Important Information for Scout Leaders

MUTUAL WORK 371

should be read, and also by naming at least one problem to be solved by. the whole class in preparation. Other problems may be assigned to individuals but the main problem should be worked at by every mem- ber in his preparation. You must study the lesson, picking out the problems and plan- ning for their presentation and solution, equiping yourself with apt illustrations with which to illuminate your explanations. You must not forget that a lesson that is not problematic will be lacking in the — elements of contest and conquest the two great spurs of youth. Remember that all teaching is not preaching. The latter is admirably suited to congregations, and the former is especially adapted to class work. See that your members have a chance to do one-half of the asking and telling. See that the backward boy is led to say some- thing. — "Good meeting; I spoke."

Athletic and Scout Work

Important Information for Scout Leaders BY DR. JOHN H. TAYLOR

In December the committee on Athletic and Scout Work gave in- structions as to the method of handling the annual scout fee. This month we call your attention to the method of sending in new names of boys and the amounts due, etc. These blanks can be obtained at the Era office. FEES In remitting dues for new boys during the year, you may pay "pro- portionate" dues for the unexpired period of the year for which your troop is registered, as follows: 25 cents for 9 months or more, 20 cents for 6 to 9 months, 15 cents for 3 to 6 months, and 10 cents for 3 months or any part thereof. Thus, if your commission expires August 31, 1915, a boy entering your troop in June, July or August, 1915, will pay 10 cents; if he joins in March. April or May, 1915, he will pav 15 cents; if he joins in December, 1914, or January or February, 1915, 20 cents, etc.. Obviously it is necessary to have a plan whereby no boy receives a certificate beyond the period for which the troop is regis- tered. If the original registration covered less than 12 Scouts then the difference between the $3.00 minimum troop registration fee and the amount for the originally registered Scouts at 25 cents each may be anpHed toward the payment of registration fees for newly enrolled Scouts in such troops. CERTIFICATES A Boy Scout membership card will be provided for each boy reg- ularly enrolled. It is understood that no boy shall receive this certifi- cate nor wear the official badge or uniform until he has passed the Tenderfoot test and taken the promise as prescribed in the Official Handbook. REGISTRATIONS Lst year, scoutmasters registered boys in New York as candidates to become scouts. A whole year has passed, and many of the boys are still candidates, and have no authority to call themselves scouts. In a vear's time, a boy should be able to pass his Tenderfoot and Second Class tests, at least. Are we fair with the boy when we fail to do our work systematically, and carry him through these grades? Scout