{"value"=>"<p>Committees were the backbone of the Association. Since board members, officers, and other officials were spread across the country, detailed committee correspondence combined with annual meetings at the group's conferences allowed the organization to function smoothly. Major committees, such as the Committee on Standards in Educational Theatre, furthered the Association's academic goals. This Committee published minimum criteria for theater curriculums at various educational levels as well as manuals of operations for schools on the standards. The standards were disseminated to heads of departments for use in obtaining funding and proper support for their programs, including government money and promotion by the Association. Many theater programs suffered from under-funding and a national standard helped plead the case for additional support from each individual University. Other large committees supported the day to day functioning of the Association as a group, such as the Publications Committee, the Awards Committee, the Financial Committee and the Executive Committee. Alphabetical by subject.</p>"}