, mounted birds, collections of insects (named), and Indian arrowheads. The young folks are expected to use their ingenuity in working up exhibits. Historical Relic Department. Such as old war guns, canteens, sabers, and swords, antique clothing. Confederate and Union uniforms, old looms and spinning wheels, old china and silverware, and any kind of old and curious relics. The High School Co-operative League Miss J. Douglas AVright, Secretary. The Senior, or Community League, should faithfully encour- age the older boj^s and girls in the school to organize a League. If this League has been organized already the adults p^^ every encouragement possible to these young people, for the most certain hope of final community co-operation is through the train- ing of the young people in this great endeavor. This League should labor for the protection and improve- ment of school property and grounds, and cultivate a genuine school spirit that will make for lively school activities. These young people should also be given a part in the work for home and community improvement. Through this League we desire to encourage local, county and State contests in athletics and literary activities, and boys' and girls' club work. We have the hearty co-operation of State and county school officials, the Univers«ty of Virginia, the County Agricultural and Home Demonstration agents, and the Y. M. C. A. workers. We have a separate bulletin for High or Elementary School Co-operative Leagues, which will be sent upon request. Speakers for Community Meetings Very often a community wants a speaker for the League meet- ing, and more especially so on the special day occasions, and there are scores of men in the State who are willing to perform this service. So our effort is to bring these leagues and speakers in touch with each other. Heretofore we have been giving a long list of names in the bulletin, but we learn, to our regret, that as a rule very few calls 46 Co-operative Education Association have been extended to these men and women. Feeling that per- haps the leagues have done without this service because of having written to one or two persons Avho could not come they just gave up, we are suggesting this year, that you write to a designated person at an institution stating the object of your meeting and ask for a speaker. You can, of course, name your preference, but grant the liberty of sending some one else, if the one you de- sire is engaged or unable to respond at that time. The following institutions will furnish a speaker on request, if it is at all possible, if you will Avrite to the person indicated: Department of Public Instruction,. Richmond, Secretary Evan R. Chesterman. State Board of Health, Richmond, Bi\ Ennion G. Williams. State Highway Commission, Richmond, Mr. G. P. Coleman. State Agricultural Department, Richmond. Mr. G. W. Koiner. State Dairy and Food Commission, Richmond, Mr. B. L. Purcell. State Board of Charities and Corrections, Richmond, Dr. J. T. Mastin. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Prof. C. G. Maphis. State Normal School, Farmville, President J. L. Jarman. State Normal School, Fredericksburg, President E. H. Russell. State Normal School, Radford, President J. P. McConnell. State Normal School, Harrisonburg, President J. A. Burruss. William and Marv College. Williamsburo;, President Lvon G. Tyler. Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg. Dr. J. D. Eggleston. Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, General E. W. Nichols. Martha Washington College. Abingdon, Miss Catherine Walter. Emory and Henry College, Emory, Dr. C. C. Weaver. Roanoke College, Salem, Dr. J. A. Morehead. Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Dr. H. L. Smith. Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Miss Emilie W, McVea. BridgeAvater College, Bridgewater, Dr. J. S. Florv. Randolph-Macon Woman's College, Lync'iburg, Dr. W. A. Webb. Virginia Christian Colleo-e, Lynchburo-, Dr. W. G. Shackelford. Blackstone College for Girls. Blackstone, Dr. Jas. Cannon, Jr. Hampden-Sidney College, Hampden-Sidney, Dr. IT. T. Graham. Richmond College, Richmond, Dr. F. W. Boatwright. Westhampton College, Richmond, Dr. R. E. Loving. Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Dr. R. E. Blackwell. Hampton Normal Institute, Hampton, Dr. PL B. Frissell. Co-operative Education Association, Richmond. Secretary J. H. Montgomery. The County Superintendent, Agricultural or Home Demon- Community League BuUeti/n Al stration agent, any school man, minister or huvyer will be glad to respond to your request when it is possible to do so. The railroads in the State, through their agricultural de- partments, are glad to send speakers to the league meetings. You may write for a speaker to Mr. ¥. H. LeBaume, of the N. & AV. Ry., Roanoke, Mr. Stuart C. Leake, of the R. F. & P. Ry., Rich- mond, Mr. K. T. Crawley, of -the C. & O. Ry., Richmond, Mr. M. V. Richards, of the Southern Rv., Washington, D. C, Mr. J. A. Pride, of the S. A. L. Ry., Js^orfolk. Free Entertainment The following institutions will furnish at least four free en- tertainments to schools near them, provided the schools receiving the service pay the expenses of the entertainers. The communities near these colleges should certainly take advantage of this offer: Martha Washington College, Abingdon, Va., Virginia Inter- mont College, Bristol, Va., Marion College, Marion, Va., Rad- ford Normal School, Radford, Va., Hollins College, Hollins, Va., Daleville College, Daleville, Va., Harrisonburg Normal School, Harrisonburg, Va., Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Va., Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Va., Fredericksburg Normal School, Fredericksburg, Va., Richmond College, Richmond, Va. If you want to give a good play by home talent, write to Hunter Book Co., or the Bell Book Co., Richmond, Va., for cata- log of plays. Stereopticon and Lantern Slides A number of the public schools of the State have purchased stereopticons while a few have procured moving picture machines. )AQien there is sufficient demand on the part of the school, the Co- operative Education Association will secure lantern slide sets to be loaned for lecture purposes. For catalogues on stereopticons and moving picture machines, write Community Motion Picture Bureau, Boston, Mass., Victor Animalograph Co., Davenport, Iowa, or Bausch and Lomb Optical Co., Rochester, N. Y. 48 Co-operative Education Association Report of Organization Co-operative Education Association, Eichmond, Va. Dear Sirs: — I desire to rejoort the organization of the following league: School County JSl ame of Teacher Address -N ame of League Oficers. l^resident Address Vice-President Address Secretary Address Treasurer Address Chairman Committee on Education Chairman Committee on Social and Eecreational Life Chairman Committee on Moral Life Chairman Committee on Home Improvement Chairman Committee on Farm Improvement Chairman Committee on Roads and Streets Chairman Committee on Health and Sanitation Chairman Committee on Publicity Chairman Committee on Membership Date of Organization Number of members Signed. ORGANIZATION OF STATE DEPARTMENTS of Education, Health, Highwaj^s, Agriculture, Dairy and Food, and Charities and Corrections. State Board of Education R. C. Stearnes, Superintendent, E, R, Chesterman, Secretary, J. H. Binford, W. W. Edwards, A. L. Lincoln, A. D. Wright, E. E. Worrell, Inspectors. State Board of Health Dr. Ennion G. Williams, Commissioner, Dr. Roy K. Flannagan, Assistant Commissioner, Dr. W. A. Flecker, Dr. J. C. Fitzgerald, Jr., W. A. Brumfield, and Mr. Richard Messer, Assistants. State Highway Commission G. P. Coleman, Commissioner, C. B. Scott, Assistant Commissioner. State Department of Agriculture and Immigration G. W. Koiner, Commissioner, J. J. Owen, Director Farmers^ Institutes. Dairy and Food Division of Department of Agriculture B. L. Purcell, Commissioner. State Board of Charities and Corrections S. C. Hatcher, Chairman, Dr. J. T. Mastin, Secretary. Lf.S'''^''^ O*" CONGRESS 019 605 223 9 li'i Bill