HOW TO FORM A W.C.T.U.
There are, at least, a few earnest Christian women in every community who are thoroughly convinced of the great benefit such a society would be to the place in which they live. In many of the counties of Ontario and Quebec, a vice-president or superintendent is appointed for county work. It would be advisable to correspond with her on this subject, and an invitation given her to meet the ladies with a view to organization. In some counties no vice-president has been appointed, but, because it has not yet been done, let not ladies be deterred from having a W.C.T.U. Send to the Provincial Corresponding Secretary for constitutions and plans of work, and then ask your pastors to announce that a meeting for the organization of a W.C.T.U. will be held at time and place designated. It is well to see the pastors of different churches, and solicit their aid in this undertaking. And it is also wise to spend some time in interviewing ladies of the different congregations so that there may be a general interest. A notice similar to the following may be inserted in the daily paper, as well as announced from the pulpit, a week previous to the meeting.
"A meeting of ladies in favour of the temperance cause will be held in —— on —— at —— o'clock, when the advisability of organizing a "Woman's Christian Temperance Union" will be considered. Nearly 5,000 Christian women of Canada are banded together in W.C.T. Unions, for the protection of their homes, and for the good of society. The influence and help of the ladies of —— is needed. Mrs. —— of —— authorized by the Prov. W.C.T.U. will address the meeting, on the history, aims and methods of this work. The presence of pastors is cordially invited, and all ladies are earnestly requested to attend." If no such speaker is expected this part will, of course, be omitted. One of our strongest Unions was organized by a Christian lady of the town, who had heard and read and thought much of the work of Women's Christian Temperance Unions. Before the time arrives ask your pastors to share with each other in the opening exercises, but if none are to be present arrange with one of your number accustomed to such exercises, to open the meeting. Have some one ready to lead the singing, let a suitable portion of Scripture be read, Crusade, Psalm 1461(1), Parable of the "Good Samaritan," or other fitting selection, prayer offered, asking the ladies to repeat the Lord's Prayer, with the leader at the close. One of the ladies will then move that Mrs. —— be chairman of this meeting. This will be seconded and put to vote, and the chairman will take her place. A temporary secretary will be elected in a similar manner, who will keep the minutes of the meeting. In the event of no speaker from a distance being present, the chairman or some lady who has prepared it will state the object of the W.C.T.U. its history and its work, giving an outline of the different departments with their work. Items may be given from recent issues of the newspapers showing the alarming prevalence of intemperance and the necessity for all to use their influence and talent in opposing it.
After this has been done, a few minutes may be given to answering any questions that may be asked, in order that all may see clearly what they are doing. In this way the doleful experience may be avoided, "Yes, we were organized, but we do not know what to do."
Some one will then offer a resolution that a W.C.T.U. be organized. This motion will be seconded and put to vote by the chairman. We have been accustomed to vote by the uplifted hand, while our American sisters vote "Yea" and "No." The sound of the human voice is helpful, and voting in this way may be more satisfactory. Then read the constitution, by-laws, and pledge. Explain fully the membership fee of 50 cents per year or 12 1/2 cents per quarter, half of which goes to the Provincial Union. Explain that the committees of Provincial Union being all at work, money is needed to pay necessary expenses of these and of the general officers, some of whom give the most of their time, without remuneration, to this work. Explain, too, that an organizer is needed to whom we can pay a salary, who will organize new unions, and visit all unions regularly. If 6 1/4 cents per member is sent quarterly to our Provincial Unions, it will provide the means for thus enlarging the work.
Take time to answer all questions on these points. Some may object to taking the pledge, as their physicians sometimes prescribe it as medicine. We pledge ourselves not to use it as a "beverage" only. Some may be obliged to administer it to others as medicine. This does not violate the pledge. Other objections may be stated and met.
When constitution, etc., have been adopted by the meeting, send out ladies, previously requested so to act, and provided with pencils and paper, to solicit members. Should any be unprepared, the fee may be paid another time, and may be made payable quarterly or yearly.
The election of permanent officers is next in order. If it is thought best, a committee on nominations may be appointed by the chair, said committee to represent the different churches, and who shall report at some near day fixed by the meeting. It may be desirable, however, to proceed at once to ballot for officers, and by this method a truer expression of opinion is generally reached.
The president duly elected then takes the chair, and vice-presidents are elected. These should be one from each church in the place.
Then the secretaries, recording and corresponding, and treasurer are elected, also superintendents or committees of the different departments which may be thought advisable. It has been found to work well where the vice-presidents, one from each church, are made conveners of these committees, or superintendents. These conveners of committees or superintendents of departments with the general officers constitute the executive. In a small place it may be as well to transact all business in an open meeting of the union. Our ladies are supposed to be loyal to the W.C.T.U., and will not make public matters intended only for the Union.