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The advantages of library or service club exhibits of books and periodicals are two.  These exhibits are seen by large numbers of men when their minds are relaxed and receptive.  Second—and this is particularly true of library exhibits—they are seen by officers and men who have sufficient intellectual interest to search for reading materials.  Among this type of personnel are found the individuals who will most desire to take part in discussion.

6. Organizing committees: Either before promoting a voluntary discussion group or very soon after the initial publicity, it may be an excellent plan under some circumstances to invite a half dozen officers and men to form an organizing committee.  The purpose of having such a committee is to start the group off with the established policy of having members of the group determine their own program.  More sustained interest in any voluntary activity is often secured if the participants have a share in deciding its methods and specific objectives.  The suggestion for the inclusion of both officers and enlisted men is made because it has been found by experience that free discussion on a common ground by both adds greatly to the interest in the activity.  Officers who join with enlisted men for this purpose must act as fellow inquirers if the full benefit of such a joint activity is to be attained.

Naturally care must be exercised in the selection of men invited to form the committee.  It is preferable to invite those who may have already expressed interest in the program.  It will assist the work of the committee if some of them have had experience on similar committees in professional, business, or community life.  Each one should ideally have two characteristics.  His intellectual interests should be such that he realizes the importance of a citizenry informed on public issues and that he understands the value of discussion as a method of study.  His personality should be one that will enable him to sell the program to other men with whom he is associated.

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