556 PARKS 



When the system grows large enough to warrant the employment of a 

 full time stenographer this phase of business training might be dropped 

 from the training required of the secretary. But a thorough knowledge of 

 business transactions, and of keeping finance records, as well as other records 

 of the department, should be required. When the business of the depart- 

 ment demands the employment of a number of office employees such as 

 assistant secretary, bookkeeper, clerks, tabulating machine operator, stenog- 

 raphers and telephone operators, the duties of the secretary become almost 

 wholly supervisory and executive. The secretary should in such a situation 

 be broadly and intimately trained in the entire field of business organization 

 and management and in the handling of employees. 



4. Personal qualities. Being in charge of the office the secretary will 

 naturally come much into contact with the public. This is especially true 

 of the small and medium-sized cities and the smaller county park and 

 recreation system. This may also be true of the larger systems, but the 

 more highly organized and specialized office force of such systems makes 

 it unnecessary for the secretary to meet everyone coming to the office for 

 information or other services. 



Personal qualities desirable in a secretary who comes frequently into 

 contact with the public are a spirit of friendliness, helpfulness, courtesy and 

 tact. He should be businesslike without being abrupt, mentally alert, with 

 a manner of attending to the desires of the caller which shows a thorough 

 knowledge of the affairs of the department. The good will and prestige of 

 the department depends not alone upon the services rendered through 

 different facilities in various sections of the community but also upon the 

 favorable impressions which citizens get when their desires bring them to 

 the office. The secretary has it within his power to create a favorable or 

 very unfavorable impression at this point. In the larger systems where the 

 secretary serves largely in a supervisory and directory position, the personal 

 qualities should be such as to win the confidence and esteem and good will 

 of the employees under him and of the employees of other departments 

 with which his duties bring him into contact. (See pages 558-616 for sample 

 duties of secretary.) 

 Organization in Control of Office Manager Its Management. 



i. Evolution of the office force. For a clear understanding of the organ- 

 ization of a park office it is best to describe in detail that which has already 

 been intimated the evolution of such an office. There are those depart- 

 ments so small that the park executive must be horticulturist, engineer, 

 recreation director and office force combined. So ramified and so numerous 

 are his duties that he begins letting the "lesser important" things slide. 



