¢ 5-50 RURAL ORGANIZATION IN TEXAS l“ This bnlletin is the result of the joint labors of many members of the extension staff and reflects in one Way and another the ideas of all. The committee, appointed by the Director, having active charge consists of R. W. Persons. Miss M. H. Higgins H. M. Eliot H. L. McKnight Walton Peteet B. F. Brown, Chairman. A T.‘ OL WALTON, Director Extension Service AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS _ AND UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE i COOPERATING COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS CONTENTS n Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - . . - - . . - - . . - - . . - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pages 3 and 4 Outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 5 Community Organization: - Chief Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ , , _ _ _ , _ , _ , _ _ _ _ _ “Page 5 Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - - - - - - - --Page 5 Standing Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Pages 6 and 7 Constitution (model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page By-LaWs - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . - - --Page 9 County Organization: Chief Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - --Page 10 Details - - - - - - - - - - . . - - - - - - - . - - - - - . . . - - - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Page 10 Constitution (model) . - - - - - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Page 12 State Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - . ~ - - - - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 14 Suggested Activities for— Community and County Cguncils _ _ _ , _ ,_ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - .Page 15 FOREWORDA The most natural basis for rural organization in the South and especially in Texas, is the community. This is shown by the fact that, with schoolhouse or church as a center and impelled by the natural forces of social congregation, there have come into existence mostly of their own accord, hundreds of community organizations in the state which are meeting in some measure the social needs of their constituents and are serving besides as a basis for those economical activities which can best be carried on by cooperative effort. These organizations have not only come into being in response to natural demand, but have shown in the past a remarkable vitality. Of all forms of rural organization that have been tried in the peast, some nation-wide in extent, some undertaking business enterprises on a wide scale, the feature of organization that has persisted and survived is the community organization. It is upon this foundation of experience that the present plan of organization purposes to build. But experience has shown that mere community organization does not provide a great enough diversity of interest to last long. Principal interests are likely to be overemphasized and minor interests neglected. It is to provide opportunity for the development of all interests in due proportion within organization that the “section idea” has been developed. While the idea of the section is not new, it is believed that the application of the idea is unique. Its intent is to prevent the complete overshadowing of some of the interests in the community by others, and to provide opportunity for independent development of each interest within the parent organization—a sort of self determination of interests in which they are mutually independent so far as their vital matters are concerned“. Another important feature is the place made possible for the development of rural home interests. It has often been remarked that the farm is both a ldnd of factory and a homestead. In the early years of American history the farm was regarded as a homestead, but for many decades n-ow the farm has produced crops for sale and so farming has become a business. No doubt the change has been for the better, on the whole, but a too much stressing of the production end of farming is liable to- lead not only to hazardous business risks but to ea neglect of home interests and home life. A proper and wholesome balance between the two functions of the farm as a business establishment and as a home is the aim of the Extension Service. The formation of farmers’ organizations carries to the mind of some who may have business dealings with the farmer, that rural organization is directed against their interests. Only the business man who takes the narrow view of the Whole question of farm business “assumes this attitude. The far-sighted business man, and this happily includes the vast majority in Texas, realizes that in the long run a prosperous agricultural population surrounding his town will be best for him and his community. He also realizes that progress requires constant readjustments not only in his business but between different interests including the farmer. Furthermore, he realizes that oganization affords the best methods of arriving at necessary re-adjustments in a just and open fashion. Rural organization, so far from separating town and country, is the most successful method of drawing them together on a basis of genuine cooperation and mutual respect andit is only upon such a basis that their identity of interest can permanently rest. This permanent basis of cooperation is one of the far reaching objects hoped to be attained by the form of organization outlined in this bulletin. The movement has certain high hopes and purposes. It hopes that the plan will not only provide for the easy organization of Community Councils where they ‘will 3 serve a useful end, but will also prove elastic enough to include eventually all community organizations at present existing and having the same general objective as the Council, making gradually toward that uniformity of organization throughout the state which is necessary to successful cooperation. l Its general aim is the improvement of agricultural methods and the living con- ditions of the farming population, its more specific aim, to that end, being to increase the effectiveness of the efforts of the county agricultural and home demonstration agents, and to bring the college and the United States Department of Agriculture through them into‘ closer Working relations with the agricultural interest of the state. Finally, it should be noted that the bulletin does n-ot intend to pro-pose a hard and fast plan of organization. lVhile the broad features of the scheme can not safely be departed from by the community councils, still it is not supposed that the plan suggested will be slavishly followed in all its details; in fact, it is expected that each community will modify details in conformity with its own experiences and desires. T. O. WALTON Director of Extension Service i 4w ti) 9911*?’ f‘! RURAL ORGANIZATION IN TEXAS Community Organization BRIEF OUTLINE OF ORGANIZATION ~ An organization in every community to‘ be known as the COMMUNITY COUN- CIL OF AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS. This organization is concerned with the agricultural, social, educational "and home interests of the community. _ » A county wide organization to be‘ known as the COUNTY COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS. The membership of this body is selected by the Community Councils and is concerned with those agricultural and home interests which are county wide in scope. ' A state Wide organization to be known as the STATE COUNCIL OF AGRICUL- TURE AND HOME ECONMICS. This body is to be composed of delegates. from the County Councils. CHIEF POINTS Community organization known as “The Community Council of Agriculture- and Home Economics.” Membership composed mainly of those residents of the community who are } directly engaged in agricultural pursuits, men and women alike. Voting power limited to those above the age of eighteen. Membership fees or annual dues regulated by each Community Council. Officers——President,' Vice-President, Secretary and a Treasurer. Standing committees, (a) Executive Committee, composed of the council officers. and chairmen of the various sections (See Paragraph 7 following), (b) Program Committee appointed by the President and (c) such other standing committees as may be necessary, such as Committee on Education, Good-roads, Health. and Sanitation, etc. _ Sections, representing the various interests of the community, such as Cotton Section, Livestock Section, Household Management Section, Poultry Section, Horticultural Section, Boys’ Club Section, Girls’ Club Section, Foods Study Section, Child Welfare Section, Home Beautification Section, Bee-Keeping Section, etc. < Representation on the County Council consisting of the Executive Committee of the Community Council. DETAILS Membership Membership in the Community Council should be open to all, men and Women, young and old, except that the power of voting and the privilege of holding office- should be limited to those above the age of eighteen. confined to those actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, and to those other residents. of the community whose welfare and interests are tied up with those of the community; The membership should be Fees and Dues’ Each community Council regulates its own fees and dues, except that it may be requested. by the County Advisory Board to cooperate with other Community Councils in the county in carrying forward those projects under the direction of the Countv- i Advisory Board, which are of county-wide interest. ' 5 ‘X, Officers The officers of the Community Council are President, Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, elected by the members annually. The Council can notexercise too much care in the selection of its officers. They should be chosen not merely for their affability or popularity, but also for the general qualities of leadership, good judgment and progressiveness. Standing Committees Certain standing committees are necessary to organization, but others should grow out of necessities as they develop. (a) (b) (c) "give new information and inspiration on their assigned subjects. The Executive Committee consists of the officers of the Community Council together with the chairmen of the various sections. This committee is the representative of the Community Council in the County Council, and performs besides such executive duties as its council may direct. The Program Committee, appointed by the President of the Community Council, performs a very important function in providing and directing programs at the Community Council meetings. It should propose an “Order of Business” for the Council, provide appropriate programs of entertainment and education, and establish a regular order for reports from the various Sections on their activities. be aided by regular reports to the Community Council. appoint the Program Committee with care. The duty of the Program Committee is to provide wholesome entertainment and helpful instruction for the membership. This can be done through read- ings, recitations, music, bothvocal and instrumental, and, through discussions on live timely topics of community, state, and national interest. Obviously the Program Committee as individuals can not lead in all these exercises. It is their duty to select, direct and appoint from the Whole membership com- petent leaders for all discussions. Therefore, it becomes the duty of those selected to accept the tasks assigned them, and to prepare themselves to Some study will always be necessary to accomplish this. Personal experience and observa- tion can be drawn on for much that is helpful. The latest and best books deal- ing with agriculture and home economics should be available through a com- munity library. _ In making the program, care should be taken to have it broad enough in interest to provide each member of the audience with instruction and enter- tainment. An audience may be divided roughly into four classes. First: Men of middle age or over whicse chief interest is in the business side of their farm and in public questions. Second: The women of the community who have reached the age that their interest is in their home, their children, and social and economic questions. Third: Young men and young Women, and young married people who are interested in making a living but are also interested in social affairs and entertainments Where both sexes take part, such as: singing, debating, amateur dramatics and parties. Fourth: Boys up to the age of possibly 16 or 17 and girls up to a similar age form two distinct classes in the way of entertainment and amusement. These younger boys and girls appear very nicely upon the program in declamations, dialogues, etc. Their participation in a program also lends considerable interest to the older people -of the community. Each program should contain as far as pos- sible something ‘for each group, ‘and entertainments should be provided often enough to maintain a general interest in the council. Other standing committees which might be useful are a Good Roads Com- mittee, a Committee on Education, a Committee on Public Health, ‘and a Committee on Child Welfare. The President should 6 The success of ‘the work of the Sections will" _ l“ ‘Ir Sections A section is composed of those members of the Community Council who have a , common interest in the development of some enterprise more or less common in the community. For example, a Cotton Section is made up of those members who are interested in improved methods of cultivation, or in marketing, ginning, etc., or, a Home-convenience Section, composed of members interested in farm-home devices for saving labor such as, fireless cookers, water systems, and laundry equipment. The main idea of the Section is that it is engage-d in some project of immediate and practical benefit to itself ~or the general community. The efforts of a ‘Section are various, but two suggestions are given for illustration and explanation. (a) A Section may be engaged in some cooperative enterprise, as, a Livestock Section in shipping cattle and hogs, or a Terracing Section, in cooperation With the county agent, in terracing land for its member's, or a Poultry . Section in producing and shipping infertile eggs. (b) A Section may be carrying on certain demonstrations in cooperation with the county agents and specialists from the College, as, a Horticultural Section in pruning and spraying trees and shrubs, or a Farm or Home Management Section in keeping accounts to furnish the necessary facts for better farm or home planning. Each Section should organize, and the organization should be adapted to the Work of the Section. In the case of the Boys’ and Girls’ Sections, the President ~of the Com- munity Council may appoint an adult leader for each, or if desirable, the boys and girls may elect their own leaders. 1i CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWlS FOR A COMMUNITY COUNCIL The following suggested Constitution and By-Laws is intended to serve as a basis for organization of Community Councils. Each Council, of course, may modify details to suit its own desires: Article I—Na1me The name of this organization shall be the - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . . -- Community Council of Agriculture and Home Economics. Article II-Object The Community Council shall be non-political and non-sectarian, its object being to promote the general Welfare of the community, and the agricultural and “home interests of its members; and to the attainment of those ends, to cooperate with all _ public agriculural agencies, which are Working for the same general aims. Article IIL-Membership. l, (a) Membership shall be open on application to the members of all families in ' ‘the community that are actively engaged in agricultural pursuits; and to any other residents on a vote by ballot of the Community Council, (b) Only those who have attained to the age of eighteen shall vote or hold office. 7 Secretary and a Treasurer. Article IV—Officers A _ 7 The officers of the Community Council shall be a President, a Vice-president, a. Article V-Eleetion of Officers . _ _ The officers shall be elected by ball-ot at the Annual Meeting of the Community Council and hold office for one year, or until their successors are elected and installed. They shall assume their duties at_ the next regular meeting of {the Council after their election. Article VI-Duties of Officers PRESIDENT-It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Council; ito act as chairman of the Executive Committee; to sign all orders drawn on the treasury; to appoint a Program Committee and such other standing committees» as the Council may create, and» to announce their membership at the first regular meet- ing, during his tenure of office; to call necessary special meetings; and to perform such. - other duties as appertain to the office. VICE-PRESIDENT-It shall be the dLity of the Vice-president to perform the duties of the President in case of his absence or disability. SECRETARY—It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Council; to attend to all correspondence; to receive and keep properly filed all important communications and reports; to act as secretary of the Executive Committee; and to report to the County Agent after the Annual Meeting, the names and addresses of the new officers, the chairmen of the standing committees, and the chairmen of the various sections. - TREASURER-It shall ‘be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all funds due to the ~/ Council and to pay them out only on the motion of the Council or the Executive x A Committee on orders drawn by the Secretary and countersigned by the President; t ‘ render a report at any time, after due notice, to the Council or th-e Executive Com- mittee on the condition of the Treasury; and to furnish at the Annual Meeting a detailed report of all receipts and expenditures during the term of his office, Which report shall be filed With the Secretary and be open to examination by any member of the council. Article VII—Sectio-ns _ "ORGANIZATION—Sections may be formed at any time by a vote of the Council and at the Written request of three or more members who desire to form a Section. MEMBERSHIP—Any member of the Community Council shall be eligible to membership in any Sections in Which he may be interested. POWERS—Each Section shall elect its officers and have complete control of its own activities and financial affairs. REPORTS—Ea-ch Section shall, at the request of the Program Committee from time to time, report to the Council on its state of progress. Each Section shall also read at the Annual Meeting and file with the Secretary, a brief report of its year’s Work. Article VIII—Meetings Regular meetings of the Community Council shall be held every - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Weeks, except during the months of . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- Special meetings may be called by the President or the Executive Committee. The Annual Meeting .shall take the place of the first-regular meeting in the month of November. _ Article IX—Charter It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Community Council as soon as organii zation is completed, provided that the voting membership of the Council is not less -8 I sd than fifteen, to notify the County Agricultural Agent in writing of that fact, or the Home Demonsration Agent in ‘those counties which have no Agricultural Agent, stating the exact name of the Council, its location, membership, and the date Iof its organization. The Agent in turn will notify the Director of ‘Extension of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, who Will cause a charter of organization to be issued and sent to the Secretary of the Community Council. Article X-Executive Committee The Eicecutive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Community Council and the chairmen of the various Sections. a _ Article XI-Funds _ This Community Council hereby agrees in common with the other Community Councils of the County, to contribute its share, on the basis of voting membership, to the funds of the County Council necessary for carrying forward such projects of County-Wide importance as the County Council may undertake. ‘ Article XII-Amendments This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Council by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that notice of such amendment has- , been given at the preceding regular meeting. . BY-LAWS 1. The parliamentary proceedings of this Council shall be (leterminedby . . . . . . . A quorum to ‘transact business shall consist of - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --members.. 3. An order of business shall be established by the Program Committee, which. may be changed by a vote of the Council. 4. Officers elected at the organization of the Council shall hold office until the first Annual Meeting following their election. r 5. The Program Committee, consisting of three members, shall be appointed by the President. A - COUNTY ORGANIZATION CHIEF POINTS _ 1. A County Organization known as “The County Council of Agriculture and Home Economics” composed of the Executive Committees of the various Community Councils. A County Advisory Board, elected by the County Council and in cooperation with the County Agricultural and Home Demonstration Agents, having active charge of the interests of the County Council. County Sections, composed of the membership of the various Community Sections, and organized by the County Advisory Board. THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE DETAILS Organization ‘The County Council is composed of the Executive Committees of the various Com- munity Councils. In those counties having few organized communities, it is best for the Advisory Board, in preparing for the annual meeting of the County Ciouncil, to invite to the meeting not more than three representatives from each of the community centers Where organizations do not exist, but Where it is hoped later ion to establish them. It is not advisable to invite repeatedly representatives from those communities which ought to organize but do' not do so. The Advisory Board uses its discretion also in occasionally inviting to meetings of the County Council representatives from other organizations, who may be given the right to speak but not_to vote. .Meetings (a) The County Council meets once at an annual meeting and oftener if the Advi- fsory Board calls them together for a special purpose. The annual meeting should be care- -fully prepared for by the County Agents and the Advisory Board and sh-ould be '~ arranged to take place some time in January. (b) Special meetings of the County Council may be called by the Advisory Board Lfor any special purpose. ‘ (c) The County Council at the Annual Meetings also passes upon the budget ‘proposed by the Advisory Board and makes arrangements for raising necessary funds for the ensuing year. (d) The County Council may at any of its meetings make recommendation to the Advisory Board for any new work or any changes in work already under way. THE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD Organization ' The Advisory Board is composed of nine or eleven members, the four officers of the C-cunty Council, who are also the officers of the Board, the chairmen of‘ the County Sections, if any, the County Agriculture and Home Demonstration Agents, and the necessary number of Advisers at Large elected at the Annual Meeting of the County Council. Meetings The Advisory Board meets once a quarter regularly, and special meetings may be called as necessity may require. Duties of the County Advisory Board (a) The County Advisory Board, in cooperation with the County Agricultural and Home Demonstration Agents who are n-on-voting members of -the Board, has general charge of the affairs of the County Council and is the main 1O support of agricultural and home demonstration Work, and of rural education and develcpment within the county. It maintains besides a cooperative w relation through the County Agents with the Agricultural and Mechanical College, the United States Department of Agriculture, and any other public agencies having the same general aims as these. A (b) The County Advisory Board is the business agent of the County Council, having charge of its funds and voting expenditures in accordance with the annual budget allowed by the County Council. - (c) The Advisory Board may organize County Sections whenever so requested, or whenever in its judgment any legitimate enterprise or demonstration of county-wide interest or importance can best be carried on through the agency of a County Section. It should admit the chairmen of such newly-organized sections at once to membership on the Advisory Board. ~ (d) The. Advisory Board may call special meetings of the County Council when- ever necessary. (e) The Advisory Board will encourage the organization of local Councils in those communities where they ought to succeed; and; it should discontinue invitations to representation on the County Council, extended to‘ those com- tmunities which show no disposition to organize. (f) An important duty of the Advisory Board is the adequate preparation for Annual Meeting of the County Council. It should prepare an annualreport to be read at that time »on its activities for the year. It should carefully canvass the plans for the ensuing’ year, and prepare a budget to be acted Council a limited representation from the unorganized communities of the - l upon by the Council. It should invite to the annual meeting of the County county. And it should prepare the ‘program and order of business, providing for speakers on timely subjects, if desired. , (g) The Advisory Board should consider itself the responsible leader of rural interests in the county, interested in every movement and contributing to every effort that is undertaking the economic, social or educational improve- ment of farm life. County Sections - While the Advisory Board performs all the business functions of the County Council in so far as they are of a general nature, there are still some interests of so special a character, and yet of such county-wide importance, that they can best be carried on by a special body. It is thought that County Sections may occasionally be useful in serving the-se special county-wide interests. However, for the sake of simplicity of organization it is not thought advisable, wherever the Advisory Board can do the work, to organize County Sections, and certainly in no case until the county organization has been in operation long enough to= know what it wants. Organization _ A County Section is composed of the membership of the Community Sections from the various communities, and of all other farm residents in the county who are interested in the work of that County Section; for instance, a County Livestock Section is made up of the members of the Livestock Sections from various Community Councils and may include also any other farmers in the county who are interested in the under- takings of the Livestock Section and willing to assume their share of its duties. _ ' The Chairman or President of each County Section is ex-officio a member of the l County Advisory Board. Meetings A County Section, being organized for some special and generally some business purpose, should determine the time and place of its own meetings. 11 Purposes The need for County Sections is twofold: First, since they are composed of men or women having special interests, thev are the best agencies for carrying on any county-wide enterprise- of a special naturfi which it would be difficult for the Advisory Board to undertake; for example possibly,’ r Livestock Shipping, Tick Eradication or Cotton Classing. . Second, they offer an excellent opportunity to bring those many county-wide rural organizations which are already in existence, as going concerns, into the general organization, without any great amount of reorganization. It is thus hoped in time to secure the allegiance and cooperation of all existing and active» organizations which have the same general aims and are Working with the same general methods as the County Council. CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS FOR A COUNTY COUNCIL v The following Constitution is intended to serve as a basis for county organization. Each County Council of course may modify any details to‘ suit its own aims: v l Article I—Name The name of this organization shall be the - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - County Council of Agriculture and Home Economics. Article II~—Object The County Council shall be non-sectarian and non-political, its object being to promote the agricultural and rural home interests of the county; and to these ends, to cooperate With the communities of the county, the agricultural and home demonstration agents, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, and any other public agenies having the same general aims as the Councils. - " ‘ Article III—Membership ‘Membership through its Executive Committee is open to every Community Council which holds a charter from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas; except that the Advisory Board may add to the County Council representation from unor- ganized communities not to exceed one-third of the regular individual membership of the County Council. ' Article IV——Officers a ~ The officers of the County Council shall be a President, a Vice-president, a Secre- tary, a Treasurer and a General Secretary; and these shall also serve in their respective capacities as the officers of the County Advisory Board. The County Agricultural, Agent shall serve as General Secretary for the County Council andrthe Advisory Board. (A few counties have Home Demonstration Agents and no Agricultural Agents. In these counties the Home Demonstration Agents should serve as General Secretaries). Article V—Election of Officers The officers, except the General Secretary, shall be elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting of the County Council and shall hold office for one year or until their suc- cessors are elected. They shall assume their duties at the next meeting cf the County Council. Article VI—Duties of Officers PRESIDENT-Jt shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Council and of the Advisory Board and to perform such other duties as usually devolve upon his office. . q VICE-PRESIDENT-It shall be the duty of the Vice-president to perform the.‘ duties of the President in case of his absence or disability. ~ A / SECRETARY-It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate minutes of the meetings of the County Council and of the Advisory Board, and to‘ prepare with . 12 ' - the assistance of other members of the Advisory Board, the annual report of the Board. TREASURER-it shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all funds of the ounty Council and t0 pay them out only at th-e direction of the Advisory Board on orders signed by the Secretary and countersigned by the President, to render a report at any time, after due notice, to the Advisory or the County Council; and to furnish at the Annual Meeting of the County Council a detailed rep-ort of all expenditures and receipts during the term of his office, which report is to be filed with the County Agricultural Agent and to be open to examination by any member of the County Council. GENERAL SECRE=TARY—It shall be the duty of the General Secretary to carry on the correspondence for the County Council and for the Advisory Board, and to receive, and serve as the custodian of, all permanent records of the County Council and of the Advisory Board; to keep complete records of the officers of the Community Councils and the membership -of their sections and most important committees; to serve notice of all meetings of the County Council and of the Advisory Board; and in cooperation with the County and Home Demonstration Agents, to attend to the publicity and dissemination of all matters of interest and importance to the agricultural and home interests of the county. Article VII-County Advisory Board ' MEMBERSHIP—-The County Advisory Board shall consist of nine (or eleven) members, except that it may be temporarily increased as herein-after provided for. A It shall consist of the officers of the County Council, who shall serve in their respective capacities on the Advisory "Board, the chairmen of the County Sections if there be any, and the necessary number of Advisers at Large to bring the full member- ship to nine (eleven), together with the County Agricultural and Home Demonstration ‘Agents, who have all rights except that of the ballot. ‘ The Advisers at Large shall be elected by the County Council from its own mem- bership at the Annual Meeting. i The Advisory Board shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected. ' A ' DUTIES-Jt shall be the duty of the Advsory Board to‘ cooperate with the County Agents, the Community Councils, the Agricultural and Mechanical College, the United States Department of Agriculture, and any other public agencies, in furthering the agricultural and rural home interests of the county; to administer the business and the funds of the County Council; and) to‘ make all necessary preparation for annual and special meetings of the County Council, including reports, proposed budgets and recom- mendations. ‘ MEETINGS—-The Advisory Board shall meet regularly once- a quarter at . . . . . - - . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and oftener if necessary; or“ in special meetings called by the President. POWERS-The Advisory Board shall have power to regulate its proceedings and perfect its organization. - A . Whenever it shall seem desirable, the Advisory Board‘ may organize County Sections composed of the members of the Community Sections and other farmers who may be interested in their work. The chairman of a County Section shall be ex-officio a. mem- ber of the Advisory Board. ~ Whenever a county-wide farmers’ organization already in existence and doing substantially the work of a County Section shall apply to the Advisory Board for affilia- ' tion with the County Council, the Advisory Board may so recognize it, and admit its %hairman or president to membership in its body. Article VIII—Funds. Funds for carrying on the activities of the Coun-ty Council may be raised by assessment against the several Community Councils based on their voting membership. (Any other satisfactory scheme for raising funds may be substituted for this one). 13 ,- Article FIX-Charter It shall be the duty of the County Agricultural Agent, when organization of this County Council is completed and when there are not less than four active Community Councils in" the county, -to notify the Director of Extension of the Agricultural am ,;-_, Mechanical College of that fact, stating the exact name of the County Council, the datefi of its organization and the number of active Community Councils in the county. The Director of Extension will cause a charter of organization to be issued and sent to‘ the County Council. Article X—Meeting The Annual Meeting of the County Council shall take place in January on a date and at a place designated by the Advisory Board. The Advisory Board may when necessary call special meetings of the County Council. Article XI-Amendment This Constitution may be amended by the County Council at any regular meeting, or at any special meeting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment be given with the notic-e of the meeting. A \ ~ qSTATE ORGANIZATION _ Just as a County Council is the representative body of the Community Councils, and is concerned with those questions of rural Welfare which are of general interest in the county, so the State Council is designed to represent the County Councils, and to concern itself with those question-s of agricultural welfare which are of interest to the state as a whole or to any large sections of it. However, the state organization can come into existence only when there shall be many active county organizations on which] to base it, and this will necessarily bvt some time in the future; so that it seems best for the time being to‘ await further 11 r developments in these counties and communities before taking up the details of the question of state organization. V ' l‘ . r. 14 SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES . FOR COMMUNITY AND COUNTY COUNCILS 1. Increased production per acre of staple farm crops through the adoption of better seed and better cultural methods. 2. Introduction of new crops where soil, climate and market seems to justify. 3. Improvement of all kinds of livestock through the introduction of purebred.‘ animals, the organization of bull associations, cow "testing associations, etc. 4. Better markets for all farm products by, or through: (a) Producing superior grades and quality ~ (b) Selling cooperatively (c) Warehousing, storing and holding. (d) Canning, preserving and drying, as far as practicable all products immediately perishable. 5. Cooperative purchase, where economic conditions justify, of staple farm supplies that can be bought in carlots, and loaded direct from car to farm wagon. Among these . produts are feed, fertilizer and wire. 6. The building of cooperative creameries, canneries, syrup-making plants, sweet potato curing houses, etc. I - 7. Building better highways. 8. Impr-ovement of rural schools through better equipment, higher salaries for, ‘teachers and longer terms, and a course of study planned to meet the needs of pupils. . who are to engage in agricultural pursuits. - _ 9. Establishing community libraries that will furnish a ready reference t0 the findings of science and research in the fieldsof a culture a$éhpvme economics. 10. A general diffusion among the adult rura. of that higher degree of information and intelligence essential to the pro ess, and preservation of a safe and permanent democracy. 11. Group study of the fundamentals of rural economics and rural sociol-ogy. 12. A better understanding of the functions, purposes, plans and undertakings of the State College of Agriculture, the Experiment Stations, the Extension Service and the Uni-ted States Department of Agriculture. R '13. The organization of credit unions through which the man of limited capital can borrow for productive purposes at a fair interest rate. l4. A study of those household conveniences which make not only for greater comforts in the home but also for less work and better conditions of sanitation and health. l5