offices of president, first vice-president, second vice-president, and third vicepresident, and at least twice as many persons for members of the Executive Committee as there are vacancies occurring in that body." After motion duly made and seconded it was voted to amend the amendment by inserting the words "one or more" before the word "persons" in the first line of the proposed amendment. After motion duly made and seconded it was voted to adopt the amendment as amended: b) That Article 8, second paragraph, be amended by omitting "was a member on the first of January preceding and." During the discussion an amendment was offered to the effect that "those members duly qualified and in good standing be allowed to register their choice in the selection of officers for the ensuing year." The President ruled that as that had the effect of a new amendment not previously considered by the Executive Committee, it was therefore referred to the Executive Committee without debate. A second amendment was offered providing that "persons may vote in their absence by mail from any part of the United States." The President ruled that this proposed amendment also be referred to the Executive Committee without debate. After general discussion of the whole subject of qualifications for voting, and motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the proposed amendment as reported by the special Committee on Elections be referred back to the Executive Committee with the request that it be given careful consideration during the coming year and that a report and recommendation be brought in at the business session of the 1927 Conference. In the absence of the Chairman of the Nominating Committee the General Secretary read the report of the committee, which had been presented at the evening session the night before. The President announced as the Committee for the Election of Officers: Robert W. Kelso, Boston, Chairman; David Holbrook, New York; Arthur J. Strawson, New York; Rose J. McHugh, Chicago. The President announced as tellers for the election: H. H. Shirer, Columbus, Chairman; Joanna C. Colcord, Minneapolis; Otto W. Davis, Cincinnati; James Ewers, Cleveland; Bradley Buell, New York; Margaret F. Byington, Hartford. Meeting adjourned. Tuesday, June 1, 1926 GERTRUDE VAILE, President HOWARD R. KNIGHT, General Secretary Meeting called to order by President Vaile. The minutes of the previous business session, as read by the General Secretary, were approved and ordered placed on file. In the absence of the Treasurer the financial statement for the period June 1, 1925, to May 15, 1926, was read by the General Secretary. After motion duly made and seconded it was voted that the report be accepted and filed. The General Secretary read the nominations of all divisions except II and VI for divisional officers and committee members as submitted by the divisions. After motion duly made and seconded it was voted that the General Secretary be directed to cast one ballot as read for the officers and committee members for these ten divisions. Mr. Graham R. Taylor, Chairman of the Committee on Behavior Problems (cooperating with the N.E.A.) read the report of his committee, as follows: As Chairman of the Committee on Behavior Problems of Children appointed by the President of the Conference following authorization at the Denver meeting one year ago, I submit herewith a report on the activities of the Committee: It will be recalled that the National Conference Committee was appointed in response to a request addressed to the President of the Conference by the President of the National Education Association, who stated that he was authorized and instructed by the Executive Committee of the Association "to appoint a standing committee on behavior problems, and also to lay before the National Conference of Social Work the desirability of the appointment by that body of a similar standing committee to cooperate with the proposed standing Committee of the N.E.A." As appointed by President Newlon and reappointed by his successor, President McSkimmon, the N.E.A. committee consists of twenty-five (25) members under the chairmanship of Miss Olive Jones. The personnel of the National Conference Committee as appointed by President Vaile consists of twenty (20) members, with the undersigned as chairman. The personnel of these two committees appears at the conclusion of their joint report, which accompanies this report. Meetings of both committees were held in February, and a joint session was held February 24 in Washington in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Department of Superintendence of the National Education Association. This meeting authorized the appointment of two subcommittees to constitute a joint executive committee to consider a plan of cooperative effort and to call, when it seemed desirable, joint sessions of the two main committees. The subcommittee of the N.E.A. committee was appointed to consist of the following: Olive M. Jones, Chairman; M. C. Lefler, Dr. Florence Mateer, Howard W. Nudd, and Professor Cora M. Winchell. The subcommittee of the National Conference committee was appointed to consist of the following: Graham R. Taylor, Chairman; Grace Abbott, Judge Chas. W. Hoffman, Cheney C. Jones, and Dr. Ralph P. Truitt. As a result of much correspondence with the superintendents of 250 city school systems, from which 278 replies were received, much information became available for consideration. This information was collated and summarized in a memorandum by the research department of the N.E.A. It indicated much misunderstanding as to what is meant by "behavior problems," the term being frequently confused with mental defect, and indicated also a wide variety in the methods used in the handling of children presenting behavior problems. After several meetings in New York City, the two subcommittees submitted to the membership of the two main committees a tentative report of a joint report and called a joint session for May 27, 1926, in Cleveland, in conjunction with the annual meeting of the National Conference of Social Work. At this joint session, attended by fifteen (15) members of the co-operating committees (five from the N.E.A. committee and ten from the National Conference committee), the tentative draft was revised and adopted. A copy of it is attached hereto. It includes a carefully prepared statement defining "behavior problem" children, a formulation of the objectives of cooperating committees, and a statement of suggested steps for obtaining these objectives. Since the National Conference committee was appointed at the request of the National Education Association, to cooperate with its standing committee, the members of the National Conference committee feel that it would not be appropriate to make this generally available until after it has been submitted to the meeting of the National Education Association to be held in Philadelphia in July, 1926. We trust that the Executive Committee of the National Conference will approve of the work of the committee, as thus far carried on, and of the joint report of the two cooperating com mittees as attached hereto, and we would appreciate an opportunity to make known this approval to the Chairman of the N.E.A. committee. The members of both the N.E.A. and National Conference of Social Work committees are impressed by the fact that the development of the cooperative effort in the field of their joint considerations must necessarily develop slowly. In the case of the outstanding previous example of cooperation between educators and another profession (the Joint Committee on Health Education, appointed by the National Education Association and the American Medical Association), work which began on a very small scale has developed through a period of fifteen (15) years, during the latter part of which contributions of great influence have been made. We feel that a very promising beginning has been made in the development of cooperation between educators and social workers through the work of the two committees on behavior problems of children, and we wish to recommend the continuation of the National Conference committee during the year ahead. Respectfully submitted, GRAHAM ROMEYN TAYLOR, Chairman After motion duly made and seconded it was voted that the report be accepted and the committee be continued for another year. In the absence of the Chairman the General Secretary read the report of the Committee on International Conference of Social Work, as follows: This Committee was created in July and August, 1925. The correspondence of previous committees of the National Conference were turned over to it. It was evident that the leading spirit of the idea of an international conference since the war was Dr. René Sand, Executive Secretary of the League of Red Cross Societies. The Chairman of the Committee was in Europe during August and September and had interviews with Dame Rachel Crowdy of the League of Nations, Dr. Sand, and Captain Ellis and Mr. Percy Alden of London. Dame Rachel made it clear that the League of Nations was not prepared at this time to take on a job of calling or financing a conference. Dr. Sand reviewed the conditions, which had not changed materially from previous years. He has representatives from many countries who believe in the idea. They are largely made up of public officials or Red Cross people. The British group was sympathetic and understanding, but spoke very frankly of the administrative difficulties and the lack of finances. From much informal talk certain things seem to stand out: first, too many Americans in attendance or on the program could easily spoil the international aspect of the meeting; second, it would be better to have the meeting in a small place, as one of the chief assets would be the informal talks of people thinking about the same problems from very different angles. In a city such as Paris the delegates might be "lost." There are in most of the countries in Europe at least three groups of workers: the older group, made up largely of officials; the newer post-war Red Cross group; and a smaller and much less influential group of young workers in many different forms of social work. This last group includes several workers who are graduates of American schools of social work. They are keen for a conference, but tend to be not well known in their own countries, and impecunious. Within the last few weeks the Committee has been notified by both Mr. Alden and Dr. Sand of the existence of an organization known as Congrès International d'Assistance publique et privée. This organization has held five international congresses. The last three were: 1900, in Paris; 1906, in Milan; 1910, in Copenhagen. There was to have been a meeting in 1915 in London, which was obviously not held. The organization is now becoming active again. It has been approved by the League of Nations. It plans its next meeting in England in 1927. It has £400 in its treasury. The President is Mme Carton de Wiart, of Brussels, and its Secretary is M. George Rondel, of Paris. Its office is 49 Rue de Miromesnil, Paris. The chairman of the British Committee is Sir W. J. Collins, M.D., F.R.C.S., 1 Albert Terrace, Regents Park, N.W. I, London. After some consideration the following recommendations were voted to be presented to the Executive Committee of the National Conference at its meeting June 1, 1926: first, that we recommend that the present committee be continued, it being understood that the new president would have power to add to its numbers; second, that we wish to be excused from making a definite recommendation, it being the hope of the committee that it can reach some conclusion after a meeting at this time with Dr. Sand and Dame Rachel, and that the trend of opinion is in favor of joining with the pre-war organization of the Congrès International, particularly if they are ready to receive some of the "new countries," such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc., and ourselves; third, that if a decision has to be made before the first meeting of the new Executive Committee we would like "power to act." MARGARET CURTIS, Chairman ར་ After motion duly made and seconded it was voted that the report be accepted and the committee be continued for another year. Meeting adjourned. GERTRUDE VAILE, President HOWARD R. KNIGHT, General Secretary Wednesday, June 2, 8 P.M. During the general session the President called for unfinished business which had necessarily been laid over. In the absence of the Chairman the General Secretary read the report of the Committee on Resolutions, as follows: Your Committee on Resolutions respectfully submits the following report: The fifty-third annual session of the National Conference of Social Work is one of the best and most largely attended ever assembled, and we desire to record our appreciation of the arduous and devoted service of the many organizations and individuals in the city of Cleveland which have contributed in such a large measure to the success of the meeting. The all-pervading spirit of hospitality has been a matter of comment on the part of many Conference members. All Cleveland seems in some manner to have concerned itself to make our stay in the city both pleasant and profitable. The local committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. F. W. Ramsey, with the aid of the numerous civic, social, and religious organizations, is heartily commended for the completeness and convenience of the arrangements for our meetings and entertainment that have worked out so smoothly that we could neither hear nor see the working of the machinery. The city administration, from the policeman on the beat to the City Manager, from the humblest messenger to the Mayor himself, have seemed bent upon doing everything possible for the comfort and convenience of their guests. An evidence of the great interest shown in our meeting is the significant fact that 1,200 citizens of Cleveland have been added to the Conference membership. Our meeting places have been convenient and commodious. The headquarters facilities were ample and appropriate, and so manned and equipped as to render easy the transaction of the necessary Conference business. We express appreciation of the extensive intelligence and sympathetic reports of the work of the Conference extended by the public press. The generous concern for our social life and entertainment has found expression in the gracious manner in which the many homes have extended their hospitality, and in the delightful entertainment on the occasion of a President's Reception of a kind unique in our Conference history. The local preparations for our meeting involve many weeks and months of planning and work on the part of an innumerable band of people. It would be impossible to enumerate the many agencies and individuals which have contributed to this great task. To all concerned we tender most hearty appreciation for the completeness and effectiveness of the arrangements made for all our Conference activities, and for the all-pervading hospitality which, though never officious nor obtrusive, has at all times been so genuine and cordial as to make us feel thoroughly at home in your midst. Respectfully submitted, GEORGE S. WILSON, Chairman After motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously voted that the report be accepted. Nominations for officers and committee members of Divisions II and VI were elected by vote of the Conference as submitted by the divisions. GERTRUDE VAILE, President HOWARD R. KNIGHT, General Secretary PART 4 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SOCIAL WORK CONSTITUTION The National Conference of Social Work exists to facilitate discussion of the problems and methods of practical human improvement, to increase the efficiency of agencies and institutions devoted to this cause, and to disseminate information. It does not formulate platforms. Membership An individual or organization interested in the purposes and work of the National Conference may, upon payment of the prescribed membership fee for their membership classification, become a member of the Conference. Membership in the Conference shall be of the following classes: (1) honorary members to be selected and elected by the Executive Committee; (2) active members; (3) sustaining members; (4) institutional members; (5) contributing members; (6 state members. State boards and commissions supporting the Conference through subscription to the Proceedings, the enlistment of memberships or otherwise financially, shall be designated "state members." Officers The officers of the Conference shall be a President, First, Second, and Third Vice-Presidents, a General Secretary, six or more Assistant Secretaries, and a Treasurer. The President and Vice-Presidents shall be elected annually by the Conference; the assistant secretaries shall be appointed by the General Secretary, and the remaining officers shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. Committees The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the First Vice-President, and the Treasurer, ex-officio; the chairmen of all of the Division Committees, ex-officio; and fifteen other members who shall be elected by the Conference, five each year for a term of three years; vacancies shall be filled in like manner. The Executive Committee shall hold all of the powers of the Conference between meetings, not otherwise reserved or delegated. It may enact rules supplementing the By-Laws and not in conflict with them. The President shall be ex-officio chairman; five members shall constitute a quorum at all sessions of this committee. The President shall appoint the committees named in the By-Laws and such other committees as may be ordered by the Conference or the Executive Committee from time to time. Annual Meetings The Conference shall meet annually at such time and place as may be determined by the preceding Conference, as provided in the By-Laws. The Executive Committee shall have authority to change the time or place of the annual meeting in case satisfactory local arrangements cannot be made or for other urgent reason. The first day of the annual session shall be defined to be that day on which the first regular public meeting of the Conference is held. General Secretary The General Secretary shall be the executive officer of the Conference and shall perform his duties under such rules as may be prescribed by the By-Laws or by the Executive Committee. Amendments This Constitution and the By-Laws under it may be amended at any business meeting of the Conference, provided that such amendment shall have been first submitted to and acted upon by the Executive Committee. |