Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1908-1928 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
0.21 linear feet (1 half document case)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Ethical Culture Club / Forum was organized in Brookings, South Dakota in January 1906. It was then called the Ethical Culture Club; according to one of its historians. It held its original meetings on Sunday and "was to be a substitute on a basis of liberal theology for church going". These early days notwithstanding, the Forum, as it became known after October 14, 1910, was essentially a meeting for the free discussion of any topic of interest. Topics included, child labor laws, the establishment of a public library, promotion of a league to enforce peace, and the use of metric measures. Many of these topics, particularly the building of a library, actually became calls to action.
The Forum was made up of members of both the college and the town with the majority being drawn from all parts of the College. According to William Powers, Forum historian, the outside membership has been distributed among different professions, including clergymen. Membership seems to have only been limited to men, with the added provision that all members were expected at some time to present a paper.
Governance of the organization was made up of a president, vice president and secretary treasurer who made up the executive committee. There were also two standing committees for programs and for membership.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Composed of miscellanies from both the era of the Forum and the time of the Ethical Culture Club. Materials from the latter era consist of the record of meetings from the years 1908-1910. Material for the latter years includes the minutes of meetings, a copy of the constitution, some miscellaneous materials and a history of the club written by William Powers.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
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System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
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Script of material
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Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
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Notes area
Note
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Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Powers, William H. (William Howard) 1868-1936 (Subject)
- Ethical Culture Club (Brookings, S.D.) (Subject)