YOUNG CITIZENS LEAGUE
EMMA MEISTRIK, Executive Sec’y, Pierre

Many inquiries have been received regarding
the organization of a Young Citizen League, more
particularly from teachers, who are new to the
work. To these the following information will
be of interest.

How to Organize a League

Read stories and poems from the Young Citi-
zen. Talk to the children about the league, in-
teresting them in its work. Then plan for a
Practice meeting, using only the simplest rules of
parliamentary procedure at first. Study the flag
salute, motto, the pledge and the Code of Ethics.

In the Constitution and By-Laws teachers will
find the order of business on page 797 of the
Course of Study and the duties and membership
of committees on pages 801-804. When children
have done a little preliminary practice, they may
plan their first real meeting.

Sample of a Regular Meeting

President:

(1) “The meeting will please come to order.”

(2) “Will all members stand and join in giving the
salute and pledge to the flag.” (Standing with right
hand over the heart, facing the flag, all repeat together
the following pledge: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of
the United States of America and to the republic for
which it stands, one nation indivisible with liberty and
justice for all.”) (At the words “to the flag” the right
hand is extended, palm upward toward the flag and this
position is held until the end, when the hand drops to
the side after the words, “justice for all.’?)

(3) “Let us repeat our Young Citizens League Pledge:
‘I hereby pledge my active devotion to my country by a
study of its ideals and by a constant interest in the gen-
eral welfare of my state and nation. I shall strive to do
something each day to improve the standards of my
school and community, and thereby endeavor to promote
better citizenship’.”

(4) “The secretary will please call the roll.” (The
secretary may rise and say: “Mr. President, all members
are present,” or “three members are absent,” as the case
may be.)

(5) “The secretary will please read the minutes of
the last meeting.” (Secretary rises and reads minutes of
the last regular or special meeting, or the minutes of
both.)

' (6) “Are there any corrections of the minutes?”

(7) (Pause) “If there are no corrections, the minutes
stand approved as read.” (Pause) “They are approved.”

‘(8) “The reports of committees are in order.”

Anne: “Mr. President.”

President: “Anne.”

Anne: “I wish to report that the regular library com-
mittee has completed the work of recording the books
in the new library record.”

President: “Members of the league, I feel that this
committee has done a very fine piece of work and that
they should be commended. Let us give them a rising

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vote of thanks.” (All except the committee, rise to the
floor.)

(9) “Is there any old business?” (none.)

(10) “Is there any new business?”

George: “Mr. President.”

President: “George.”

George: “I think we should select a name for our
organization and I move that it be called the ‘Be
Square’ League. (Other names are suggested and voted
on. A name should not be used by more than one
YCL in a county. Consult the County Superintendent.)

Mary: “Mr. President.”

President: “Mary.”

Mary: “I second that motion.”

President: “It has been moved and seconded that the
name of our organization shall be the ‘Be Square’
League. All those in favor of this motion say ‘Aye’;
those opposed say ‘No’. The ‘Ayes’ have it. The name
of this chapter shall be the ‘Be Square League’.”

Jane: “Mr. President.”

President: “Jane.”

Jane: “I move that the secretary be instructed to
write to our county chairman, Miss Brown, the County
Superintendent, that we organized and elected our of-
ficers for the work of the Young Citizens League on
September 10 and that we have selected the name ‘Be
Square’ League. Further, that the various committees
have been appointed by the president and that they are
carrying out their duties as young citizens.”

Charles: “Mr. President.”

President: “Charles.”

Charles: “I second that motion.”

John: “Mr. President.”

President: “John.”

John: “Will the secretary please read the motion. I
do not think that I understood it.”

President: “Miss Secretary, you will please read the
motion.” (Secretary stands and reads motion, if it has
been written out and if not, repeats the motion distinctly
so that all may understand.)

President: ‘You have heard the motion. All those in
favor of this motion say ‘Aye’; opposed say ‘No’. The
‘Ayes’ have it. The motion is carried. The secretary
will write our county chairman as instructed.”

(11) “New members will be voted in.”

(12) President: “A motion to adjourn is in order.”

Helen: “Mr. President.”

President: “Helen.”

Helen: “I move that we adjourn.”

Nadine: “Mr. President.”

President: “Nadine.”

- Nadine: “I second that motion.”

President: “It has been moved and seconded that we
adjourn. All those in favor of this motion, say ‘Aye’;
opposed ‘No’. The ‘Ayes’ have it and the meeting is
adjourned.” (A program may follow or may be in-
serted before the close of the meeting.)

Simple Rules of Order to be Observed

Every member previous to speaking, shall rise
from his seat, address the chair and remain stand-
ing until he is recognized by the President. In
YCL work “Miss President” may be used instead

of “Madam President” when a girl is presiding.
(Continued on page across)

November, 1935 e@ SDEA JOURNAL