The following article originally appeared in the Vereinsbote—The Walther League Messenger, in February 1916 (Vol. 24, No. 7, p. 207). It contains some useful advice that I figured was worth reprinting here.

Many young peoples societies’ are conducted similar to a show. While the organization has a good manager, things run along smoothly. The members come to be entertained; they regard the dues as a sort of an admission price and feel that their dime entitles them to criticize to their heart’s content every move that the society has taken. If the manager becomes discouraged, marries, or leaves the city, the society at once falls into a state of inactivity until another “prophet” arises.

There is a fallacy in the philosophy of this system. A society needs, yes, must have leaders; however, the meaning of leadership is not always understood. The highest type of leadership is not in being an indispensable member, but rather in rendering an indspensable service to your society. It is much more difficult to teach some one else to work in a society, than to do the work oneself. It is a rather universal complaint, no matter in what part of the country one may be, that a few do all the work; yet very often those who complain, revel in the thought of their self-appointed martyrdom; they actually do not wish to see anyone else share in their glory. The acid test of good leadership is the general development of the society, a society more useful, stronger, and better able to do its work, even if the best member or several stellar members should suddenly be eliminated, ah! that is a worthy task of efficient leadership. Walther League Kultur is the aim and movement to develop each individual character by a religious, mental, social and physical growth. It requires an efficient system and able constructive leadership. Each member must be brought to realize that he or she is a integral part of the society and is supposed to share in the responsibility. This necessitates that each member give some service and bring some sacrifice; for then only will he feel that the society is his society. On the other hand, the society must distribute to each a part of its activity and a part of its management.

To illustrate: Let anyone arrange fifty lectures to be delivered before a society; read a hundred stories; and give untold entertainment and advice. After five years make an investigation and inquire of those who were listeners; it will be discovered that only precious little of the information dealt out has become their property. However, after twenty-five years, every individual can vividly relate of an occasion at which he took part in a dialogue, held an office, gave a reading, had charge of an outing or athletic event. This explains the difference between theory and practice; Walther League Kultur demands that each member receive both.

Many ideas to divide the work and responsibility have been advanced in the Messenger in past years. A young peoples’ society ought to be governed and conducted by young people. Older folks should only supervise and advise. There is greater virtue and more good accomplished in teaching twenty others to be president or officer of a society by giving them a chance of holding office and helping them, than by being president for ten years yourself. Short terms of office and imperative changes at each election will give the greatest number an opportunity. A society can be divided into sections. Each section takes charge of the Literary Program and Social Events for a month, in turn, where each member of the section is taught to take some part in the program and to do some work of the arranging of the social. Each member of the standing and special committees should be given some definite part of the committee’s work. A society should diffuse its honors; its work, its responsibility, and in this manner develop the character and personality of every member. That is the meaning of Walther League Kultur.