OUR VILLAGE 



heartily in favor of the project and an informal 

 discussion ensued. The result was that we had 

 no difficulty in effecting an organization, and 

 our Village Improvement Society came into 

 existence with a membership of over fifty. 



In discussing the method of management 

 we decided to have everything about it as 

 simple as possible, for some of us recognized 

 the fact that success in undertakings of this 

 nature is largely dependent on simplicity and 

 directness. In order to avoid friction and 

 " running expenses," it is wise to have but little 

 machinery in a society of this kind, and that of 

 the simplest character consistent with effect- 

 iveness. We dispensed with a formal and 

 elaborate "constitution" and "code of by- 

 laws," for we did not think either was needed. 

 We simply drew up a paper setting forth the 

 object of the society and the few rules we 

 thought necessary to formulate for its opera- 

 tion, and when we had subscribed our names 

 to it we were full-fledged, active members. 



In this paper it was stated that membership 

 was conditional on an agreement on our part to 

 devote at least one day's work, spring and fall, 

 to the improvement of the home grounds, and 

 to give one day's work, spring and fall, to the 



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