[Sidenote: Controlling Strikers]
Find out what all classes and societies are planning and doing in such
large matters as membership campaigns. Have a trusted student officer in
each society to confer with you as soon as serious problems arise.
Attend society meetings often enough to be counted an interested
adviser; or better still, have each society under the care of a teacher
who is expected to attend all meetings and coöperate with the officers
in keeping the society in a high state of efficiency. Assist in planning
affairs that are not officially under your direct control.
Be sure to avoid excessive encouragement of any one competing
organization in school. Competition is good in case the competitors are
nearly evenly matched. Help the under dog, in a wise manner. When a
society seems on the decline initiate some plan to revive its strength.
Coöperation at the right moment will win confidence and prevent clashes.
Make an appeal to the Delphian Society on the ground of their past
record. Display the details of their achievements, repeat the
announcements of the coming contest. Secure the assistance of some
graduate Delphians who are unconcerned in the present grievance. Apply
the method of approval on a large scale and show the society that its
members, the school and the town are hanging with expectancy on their
decision to continue preparation and again win the trophies. This should
be done privately to a large extent to avoid over-emphasizing the
importance of this one society.
Promise fair dealing with the Archimedeans, but make no pledges about
solving the problem instantly and in the way demanded by the Delphians.
Take plenty of time to correct an evil, if no urgency of growing habit
compels haste. Propose the substitution of a better method for
increasing membership in the Archimedean society. Perhaps new members
will be chosen by lot as fast as new pupils enroll. Issue no
prohibitions if they can be avoided.
Avoid calling a meeting of rebellious students unless you have a plan
that is acceptable to the leaders of the group. If negative action is
necessary deal with single students.
Man is a creature of a willful head
And hardly driven,—but is easily led.
—_S. Daniel._