16
LARGE MEMBERSHIP ESSENTIAL
T Q R GREATEST SUCCESS?
By E. J. SKALA
La?G rande Chapter N o .’ 4 issues
special mimeographed bulletins ^ h ic h ,
are marled to each member of the chap-,
ter.- As an outgrow th of the February
meeting of No. 4 a special bulletin was
w ritten about membership. Following I
are some of the very' fine things the
chapter w riter had to say.
"Let us analyze this situation. First,
what. Would be The natural reaction of
a legislator wfio had noOgiven much
thought or study to problems of; state
employees'when he learns that 3000
of them w ant salary increases, improved
working conditions or other concessions
and that 5060 of them who don’t w ant
changes' are perfectly ''-satisfied w ith
things as they are? His reaction to this
would probably be that since the trial"*
jority were satisfied he would vote
against' any change and dismiss the
minority as the "lunatic f rin g e .^ We
can only »conclude that ~ m y e do nob
attain the things for which we Jare
seeking at this sessibn of the legislature
we can Uy^the failure at the feet of
those who? refuse to join and put their
shoulders to the wheel.
"W eI must start now to build up
our membership to such proportions
that our number in itself will bear
weight, and it should be the responsi
bility of every member to secure new
members from among his fellow work?
ers. You will find various types of men
and women among state employees as
elsewhere. Some don’t believe in' any
organization nor in themselves. Some
are self satisfied, and selfish . . . And
then also we haye those who think the
organization should operate like a groc
ery store. - You walk in, lay a dollar
on the counter and ask for a dollar’s
w orth of something. Then you wait
for it to be wrapped up so you can
carry it out, secretly hoping that.-by
some miracle the groceryman will put
in two dollars w orth instead of one.
If he doesn’t maybe you won’t buy
/any mdre groceries.
"These chookiebobbers, or free riders,
are yas|fy in the minority. We feel,
that'm ost of; the stâte.æmployees would
join/ ifI they were approached and the
objectives of the OSEA explained to
them.' We want members who can
contribute. ideas, moral support and
understanding, realizing that' no- social
gains, stjchas the eight hour day, have
been, obtained for just the asking. It
has taken years of unified action to
;s.Ceure them. To obtain any objective
united auction is imperative." Imagine
placing in the field a baseball team
consisting of only three nien arid then
expecting a victory !?-'
GEORGE PERKINS SETS
ATTENDANCE? RECORD
George N. Perkins of Jeweir deserves
g/tperfetfi? attendance certificate from
the Astoria Chapter. He hasx attended
every meeting of that chapter since
its, organization in November, 1942,.
Even when w eatherw as bad and work
ing hours’ long'; Mr. Perkins made the
70 mile round trip drive between
Jewell and Astoria. In appreciation of
his interest in the Association, chapter
members have elected him delegate to
represent them at all General C ouncil
meetings? H
Mr. Perkins has worked for the
Highway Commission for twelve years,
first as helper for John Thomas and
nbw as .section foernian at Jewell. He
is married and, has tw o grandchildren.
"H is hobby,’’ says George Bambrick,
who supplied us w ith this information,
"is trying to make a small check cover
the high cost of living.’’
The success of our Association is
dependent upon all members who have,
like Mr. Parkins, devoted their constant
time and interest to the objectives of
our organization. Can you top this
record? It might be interesting to know
how many perfect attenders each chap
ter: pan boast.
Material for magazine received by
fviay 21 will appear in May-June issue.'
Send contributions to OSE A, 141 Pa
cific Bldg., Salem.