Oberlin College - Hi-O-Hi Yearbook (Oberlin, OH)

Page 29 text:

YM-YW Discussions Stress Religious Side of College They discussed their Sunday morning radio presenta- tions and f'Operation Y, the program of small discus- sion groups which seek to aid the individual to find a deeper awareness of religious reality and where the dis- cussion topics range from the Bible to current politics. This year also brought a special conference, the Na- tional Assembly, town meeting of the Christian Asso- ciation Movement. Twenty representatives from the Oberlin Y's provided a ferment for a liberal interpre- tation of the policies that were to guide the student movement for the next four years . . . the questions of race, the church, politics, war, and requirements for membership. Oberlin was asked to make a large display of posters, pictures and lists portraying the work of the Y on our campus. The conference cycle was completed in May with the annual retreat for Ohio student Y's at Tar Hollow. But the Y's work doesn't all consist of mass meetings and leadership training retreats. Throughout the year the Y's carry on an extensive program in four different fields with a total of fifty committees. The main em- phasis is on the religious side of college life. Jointly sponsored weekly vespers, daily matins, devotional lit- erature Mrchwaysj, and the YM pre-theolog club as well as the Religious Conference on Direction in a The YM cabinet had a chance to meet their area secretary. Bill Black. as they enioyed pie. ice cream. and coffee. at their Christmas party at Bob Rankin's house. Campfire singing filled Tappan Square at this marshmallow roast 'held by the YW to further the fall membership drive. World of Confiicti' helped enrich religious life at O- berlin. Public affairs concerned the Y Open Forum and Social Action committees, while service to the campus was rendered by the Freshman Club, the Seminar in Higher Education, the Y Poll, the Sum- mer Projects committee, and the group which helped Oberlin's foreign students get adjusted. The routine tasks of publicity, office, and membership commit- tees were also a necessary part of the program. Io Peck and Laurie Meltzer lead the weekly Wednesday night vespers, sponsored by the YM and YW, while Ioe Elder at the organ completes the inspirational mood. 23

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J' On this beautiful Chance Creek property the YM held its Spring Retreat and Orientation Week picnic for freshmen. The fire-destroyed cabin near the lean-to is being rebuilt. C Y Advisers, Leaders Meel 63' Retreats and conferences compose an important part . - of Y life each year. Late in the spring the YM and YW 41 Y held their retreats. The Y faculty advisers and retiring cabinet met with the incoming leaders to evaluate the ffiii past year's work and make plans for the coming year. 3 E9 The new leaders were given some insight into the prob- f ' lems they were to face and tips as to how these prob- lems could best be solved. Early in the summer there was the annual Geneva district leadership training con- ference. Then shortly before Orientation Week the com- . 4 bined cabinets met on campus for three packed days of wig, final planning. Here they smoothed out the plans for- mulated in the spring. 22

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The Y's work is divided into several areas each represented by a commission. Two of the most active this year were the YM and YW Community Service Com- missions. Like all Commissions they were in turn divided into committees. The May Home committee was one of the most popular, and mem- bers worked at the Home every aft- ernoon plus Saturday mornings. Stu Scherr and Dave Elder helped the kids with handicraft and in conjunc- tion with Carolyn Sandstrom's YW committee escorted the youngsters to College Artist recitals, basketball games, track meets, and other special events in town and College. The YW committee took the group into Cleve- land for Xmas shopping and a look at Santa Claus. joe Elder was a second Santa at the Yule-time party at the Home. 24 The committee heads Qcommission membersj first get together to formulate the overall working plan and swap techniques. Then the individual commit- tees set up their programs. The Y group at the May Nursery Home found a program already well estab- lished. The preparation for this job consisted merely of getting to know the kids and helping with an occa- sional dish or with the fall housecleaning. Other committees such as the Hi-Y had to start from scratch with their program.