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[[underlined]]PROPOSAL FOR THE DIVISIONAL PLAN OF ORGANIZATION[[/underlined]]

I. Why use the Divisional Plan?

[[underlined]]PURPOSE[[/underlined]]

A. We can use it to get better attendance at Council meetings.  Attendance of members is a necessary factor in dynamic group activity.  In a large city where suburban areas develop, it becomes difficult to have monthly meetings which are accessible or convenient to all women.  Young mothers with children find day meetings difficult.  The divisional plan allows women, in a given area, freedom to arrange monthly meetings at a time most convenient for the group.  Moreover, as the groups in the divisional plan are drawn along neighborhood lines, meetings can be planned in locations which are accessible to group members and do not involve transportation difficulties or distant night travel.

B. We can use it to get greater membership participation.  The problem of membership participation is as old as organizations.  Considerable research and study have been given to it.  In recent years several national organizations have adopted a plan which provides for division of membership into groups which promote maximum attendance, discussion and participation.

This plan, the divisional plan of organization, has been successfully tried out by such large national organizations as the League of Women Voters, Women's Supreme Council of B'nai B'rith and others.

C. We can use it to get wider interest coverage of the Council program objectives.  The membership of a large city council may reflect many varied interests.  It is often difficult to mobilize action toward one goal unless there is real and sustained interest in that goal.  Some members may prefer a program directed toward activity in housing problems.  Others may be keenly interested in Human Relations and International Affairs.  The divisional plan permits intensive group action on a variety of program goals and makes possible wider progress on the overall program goals.

II. How would we begin to use the Divisional Plan?

There are two types of Councils and we must clearly understand into which type our Council fits.

[[underlined]]PROCEDURE[[/underlined]]

A. [[underlined]]The County Council[[/underlined]] is a Council organized by a group of women living in different county areas.  These Councils grow toward a goal of creating membership large enough for [[underlined]]new councils[[/underlined]] in each county.  In this type of council, the divisional plan can be used to build membership strength for new councils, as well as to increase interest and activity in the National Program.

B. [[underlined]]The City Council[[/underlined]] is located in an urban area and may include its suburbs.  This type of council may use the divisional plan to build membership strength, and to increase program interest and influence.  However, [[underlined]]the city council cannot form new councils in te same city[[/underlined]], as there is but one council in a community.