THE ORGANIZATION OF RURAL INTERESTS 571 



tain what work they are prepared to cooperate in for 



your town. These should include: 

 District Officer of the State Department of Health. 

 The Farm-Bureau or Improvement League. 

 Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. 

 County Young Men's Christian Association. 

 County Nursing Association. 

 The Boy Scouts and others. 



4. THE FIRST COMMUNITY MEETING. Plenty of time should 

 be allowed to insure a perfect understanding among the local 

 organizations. Sometimes this takes a year, but it is time well 

 spent. After the items mentioned in (3) have been achieved the 

 council should begin to consider the larger planning for the 

 community. Call a community meeting to consider the ques- 

 tions mentioned under (1) and these only. 



A chairman and secretary should be elected and all mention 

 of specific items of improvement avoided at this time, as it may 

 often reopen old issues and arouse antagonism just at the time 

 when the greatest harmony is needed. It will be found worth 

 while to have some one present from a town that has made a 

 success of community organization. The whole matter should 

 be thoroughly discussed from all possible angles and a vote taken 

 to determine whether the people really desire to go ahead. 



5. COMMITTEES. If action is favorable, a few committees 

 should be appointed. It is better to have a few general com- 

 mittees with sub-committees. The following have been found 

 sufficient for all practical purposes: 



a. FARM PRODUCTION soil, crops, animals. 



b. FARM BUSINESS farm supplies, sale of products, credit, 



farm records and accounts, surveys. 



In some communities it is advisable to combine the com- 

 mittees on farm production and farm business into one 

 committee on agriculture. 



c. CONSERVATION purchase and use of food, canning, drying 



and storing, fuel supply, natural resources, points of 

 scenic and historical value. 



d. BOYS' AND GIRLS' INTERESTS schools, educational clubs, 



social clubs, moral training, plays and games. 



