He looked me square in the eye and said, "Now tell me what the League is in a position to do for us." The Association President who said that to a new Executive Director had just treated him and the LFRA President to a fine luncheon in the fine dining area of a large agency.
Time had been spent viewing the many activities and opportunities provided R&W members of his association. There was a garage, barber shop, health room, dry cleaning outlet, discount store and a travel department. I was impressed! Then came the bomb..."What can the League do...?"
I have not forgotten the question or the President. He accepted my most inadequate answer and hopefully will note this attempt to face the same question a year and a half later for the benefit of all of the 140,000 who have at least indirect interest in what the League can do for them.
Although he is from one of the larger agency members of the LFRA, this President and his officers have continued to lend much support to the efforts of the 56 member League. They don't really need the League but they recognize a potential in the unification of all the associations with a common purpose.
The larger members can give assistance and do. The smaller ones seek direction and support. They also give some help in establishing buying power, objectives and services. All pay nominal dues which make the memberships in the respective agency associations entitle each individual member to LFRA membership also.
What Can The Leagues Do? There may be an impossible dream, an unreachable star, a new dawn for this cumbersome, overgrown and awkward youngster called the League of Federal Recreation Associations.
What the doubting Thomases don't seem to know or understand is the dedication of the hardy souls who have given thousands of hours to their volunteer time to make the League tick. They see the potential and are willing to sacrifice and struggle just to see things jell. Don't sell them short!
What makes one who has been in the depths more than once so sure of the big image and the anticipated realization of the potential of federation? The answer is people: Guys and gals who want something for the career employee in the way of credit for service, recognition for dedication, and the opportunity to enjoy social events and discount buying.
There appear to be five major divisions which make the future League worthy of your participation and backing. First there is this newspaper. Here is a means of communication which can and will tell the story as it is and to all the people. It is growing and needs help in securing more advertising, more news and pictures, and the assurance there will be someone from each agency willing to pick up the copies each month and see that they are circulated to the membership.
Second, the need is apparent for a well organized and aggressive travel program. This is being developed on an extensive scale and will mean funds with which to operate the League and to better serve the members.
Other divisions to be anticipated and now well into the planning and implementation stages are Discount Buying, Mutual Funds and Investments, and Insurance. As these last three unfold the true potential of the League will begin to be revealed. The volunteer efforts of many to whom so much is owed will be recognized.
Legislation to provide more benefits and highter morale can be sought with some degree of confidence. More agency associations will find a reason for belonging. There will indeed be a better mousetrap and businessmen with insight will indeed beat a pathway to the League door.
I am sure enough of the tomorrow of LFRA to be willing to give it some more volunteer hours. Others feel the same way. There is room for you, your interest, your suggestions and your involvement.
I want to thank the man who asked what the League can do for his membership. He started the wheels turning and one of these days I'd like to take him to dinner in The League Building.
David L. Brigham
Executive Director
November 28, 2008
November 25, 2008
The League
"The League" and "LFRA" are mentioned frequently in these early essays. It appears that the League of Federal Recreation Associations is still in existence, although they do not have a website. I am going to contact them in December to see what I can find out about their history and their current mission. I wonder if they still publish a Recreation Register newspaper?
--Barb
--Barb
November 23, 2008
December 1969
Years ago a little lady stood on the steps of the Library of Congress beside two small boys. She gazed across a street and square to the dome of the Capitol of the United States.
The boys were too young to know the meaning of a tear and the strange awe on her face. This was her first trip to a city which represented all that was great and free in her life. She was now 80 and could recall that she had been born a slave.
While there was much I did not understand at that moment, I do recall that I was one of those two small boys. Also, still fresh in my mind are the words of explanation for the display of emotion.
Turning to my mother, old Christie said, "Miss Marg, I been standing here thanking the Good Lord for letting me live in such an up-to-date century."
She did not live to see beyond the Model-T and the crystal radio set. She did not use electricity or even hear of TV. She had no social security or retirement. She was proud of her folks and her work and she had time for her church. Perhaps this was a basic life but it was a rich one.
There has been another moon landing and a precise, safe return. The perfection of these two exploits is almost beyond comprehension for we earthlings. The accomplishments we have lived to view are fantastic. What lies ahead defies all of our Buck Rogers visions.
As a symbol of our time there is a tip of the hat to the men who dared and who conquered the uncertainty of space. At the very base of the launch, the journey and the return lies a team. In some way each of us had a part.
There was the combination of science and courage, of service and faith, of government and private enterprise, and of talent and taxes.
It has been said we in the United States can accomplish anything we set our minds and attention to. Those who report these things are aware of our capability in large wars and of our utter frustration in the smaller ones.
Somehow, we find ourselves on the big teams and full of pride concerning what we have done as a nation. Then someone indicates in a rather uncomplimentary way that we are "just another government worker." Or, "you are one of those who stays at the trough because you couldn't make it out in the rough and tumble anyway."
And we freeze and grumble and absorb the needles because we have only a small voice and we are poorly organized.
Have we forgotten the role we played in the moon landing? How far would science have progressed without people like us? What about the rights of our citizens to stand as equals? Are there benefits in terms of hospital care and pensions, social services and heal standards? What about the drug regulations and investment protection?
You can be proud you are in government and a vital part of something big. You are doing and the public should hear about it.
The League is not something brand new. Nor is the objective. In a voluntary way there is a strong effort to bring the employees of all government agencies under one tent, in a federation of organization. The purpose: to give strength to the Federal servant as someone of importance whose voice needs to be heard in unison.
For too long the members of each agency have been satisfied to enjoy the rivalry of inter-agency exchanges and a little discrediting. Now the time has come through this new medium to shout from the housetops.
Great things are being done in and by government. People are responsible for all that our nation achieves. Surely there is something or someone in your agency worth talking about.
Our problem is that we do well with the big things and the small frustrate us. Let's turn things around and with your help have more news and stories than we can possibly use for the January issue.
We need these stories from any who will take a few moments to write or send a clipping to Recreation Register, 1500 Lawrence St, N.E., Wash., D.C., 20017. Someone close to you has helped make this a time to remember.
As we grow in unity and purpose we could do worse than say from our generation and our Capitol, "I'm just standing here thanking the Good Lord for letting me live in such an up-to-date century."
David L. Brigham
Executive Director
The boys were too young to know the meaning of a tear and the strange awe on her face. This was her first trip to a city which represented all that was great and free in her life. She was now 80 and could recall that she had been born a slave.
While there was much I did not understand at that moment, I do recall that I was one of those two small boys. Also, still fresh in my mind are the words of explanation for the display of emotion.
Turning to my mother, old Christie said, "Miss Marg, I been standing here thanking the Good Lord for letting me live in such an up-to-date century."
She did not live to see beyond the Model-T and the crystal radio set. She did not use electricity or even hear of TV. She had no social security or retirement. She was proud of her folks and her work and she had time for her church. Perhaps this was a basic life but it was a rich one.
There has been another moon landing and a precise, safe return. The perfection of these two exploits is almost beyond comprehension for we earthlings. The accomplishments we have lived to view are fantastic. What lies ahead defies all of our Buck Rogers visions.
As a symbol of our time there is a tip of the hat to the men who dared and who conquered the uncertainty of space. At the very base of the launch, the journey and the return lies a team. In some way each of us had a part.
There was the combination of science and courage, of service and faith, of government and private enterprise, and of talent and taxes.
It has been said we in the United States can accomplish anything we set our minds and attention to. Those who report these things are aware of our capability in large wars and of our utter frustration in the smaller ones.
Somehow, we find ourselves on the big teams and full of pride concerning what we have done as a nation. Then someone indicates in a rather uncomplimentary way that we are "just another government worker." Or, "you are one of those who stays at the trough because you couldn't make it out in the rough and tumble anyway."
And we freeze and grumble and absorb the needles because we have only a small voice and we are poorly organized.
Have we forgotten the role we played in the moon landing? How far would science have progressed without people like us? What about the rights of our citizens to stand as equals? Are there benefits in terms of hospital care and pensions, social services and heal standards? What about the drug regulations and investment protection?
You can be proud you are in government and a vital part of something big. You are doing and the public should hear about it.
The League is not something brand new. Nor is the objective. In a voluntary way there is a strong effort to bring the employees of all government agencies under one tent, in a federation of organization. The purpose: to give strength to the Federal servant as someone of importance whose voice needs to be heard in unison.
For too long the members of each agency have been satisfied to enjoy the rivalry of inter-agency exchanges and a little discrediting. Now the time has come through this new medium to shout from the housetops.
Great things are being done in and by government. People are responsible for all that our nation achieves. Surely there is something or someone in your agency worth talking about.
Our problem is that we do well with the big things and the small frustrate us. Let's turn things around and with your help have more news and stories than we can possibly use for the January issue.
We need these stories from any who will take a few moments to write or send a clipping to Recreation Register, 1500 Lawrence St, N.E., Wash., D.C., 20017. Someone close to you has helped make this a time to remember.
As we grow in unity and purpose we could do worse than say from our generation and our Capitol, "I'm just standing here thanking the Good Lord for letting me live in such an up-to-date century."
David L. Brigham
Executive Director
November 18, 2008
November 1969
My dad took walks in the woods with his boys. Word gems fell as often as hickory nuts. It is appropriate to recall now as we launch another venture for the League, "there are two ways to get to the top of an oak tree...you can either start climbing or you can sit on an acorn until you get there."
We are most pleased to be bringing the first edition of our Recreation Register to our members. We must depend on your interest, circulation efforts and advertising response to assure future issues.
Many local "editors" will have a hand in the tomorrow of these pages. Our well over 50 member associations have named those who will be reporting for them.
The "How it is Done" in one association will become the "How to Do It" for another. Each will be offering success stories to others seeking an new way to accomplish similar benefits for their association or membership.
SUBSTANTIAL ASSETS. So many have done so much in such a short time to give the League substance and strength. There have been generous donations of time, interest, effort, and grey matter.
The variation at this moment brings to mind Emerson's debate between the Mountain and the Squirrel. The mountain wanted it known he carried an entire forest upon his back, even the nut tree from which the squirrel ate. Who can forget the retort of the squirrel, "Yes, but you can't crack a nut."
SERVICES RENDERED. The League's sole "reason for being" is service to the membership. But, in order to fulfill its purpose, we, as any growing, thriving organization, must combine our scattered efforts.
Accordingly, the desire of the leadership is to establish a base from which to do for the members. Involvement with new ideas, up-to-the-minute needs, and suggestions for ways and means have been made the order of the day.
Good communication is the springboard from which the full potential of activity will be realized. All who have moments to spare are urged to participate in local employee associations and to stretch a little further into League participation.
Each one will have a little different approach, a slightly different talent or ability, and something special to offer. The main thrust is to have people doing and thinking. As you have thoughts or hopes, direct them to your officers, R&W Associations, League officials, or this publication.
VARIETY MOLDS. The beauty of a quilt or of an autumn landscape lies not so much in the individual patches and leaves. Rather the pattern and design and variety of color and shape make the difference.
So it is with the development of ideas, the contribution of energy and talent, the participation of each segment in the function of a "League" of folks. They come in assorted shapes and sizes. The ages vary almost from the teens to the seventies. The objectives, desires and interests are so diverse they cover, as no other group can, the cross section that makes America.
OUR POTENTIAL. The League is in its infancy of both existence and potential. Howe well those presently at the helm throw the challenge of participation to those who have not yet heard about or grasped the big image will determine how far and how fast the growth is to be.
Today a few labor for others that tomorrow they and thousands like them may be served. There are some who believe the lot, the morale and the recognition of the Federal employee can be improved. There are some willing to help bring the days of realization more rapidly to fruition. Are you? Will you?
Every voice speaks loudly to us. Every hand can lift a little, and every mind can project a thought. Together we grow...
David L. Brigham
Executive Director
We are most pleased to be bringing the first edition of our Recreation Register to our members. We must depend on your interest, circulation efforts and advertising response to assure future issues.
Many local "editors" will have a hand in the tomorrow of these pages. Our well over 50 member associations have named those who will be reporting for them.
The "How it is Done" in one association will become the "How to Do It" for another. Each will be offering success stories to others seeking an new way to accomplish similar benefits for their association or membership.
SUBSTANTIAL ASSETS. So many have done so much in such a short time to give the League substance and strength. There have been generous donations of time, interest, effort, and grey matter.
The variation at this moment brings to mind Emerson's debate between the Mountain and the Squirrel. The mountain wanted it known he carried an entire forest upon his back, even the nut tree from which the squirrel ate. Who can forget the retort of the squirrel, "Yes, but you can't crack a nut."
SERVICES RENDERED. The League's sole "reason for being" is service to the membership. But, in order to fulfill its purpose, we, as any growing, thriving organization, must combine our scattered efforts.
Accordingly, the desire of the leadership is to establish a base from which to do for the members. Involvement with new ideas, up-to-the-minute needs, and suggestions for ways and means have been made the order of the day.
Good communication is the springboard from which the full potential of activity will be realized. All who have moments to spare are urged to participate in local employee associations and to stretch a little further into League participation.
Each one will have a little different approach, a slightly different talent or ability, and something special to offer. The main thrust is to have people doing and thinking. As you have thoughts or hopes, direct them to your officers, R&W Associations, League officials, or this publication.
VARIETY MOLDS. The beauty of a quilt or of an autumn landscape lies not so much in the individual patches and leaves. Rather the pattern and design and variety of color and shape make the difference.
So it is with the development of ideas, the contribution of energy and talent, the participation of each segment in the function of a "League" of folks. They come in assorted shapes and sizes. The ages vary almost from the teens to the seventies. The objectives, desires and interests are so diverse they cover, as no other group can, the cross section that makes America.
OUR POTENTIAL. The League is in its infancy of both existence and potential. Howe well those presently at the helm throw the challenge of participation to those who have not yet heard about or grasped the big image will determine how far and how fast the growth is to be.
Today a few labor for others that tomorrow they and thousands like them may be served. There are some who believe the lot, the morale and the recognition of the Federal employee can be improved. There are some willing to help bring the days of realization more rapidly to fruition. Are you? Will you?
Every voice speaks loudly to us. Every hand can lift a little, and every mind can project a thought. Together we grow...
David L. Brigham
Executive Director
November 13, 2008
An Introduction
For Christmas in 1975, my grandfather--affectionately known to me as Gran--gave his family a collection of essays he had written as the Executive Director of the Recreation Register, a newspaper for Federal employees. The essays appeared monthly under the heading "Executive Etchings," and they span a period of more than a decade beginning in November 1969. Each subsequent Christmas for as long as he was Executive Director, Gran gave a supplement to the original collection. One supplement is labeled "Collectors Items" and another "Christmas Bonus." I like to think of these writings as a pre-internet blog because they provide a glimpse into my grandfather's life and times. And so, here is the preface he wrote to the collection (click on the image for a larger view):
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER AGAIN...I'D LIVE MY LIFE OVER AGAIN!
I grew up hearing a Dad whom I admired like non I have ever known saying he would have no regrets if he should reach the end of his earthly road at a reasonably youn age. He reasoned that he experienced about three times as much real living in each twenty-four hours as the average man in three days. I now understand that thought for I also have lived three lives and more myself. There are no regrets and there is the bonus of having been given the opportunity to record in some small measure a fragment of a more than happy youth, a brimming young adulthood and a most satisfying tour through the mature years. The down side remains before me to be anticipated with real relish rather than fear.
To those who have in very large fashion been a warm, welcome and supporting part of this junket, I now dedicate and present touches of the past, a diary of events from one viewpoint, and a brush at some Americana as one life knew it over the last three score years - almost.
Those who shared this period with me will enjoy recalling. Those too young to have experienced all or most may be interested in how another generation lived, loved and survived. Perhaps this is one man's legacy, a trifle of heritage or just a warm heart spilling over. In any case it is for your who made the journey, wish you might have been along, or just find yourself willing to listen. Have fun!
David L. Brigham
Dec. 25, 1975
Handwritten by Gran at the bottom: To son Dave & Liz- My best critic and one who has lived the good life with us. -Mom & Dad
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