Growing up,
my parents were involved in many different clubs. They developed life-long
friendships with members of these social and professional groups. Joining these
associations, both formal and informal, I suspect was a habit and lifestyle
they brought to the city from their rural roots, where neighbours often
gathered for community events.
Joining
groups of people for social relationships or occupational connections is part
of being a member of a community. Often such associations started as a student
and progressed in adulthood as interests developed or changed. Volunteering was
a driver of memberships in service clubs of business-people or meaningful
charities.
Among the
groups my parents were involved with were the Kiwanis Club (for business people
and service to the community), the Movie Club (for people interested in taking
home movies) and the square dance club (for fun and social connections).
In my own
experience, as a student I was part of the Boy Scouts, bands and orchestras
(with and outside of schools), the Rundle Group (a university club for geology
students)
As an adult
I participated with: the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (a
professional society) and family history societies (pursuing genealogical
research).
Farm life
in the early 1900s meant people were physically separated during their workdays
so community activities centred around churches and schools dominated their
social life: after work, on weekends, and for special holidays. Volunteering
was a way of life. People came together to organize events to raise funds to
help neighbours in distress, provide capital for recreational and other facilities,
or just for fun.
Regular
community parties and dances were the best way for young people to meet,
outside of school. Because of their different ages, my parents would not have
met at school but at community events. In fact, they were introduced by my
father’s cousin who was staying with my mother’s family and got to know each
other at local dances and parties.
KIK Country is a collection of histories of
families and events for the Kathryn, Irricana and Keoma areas northeast of
Calgary, Alberta. This is where my parents were raised and where my father was
born. It contains hundreds of short summaries of local families who lived in
the region.
Besides the
hundreds of summaries of individual families, the book contains historical
information about: the indigenous population of the time; the irrigation
system; the railroads; local villages and municipal histories; agriculture
history, methods, livestock and general industry; local churches; schools,
school clubs and professional groups; social, professional and volunteer
organizations; sporting groups; military service; and many plain articles of
interest.
I actually
found a bunch of new stuff, including copies of photos I had not seen before,
while writing this piece.
By the way,
the book can be browsed online in the digital collections of the University of
Calgary. https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/archive/K-I-K--country-2R3BF1OVWXP_W.html Their “Local Histories collection
features books describing the history of Canadian small towns, rural areas, and
large cities.” It’s a wonderful resource. I have found a great deal of
information about my ancestors, including photos not in our family albums in
this one publication.
The
important part in the book concerning what this blog post is about are the
descriptions of the many organizations in which people participated and that
brought them together to form a vibrant community: home and school
associations, community associations, Odd Fellows Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Order
of the Eastern Star, Camp for the Modern Woodmen of America, Lions Club, farm
workers locals, and several ladies aid groups.
For the
young people there were: the Sunshine Girls Club, Cadet Corps, Junior Grain
Club, 4-H beef Club, 4-H Field Crops Club, 4-H Engine Club, 4-H Clothing Club,
and Cubs Scouts. There were organized teams for softball, baseball, curling and
hockey for both children and adults.
In addition
to the family histories, it is very interesting to read about the various clubs
and events with which my ancestors participated, particularly those that raised
funds for local projects. These demonstrate the closeness of the community and
its members.
It’s easy
to see how people growing up in such places took with them the idea of
belonging to other groups where there were friends to be made, new experiences
to enjoy and with a spirit of volunteerism where other people could be helped.
Clubs and
societies have been around for a long time, of course. Here are some
interesting books from which you can learn about them:
Clark,
Peter. (2000). British Clubs and Societies 1580-1800. Oxford University
Press.
Thompson,
F. M. L. (Editor). (1990). The Cambridge Social History of Britain,
1750-1950. Three volumes. Cambridge University Press.
A
Complete and Humorous Account of all the Remarkable Clubs and Societies in the
Cities of London and Westminster. (1756). https://archive.org/details/b30510466/page/n3/mode/2up
