--- 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: 18 number: 1 published: 1914-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Training for Leadership", *Improvement Era* 18, no. 1 (November 1914): 68–73.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1801unse 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: improvementera1801unse start_page: 68 end_page: 73 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1914-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1801unse 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. --- # Training for Leadership Training] for Leadership The General Boards of Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. have made arrangements with five of the leading Church schools, the Brigham Young University, Provo the Brigham Young College, ; Logan the Snow Academy, Ephraim the Weber Academy, ; ; Ogden and the Fielding Academy, Paris, Idaho, to give a special ; M. I. A. Normal Course, lasting six weeks, to begin November 9 and to end December 18. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for M. I. A. officers to prepare themselves, for leadership. The benefits that will come home to the ward organizations will SOME NORTH WEBER STAKE Y. M. M. T. A. WORKERS AND BOY SCOUTS On the summit of Observatory Peak, sometimes called Mt. Ogden, just east of Ogden City, 9,600 feet above sea level. We have boys for a thousand patrols, and they need leadership. Be a missionary in the work and attend either the six weeks' course, or the three days' course in the Church schools. depend largely upon the type of officers or members who attend these courses, and their native power to lead. Tuition for the course, $6.00. A special three-day educational campaign is also being inaugurated to be carried on free in other Church schools throughout the Church. Field Secretary Oscar A. Kirkham and Scout Commissioner Dr. John H. Taylor, of the Y. M. M. I. A., and Miss Clarissa A. Beesley and Mrs. Emily C. Adams of the Y. L. : TRAINING FOR LEADERSHIP 69 M. I. A. will fill these appointments giving instruction calculated to prepare young men and young women for leadership in the Mutual Improvement Associations. In these three days' sessions general and detailed instruction in M. I. A. work will be given, designed to prepare leaders in the various activities of our organizations. A careful plan has been outlined covering the work for the three days. It is requested that both the Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. of each ward should have at these special sessions one or more capable leaders willing to take up this work with the young people in their various wards. Stake superintendents and presidents of wards are requested to select competent representatives for this work. The outlines of the courses follow THE SIX-WEEKS' COURSE 1. — Course in Organization and Management. One period per week. Texts, "Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book" and "Y. L. M. I. A. Instruction to Officers.'' This course is designed to familiarize the students with details of organization and management, relation of ward officers to stake and general board officers, duties and functions of officers of ward, stake and general board, and questions of discipline and leadership. The exact functions of these organizations will be considered so that the actual work of the Mutual Improvement Associations may be known, and the relation they bear to other auxiliary organizations. 2. Music. — Five hours a week. This course is partly designed to give the students a reading knowledge of music, and familiarize them with our Church hymns. Considerable memori- MT. TIMPANOGOS zation of hymns will be required. Lectures will As seen by the M. I. A. Boy Scouts of American Fork be given on such sub- C Troop 1, Clifford E. Young, scoutmaster), who re- cently made the ascent, as they neared the summit. The jects as, suitable music Jevation is nearly twelve thousand feet. for weekly meeting's, preparation of special programs, conducting singing exercises, details of contest work, etc. Demonstrations and lectures will be given by the instructor, following which students will be required to do practice teaching in music. — First Aid to Injured. Two periods per week. Text, Miner's 3. "Red Cross First Aid to Injured." One period will be spent in lecture 70 IMPROVEMENT ERA and demonstrations, the other period will be actual practice work by students. The course consists of attaining a knowledge of the treat- ment of emergencies and accidents in the home, on the street, in vocational pursuits, and on the athletic field. The practical work will consist of bandaging, application of splints, and tourniquets, and transportation of injured, covering the requirement of the three grades of scout craft. 4. Scout Craft. — Four periods per week. Texts, "Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book," "Boy Scouts of America," "Hand Book for Boys," and "Hand Book for Scout Masters." This course is designed to give a history of the movement, to familiarize the student with wood craft and camp construction, with signaling, nature study, photography, scout games, Indian signs, cookery, organization and management of patrols, covering all the scout requirements in the three degrees of scoufcraft. Regular weekly hikes will be a part of the course. Dem- onstrations and practice constitute much of the work. 5. Reading Course, Short Story, and Retold Story Course. Five — periods per week. Text books outlined by the General Board for the annual reading courses, choice, short stories, and any simple text on English Composition. Most of the books re- quired in the reading courses should be read by the students. The Instructor will make definite assignments and require recitations in the form of retold _ stories. The time al- lotted to ithe reading course will be approxi- mately two weeks. Se- lect, short stories will be assigned. These, also, will be reported upon in the form of re- told stories. Lectures on the choice of litera- ture will be given. Stu- dents will be taught how to locate material M. I. A. SCOUTS, AMERICAN FORK through actual library On the summit of Mt. Timpanogos. There are thou- practice. The time — sands of boys wanting to climb spiritually, mentally, given to this part of the morally. Prepare to be a leader among them and a leacher of their activities, by attending the classes to , work will be approxi- be held by the Church schools as per program pub- mately two weeks. The lished herewith. (See annual convention circular and retelling of stories will Era for August, 1914). The six weeks' course begins occupy fully one-third November 9 and closes December 18. of the work. In fact, all short stories and books assigned will be reveiewed in the light of retelling. 6. Public Speaking, Debating, and Drama Course. Four periods — per week. Suggested Text, "Pittenger's Extempore Speech," pub- lished by Penn Publishing Co., Philadelphia. Lectures on contest work, judging of orations, drama, and debating will be given. Actual practice will constitute most of the work. Extemporaneous debates will be held at first, while prepared debates will take their place later. TRAINING FOR LEADERSHIP 71 Method of presentation of speeches will form part of each debate. The course is designed to give actual power to do, in public speaking and debating. A short drama will be studied and presented. 7. — Methods of Teaching. Four periods per week. Text Prac- . tice teaching will be based on the lessons of the "Y. M. M. I. A. Manuals" and "Young Woman's Journal." Lectures on methods of teaching will be given. Most of the course will be taken up, however, in actual presentation of "Manual" and "Journal" lessons, by students. THE FIRST THREE-DAY CLASS IN LEADERSHIP This M. I. A. class was organized at Vernal, Uintah stake, and was held September 21 to 23 inclusive. President Don B. Colton stated in relation thereto: "This has been the most practical and efficient supervision work that has ever been conducted in our stake." Preparation of lessons will be required of every one taking the Course. Following the teaching exercise, criticism on methods will be made. 8. — Games. Two periods per week. Demonstration of suitable games, and actual teaching of games by students will constitute the bulk of the course. Some lectures on the functions and value of games will be given. 9. — Social Dancing. Two periods per week. This course is designed to familiarize the student with proper social dancing. 10. — Athletic Direction. One period per week. Instruction in proper method of handling men in athletic work and supervision of team games and field sports constitute the major part of the work. Practice in directing various teams will be assigned students. Familiarity with the "Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book," the "Y. L. M. I. A. Instructions to Officers," and Y. M. and Y. L. M. T. A. Annual Convention Circular, together with constant reference to the Improvement Era and the Young Woman's Journal, are essential for the best success of the course. In the schools where this six weeks' course is to be given, the three days' special campaign work will not be presented. However, on the dates specified in the Convention Circular, two mem- 72 IMPROVEMENT ERA bers of the General Boards will visit the schools that they may assist in injecting into the work the spirit of the Mutual Improve- SUGAR CITY, IDAHO, M. I. A. KOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA These scouts on last Decoration Day weeded and mounded the graves not only of the dead of their own families and friends but also those of unknown dead. ment organization. All Mutual Improvement officers within these school districts are invited to be present during these days. THREE DAYS' COURSE (As per following schedule.) NORTH Dates: October 15, 16, 17— Alberta stake. — October 19, 20, 21 Knight Academy, Canada. — October 26, 27, 28 Big Horn Academy, Wyoming. November 2, 3, 4 — Ricks Academy. November 9, 10, 11 — Cassia Academy. November 16, 17, 18 — Fielding Academy. November 23, 24, 25 — Oneida Academy. November 30, December 1,2— Weber Academy. December 7, 8, 9— Latter-day Saints' University. December 14, 15, 16— Brigham Young University. December 21, 22, 23 — Brigham Young College. — September 19 to 23 Uintah. October 19, 20, 21— Emery. — November 2, 3, 4 Millard. November 9, 10, 11— Murdock. — November 16, 17, 18 St. George. TRAINING FOR LEADERSHIP 73 November 23, 24. 25 — Snowllake. — November 30, December 1, 2 St. John-. — December 7, 8, 9 Thatcher. — December 14, 15, 16 Maricopa. — December 21, 22, 23 Snow. Work will begin daily at 9:00 a. m. Definite instruction and demonstration will be given in the following lines of M. I. A. work: Methods of teaching; class demonstration; retold story; public speaking; congregational and special group singing; organization and management; joint M. I. A. problems; social work; ward and stake officers' meetings, with definite suggestive programs; reading courses; scout work; first aid; in- and out-door games, and group athletics. Each evening will be devoted to instruction in dancing and ball room eticpiette. New dances will be given. Elder W. W. Seare, Bradford, England, August 27: "The elders in the photograph are seven Salt Lake City boys who are laboring in the Leeds Conference, British Mission. Back row, left to right: William W. Seare, Joseph Worthen, Gus Dyer: front row, sitting: Ralph Bishop, Elmer M. Savage, George Cannon Lund. Clyde F. Hansen. Elders Bishop, Dyer and Scare are from the 16th ward. Salt Lake stake. We are very happy in cur labors in the vineyard. We look upon our mission as a God-given privilege, and feel in duty-bound to perform our work of service pleasingly before the Lord. Weextend greetings to our co-laborers throughout the missionary world by means of the Era."