Abstract :
ON August 1, 1936, there was no phase of the Institute work of which I knew so little as I did about the work of the Student Branches. Today there is no phase in which I am more interested, or which I feel is better conducted. A successful Branch must overcome some natural handicaps. If limited to the 2 upper classes, the membership must be completely replaced every 2 years. There are many claims on the students´ time. The potential members have had little experience in organization affairs. Active membership is of such short duration that there is little opportunity for the development of leaders. In a Section the average chairman comes to office with several years´ experience in Section and committee work, but the Branch chairman seldom has more than one year´s training in Branch activity. In the Sections, past-chairmen are a source of inspiration, counsel, and guidance, while in the Branches, the past-chairmen are lost through graduation.
