Better Homes in America | Page 5

can effectively put into practice the ideas and
plans with which they will be supplied by the Bureau of Information.
The expense of a Better Home demonstration need not be great; in
some communities it may be kept as low as $25.00. Builders,
merchants and prominent citizens will combine to supply the Model
Better Home, and to furnish it. Civic organizations and newspapers will
cooperate to interest the public.
The most successful demonstrations have been so managed as to
impress upon visitors that they were not selfish enterprises, intended to
help special interests, particular firms or individuals. They have been so
conducted as to benefit every line of business and to help the
community as a whole. Neither the name of the builder or owner of the
home exhibited, nor the name of any person or business firm furnishing
any portion of the exhibit, is permitted to be displayed.
The motive behind the demonstration is primarily educational.
How to Form a General Committee for Better Homes Demonstration
Week
A Better Homes Demonstration should be organized and directed by a
disinterested group of prominent women, working from motives of
public service. This group should be formed of a Chairman and a
General Committee of from four to seven members, depending upon
the size of the community.
Each member of the General Committee is Chairman of one or more
sub- committees as outlined later in this Plan.
The Chairman of the General Committee is appointed through the
National Advisory Council of Better Homes in America. She appoints
the members of the local General Committee. They in turn appoint the
members of the Sub-committees. In the case of the Sub-committees it is
particularly important that appointments should be made with the
knowledge and approval of the local civic and commercial interests
whose co-operation is desired. Detailed suggestions for procedure are

outlined later.
The duties of the members of the General Committee fit naturally into
the following arrangement of Sub-committees with a member of the
General Committee as Chairman of each Sub-committee:
(1) Sub-committee on Advertising and Publicity. (2) Sub-committee on
Selection of Demonstration Home. (3) Sub-committee on Equipment of
Demonstration Home. (4) Sub-committee on Furnishing and
Decorating. (5) Sub-committee on Reception of Visitors and
Management of Home. (6) Sub-committee on Program of Events. (7)
Sub-committee on Budget for Demonstration Week.
Where the size of the community makes it desirable to have a General
Committee of only four members, some such distribution of the Sub-
committees as this is recommended:
(1) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading (a)
Sub-committee on Advertising and Publicity; and (b) Sub-committee
on Progress of Events. (2) Chairman (a member of the General
Committee) heading (a) Sub-committee on Equipment of
Demonstration Home; and (b) Sub-committee on Furnishing and
Decorating. (3) Chairman (a member of the General Committee)
heading (a) Sub-committee on Selection of Demonstration Home; and
(b) Sub-committee on Reception of Visitors and Management of Home.
(4) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading (a)
Sub-committee on Budget for Demonstration Week.
How To Secure Patrons for Better Homes Demonstration; Full
Cooperation of All Local Interests Essential
Following the organization of the General Committee, the first duty of
its Chairman should be the arrangement for meetings of the
Committee-- or its individual members--with the various City Officials,
and Civic and Commercial Organizations in the community, to explain
the Plan for a Better Homes Demonstration and to secure their
endorsement and active support.

Those endorsing and supporting the Demonstration may be known as
Patrons and should comprise the following:
The Mayor Commissioner of Education (or Superintendent of Public
School) Publishers or Owners of Local Newspapers Presidents of
Important Women's Clubs President of Chamber of Commerce
Agricultural Home Bureau, etc. President of Real Estate Board
President of Rotary Club President of Kiwanis Club Presidents of
Building & Loan Associations Presidents of other Business or Trade
Associations related to the Home Building and Furnishing Industries.
Churches should also be asked to support the movement.
Additional Patrons may properly be selected from prominent citizens of
the community, who are noted for their public spirit and are not
included in the above list.
The two essentials for a successful Better Homes in America
Demonstration are genuine co-operation from all local civic, financial,
commercial and educational interests, and full and extensive publicity
through the local newspapers. From the youngest boy or girl scout to
bank president, business man, school teacher, minister, manufacturer
and city official, everybody in a community should have a real personal
interest in the Demonstration. When the benefits of a successful Better
Homes Demonstration are once understood this interest is readily
aroused.
Investigation of successful exhibitions in Kansas City, Indianapolis,
Cleveland and elsewhere proved conclusively that the cooperation of
all local interests was the biggest single factor of success.
How to Form Sub-Committees