MEMBERSHIP RELATIONS OF COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS 25 
The question, “ What is its purpose?” was then asked with the 
results shown in Table 22. Most of those interviewed believed that 
the purpose of field-service work was to get new members and to 
obtain deliveries rather than to give information and maintain con- 
tacts. Members of association 3 placed particular emphasis on get- 
ting new members, a belief that, in all likelihood, was made more 
general by the fact that efforts to obtain new members were under 
way at the time the survey was made. 3 
Further information on the members’ opinion regarding field- 
service work was sought by means of the question, “ Would you 
suggest any changes in the field service?” and “Should the field 
service be continued?” Table 22 shows the results obtained. Evi- 
dently the majority had no changes to suggest and such changes as 
were indicated related largely to discontinuance or reduction rather 
than to a change of method or purpose. A comparatively large 
number believed that this work should be continued. 
The type of workers engaged in field service affects the attitude of 
members toward the work. The question, “ What do you think of 
the type of field men the association is employing?” brought forth 
the answer given in Table 22. A majority of all the replies indicated 
satisfaction with the kind of workers employed. Im association 4, 
however, there were more answers indicating dissatisfaction than 
satisfaction, and from the association were a number of “ Don’t 
know ” replies. The type of work engaged in by the field men and 
the type of men doing the work are factors affecting the views of 
members regarding them. The field workers in association 4 had 
been devoting much time and attention to making settlements of 
liquidated damages with contract violators, an activity which was 
unpopular with many of the members. 
Among the replies tabulated in Table 22 as “ Other than good,” 
were included some that criticized field men because of their lack 
of knowledge of farmers and farm problems. Others believed local 
men should be employed. Still others had the impression that the 
field-service department of their associations furnished a place for 
workers who had not made good elsewhere. 
In reply to the question, “ How many times has the field man dis- 
cussed the association with you?” most of those interviewed indicated 
that they had at some time had direct contact with field workers. 
METHODS OF CONTACT IN FIELD SERVICE WORK 
Community locals are or have been employed as contact points 
in the associations studied. These are informal local units estab- 
lished as a means of disseminating information and interchanging 
ideas. Some organizations have shifted the emphasis from com- 
munity locals to what is called the “ group leader plan.” The latter 
plan contemplates the appointment by field-service workers of group 
leaders, each of whom will have assigned to him a group of 10 
members. 
Replies to the questions, “ Do you have a local of the association 
available?” and “Do you consider the association local a good 
thing?” (Table 23) show that, while a majority of those inter- 
viewed evidently had no experience with locals, most of those who 
expressed themselves on this point indicated belief in them. 
