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Western Carolina University (20) View all

Appalachian Trail Club bulletin

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  • 94 P. A. T. C. MEMBERSHIP The Trail Club has now passed into the adult stage insofar as the scope of its membership and operations is concerned. In retrospect, it has not been so many years since tools and equipment were stored at members' houses. The correspondence and shelter reservations were handled by members utilizing private office facilities. This was the stage of Club infancy. With the gradual increase in membership and expansion of Club activities, an office became imperative in order that the Club might function more effectively and economically. This period may be likened to the adolescent stage in development. Finally we arrived at the point where it was necessary to acquire a home to house the operations and material utilized by the Club in order to render the service a membership of nearly 600 demands. Since the membership is growing constantly as the Club's influence spreads, problems develop which cannot and must not be ignored if the P. A. T. C. expects to continue as a vital force. All too frequently in the past persons were sponsored for membership only to be left by their sponsor to their own devices in becoming better acquainted with the Club. It was theoretically the duty of committee chairmen to seek out new members who expressed a preference for a particular phase of Club activities. This procedure proved impracticable, however, since a busy chairman seldom found time to seek lights under bushels. The Council has recognized that fact and has taken steps to place the responsibility for introducing a new member to the Club primarily on his sponsor and secondarily on the new member. This procedure should both discourage "casual" endorsement of a prospective candidate for membership and, more important, stimulate a more active and informed participation in Club activities. Below are letters which will be sent hereafter by the President to newly elected members and by the Membership Chairman to sponsors, respectively. —Victor Howard President's Letter to New Members At the last meeting of the Council you were elected a member of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. We are pleased to welcome you as a member and trust that the association will be mutually enjoyable and profitable. What there is to be found in an organization such as the "Trail" Club, a designation which has come to have a particular significance, is largely determined by what is put into it. The primary function of this organization is the maintenance of its section of The Appalachian Trail. Its other activities grow out of and are incidental to this primary objective. The Trail Club is unusual in that a very large proportion of its membership is actively engaged in furthering its objective. All of these activities are on a voluntary basis; Club members contribute their time and expense (except for materials used) toward carrying out the Club's program. Members have found that their interest in these things has resulted in the formation of many pleasant contacts. As a new member of the Trail Club, there is undoubtedly much about the Club of which you would like to know more. It is our desire that the means for you to become thoroughly familiar with Club activities and facilities be made as simple and easy as possible, since we want you to obtain the maximum benefit and enjoyment from your association with the Club. There are several ways in which you" may become better acquainted, and a few of those methods are suggested below: 1. We are sure your sponsor will bee glad to introduce you to the Chairman of any activity in which you may be interested.
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