A large part of the program of the community organization is carried out by the voluntary agencies of the community.  But a great many of its proposals must have the approval of the official town meeting, require appropriations which can only be made by the town meeting, and are finally executed by the public officials of the town.  The organization naturally stimulates interest in the official government, and brings to its support all the organized agencies of the community working together.

TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT OUTSIDE OF NEW ENGLAND

The township is found as a unit of local government in many states outside of New England, but in most of these cases its government is entirely representative in form.  While the town meeting is found in a few of these states, [Footnote:  As in New York and New Jersey; and farther west in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Illinois, and Nebraska.] it nowhere holds the important place that it does in New England.  One reason for this is the larger size and more scattered population of the township.  In the public land states the congressional township, six miles square, is also the political township.  At the head of the township government in its representative form are trustees (sometimes three, sometimes only one) who, with the town clerk, the constables, the tax assessor, the treasurer, the justices of the peace, and such other officers as may be required, are elected by the people.  The powers of the township government outside of New England vary in different states, but are always quite limited, relating most commonly to the maintenance of roads, school administration, and the care of the poor.  In these circumstances there is at least as great need for community organization to support and supplement the work of government as in the New England towns.

Investigate and report on the following: 

The services performed by your township government.

A complete list of your township officers, and the duties of each.  (Committees of pupils may interview some of the more important officers to get a description of their daily routine, kinds of service performed, etc.  Also discuss with parents.)

Officers of the colonial New England town that do not exist now, and their duties.

What is parliamentary law? (Valuable training may be secured by conducting school meetings, club meetings, or occasional regular class exercises, in accordance with parliamentary procedure.)

Why public discussion is a check upon the conduct of persons holding responsible positions.

The popular interest in public questions in your township.

If there is a finance committee in your township (p. 399), how does it serve the community?  Does it hold hearings? (Attend and report upon some such hearing.)

Town planning in your community (what has been, or what might be, done).