Minutes and reports concerning secretary training programs, 1908-1952

As a national organization with many parts the YWCA of the U.S.A. places a great deal of importance of the development and training of leaders at all levels of the organization. The Training Services Committee plans and administers training programs and discusses training needs and practices. To encourage new leadership and provide an entry into association leadership the YWCA of the U.S.A. develops the Fellow-in-training program in 1928. This program provides a stipend for a graduate student in social sciences to work with a well developed local association. There the student is able to gain practical skills and develop leadership while implementing the techniques learned in school. Minutes of the Fellow-in-training Committee discuss the policy relating to the program, identify participating associations and assess the development and benefits of the program. The YWCA of the U.S.A.'s history in training women to be leaders is summarized in two reports. The second report focuses on the organization and administration of the National Training School of the YWCA of the U.S.A. and the first addresses early informal practices and the development of national practices. Finally, minutes and reports of the Secretaries Training Institute, the predecessor to the National Training School, concern its administration, program and policy.