ORGANIZATION OF A STATE LEAGUE.
Reading edition
The object of the state league is to organize the church leagues, to bind them together and render more effective their work. The caring for patients and work of a similar character are properly the function of the church leagues.
There need be but little ceremony in organizing a state league. A few leading colored men and women, preferably from different parts of the State, but not necessarily so, meet and proceed to organize the state league.
The constitution and by-laws for state leagues should be adopted, followed by the election of a president, a secretary, and a treasurer.
It is desirable that the constitution and by-laws recommended in “The Plan” be adopted in all essential particulars, so that there will be uniformity in organization and work. They have been adopted in all the States that have organized thus far, and it is believed future organizations should also adopt them.
The president then appoints a committee, the president and secretary being members of it, to select a vice-president for each county in the State. (The plan contemplates that there shall be a vice-president for each county, whose duty it is to organize a branch league in each colored church in the county.)
The selection of the county vice-presidents should be made with a good deal of care. Suitable persons who will actively carry on the work should be chosen for these positions. The vice-presidents should be authorized to appoint one or more representatives in each community to help them organize the leagues in the churches and arouse interest in the work.
It can not be impressed too strongly on the vice-presidents that the success of the church leagues in their districts will depend upon the amount of attention given the work. The organization of a branch league in a church is merely the starting point; the real work is done after the organization is completed.
The president and secretary of the state league should call for regular reports from the county vice-presidents, showing the number of church leagues in their respective counties and a statement of the work done in each.
If any of the church leagues are not prospering, the president or the secretary of the state league should visit or write to them and learn what is the trouble, and give needed advice and encouragement. Officers of the state league should consult frequently and freely with their state board of health and enlist its sympathy and aid in their work. The closer the leagues keep in touch with the health authorities the better will be the results obtained. Both the state and local health officers will be glad to give their best efforts to help along this work. They are in a position to do a great deal to assist both state and church leagues, and the leagues should work in harmony with them.