Meeting a Community Need

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 13

Meeting a Community Need

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSN. OF PALMERSTON NORTH (Inc.) Twentieth annual report and balancesheet to be presented to the annual general meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 19, 1939, at 7.30 p.m. Purpose. The major task of the Young Men’s Christian Association is to produce, within the limits of its opportunities, a type of young man who will exemplify the best aspects of serviceable citizenship. The association, because of its wide range of service, and its Christian purpose and programme, is affecting for good the lives of citizens of to-day and to-morrow, and as its members conic within the age groupings of both maturity and adolescence. What a young man does with his leisure time is of great importance to him and to society. Thus the task of the Y.M.C.A. is purposeful planning for Christian character development, by profitable occupation of leisure time. Boys—Which Road Will They Take 7 Throughout the year 229 boys participated iu our programme, which is so organised that it meets the needs and interests of specific age groups. During the year close co-operation was maintained with the Child Welfare Department, and many boys whom the department has passed on to this association for supervision and help, have been given the best service, encouragement, and guidance possible. The Y.M.C.A. is glad to extend the privilege of free membership to these lads, as it does to any boy who, while anxious to avail himself of Y.M.C.A. membership, may not be in a position to pay any fee. The Employed Boy.

The work for the employed boy shows definite signs of progress. In this group we find the young employed boy between the ages of 3(3 and 19 years, at the ago when he needs a restraining influence and guidance most. A special type of programme has been established, which will do much to help youth to a worthy manhood. The Boy and Religion.

The quality of adult citizenship of tomorrow obviously depends very largely upon the value of the training given to the youthful citizen of to-day. With this thought in mind, men and women who are interested in boy life count it a joy to help in the direction of a programme which does so much to help youth at the cross roads.

The fact that 122 boys between the ages of 12 and 18 years, in 12 separate groups, were regularly engaged in weekly Bible study, with their thoughts turned toward the Christian conception of life is of more than passing significance. During the period of our boys' camp at Pohangina, the morning devotional periods emphasised the application of the life of Christ to everyday experiences of boyhood problems. The leaders' corps, Optimist Club, and High Y Club, each have definite objectives for Christian service. During the year well attended parades for members were held at various churches for the evening services. With the Boy in Camp.

All over the world the Y.M.C.A. has been a pioneer in the camping field, the Palmerston North Y.M.C.A. is no exception.

Camp Pohangina, the homo of the Y.M.C.A. boys' camp, has provided the opportunity for many boys to live together under a natural setting, free from the restrictions of city life. This year 14.1 boys were in camp for varying periods, a record for this association.

Through the generosity of the Optimist Club, High Y Club, Rotary, Citizens’ Lunch Club, and a number of private citizens, wo were able to assist financially 32 boys from homes in needy circumstances, to participate in the joys of four weeks' camping under ideal circumstances. Camp Pohaugiua makes a definite contribution to the boy life of this community, being well organised, properly equipped, and above all, having capable leadership with a knowledge of boy life. It is her© the boy learns the value of team play, the zest of clean, hard competition in contests of various sorts. He discovers there is nothing menial about waiting on tables and keeping his gear and tent tidy. Most of all he discovers the gentle art of making friends, and learns the true meaning of loyalty to those friends, his tent, grpup and camp. Physical Fitnesa—Basis of Citizenship. The recognition that the Government is giving to physical fitness, and its endeavours to implement schemes Dominion wide, in order to raise the general level of physical well being, is the result of a growing concern brought about by disturbing reports from medical and other reliable sources. In the midst of sweeping social changes in which many kinds of issues arc at stake, the Y.M.C.A. is concerned with physical education as a major and integral part of its programme. It conceives of physical education as that which sees in correct health habits,

and physical activities, avenues of approach through which the whole individual may be influenced for good in mind and character, as well as in body. The physical department's activities clearly show by the figures set out below, the contribution it is making towards the physical education of youth in this community. Enrolled in gymnasium classes:— Boys, 229; senior men, 68; business men, 42; girls, 112; ladies, 72; total, . 523 members. Total attendances, 16,975. On the field:—Cricket, 3 teams, 40 players; Soccer, 1 team, 14 players; Tennis Club, 30 players; hockey, 1 team, 15 players; Swimming and Life-saving Club, 29 members; Harrier Club, 22 members; total, 150. Indoor basketball:—Men, 22 teams, 132 players; boys, 10 teams, 70 players; ladies, 18 teams, 108 players; total, 310 players. Summary of totals in physical department:—Gymnasium classes, 523; outdoor sports, 150; indoor sports, 310; grand total, 983. Social—Education. Tho association has continued its policy of endeavouring to make each section of its members responsible for its own group social life. The attractiveness of the social programme, and the general good fellowship which pervades the work, does much to encourage right attitudes towards each other, and in every department this feature of group work has been strongly emphasised with excellent results. The opportunities afforded our members to foregather amongst congenial companions through well organised dances, banquets, intor-association visits, etc., have brought about a happy spirit of camaraderie. A contribution to the educational life of tho association is made through the Optimist Club and after class speakers in the senior and younger men’s departments. Speakers of a high standard discussed topics of civic, international, social, and economic importance. Full advantage is taken of the opportunities for discussions, with beneficial results to both speakers and members alike. This informal educational activity, we believe, provides a background of experience for general cultural development, which will be useful in every day life. The Y.M.C.A. and the Community. The Y.M.C.A. is far more than a club in which members may obtain privileges. It is an organisation and national importance. Quite apart from the regular work of the Y.M.C.A. in its field, extra services are rendered by staff and members alike to community enterprise. We have the privilege of working with the Child Welfare Department, of co-operating in projects inaugurated by the Mayor of the city, iu playing our part with church and general youth organisations, and in placing our buildings at the disposal of many of the city's sports, social and educational groups. Members of the association have been I encouraged to render service outside the buildiug. Much has beeu done in this direction, requests constantly being received for leaders, coaches, and items of entertainment. Finance. For this the association depends on the goodwill and support of the citizens of Palmerston North, and the ability of its executives to carry on the work economically without sacrificing efficiency, and with a due regard to the development of all the revenue producing agencies. Tho board of directors have been greatly encouraged by tho response of friends and members for continued support during tho past year, and it is with pleasure that they are able to report a balanced budget, and all bills paid for the year under review. Ladies’ Auxiliary. The board of directors again wish to record their keen appreciation of the splendid and loyal services of the ladies’ auxiliary. The ladies have rendered valuable assistance to the socal life of the association. Their services in connection with the sale of sweets at the annual gymnastic carnival, providing supper to the performers, and Red Triangle Day, is a fine contribution to our work. The ladies do much in keeping the, building homely and comfortable, and: we are indeed indebted to them for the help so willingly given. Appreciation. We again record our grateful thanks to the devoted honorary workers who make contributions of service towards the success of our operations. There are scores of our members and friends who carry some responsibility in our various departments, and were it not for their loyalty, much of the work covered by tho association would remain undone. To these friends of the association who have contributed to its funds the directors tender their grateful thanks. The sincere thanks of the association is also duo to the press for co-operating in making our work more widely known, a service most useful to such an organisation as ours. r F. K. HODDEE, President. A. W. YOKTT, Chairman of Directors. CHAS. WOODS, General Secretary.