EXPERIENCE

What can happen from the time someone said:  If you are interested in starting a Film Society, there will be a meeting next Wednesday. Be sure to come! Of course you went; all the explanations were clear and simple; wonderful programmes would come from Wellington, and we would show them to a group, not too large, of very interested members, and discuss them afterwards. Goodness! we were going to have a most stimulating time! True, there would be money involved, but really, no worries: so on with it all! Then your mind leapt ahead - that's just it, we must have a lead. Well, there's someone who has been a member in a successful North Island society, so you get his ear, urgently appealing to him, at least to put us well and truly on our way. And after a few minutes he agrees. You sit back to enjoy a few restful moments, while the rest of the committee is chosen. Then comes: We want a secretary and treasurer. It flows over your head, until you happen to catch the newly-elected President's eye. Heavens! He's raised his eyebrow -and was it appealing, or had it the look of "See what I've done for you. Can you just sit and do nothing?" A queer wave goes over you, and as it passes you hear a voice - your voice - saying: I'll try, if I can be any help. Life is never the same again! . . .

Secretary-treasurer you are, of a brand-new film society! You have help and encouragement from the Programme Organizer in Wellington, and timidly the year begins. Members join - far more than you ever expected - money flows in, and the real thing is established. There are a few anxious times: how best to cater for members of all ages; their general comfort for viewing in a small room. All these are thought out and accomplished by an excellent and most helpful committee. Our first year under way! You attend the Queen's Birthday weekend school, are appalled by your ignorance, but delighted by the avenues you see ahead. Coming home, you wonder why all members of all societies don't attend these schools.

Your first conference - a sobering thought - but you have your President, so you won't have to be entirely responsible. But comes the voting, when again you do wish you knew many things at first hand. However, the personal contacts and the kindness of the host society are very real, and you come home wanting to do better. Why should being honorary secretary-treasurer of a film society do all this to you?

Time passes . . . The annual excitement of choosing the programme, trying to think of at least one extra entertainment for members, and the children's and Christmas parties; a few mumblings about the ones you thought might have made an effort to come - but all very satisfying really. Comes a break, and you go on holiday for eight months. You are glad when told you'll be missed.  But the year goes well and smoothly under capable hands, and you are home again for the last part of the year's programmes. Beginning of 1958 - you gather the threads again, never having quite recovered from that first president's raised eyebrow! Away you go to the conference, sorry your president won't be there, but really quite carefree. And when you are asked, by one who has always helped to make the work so pleasant, if you will consider nomination for Dominion President,  you can only think it's his little joke! But no! Goodness - a large wave goes over your head, as you think, how can it be done? But you can't go home and say you were too scared: again you hear a voice saying: I'll try, if I can be any help. . . . You sit through the day, wondering how you can make something of it and be useful, until you become quite bowed down. The business is over: everyone is very kind, you feel you are with friends, working for something you enjoy, in which you can see such great possibilities.

Your own year starts with a good membership and an interesting programme, and the familiar routine is again established. Now, the first meeting of the Working Committee is ahead. You present yourself early, wondering how profound and technical it is going to be. . . .  All this is soon forgotten in the interest of being "in" where the decisions are made, and the work for the whole is done. You're asked to do a special job that seems to make you belong, and gives you the very serious feeling of hoping you can really be of use.

Then suddenly a voice from the Conference comes back to you again. "Congratulations! I'm so glad you're President! I always think men take themselves so seriously, don't you?" You are left wondering a little: you think - well, you are serving, even if it's partly comedy-relief!
Ngaere Nathan, President, N.Z.F.I.