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J. E. Hutchison, Director,' College Station, Texas

My Community -- How

Does- It Look?

REAGAN BROWNEXTENSiON RURAL SOCIOLOGIST

The A&M College of Texas

LET'S LOOK AT YOUR COMMUNITY. Gaze at itsroads, churches, business houses and thetown park or playground. What do you see?Do you experience pride as you scan itsfamiliar sites or is there restless dis­satisfaction because you see so much thatcould be improved?

Rural folks allover Texas have had similarthoughts about their neighborhoods. In fact,over 800 neighborhoods have organized, setgoals and have begun to achieve them. Anestimated 2,000 small towns in Texas couldbenefit greatly by taking part in an organ­ized community improvement program.

This leaflet suggests some of the proj ectsthat organized communities in Texas cancarry on which will result in more attractive,healthier and more prosperous places in whichto live. No list of goals could meet theneeds of all because each community differsin its physical assets and opportunities .

.jJutyou, as a community leader, perhaps knowmany needs which could be met through organ­ized community effort. What can you do toget off to a 'good start? Here are a few,.ideas ....

Church Activities

Churches often are the centers of communityactivity. By working toward their growthand betterment, the community as a wholestands to gain. Communi ty members might workfor increased attendance at churches, spon­sor Vacation Bible Schools, provide trans­portation for families without cars, makechurch surveys. Or this group might work toimprove the church property -- paint, re­decorate, landscape the church lawn, buildwalks or steps.

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Just what your communi ty needs to get start­ed may be yOU. Get together wi th yourneighbors, organize and appoint committees.set goals . . . . Build a better neighbor­hood!

Fund-raising ProjectsFund raising can be an endless headache orit can be a challenge mixed with fun. Com­munity and county f~irs ••. auctions ..pie suppers • . . drink vending machinesand outright donations bring surprising re­sults when packed by enthusiastic community

-. organized groups. A "Lord's Acre" proj ecthas met wi th big succ'ess in many communi ties.

Community Projects

Community-minded people can potnt proudlyto the many improvements and facilities theyhave made-possible through organized groupeffort. Obtaining new roads and repairingthose that exist • . . working together forbetter telephone service . . . eliminatingtraffic hazards . . . developing a well­balanced agricultural program adapted tothe~needs of the community ••• these areonly a few of the goals that once achievedmake a community a better place in which tolive. Volunteer fire departments. • . soiland water testing •.. fly and mosquitocontrol campaigns • . . working toward thedevelopment of a medical center . . . arejust a few others that make for comfort andsafety in a community.

Community CentersCommunity centers can mean a fuller lifefor rural people and they represent anaccomplishment brought about through theefforts of many. Often old school buildingsor farm houses are remodeled into centers.

Improvements such as providing lights, waterand heat are worthy community goals. Pur­chasing motion picture projectors andscreens, a piano and song books, a baseballdiamond and community library are otherprojects which can inspire better communitylife.

Ne.ighborly Deeds

"I am my brother's keeper" is taken toheart in a wide-awake community. Committeescan be appointed to see that less fortunateyouths are provided needed items such asglasses, dental treatment, therapy . . .that disaster stricken families are clothed,fed and given money. No community is betterthan the people who live in it.

Opportunities for YouthBoys and. girls are the finest "crop." anyrural co~munity can,claim. The opportuni tiesand activities afforded them may determinehow long they remain a part of their com­munity. 'Work with youth clubs such as 4-H,FFA, FHA and Boy and Girl Scouts is reward­ing in many ways. Recreational programs andhandicraft groups are popular among theyoung folks and a youth achievement day inthe community helps to meas~re progresswhile at the same time .i t encourages young­sters to do big~er, more responsible jobsfor their community.

B .lleve It Can B Don

Ask your ~ounty extension agents todayabout the co~nity improvement programwith which th~y work.

Cooperative Extension Work in Apieulture and Home Eeonomics, TheTexas A. & M. College System and United States Department of Aeri­culture cooperatinat. Distributed in furtheranee of the Aeta of Congressof May 8, 1914, 'U anlended, and June 80, 1914.