| The Totem Board | |
|---|---|
| January — Vol. 1, No. 3 | |
| A News Bulletin published occasionally by the Council of Guidance of The Woodcraft League of America, Inc. 13 West 29th Street, New York City. | |
| Ernest Thompson Seton | President and Chief |
| Grace Gallatin Seton | Vice-President |
| Elon Huntington Hooker | Treasurer |
| Mark Sullivan | Secretary |
| Philip D. Fagans | Executive Secretary |
Another Snow!
It was two snows ago (December, 1915) that a small group of men and women met and organized the Woodcraft League of America. From the world standpoint into these two years probably more of history has been crammed than in any period since the world began. The world has been engaged in history´s biggest war, whole nations have been wiped from the map and the lite of every nation revolutionized.
So now in the Snow Moon as we look back over these past months of Woodcraft Work we see that they have been full of history for us as well. We have given to the world a Manual for Boys and a Manual for Girls which are recognized as the best and used by leaders of all groups and organization. During 1917 we have rendered a real national service through the Woodcraft Potato Clubs, which in twenty-six states with 2,650 members, had a dig part in stimulating potato growing and gardening and increasing the nation’s food supply “The Hoe Behind the Flag”. “Potatriotism” and other phrases of ours became watchwords in a nation’s life. The Canning work was admirably developed in some communities.
The Woodcraft League has co-operated with many of the national service movements. In the Liberty Bond campaign our Vice-President acted as chairman of a committee which sold $3,000,000 of bonds. We loaned our Executive Secretary to the Y.M.C.A. War Work Fund campaign.
We have had a wholesome growth in numbers, having 4,971 members December 1st. an increase of 111% over last year and 104 tribes, an increase of 99% over last year.
The Woodcraft Program has been tried in city and country, in home and institution. Never once when carefully followed has it been found anything but a powerful means of building character of the sort the nation needs most now and in the days to come.
We have grown in numbers, but we have grown most in a knowledge of the needs for the future. We must make every Woodcraft Tribe actually a powerful means for building character. This will require many things. We shall aim this coming year to help the local leaders to do the work they want to do and the work we want to see them do. The Membership ticket, the Tribal Committee, The Member´s Application Blank; The Woodcraft Ranger, the new War Times Honors, Instructions for Guides, these and other steps will insure Woodcraft a good year in 1918.
Here then to 1918! May it see Woodcraft helping every member to be “Happy, Healthy and Helpy”. This is the greeting from the Chief, Black Wolf, the officers and the Council of Guidance to the guides, members and contributors of the Woodcraft League of America.
Woodcraft Ranger.
Believing that the Woodcraft Work will be furthered by having in certain cities and towns a person qualified to act as the representative of the League, the Council of Guidance on December 3rd created such an office under the title of Woodcraft Ranger.
The following resolution passed at that time will give our members a clear idea of the Ranger’s duties and responsibilities. That the Woodcraft League appointed in cities and communities where it may seem desirable and possible a Woodcraft Ranger for Boys’ Work; also a Woodcraft Ranger for Girls’ Work.
A Woodcraft Ranger should have a comprehension of the Woodcraft League work — its spirit and ideals, as well as a clear idea of its organization. These qualifications must be ascertained by a representative of the League in a personal interview.
The Ranger on appointment shall receive commission in the form of a special membership card, signed by the Chief and the Executive Secretary.
The duties of a Ranger shall be as follows:
1. To acquaint the community with the character building possibilities of Woodcraft.
2. To work chiefly through existing organizations in starting tribes of Woodcraft Boys and Woodcraft Girls.
3. To supervise the appointment of Guides and of Tribal Committees.
4. Report quarterly.
The following Rangers have accepted appointment:
Benjamin Heller, Lancaster. Penn.
Prof. Hugh Findlay, University of Syracuse, Syracuse, N.Y.
Cover of the New Membership Ticket, Ready February 1st.
The Query Sign!
(Under this department questions will be answered regarding conduct of Woodcraft Work.)
Question: “How can a Guide promote the idea of the boys and girl buying the War Thrift Stamps?”
Remember that one of the fundamental principles of Woodcraft is to study the child and its instincts. When you can use these instincts. Best results will come through what you can get the children to do rather than through what you say, Make sure, then, that one or more of the members own War Thrift Stamps. At the next meeting before the roll is called arrange to tell the members something of the purpose and value of the War Thrift Stamp plan. Then as the roll is called have each member, instead of answering present, say “So many War Thrift Stamps”. One Head Guide who has found this particularly successful also has each member say “So many coups and so many War Thrift Stamps”. This puts the whole thing on the record, lets the tribe know which members are doing real work and is a constant incentive to saving.
