Category: Quick Tips

Quick Tip – What if…?

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In a recent post, Seth Godin reminded us that some restaurants keep a photo of the local food critic in the kitchen. That way, if someone notices that person in the restaurant, everybody bends over backward to make things right.

But why not try to get things right even if the critic isn’t there?

What if we conducted every meeting as if there were a dozen potential new members sitting in the back? Or do we ask the gatekeeper to warn everyone, “We have guests!”

For that matter, there’s a place in the opening for honoring “special guests.” Traditionally, that means someone from “higher up” in the Grange. Maybe the steward should at least announce ALL guests, regardless of their status.

Quick tips from Granges and Grangers are always welcome… on any topic that might improve or make things easier for other Granges. Use the submission form or email yours to the webmaster for consideration!

Quick Tip – Pomona Meetings

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by Walter Boomsma

Ask the Subordinate/Community Granges in your area to have an agenda item on their regular monthly meetings to discuss who from their Granges would be attending next month’s Pomona Meeting. The goal would be for each Grange to “send” at least two members to each Pomona Meeting as representatives. Since, for example,  Piscataquis Pomona has six member Granges, there would be some assurance of at least twelve people at each Pomona Meeting in addition to those who attend regularly! By rotating the responsibility, there would also be more diversity at Pomona Meetings.

Quick Tip–Life Skills Series

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How about conducting a “Life Skills Class?” The class could focus on what it takes to properly and easily balance a checkbook, write checks and reconcile any errors found. These are skills that sound simple to some, but not everyone knows how to do them.

This could actually be a series of classes including writing a resume/cover letter, practice interviews, container gardening, budgeting, simple mending, cooking, car care, de-cluttering, and household repairs.

Consider what skills you and your fellow Grangers could use some help with and start a life skills class of your own! Brushing up on life skills like these can really simplify your life and the lives of your fellow Grangers.

Quick Tip – share!

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Share your idea with other Granges!

Facebook Fans… notice that at the bottom of every post, there are several icons representing different social media programs. (These icons may not appear on posts you receive by email; you must visit the site to find them.) If you’d like to “share” a post from the Maine State Grange site on your timeline or page, click the icon. As the saying goes, “It’s easy peasy!”

Quick tips from Granges and Grangers are always welcome… on any topic that might improve or make things easier for other Granges. Use the submission form or email yours to the webmaster for consideration!

Quick Tip – Grange Bees!

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Valley Grange uses “Grange Bees” in conjunction with our meetings… simply stated, Grange Bees are members who agree to be the official hosts for a meeting. While all members pitch in, we find it efficient to rotate the “official” responsibilities among members. Grange Bees are responsible for opening and closing the hall. (Our checklist is available on the Valley Grange website.) We try to set up a schedule for the entire year each fall. We also occasionally all “swarm” to the hall for major cleaning and projects. Everybody can be a bee!