The M. I. A. Annual Conference

842 IMPROVEMENT ERA

The M. I. A.. Annual Conference

The General Conference of the Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. held in June of this year was perhaps the most successful from every point of view that has ever been held by these organ- izations. Superintendent Anthony W. Ivins, speaking of the conference as pertaining to the young men said: "There is at this conference a larger attendance of representatives than upon any other similar occasion. The enrollment in our associa- tions during the past year is larger than at any other period in its history. The fund has been more promptly paid and is greater for the past year than for any other year in the his- tory of the Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church." We believe that the exercises at the conference were of a character to inspire the workers with renewed enthusiasm in the work that lies before us for the coming season. The increase in the membership of the Y. M. M. I. A., for the year 1921, was 3,336, making a total enrollment of 43,562, according to Secretary Moroni Snow's annual report, an increase of 8.29%. The average attendance was 21,096, an increase of 2,270 or 12.05% over last year. The officers and instructors in the Association numbered 6,116, a force which, being set to work, must be a marvelous influence for the uplift of the young men throughout the Church. The fund for the expenses of the Y. M. M. I. A. increased by $281.90, but is still capable of further increase, as a num- ber of the stakes failed in their quota, though the amount paid, as stated, was $281.90 more than last year. The expenses, however, were heavier, and so there is still a deficit in the fund. The statistical report of the Association was complete this year, every stake having reported, which has not happened be- fore for a number of years in the past. The added impetus of monthly efficiency reports has aided materially in bringing about this result. The total number of meetings in the asso- ciations increased by 29.3%, from 30,997, in 1920, to 40,073, in 1921, and the number of young men actually taking part in M. I. A. activities increased from 15,859 last year to 25,536 this year, or 60.9%. Reports from the British, California, Cana- dian, Central States, Eastern States, Northern States, Southern States missions, show the number of associations in these mis- sions to be 112, with a total membership of 2,253, and an aver- age attendance of 1,292, with 1,139 actually taking part in the exercises, and 2,282 total meetings held. In these missions there were forty scouts registered, and there are eighty-one doing scout work not registered in the National Organization. The M. I. A. Scouts in the Church,