HOW TO FOUND AN ESPERANTO GROUP.
The founding of an Esperanto Group, so that it should be successful, demands much organising ability, boundless enthusiasm, great patience, and firm determination that the group shall prosper, in spite of the difficulties which stand in its path.
Undoubtedly the creation of such a society or group will cause you an amount of work which anyone other than an enthusiast would justly name slavery. In reckoning up the correspondence, the writing of articles, and the accomplishing of everything we can do to gain the attention of the sceptical public, besides the enrolling of other adherents in order to gain their coöperation, the work is truly endless. But, on the other hand, the results of your trouble are recompense far greater than the cost, for, among other things, one becomes acquainted with many interesting persons, is present at many edifying lectures, classes, etc., and, besides this, one enjoys a number of other advantages which are well worth, the labour expended.
Of course it is hardly necessary to say that your great exertions certainly do not cease when you have founded the group. In fact, they have only just commenced.
One will always find in a new movement like Esperanto many persons who will willingly take it up while the interest lasts, which is generally aroused by any novelty; but, as soon as it ceases to be talked about, they quietly let it drop. Of such members one must take especial care; should any one of them discontinue attending the classes or seem to lose interest in the subject, write a short letter or pay him a call to assure him that the group needs his coöperation.
Now, as regards the modus operandi for founding a group.
In the first place, there is the Public Press, an institution whose uses in such a movement as this are absolutely essential. It will give us the only effectual means for spreading Esperanto among the general public. I advise personal interviews with Editors, the majority of whom are already interested in matters linguistic, and I believe you will not encounter any difficulty in discussing Esperanto with them, and in finally obtaining their promise of support. Articles giving a sketch of the movement from its commencement, also examples for illustrating its uses for commerce, literature, and society must be submitted. As often as possible correspondence pro and con should be initiated.
Now that our cause really begins to move in this land, (excuse me if I take the present opportunity to say how remarkable, in my opinion, is the progress it has already made when one considers that scarcely twelve months have passed since its commencement), I am certain that many Esperantists will be found in various parts of Britain who most willingly will give their support to the movement by writing letters to the Press in favour of the foundation of any Club, Group, or Society. Such correspondence will doubtless prove that there exist many opponents to our proposal. This is inevitable in any new scheme, and their adverse comments must be politely listened to, and instructively refuted by any of us who possess the necessary capability for such work. Let us ever bear in mind that this opposition is to us of far greater worth than apathy and indifference.
Having aroused, for a time, interest in the subject, and thus having caused a certain section of the public to become desirous of learning more about it, give a public lecture on the theme of an Auxiliary International language. The Chairman should be someone of local eminence.
Announcements of the meeting must be printed in the local Press. It would also be well to seek the support of the various Literary Institutions of the neighbourhood, and, having arranged the meeting, to send to every Secretary, for distribution to the members, bills announcing its date, place, and purpose.
At the termination of the lecture invite discussion, and then and there announce the foundation of the new Group (obviously the rules, proposals, etc., must be drawn up beforehand), fix the title of the Group, define its purpose, and elect its officers, etc. This done, ask your audience to at once become members.
The subscription must be so small as to form no obstacle to anyone’s joining.
These are the chief principles by which I have founded the Society whose Hon. Secretary I am, but certainly not without having had the valuable coöperation of the other members (of whom the present Committee is composed), and also that of the indefatigable Hon. Secretary of the Esperanto Club, the Editor of this Gazette.
I sincerely hope that these few remarks will be useful to Friends-in-Esperanto, and that they will be encouraged to found Groups in those localities, where none at present exist.
H. W. Clephan.