--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 17 number: 7 published: 1914-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Mutual Work," *Improvement Era* 17, no. 7 (May 1914): 695–699.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1707unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1707unse start_page: 695 end_page: 699 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1914-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1707unse publication_year: 1914 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1914, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Mutual Work Mutual Work How to Organize M. I. A. Scout Work The Scout activities are a part of Mutual Improvement work, and are under the direction and supervision of the M. I. A. stake and ward officers. All officers should know at least in a general way what scout work is. A stake Scout Master should be appointed to look after the work in the stake. The following literature is recommended: '"Hand Book for Boys," price 30 cents postpaid. "Hand Book for Scout Masters," price 60 cents postpaid. "The Boy Scouts," by Jacob A. Riis, price 3 cents. This will appear in the Era for July. "The Boy Scout and my Boy," 1 cent. "The Boy Scouts of the World," by Lyman Beecher Stowley, price 3 cents. Address: "Boy Scouts of America," No. 200, 5th Ave., New York, N. Y. r o The "Hand Book for Boys," and the "Hand Book for Scout Mas- ters" can also be obtained through your local book store, or the Des- eret News Book Store. . The leader of the scouts is called the Scout Master. The junior class teacher, if he is willing and qualified, and has the time, may act as Scout Master. If there is anyone else in the ward more suitable for the work, by all means select him. The boys are divided into groups of eight, called patrols bach patrol leader, and eight selects out of their number two officers called military. It teaches, assistant patrol leader. The boy scout plan is not universal peace. however, loyalty, patriotism, chivalry, and advocates WHAT THE SCOUT MASTER SHOULD DO Buy the above-named literature and study it: First prepare thoroughly a few lessons as found in the back of Manual for 1913-14. (On sale at the Era office.) the Junio'r few M. I. A. boys together who are or may be inter- Gather a ested in scout work. _ . present at your Do not try to have every boy in the ward tirst It is easier to commence with a small number. meeting years of Do not enroll or have in your class boys under twelve " ag6 as a Scout Master with the National Organization. Register through the stake M. 1. A. ' Blanks for this purpose can be obtained officers, or by writing to Dr. John H. Taylor, Desert Gymnasium, Salt Lake lt J a of at least eigh t boys The Sco ut Master should send in the names had for sending in the with his blank. Enrollment blanks can be nampQ of aditional new members. . the official boy scout The S?out Master will obtain "Boys' Life," Scout Masters, free. bulletin for magazine also a semi-monthly from the boy if he has ToSect the 25 cent annual M. I. A. fundhis annual scout fee A also pays not already oaid it. The 25 cents this amount is sent to New York which places the scout in cart of Organization of the Boy Scouts of food standing with the National f l:ri n ; f^ o» /r;fJ^e ^^;tvr?h n *s,^o th n , p nce, e ai a 696 IMPROVEMENT ERA to the general secretary, as the blank cannot be mailed to New York until the money has been received. Commence with the tenderfoot requirements. Do not undertake, at the beginning, to give theboys everything there is in scoutcraft. Work into the program games, hikes and other outdoor activities. Finish tenderfoot requirements before taking up 2nd and 1st class requirements. Emphasize the scout promise, the scout law, the scout motto, "Be Prepared," and the "daily good turn." These are the big things in scoutcraft. Examinations should be both written and oral. Never let a boy slip through; make him come up to a high standard. Scout Masters should not give examinations to their own scouts. — Have disinterested persons give it, the stake superintendent, board members, the superintendent of schools, or the stake honor commit- tee. Where there is a stake Scout Master, confer with him. Write to Dr. Taylor for further information on scout work. City Boys' Industrial Contest For the purpose of encouraging industry in the larger towns and cities during the school vacation season, to impress our growing boys with the value and use of money and the worth of time, and to give them experience in finding suitable and profitable employment, the Committee on Vocations and Industries of the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A. make the following recommendations: 1. That a contest be held for the members of the Y. M. M. I. A. to be known as the City Boys' Industrial Contest. 2. That all Y. M. M. I. A. members from the age of 12 to 18 years inclusive, be eligible to enter the contest. 3. That the Ward Committeemen be requested to encourage all the boys between the ages of 12 and 18 years, inclusive, to engage in some profitable form of work during the summer vacation. 4. That the boys be encouraged to follow a line of work for which they are naturally adapted, and which may lead them in a prac- tical way to the vocation that they will later follow; but in the event that such employment cannot be found, that they accept any honorable work for which wages or other form of remuneration may be obtained. 5. That an accurate weekly record shall be kept of the kind and hours of labor performed and the compensation received. 6. That a record be kept of all money expended from the earn- ings of the summer, stating the amount expended, the things for which it was spent, and the net savings. 7. For the purpose of this contest the ward is recognized as the first unit, and the stake as the second unit. That the wards be urged to give some suitable recognition for the best four records made in the ward, and that the stake give suitable recognition for the best four records made in the stake. The records adjudged to be the first, second, third, and fourth best, in each ward, are to be sent to the Stake Committeeman who shall arrange for a committee of three persons to choose, from all the records submitted by the wards, the first, second, third, and fourth best records made in the stake; these shall be sent to the Committee on Vocations and Industries of the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A., who will arrange for a com- mittee to select the first, second, third, and fourth best records of the Church, and the winners will be awarded cash prizes as follows: First prize. $40; second prize, $30; third prize, $20, and fourth prize. $10. In addition to the cash prizes, the General Board will award a — MUTUAL WORK 697 token signifying the achievement, and the four winners will be given honorable mention in the Improvement Era. 8. That the basis of judging the merits of the various records be, First, the character of the employment; second, the amount of money received for the work; third, the judgment shown in expending or saving the amount earned, and fourth the net results of the season's work from the standpoint: First, of the development of the boy's character and health; second, the purpose or motive in taking up the employment; and third, the financial results. 9. The following kinds of work, which may be engaged in by city boys during vacation are merely suggestive, and may be added to: 1. Cultivation of flowers for sale. 2. Gardening. 3. Caring for lawns watering, cutting, etc. 4. Canvassing in all its various forms. 5. Cabinet work for those who have studied in the schools. 6. Helpers to mechanics in the trades. 7. Farm work outside the city. 8. Poul- try raising. 9. Beet hoeing and thinning. 10. Fruit picking. 11. Berry gathering. 12. Choring. 13. Caring for premises while families are in the mountains. 14. Working in factories, stores, shops, offices, and banks. M. I. A. Scouts SUGGESTIVE LIST OF TENDERFOOT EXAMINATION QUESTIONS 1. Why do you wish to become a scout? *2. Repeat the scout promise. 3. What is meant by keeping yourself physically strong, men- tally awake and morally straight? 4. What is a scout's duty to God and his country? 5. Why should a scout be expected to help other people at all times? 6. Name five ways of doing a good turn. *7.Repeat the scout law. Explain the following four points of the scout law. (Any four 8. may be chosen from the twelve, by the examiners.) *9. What is the scout sign and when should it be given? 10. Of what does the scout sign remind the scout? *11. What is the scout salute and when should it be used? 12. Explain in detail the different parts cf the scout badge. What part is worn by a tenderfoot? 13. Describe two flags that were used in this country before the adoption of the Stars and Stripes. 14. Describe the first American flag bearing the stars and stripes. 15. When was it adopted and where and by whom was it made? 16. Why are there thirteen stripes and what do they signify? 17. What do the stars represent? How many stars were there in the first American flag? 18. How many stars in the flag now and what states do the last three stars represent? 19. On what day of the year are new stars added to the flag? 20. What is the flag salute? 21. What day is flag day? 22. What time of day should the flag be raised and lowered. 23. How should a flag be saluted when is passing in parade? it 24. How should the flag be hoisted for half-staff? On Memorial Day how should it be hoisted? 25. *26.Tie the following knots in the following manner. Square knot around some object more than one foot in diameter. Sheet bend or weaver's knot with or without one end made fast to a solid object. 698 IMPROVEMENT ERA Bowline with one end of the rope made fast to a solid object. Fisher- man's bend with one end of the rope made fast to a solid object. Sheepshank with both ends of the rope fastened to a solid object. Halter made about an object more than one foot in diameter. Cldve hitch, timber hitch and two half hitches made over a post at least one .inch in diameter. 27. Explain the scout motto. 28. What does "On my honor" mean? — Note: It is intended that some of these questions are to be oral and some written. The examining committee may decide which. In answering the questions starred (*) 100% is required. Other questions 80%. M. I. A. Annual Conference The M. I. A. Annual Conference will be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 12, 13, and 14. The first meeting held on Friday, 10 a. m., will be a joint officers' meeting, at which joint work, including contests, social and summer work, will be discussed. At 1 o'clock an officers' meeting of the Y. M. M. I. A. will be held. At 3 p. m. con- test try-outs will occur in three different localities, covering music, story-telling and orations. Judges for each of these will be provided, and members of the General Board will preside. Places of meeting will be made known at the morning meeting. On Friday evening, from 8 to 11 o'clock, there will be an entertainment and social. On Saturday morning, the Y. M. M. I. A. officers will meet at 10 o'clock. A meeting will also be held at 12:30. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, it is expected that there will be a scout and athletic dem- onstration, in the gymnasium, and on Saturday evening the final try- outs in all the contests will be held. On Sunday morning at 10 o'clock, there will be a joint meeting in the Tabernacle, at which will be discussed, leadership, training leaders, the pressing mission of Mutual Improvement, and other topics relat- ing to joint work of the associations, to be treated by both young men and young ladies. General meetings will also be held on Sunday at 2 o'clock and at 7:30. It is expected that in addition to the ad- dresses on these occasions, the evening session will be provided with music by the joint contest choruses. Good music will be provided for all the meetings, and a program of unusual merit will be presented during the conference. Every stake superintendent and other M. I. A. officer should be present, and as many ward presidents and class leaders as can make it convenient, should attend. A detailed program, as soon as accepted by the General Boards, will be printed in the Deseret News. Usual conference rates will be granted on all railways. National Copper Bank's Contest We have made arrangements with the National Copper Bank whereby our Utah M. I. A. members may enter the bank's Potato Growing Contest. A booklet covering the details of this contest has been sent to the committeemen, with entry blanks. More may be had, if needed, upon application to our Secretary. Please note: On the entry blank in the space provided for the name of the school district, the M. I. A. contestants will enter the names of the Ward M. I. A. In place of the name of the teacher, insert the name of the Ward Com- mitteeman, and instead of the principal of the school, give the name of the President of the local association. The character of the entrant may be vouched for by the Ward Comitteeman or the President of the association. The entry blanks of all M. I. A. contestants should MUTUAL WORK 699 be sent to the Committee on Vocations and Industries, who will for- ward them to the bank and they must be sent in by May 20. Boys' Half- Acre Contest The Vocations and Industries Committee has sent to the Utah ward committeemen general instructions by Prof. J. C. Hogenson of the state Agricultural College. It is suggested that a copy of these in- structions be placed immediately in the hands of all who have signified their intention to enter the Boys' Half-acre Contest, so that they will be able to compete in one or more of the contests outlined by the Agricultural College. These instructions are so full and complete that they need no comment. More copies may be had upon application. In the Boys' Half-acre Contest, in addition to the mention in the Improvement Era, and the token, $100 in gold will be distributed to the winners. This will be divided as follows: $40 to the winner of the first place; $30 to the second; $20 to the third, and $10 to the fourth All who enter the Boys' Half-acre Contest must signify their intention to the Ward Committeeman not later than May 20, 1914. sent by him to the Committee on Voca- A list of all entrants is to be tions and Industries not later than June 1. (See Era tor April, 1914.) believe that with the handsome prizes offered by our associa- We the Agricultural College, tions by the National Copper Bank, and by this contest will be including the State and National championship red blood in his veins will so attractive that every boy who has good wish to enter it. „a "t+'c 1ri up The mater is now in your hands. . , it s , Ward Committeemen: to see that encouragement, and to you" to give it wide publicity and the boys of your ward make good. The Boy Under Twelve years of age who What shall we do with the boy under twelve separate class for him insists on coming to mutual? Shall we form a admit refuse to permit him to take any part Wm to the junior class, ormutual in nutua until he becomes of age? The above questions have been ubmitted to the general board Under nc condition^shouldla > under twelve years of age. the mutual Ha^ be arranged for boys under ale until receStly, was fourteen. Now it is twelve, and boys attend the Primary Association, fhat age should be encouraged to Mutual officers should not work against the P - where they belong. s-wxi- PSH;SS *™ aria's take the matter up with his P arent s "a Under no circum- go to Primary and orma, , ht ^ermitTed to take part in scout under twene ui y stances must a boy accordance with our work. That he ^V^tfth'the Na /organization of the Boy onaiu B Nati on rule with the desire, but it is a fast Wo k h d for America with whomwe are a ffih ate* , Scouts of that age wait M. I. A.