Among the Departments

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 4, 1 May 1946, Page 2

Among the Departments

PEACE DEPARTMENT Dear White Ribboners, As this is "Peace Month,” I am asking you to do all in your power to extend the work for Peace. There are so many avenues of work in this direction. Indeed, we must do more than ever to change the outlook of War to Peace.

As it has so often been said, “We must build friendships, and not warships.’’ With the latest scientific developments, such as the Atomic Bomb and other devices, life is on the altar of Moloch. Within recent weeks, a man and a woman, just returned from the war zones, were interviewed over radio networks. The man was a war correspondent ; the woman a released prisoner of war. Both had undergone harrowing experiences; besides observing at first hand the privations and hardships of others. So stirring were their stories that listeners felt that each interviewer was echoing his own deepest wish when asking, “What is there that we at home may do to help?” Both replied, “Whatever you are doing now, do better, to build a peaceful world.”

That is what we must do in our work for Peace. We must “Do better.”

This should at once become a part of every Christian’s creed: “Whatever I am doing now, by God’s help, I will do better.” If what we are doing is what God would have us do, our daily occupation presents no difficulty that cannot be solved in the light of the teaching and example of our Saviour.

For each of us, the touchstone of service must be that specified by Christ Himself, when He said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me.” I shall always be glad to get reports on what you are doing for Peace in your meetings; but gladder still to hear what you are doing between meetings. In conclusion, 1 must apologise for a hurried letter. Believe me, Yours for Peace, Prohibition and Purity, E. M. MACKIE, Dominion Peace Superintendent.

METHODS DEPARTMENT Duties of Superintendents of Departments Special Note: This article, by Mrs. Kasper, is reprinted from a previous issue by special request, following on a conversation in Convention in which Superintendents were urged to encourage the work of their own departments by closer contact and more personal interest in the Unions. It was strongly

felt that this article would be most timely. World Superintendents: It is the duty of Superintendents to originate, devise and direct plans of work relating to their several departments, to correspond with and aid National Superintendents in the carrying out of the >amc, and to report work accomplished and plans proposed to the Convention. Section 2: Each World Superintendent, as soon as possible after her election, shall write to the National President of each country affiliated to the World’s W.C.T.U. asking for the name and address of the Superintendent of the Department, compiling from the replies a Directory of those responsible for the department in each country; on the retirement of the Superintendent, this information shall be passed on to her successor.

National Superintendents: When a Dominion or National Superintendent is appointed, she shall write to the World Superintendent of her Department, notifying her of the appointment, and sending her name and address. She shall outline a Plan of Work tOT her department, and try to interest the Unions throughout the Dominion to appoint Superintendents, and carry out the work of the department. To enable a full report to be presented at Convention, a letter or a questionnaire should be sent out at the proper time.

District or State Superintendents: The Superintendent is a link between the Dominion Superintendent and the local Unions in her District. She shall notify the Dominion Superintendent of her appointment, and interest the local l nions to appoint Superintendents.

Local Superintendents carry out the work of the \arious departments in their Unions if possible, and report work done to the District Superintendent to enable her to compile a full report to be presented at the District Convention.

Members must not expect Superintendents to do all the work; they devise and plan the work, the members help to carry it out. So much more can be achieved by local team work.

A Suggestion: Some time ago it was decided to ask Superintendents of departments to write into a book an outline of the work of their departments; also anything pertaining to it; also a suggestive plan of work, this to be passed on to the next Superintendents on their retirement. In this way the work could be carried on and help the efficiency of each department. Yours for service, AMY KASPER, World and Dominion Superintendent of Methods.

1.t.1. department Duties of Officers President: Has charge of the meeting, guided by the Superintendent. Vice-President: Assists the President, and takes the chair in his or her [absence. Secretary: Writes a correct account Lf each meeting, and attends to all letters and notices as directed by the meeting. Assistant Secretary: Takes a correct rough account of the meeting for the Secretary to copy. Devotional Superintendent: Leads or arranges for the Bible reading, hymns and prayers for each meeting. (The Superintendent can assist by writing prayers for the children to read.) Mistress or Master of Courtesies: Introduces all visitors and new members to the Superintendent. Temperance Fact Superintendent: Sees that a Temperance Fact is given at each meeting. (A good idea is to have a number of these written up into a booklet at once and kept up to date from the “White Ribbon," etc.) Entertainment Superintendent: Arranges for an item at each meeting. Room Steward: Sees that the room is arranged in proper order for the meeting, and left correctly after the meeting. Librarian: Attends to the distributing and collecting of Hymn Books or any literature used during the meeting. Roll Superintendent: Keeps a Strict record of attendance of all members, reporting any sick to the Superintendent in charge. Hobbies Superintendent: Delivers and collects paintings from the Supplements, and assists the Superintendent with any hobbies for the members. (Some of these positions can he duplicated or made into committees according to the size of the meeting; c.g., Entertainment, Room Steward; Hobbies. A door-keeper would also he an advantage where meetings are held in a hall, and members arriving late disturb the opening devotions.) treasurer: Where money is handled. By giving each child a position, he or she is led to feel that each meeting must he attended and the duties carried out. Thus a greater interest is created in the meeting. MRS. MOORE, Superintendent, Kurahuna L.T.L.

ANTI GAMBLING DEPARTMENT

from an address given by Mrs. Grinstead at Wanganui Union meeting:—

Gambling is a transaction between two parties whereby the transfer of something of value is made'dependent upon chance in such a way that the whole gain of one party equals the total loss of the other. Seeing that

all duties may be classified under the following headings, a man’s duty to God, a man’s duty to himself, a man’s duty to his neighbours, a man’s duty to society, we would affirm that gambling is a sin against God since it is the misuse of time, money and opportunity for which we are held responsible to God; a sin against self, since few vices so rapidly corrupt character, making men and women selfish and lazy, covetous and cruel; a sin against one’s neighbour, since it is an effort to benefit at his expense; and a sin against society, since it inflicts numerous economic and social evils on the whole community.”