FUTURE OF THE FARM BUREAU MOVEMENT 263 



women for membership in a public association such as the 

 farm bureau is the opportunity for unselfish altruistic 

 service to their neighbors, their communities, and their 

 counties, state and nation. This desire must be satisfied. 

 ''Getting my money's worth" is a secondary consideration. 

 But service received is important. 



Sustained or permanent membership in any organization 

 depends solely on the realized opportunity for each mem- 

 ber to be of service to others and upon value received by 

 him in satisfaction and service. Signature to life mem- 

 bership pledges, drafts or checks should be regarded solely 

 as helpful aids to the collection of dues. Memberships of 

 individuals in the organization, obtained upon promises 

 impossible or unlikely of fulfilment, or upon misrepresenta- 

 tions of any sort, are liabilities rather than assets. 



The farm bureau is a broad public service agency, not a 

 class organization or a trade union seeking only the ad- 

 vantage of its own members ; but state and national federa- 

 tions do function to protect and promote the interests of 

 farmers. Appeals to class advantage and comparison of 

 dues and fees with those paid by labor unions are danger- 

 ous expedients. 



The large membership fee has the advantage of larger 

 investment by the individual and greater resources for the 

 organization. It also has some disadvantages. It may 

 seriously limit the number of members, barring those of 

 small means who perhaps most need help ; or, on the other 

 hand, it may lead to paid ''drives" which gather in mem- 

 bers on false promises members who have little sympathy 

 with or interest in the work. Larger fees mean increased 

 responsibilities and obligations for service. The size of 

 the fee is not as important, however, as the relation between 

 the fee and the opportunity for service and the service 

 rendered. 



