Category: Web Site Information

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

If You Build It…

The opening of this month’s column is a reference to the quote, “If you build it, they will come. I planned to observe that it came from the movie, “Field of Dreams.” Something in my brain said, “You might want to check that.” Well, it turns out that it is from the book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible. It stems from God’s conversation with Noah regarding building the ark. God said to Noah, “If you build it, they will come,” referring to the animals.

I’m using it in part because I just build a page on the website called “Historical Resources.” I also did some restructuring so we have a section regarding “Our History and Heritage.” There are at least two reasons for doing this.

First, I love efficiency. As Communications Director and Webmaster, I receive a number of questions and requests about Grange’s history and heritage. The questions come from the media, historical societies, genealogists, and other researchers. Now I can send a link of resources instead of including a list in my email replies.

The second is far more important. “If you build it, they will come.” Whether it’s an ark, baseball stadium, webpage or Grange Hall, it’s really about creating value. We might more accurately say, “If you build it and it has value, they will come.” God was telling Noah to focus on building the ark and not worry about chasing down animals. “If you build it, they will come.” God knew it would have value.

The fact included in this month’s column is worthy of note. “Your MSG website was viewed nearly 2200 times during September 2022–the highest number for a month so far this year.” We are building; they are coming.

Why are they coming–what do they value? We might draw some conclusions by looking at the most frequently visited pages and posts for the last 30 days. These are the top five.

1. Our Directory of Granges–Think about it! People are looking for Granges! Can they find yours?
2. Program Books and Information–Since we’ve been posting annual reports and next year’s program books, this is not a surprise.
3. 2022 State Convention Information–Again, no surprise since the convention takes place this week.
4. Conferences and Dates–Hmmm, people are looking for Granges. Since we list events taking place at local Granges, there just might be a correlation here.
5. Our Site–Frankly, this one surprised me. It’s a page describing how the site is structured, some navigation tips, and policies.

These are the pages that website visitors found most valuable. Notice they are “information-rich,” and the most valued page or post is exclusively about local (Subordinate/Community) Granges. Our website visitors are telling us something, and we need to listen. That should be exciting and encouraging. But it also means we should keep building and providing value.

The Directory of Granges is at the top of the list for visitors, and it should be at the top of our list as well. The only way this stays accurate and has value means local Granges must participate in keeping it that way–especially the person to contact for more information. Too often, I receive emails from people who are trying to contact a specific Grange. “I’ve called and left several messages, and no one is returning my call…” or “The number listed doesn’t work.” Please make sure your listing is complete, and the contact person is someone who can be contacted and will respond!

The Conferences and Dates page is free statewide advertising for local Grange events! Please make sure you are submitting your Grange events to the website! The more that is happening around the state, the more value the Grange offers. You can submit your event from the website or by emailing the information to the webmaster. Don’t forget, once it’s posted on the website, it’s easy to share that post on social media!

Specifically

► FACT: Your MSG website was viewed nearly 2200 times during September 2022–the highest number for a month so far this year.

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Looking and Acting

Over forty years ago, a good friend of mine launched his own consulting business. One of the first things Jack did was purchase a late model Lincoln Town Car he couldn’t afford. Even more years ago, I had a potentially boring college class on Friday afternoons starting at 3 pm. Professor Peters started each lecture by leading the class in a chant, “Act enthusiastic and you’ll be enthusiastic.

I’m happy to report that Jack had, by all counts, a very successful consulting career. I also never fell asleep in that Friday afternoon class. We usually ended up standing up, jumping up and down as the chant became a cheer.

How we look and how we act communicates not only to others but also to our subconscious self. Jack wanted others to see his success. (There were times he’d get a friend to drive him to a meeting while he sat in the back seat.) But he also wanted to feel successful. Professor Peters wanted us to get “wound up” before he started his lecture. But he also knew he’d catch our enthusiasm and present more energetically.

These dynamics apply to organizations as well as individuals. We might do well to consider how we are looking and how we are acting as an organization. I recently received an email from a website visitor who will be in Maine in October. He hopes to attend some Grange suppers even though he’s not a member. His question made me take a look at what was going on. I realized I didn’t see much! Our Maine State Grange website calendar was looking empty. It didn’t look like we were doing much.

So I put out the call, encouraging Granges to submit their events. Several responded enthusiastically. Their enthusiasm wasn’t an act. Our future visitor emailed this morning—he’s checking the website every day “to see what is happening.”  So I guess it looks like we’re doing things!

I’ve recently added to the website calendar (which is also reproduced in the Bulletin) so it lists events and important dates through September 2023. We ought to start filling it up! As directors complete their program books for next year, I’ll add dates and deadlines based on those. But we need to go beyond that.

Before the pandemic, we limited the calendar to regional (including Pomona) and statewide events in an effort to keep things manageable. However, we “opened it up” to further support local Grange programming and activities and show off those Granges that are alive and well. We could say, “looking and acting well!”

We seem to be gaining several benefits from the calendar’s expansion. One is that some are thinking more “long-range” and planning ahead. The calendar makes it possible to avoid schedule conflicts. Two, the site is being viewed and accessed more, both by members and non-members. The Conferences and Dates Page is among the top ten posts and pages visited.

It’s easy to submit events to the calendar using the “submit” button on the website. The calendar listing keeps things very basic: the event’s name, date and time, location, and a source for additional information. These short listings can be supplemented with a detailed post about 4-6 weeks before the event itself. Some are using flyers for the event for this. Just send your event flyer as an attachment to an email addressed to webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

Pomona Officers: Even though Pomona Meetings aren’t usually “special events” of interest to the public, we’d like to have them listed on the calendar. Please follow the same criteria: date and time, location, and a source for additional information.

Some years ago, Valley Grange had a special event—I honestly don’t remember what it was, but I’ll never forget a visitor from a Grange about an hour away. She asked me, “Where are all your members?” (We had some obvious “empty chairs.”) She was quite surprised that we didn’t have more, explaining, “With all the things you do, I thought you had at least a hundred members.” I’m not so sure her perception was a bad thing. Desperation isn’t pretty. We need to be cautious about “looking desperate.” People may stay away simply because they fear what getting involved might mean!

Enthusiasm is contagious. Maybe we should add to the ritual. During our meetings, after the Steward assures “all present are correct,” we could challenge that with a little Professor Peters activity. “All present are properly credentialed. Let’s check our level of enthusiasm. Repeat after me, ‘Act enthusiastic and you’ll be enthusiastic…’”

Changing the way we look and act may change the way we look and act. That’s more than a play on words. There’s a degree of “fake it until you make it” involved. Those Friday afternoon college classes did not begin enthusiastically. So we faked it and at some point (which Professor Peters seemed to recognize intuitively), we were no longer faking. We didn’t just look and act enthusiastic, we were enthusiastic.

► FACT: Your MSG website was viewed nearly 2100 times during August 2022

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Give us a bite!

Well, what I mean is “give us a sound bite,” except that’s not exactly correct, either. “A sound bite is a short, catchy piece of video, audio, or speech chosen to give the essence of what you are saying and arouse interest…” While we’d love a video, we’ll take a written snippet (a small piece or short extract.) Let me explain.

We did something like this when the website was first launched, listing them as Member Benefits. Since the site was launched over ten years ago, it’s time to update and expand what people love about the Grange. We can’t do this without you.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare would likely be able to work effectively with the media today–he understood the value of “short and sweet.” It’s important to remember that you are trying to capture interest, not cover “everything you need to know.” In my work with the media, I’m always amazed when a reporter covers an event and shoots over an hour of video. After editing, the story is told in 2-3 minutes. As someone prone to rambling, I have to remind myself to stay focused when being interviewed. In journalism, we are reminded to “write tight.”

Why do you love the Grange? We need your answer in a short, catchy way. I know, there’s lots to love. Think of your contribution as a “teaser” or testimonial designed to make people curious about the Grange. Another prompt might be, “What’s the one greatest benefit you receive from your Grange membership?“

We’ll take your answer in writing. Don’t worry about grammar and spelling–I’ll edit and correct (with your permission) if necessary. I’m making it as easy as possible by creating a short form you can fill out. This also makes it easy for me because filling out the form ensures that I’ll have all the information I need.

Visit the “I love the Grange” post for the form. (For those reading this in the printed Bulletin, there will be a form at the end of the Bulletin you can complete and mail.) And, yes, you can submit more than one.

It’s not just Grange members using the website. Let’s tell website visitors what’s great about the Grange. While I will be updating the Member Benefits page, I also hope to be using your answers in several other ways. Stay tuned!

► FACT: 530 people visited the Maine State Grange Website in July.

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Planning for Grange Month

It’s not too early! How are you going to create a stir in your community? For many Granges that should ask “How are you going to create a bigger stir in your community?” I recently had an exciting conversation with a member who described the overwhelming support their Grange is receiving because the community loves what they are doing and wants to keep things happening. I don’t think that’s a Grange that will need much help figuring out what to do during Grange Month!

National Grange has offered the theme “Raised Right Here” for this year. An interesting addition is a plan for a special “Grange Spirit Week” April 3 – 9, 2022. Each day of that week is dedicated to one particular aspect of the Grange.

If that feels overwhelming, think of it as an idea starter. Could, for example, your celebration of Grange Month include information about your Grange Friends? In addition to recognizing a “Community Citizen of the Year,” why not celebrate individuals and organizations who your Grange counts on for help when it’s needed? And, while you’re at it, how about a history of your Grange Hall that includes features available to those who use or rent it? Think about posters and displays. Can you enlist a member of the local media to write a series of articles? Are there organizations you could collaborate and partner with?

The idea is to overwhelm your community with awareness of the Grange. There’s not much time, so get on the phone, schedule a Zoom Meeting, or have an impromptu meeting at your Grange Hall. Throw out some ideas–the crazier the better! You may not do them all, but you just might be surprised at the energy you’ll generate.

Remember, we’re happy to post your events on the Maine State Grange Website–but you have to tell us about them!

If you are going to celebrate a Community Citizen of the Year, don’t forget to order that award from The National Grange Supply Store.

I’ll be updating the Grange Month section of the Program Books and Information Page over the next week or two as resources become available for National Grange. Don’t wait! Start planning the party now!

► FACT: The Maine State Grange Website was visited by over 600 people during the month of January 2022.