“MADAM PRESIDENT”—AND HER JOB

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 2, 1 March 1947, Page 3

“MADAM PRESIDENT”—AND HER JOB

W hat are the duties of a President ? To preside over a meeting. Yes; that is necessary to prevent waste of time, material and energy, and to carry on from the past to the fu ure. Tha' is filling a \aluahle part in the main work of a leader. Organisation, which means finding other people to do jobs, training and guiding them each to get on with her own line and in co-operation with other workers and their lints. For which, a basic need is the old virtue which marked out a King; the "Coming.'’ that is, the "Knowing," or foresighted man. Often it is easier to do a job oneself, particularly one that i> hand-smoothed with experience; than to teach a raw beginner by encouragement, and, perhaps, cautiously smokescreened help. But it is the getting of newcomers into interest and responsibility that ensures any progress bcyond a mere tla>h in the |*an. Sooner or later, newcomers must he trained if the work is to be carried on, and it pays to hand over the reins' before your hands get shaky. Of course, it isn’t altogether pleasant to resign a position and sit hack to watch someone else filling it—not so well at first, perhaps—hut it is very good both for the junior and the job. Was it this someone meant by "in honour preferring one another”? Woe’s me, does one have to be a saint to do that ? Or just an ordinary woman, who really can easily find plenty that needs doing in helping wdth other jobs? —Katherine Mercer.