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Leadership in 1952–53

In 1953, Robert Foster became NCFR’s 10th president. From 1932 to 1947, he was the head of the Family Life Department and Director of Marriage and Parental Counseling Services at the Merrill–Palmer Institute. He then was a professor of family relations and sociology at the University of Kansas. In 1950, he was named Director of the Marriage Counseling Service and Training Program at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, KS, and in 1959 he joined the staff of the Tulsa, OK, Psychiatric Foundation. As NCFR President, he appointed several committees, including one to study and clarify the relationship of the sections in the overarching organizational framework. […]

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Membership in 1952–53

http://www.ioofgrandlodgeofohio.org/?shop=2559By 1953, only 16 new members had been gained, for a total of 2,422. The controversy over membership policy continued. Howard Stanton was appointed to chair a membership analysis committee. He found several startling facts. First, of the 7,164 individuals who had joined NCFR at one time or another from January 1, 1930 through January 1, 1951, only 54%—3,912—had renewed their membership. Expectations of new members had not been met. Even the membership drive initiated at the 1953 Annual Conference at Rutgers University did not succeed. Read the 1952 membership recruitment letter

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Journals and Publications in 1952–53

In 1953, President John O’Grady appointed Dorothy Dyer to chair a committee to deal with the journal relationship problems plaguing Marriage and Family Living (MFL). Her report, which clarified the management and operations of the journal, was submitted at the 1953 Board meeting. Most notable was the stand on developing relationships with other organizations. The individuals responsible for the journal would continue to make the financial decisions. At no time would space be sold to another organization without express approval of the Board of Directors. Editorships were rotated, and Editors were ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. The Editorial Council would […]

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Affiliates in 1952–53

As NCFR reorganized, it became clear that the delegation of authority between the national office and the affiliates needed better clarification. Affiliate dissatisfaction was evident and demanded immediate attention. In 1953, President Robert Foster appointed another committee to investigate this relationship. David Fulcomer chaired that committee, which presented 20 recommendations for reinforcing the bond between NCFR and its affiliates. These efforts would continue for a long period of time. Read the 1953 Report of the Committee on the Relationship Between the National Council on Family Relations and Its Affiliates Despite these few years of crisis and reorganization, NCFR continued to reflect its […]

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1953 Midwest Ad Hoc Conference on the proposed U.S. Family Department of Welfare

In 1952, NCFR was instrumental in organizing a Midwest Ad Hoc Conference on the proposed U.S. Family Department of Welfare. The purpose of the conference was to facilitate interprofessional consideration of family welfare and the implications of a proposed federal welfare department. It took place in Chicago on February 27, 1953, and was sponsored by NCFR, nine midwestern state councils, and several other organizations. NCFR President Robert Foster presided over the conference. Chair of the day was Fred Hoehler, CEO of the Citizen’s Committee of Greater Chicago and former Director of the Illinois Department of Welfare. Keynote speakers were Helen Ross, Administrative Director of […]

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Leadership in 1951-52

In the Fall of 1951, Msgr. John O’Grady became NCFR’s ninth president and served 15 months, through Summer 1953. He had authored a book, Catholic Charities in the USA, and was a scholar and historian. He served for 32 years as Director of National Conference of Catholic Charities. He was also a sociology professor at the Catholic University of America and Trinity College in Washington, DC. He was a pioneer in the development of public housing policy in the United States and was also known for his work on aging. He was appointed to the President’s Commission on Immigration and Naturalization. The following […]

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1952 Conference: Family Planning for a Permanent Emergency

The 1952 Annual Conference was held August 30–September 2 at Rutgers University in New Jersey. The main theme was “Family Planning for a Permanent Emergency.”

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Membership in 1951–52

viagraIn 1952, NCFR lost 220 members, leaving a total of 2,406.

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