Y.W.C.A.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20190, 30 August 1927, Page 6

Y.W.C.A.

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING. The monthly meeting of the board of directors of the Young Women’s Christian Association was held on Wednesday last. After the opening study of the programme of the Pan-Pacific Women’s Conference, various correspondence was dealt with, the most important of which came from the National Board, and dealt with arrangements for conference and convention to'be held at Paerata about the New Year. There were also interesting minutes of a meeting of the World Fellowship Committee, at which Mrs Anderson had reported on her visits to the various associations in New Zealand. The New Zealand association hoped to send a secretary to China next year, and Mrs Anderson was able out of her experience to state what training and qualifications would be necessary for such a worker in present-day Chinese conditions. The strategic point is in the Government schools, and a knowledge of club work for girls is essential. As regards the need for a secretary in Fiji, Mrs Anderson reported that the* India National Council regarded this as a branch of work for which they should be responsible. Possibly New Zealand might, at a later date, consider sending a secretary to India, thus relieving an Indian secretary for work in Fiji. On the recommendation of the two committees concerned, the board decided to open the position of senior club and membership secretary to Miss Mayborn Smith, an Englishwoman at present helping at Girls’ Flock House. Miss Beardsley, the newly-arrived extion department was welcomed by the board. Arrangements were made for the annual meeting, which will be held on September 20, and committees were set up for nominations and for the editing of the annual report. The Genera] Secretary reported on the poor response of the general membership at the important functions held during the past month, a reception to Mr and Mrs Shepherd, meetings with Dr and Mrs Anderson, and the World Fellowship Fair all being badly attended. Much work had been put in by the staff and others, and the results were verv disappointing. The proceeds of the fair were not quite £SO instead of the £IOO aimed at. If the present activities of the association, which were run on the most economical lines and all of which appeared to he filling a real need, were not to be curtailed, the annual income must he considerably increased. Membership figures showed a total of 693, 307 of whom were club girls. This did not show a high figure for general public support. The board considered the possibility of laying down the Triangle Club tennis courts at Woodhaugh for this summer. Here again finance was the hindrance. There was some money in hand, but not sufficient to open the courts free of debt. Yet there was a large group wishing to take advantage of these courts.