Fourth Annual Convention of the National Vocation Guidance Association

368 IMPROVEMENT ERA important items pertaining to their work and activities. Among its leading articles is a greeting from the Granite stake presidency to the members of the Mutual Improvement Associations which is ap- propriate and applicable to all stakes, and we therefore take pleasure in quoting it in full. Supt. C. H. Nordberg and his associates are busily engaged in M. I. A. activities and express themselves pleased with the privilege of devoting their time and energy to the cause, and in "teaching the unthinking boy to think." And President May Greene and her associates are likewise devoted to the girls:

GREETINGS

"May the year 1915 bring to you an increase in the joy of living the sure recompense of loving service. In heaven the joy of living is complete because service is perfect. And we bring heaven to earth in proportion as we unselfishly work with love unalloyed for the real good and happiness of our fellows. Hence heaven is found not in the play-house, the skating rink, or in the dance hall, but in a visit to the bedside of the sick, in the bread fed to the worthy poor, in the clothing given to the naked, in the cheering word spoken to the down- cast, in the uplift extended to the fallen, in the love shown to the lonely, — in every act springing from a pure motive to be helpful without thought of reward. "May the continuous aim of all Mutual workers be to establish — heaven on earth. And this result can be achieved the Millennium — established in Zion only when Satan shall be bound, i. e., when the tempter shall have no power over the children of men because of the purity and sinlessness of their lives. Such a condition is no Utopian dream. The 'sure work of prophecy' makes it a future certainty. Christ, our elder brother, lived the perfect life. With increased dili- gence let us try to be like him. And when we are so our 'joy will be full.' "Frank Y. Taylor, "John M. Cannon, "Jos. F. Merrill, "Stake Presidency."

Vocations and Industries

The Fourth Annual Convention of the National Vocation Guidance Association

BY B. H. ROBERTS

The above convention was held in the John Marshall High School Building, Richmond, Virginia, on the 7th, 8th and 9th Decem- ber, 1914. In the number in attendance, the convention was disap- pointing; but all parts of the United States were represented, from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast, and from north to south; but the member from Utah was the only representative from the Inter-Mountain states. The program for the three days sessions was crowded. The general topic of the first day's meeting was "Practical Phases of Vocational Guidance." The papers that seemed to attract most attention under this heading was one by Miss Margaret Brown of Henry street set- tlement, New York City; and "Vocational Guidance: A Function of the state University." by Prof. J. D. Elliff, of the University of

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Missouri, Columbia. The second day the general topic was: (a) "Vocational Guidance in the Public School System;" and (b) "Voca- tional Guidance and Social Welfare; on the third day the questions considered were under the general caption, "Vocational Guidance Problems and Issues." At this meeting the member from Utah was given the opportunity to report the works of Vocational Guidance undertaken by the Y. M. M. I. A. The report was listened to with marked attention, and the treatment of the problems of guidance, especially the employment of men for vocational counselors of some experience in life, with some knowledge of the stress of the struggle for existence, and especially the employment of the services of fathers who had been successful in guiding their own sons and daughters into vocations where they were achieving success — was received with ap- plause; as was also the emphasizing of the need of coupling with a vocation some avocation, that would tend to enrich the life, and enlarge the usefulness of individuals following even the humblest vocations. All the papers and the trend of all the discussions at this con- vention were on the supposition that vocational guidance would become — a function of the public school system; of the higher grades say the — seventh and eighth of the grade schools; of the high schools, and the state universities. And doubtless this will be the case; the schools furnishing the best machinery for performing the work, and can easiest supply the trained vocational counselors, so necessary to the complete success of vocational guidance. But it willbe some time be- fore this work can be introduced into the public school system, and the expert counselors trained for the practical work required. Meantime, the needs of the youth of today, who will be the men and women of tomorrow, are upon us now, and are pressing for attention. These needs must be met. I conclude, therefore, that there is urgent need of going on with this work in our Y. M. M. I. Associations without any hesitation or fear in regard to our undertaking work that will ultimately gravitate to the public schools. We should aim to cultivate public opinion that will demand that vocational guidance become part of the public school curriculum. Let our work be in aid of such a consum- mation so devoutly to be wished, a work in which there shall be co- operation with, and supplemental aid to such work in the public schools, rather than competition and rivalry. It is also probable that for some years to come there will be quite a large element of the youth in our community who will not be reached by this work through the public schools, and among these we shall find a legitimate field for the work of our associations in Vocational Guidance for some time to come at least; and always we can give, vocational guidance, by whomsoever undertaken, sympathetic and, I hope, intelligent, practical support.

Vocation Lectures

The General Board, through the Vocations and Industries Com- mittee, has arranged for a series of lectures on vocations to be given in the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City. The Committee co-operated neer with the superintendents of the Ensign, Liberty, Salt Lake, Pi° >

Granite and Cottonwood stakes, and have obtained some of the lead- lectures on ing citizens of the community to present the following the dates named: January 9— "The Trades as Vocations," Nephi L. Morris. January 17— "Agriculture," Dr. Liberty H. Bailey January 23— "Business,"— "Buying," Bishop Chas. W. Nibley. "Selling," John D. Spencer.