TV COMPETITION STARTS TO HIT NIGHT MEETINGS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30745, 8 May 1965, Page 2

TV COMPETITION STARTS TO HIT NIGHT MEETINGS

Television viewing is beginning to affect attendances at a number of Christchurch women’s organisations which hold their meetings at night. The fall-off is slight, almost imperceptible. But presidents are aware that the lure of weekly features, good documentaries—cosy entertainment at home by the fire—could encroach further. It has happened in other cities.

The challenge must be met by vital leadership, programmes planned with vision to arouse and hold members’ interest, particularly of younger members, an officer said yesterday. Older members with a genuine enthusiasm for their organisation were not likely to be enticed away from it.

“Women who are not terribly interested will probably use television as an excuse not to go to meetings, but faithful adherents will not be affected,” said Mrs W. Grant, national president of the National Council of Women. Attendances at national meetings of many organisations throughout New Zealand had been noticeably affected by television, she said. The impact may be expected to increase. Changed Tinies Some groups drawing mainly on younger women for membership have forestalled the problem by changing from evening to afternoon meetings.

“Though it is usual for Country Women’s Institutes to meet in the afternoon, one which still meets in the evening is having its difficulties and another has recently changed to the afternoon,” said Mrs L. M. Kellaway, immediate past-president of the Canterbury Federation.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to get women to attend evening functions and 1 think television is partly to blame, though it makes no difference to me personally,” she said.

The Mothers’ Union reports: “Nothing noticeable yet.” “I would have said there had been no difference at all, but I’m told one of our branches which meets on a Tuesday

evening has been suffering a little because of a particularly popular television programme on that night of the week,” said the diocesan president (Mrs W. A. Pierre). The Mothers’ Union demanded dedication from its members and a fall-off in attendances at meetings was not expected. “But we realise more than ever the importance of vital leadership and vision in planning our own programmes,” she said. Put On Toes

Competition from television is regarded as a challenge by the Catholic Women’s League. “It puts an organisation on its toes,” said the diocesan president (Mrs J. R. Fahey). “It means providing more attractive programmes, the kind of thing not covered by television.”

Television was regarded as the chief villian of the piece by delegates to a recent conference of New Zealand clubs,

held in Wellington. Faced with a dwindling membership some of the North Island clubs took a look at their own programmes and decided I to change them to meet the needs of the times. But Mrs L. P. Bennett, president of the Canterbury Women’s Club, said all its functions were well attended. Membership has, in fact increased during the last 18 months. Night meetings were not held during June, July and August she said. The Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women is not troubled. “Delegates have a sense of responsibility to the organisations they represent” said the president (Miss M. E. Saunders). “They are older women, too.” Nor was it likely to interfere with night meetings of the Soroptimist Club of Christchurch or the Christchurch branch of the Federated Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, representatives said. In Perspective Miss Dorothy Feaver. Soroptimist president said: “Our members are really enthusiastic about the activities of their club. I don’t think a television programme, however good, would keep them away from meetings.” Busy women who filled in their leisure time with worthwhile interests, kept television in perspective, Miss Feaver said.