Y.W.C.A.

Evening Star, Issue 21320, 26 January 1933, Page 14

Y.W.C.A.

REFRESHER COURSE FOR SECRETARIES A refresher course extending over two weeks for Y.W.C.A. secretaries from all parts of the dominion has just been concluded at Dunedin. St. Margaret’s Residential College was made available, and of the twelve students attending many were workers with some years of experience, while four or five will begin their career as staff members this year. Miss Jean Stevenson, national genera! secretary for New Zealand, was in charge of the course, and associated with her was Miss Audrey M’Crea, who will shortly take up the duties of “ programme secretary ” in the Wellington Y.W.C.A. Tho shortness of the time made it necessary to have a specialised course covering mainly Bible study, modern religious problems, association history and organisation, methods of programme work, and educational principles. For a good deal of this Miss Stevenson was responsible. Two special lectures on psychological principles of education and on the history and principles of adolescent girls' work in the Y.W.C.A. and of the girl citizens’ movement were given by Miss M. Black (principal of Archerfield College, Dunedin). Talks on ‘ Worship ’ and ‘ Prayer ’ were given by Miss Joan Spencer Smith, of St. Faith’s Training School, Christchurch. Lectures on methods and resources in Bible study were given by Miss D, M. Lynn, and projects in religious education were worked out by Miss Lynn, Miss M'Crea, and the whole group. Other lectures were given by Miss C. Ashton (‘ Principles of New Psychology’), Miss M. Law (‘ Adolescent Psychology ’), and Miss A. M'Crea (‘ Summer Camps, Adolescent Girls’ Work, and Leadership Training ')• The changing conditions affecting the life of young women is the thought underlying the consideration of all methods of “ programme work ” in the Y.W.C.A., which is concerned with all phases of the life of girls in all lands. The unemployment situation presents many other aspects than the mere need for relief, which affects only a small number. The lessened opportunities for paid work mean .a larger margin of leisure, and this may mean enrichment and development, or it may mean deterioration and stagnation. To tho Y.W.C.A. as the oldest and most comprehensive of women’s movements with a strong emphasis on character building this constitutes a challenge to new thinking and new methods. The result will probably he an emphasis upon education in all forms—practical skills, widening horizons of knowledge, and better citizenship. The studies and discussions of the refresher course were largely directed to finding practical ways of working this out. the students attending were Miss M. R. Law (Auckland), Miss D. Lynn (Auckland). Miss M. Greenwell (New Plymouth), Miss C. M. Ashton (Palmerston North), Miss 0. Burton (Wellington). Miss M. Burnley (Christchurch), Miss D. Bates (Christchurch), Miss E. Bowhyes (Lyttelton), Miss R. White (Timaru). Miss H, K. Lovell-Smith (Timaru), Miss E. Labes (Dunedin), and Miss A. Kirkwood (Dunedin).