Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting of National Federation of Settlements.
The Executive Committee met at the City Club, 55 West 44th Street, New York City, on Monday, May 1st, 1922, at one o'clock. There were present Jane Addams, Louis Affelder, Ellen W. Coolidge, Charles C. Cooper, John L. Elliott, Albert J. Kennedy, Mary K. Simkhovitch, Isabel L. Taylor, Lillian D. Wald, Gaylord S. White, I. N. Wilson, Robert A. Woods.
The president was in the chair.
On motion properly made and seconded it was voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes.
The tentative program for the International Conference of Settlements was discussed. Upon request of the Committee, Miss Addams agreed to write a letter of greeting; Mrs. Simkhovitch, Miss Wald and Mr. Woods consented to prepare papers in the nature of outlines or theses for presentation under the headings of -- The Community Idea, Local Organization for Health, and Philosophy of Settlements. Dr. Elliott promised to prepare an address under title, The Settlements' Contribution to Education for Community Life. It was suggested that the contribution of American settlements to education, as worked out in the music schools, dramatic departments, [storytelling], and self-governing clubs, be stressed; and that a proper modesty be observed in dealing with the topic of housing, wherein relatively little is at present being done.
The secretary was instructed to solicit from the various houses photographs and other material suitable for display at the Conference.
On motion properly made and seconded it was voted to hold the Twelfth Annual Conference of the National Federation at the Roycroft Inn, East Aurora, beginning Friday morning, September 8th, and closing Sunday afternoon, September 10th.
The tentative program for the Conference was discussed and amended. It was directed that the report in Boards and Administration be submitted to a selected list of board members, with the suggestion that comment would be welcomed. It was agreed that a special effort be made to secure the presence of board members. Opinion was unanimous that a considerable block of time ought to be set apart for discussing the relation between settlements and community chests. The following topics were recommended for inclusion in the program: How to deal with young people interested in settlement work as a profession, but who do not want to live in settlements; How to promote closer relations between the colleges and the settlements; Relation of the settlement to various international movements; Immigration and immigrants after the war.
The report of the treasurer was read and accepted. The sum of $3000 is needed to cover work yet to be done in the calendar year. It was suggested that members of the Executive Committee assist Mr. Affelder in reaching houses in arrears of dues. The secretary was instructed to make a fresh effort to reach friends of settlements, and the [Midwestern] secretary was asked to devote some time to reaching new houses and interest individuals in her territory. The president and secretary were authorized to approach the Commonwealth Fund with a request for assistance. [page 2]
On motion properly made and seconded it was voted to empower the treasurer to pay for necessary secretarial service.
On motion properly made and seconded it was voted to pay the Assistant Secretary's expenses of travel to the International Conference.
Miss Ellen W. Coolidge, representative of the National Federation in France, reported on the results of her work. An association of French settlements has been organized, which will be adequately represented at the International Conference in London. Opportunities of helpfulness are opening in Italy and other continental countries. Miss Coolidge recommended the establishment of an office in France, with secretarial service, for the purpose of keeping informed about the work of significant foreign houses.
On motion properly made and seconded Miss Ellen W. Coolidge was appointed Foreign Secretary of the National Federation of Settlements.
On motion properly made and seconded it was voted that the National Federation establish an office in Paris, under the direction of Miss Coolidge, for the purpose of studying the achievements of European settlements, of bringing the results of their work to the attention of houses in the United States and of interpreting the work of American settlements to them.
The secretary was instructed to notify members of the Federation that Miss Coolidge would like to receive the names of one-time residents of settlements and other friends of settlement work residing in Europe, and that she will be glad to meet at her office, American visitors interested in settlement work.
Miss Addams reported on the work of the [Midwestern] office. Miss Salisbury's resignation was heard with regret, and tabled for the present.
On motion properly made and seconded it was voted to support the [Midwestern] office for the year 1922-23 to the extent of $2500.
On motion properly made and seconded it was voted that a committee be appointed to consider the organization and development of the [Midwestern] work.
On motion properly made and seconded it was voted to appoint a committee to pass on the financial assistance to be provided in connection with each settlement institute. It was suggested that an increasing proportion of the cost of carrying on institutes should be [borne] by the cities in which they are held. The committee was instructed to consider each instance individually.
Mrs. Simkhovitch reported that the committee on case work had prepared a schedule which was in process of being sent to the houses. A report, based on the results secured, will be made at the September conference.
Miss Addams suggested the need of following up neighborhood work with immigrants by systematic effort to keep in touch with the laws affecting the foreign born and by participation in the work of various agencies which are actively engaged in protecting individuals against injustice.
On motion properly made and seconded was voted that the Assistant [page 3] Secretary be made Executive Secretary.
The Assistant Secretary reported that the Department of Music had been organized and officers elected. A study of music schools and settlement music departments in the United States, under the direction of Mrs. Janet Schenck, is well under way and will be published in the fall.
On motion properly made and seconded the meeting adjourned, sine die.
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