Recreational projects sponsored by service clubs; a survey of a representative group of recreational projects sponsored by service clubs in greater Vancouver.

The ever-increasing interest in recreation and its part in preventing juvenile delinquency has attracted the attention of many service clubs and has offered them an opportunity to turn their efforts towards this new-development. This study was undertaken with a view to ascertaining the extent and type of recreational projects aided or sponsored by such clubs, the role they are playing, and their potential contribution to community recreation. Service clubs have in the past few years grown tremendously in numbers and membership. They raise large sums of money to be expended on community welfare work and with the increasing complexity of living, it appears important to consider their position and how they can make their best contribution in this area. Particular emphasis has been placed on the years since the end of the war, which is a natural dividing line since, during this time, most service clubs spent their energies and funds on some type of war work. Material used in this study has been gathered by several methods and from several sources. First, simple questionnaires and a covering letter were sent to all service clubs. In some cases these were returned, but in no case was the information sufficient, so a follow-up was made by telephone. In all but two cases personal interviews with officers resulted, varying in number from one to twenty, depending on the size and number of projects carried out by each particular club. Newspaper accounts, club magazines and reports provided further information. In some instances, where the project developed into an organization in itself, was closely allied to an existing agency or had dealings with the Community Chest and Council, the groups concerned were co-operative in making available correspondence, minutes, reports and records. This survey clearly shows the lack of any overall planning body for public and private recreational agencies in Vancouver. The Group Work Division of the Community Chest and Council offers same opportunity for joint planning and co-ordination, but these are not yet sufficiently used. To facilitate this further, it is most important to revise the constitution of the Community Chest and Council to allow for more purposeful representation. There is considerable lack of knowledge on the part of many service club members of the need for this measure of community planning. The philosophy of social group work and community organization is generally unfamiliar to them. There is a broad field for interpretation open to professional social workers and agencies to enlighten those who are interested in providing recreational services. Service clubs have made a contribution in this area, and are able to do so to a greater extent Citizens participation is basic, if recreation is to be part and parcel of a progressive, democratic society. If service clubs' interest in and conviction about their recreational contributions can be allied to efficient community planning and organizations, the projects sponsored by them will immeasurably enrich the community.Arts, Faculty ofSocial Work, School ofGraduat