Category: Membership

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

When we are encouraging the community to join the Grange we need to understand what we are “selling”. How well do we know what the Grange stands for, and how do we portray those images to others? What do others want to hear? Encourage them to ask specific questions to satisfy their individual needs. Knowing the needs of a prospective new member makes it easier to answer their questions without being too vague or generic. For example, if someone is interested in the agricultural or community aspects of Grange, zero in on those areas, all the while gaining knowledge of the individual needs. Like a jigsaw puzzle, fit that piece into your plans for the growth of your Grange. Soon, your “puzzle” will show a picture and help you to make plans to steer the direction of your Grange. We have many Granges who focus on agriculture; others focus on community service and some balance the two. By listening to a prospective member, you will know how they fit into the “puzzle” and the growth of your Grange.

When seeking new members, use the lessons of the Grange to serve as a foundation upon which to build.  Understanding these lessons will make your search for new members easier as they hold valuable information in how you present yourself to the new membership.

Have FAITH. Believe that you are going to be successful in your membership drive. Keep a positive attitude and show others that you believe in your presentation to get them to join. First impressions are vital to your success.

Have HOPE. Go with the impression that success in gaining members will happen, and don’t give up. Of course, there will be rejections, but don’t let it get you down or give up. You just haven’t yet found the right “piece” of your “puzzle.” Be vigilant in your search, encourage your fellow Patrons, or make it a friendly contest that can bring in and keep the most members. Fun? Yes, it can be if you let it be.

CHARITY is important. Give of yourself when telling others about the Grange. Incentives such as helping the community, growing your own food, and explaining how the Grange helped you become a better person are music to the ears of prospective members. Even a small gesture, such as paying for their first year’s dues or a small welcome gift, is helpful.

FIDELITY is very important. The listener always notices your loyalty and devotion to your Grange. How you present yourself, your enthusiasm, and your positive energy are noticed and felt by the listener and will sway the decisions of many new members. Stay loyal in good times and not-so-good times. My pet peeve is when something doesn’t go their way, a member will threaten to quit or not come back. Haven’t we all heard this? If you love the Grange, then you will try to work out the problem, which leads to the last lesson, PERSEVERENCE.

There are always hurdles or problems we need to avoid or face to work out. Face them head-on, find a solution as a Grange, and respect everybody’s opinions and ideas. It will make you and your Grange stronger. In order to succeed, don’t we need to fail once in a while? PERSEVERE and overcome these challenges as a group. Keep the positive energy alive and smile.

With Faith and Hope I present these ideas with a Charitable attitude and showing my Fidelity to the organization. Certainly, these columns don’t always produce results, but my Perseverance holds strong and I continue to present ideas and suggestions to increase your memberships.

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

September and October are my favorite months of the year. The warm days and cool nights are refreshing and the colors of the changing foliage (also football games) are my favorites. State Grange session is almost upon us. This is also a great time for Autumn events at your Grange. Also, many of us spend much of our time at various agricultural fairs displaying our crops and handiwork to compete for that elusive blue ribbon and cash to fund our projects.  Publicity runs high in these two months and we should be proud of our products out there for public view. Be proud of displaying your wares and be grateful for the admiration of others who enjoy the result of your hard work throughout the year. I have seen some beautiful displays, and they make me proud to be a Granger. Also, harvest suppers and “trunk or treat” Halloween gatherings are fun for the community and for ourselves.  Keep up the good work, Brothers and Sisters!

Remember, adding new members is a top priority and should be a constant venture. Without water, we and other living things wither up and die; without new members, our Grangers do the same. Membership is our lifeblood, and we should constantly work to increase it. Does your Grange have a membership committee? If not, you should. No matter how small or large your membership is, adding new membership is always needed, just as the blood pumps through our veins and the sunlight helps our plants to grow.

Congratulations to those Granges who were recently mentioned for membership net gains this past year. Please have representation at the State Grange banquet where you will receive your recognition. Keep up the good work, and continue to bring in members!!  How did you come about becoming a member? If you joined other than by family, you were recruited as was I. My life changed for the better immediately as I had a whole new family to meet and to create lasting friendships. Growing and learning were constant and I felt grateful for the changes that I endured (some beyond my control). Early on, I had not envisioned myself as a leader or a public speaker and especially as a State Grange Master (President).  Think of your own experiences. Wouldn’t you want others to feel like you do about Grange? The passion when speaking to others will certainly be noticed and felt by them. Encourage them to visit and invite them to events. Even ask them for their ideas about how to run a particular project or their opinions about an event. Make them welcome and be open to their ideas. Positive energy yields positive results. So, get out there with a smile and a goal to bring in the new members! I hope to see you at the State Grange Session in October.

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

As many of you know, I belong to the Maine Spirit of America Foundation and, in the past, have incorporated the procedures of this organization into Granges in order to potentially increase membership and make the Granges more visible to the public. Some Granges do pick their own recipients and have a ceremony honoring their choices. Spirit of America Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in Augusta, ME & it allows the Spirit of America Foundation Tribute to be presented in the name of any Maine municipality to a person, project, or group for their outstanding community service.  (See https://spiritofamerica.website for more info.)

Volunteerism is the topic, and most town selectmen throughout the State of Maine choose the nominees from their communities to receive the award. Many Granges and Grange members have received the Spirit of America award in the past, and there are many more that will in the future. The founder of the Foundation, Bruce Flaherty, who is a Grange member, contacted me, and we came up with some answers to the following question:

 “How could Grange get involved in Spirit of America?”

 Individual Grange members might suggest a person/project/group deserving consideration for the Spirit of America Tribute to their town’s Council/Selectboard Chair.

 A Grange might invite the most recent winner of its town’s Spirit of America award to a meeting to say a few words about their favorite volunteer cause. The Master/President might congratulate, thank, and pose with them for a photo to submit to newspapers.

Any Grange might celebrate ‘County Officials Appreciation Month’ (Sept.) by inviting a County Official (e.g., Commissioner, Sheriff) to speak to its group in September – a publicity opportunity for Grange!

 A Grange might celebrate ‘Municipal Officials Appreciation Month’ (Oct.) by inviting a Municipal Official (e.g. Selectman, Clerk) to speak to its members in October – Grange publicity opportunity!.

The Spirit of America Foundation created ‘County Officials Appreciation Month’ and ‘Municipal Officials Appreciation Month’ in gratitude to county and municipal officials for their help to its awards program over a period of many years.

The above have been done in some Grange halls with great success. Also, invite a Grange State Officer, Deputy, or Director to speak and be the emcee. I have done a number of these presentations at various Granges and on the State level at the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta. It is very easy to plan and to do. I would prefer your own Grange, Pomona, or Deputy do the honors. For more information or if you have questions, feel free to contact me. Thank you for everything Granges do to help the cause of volunteerism!

Remember, this is Fair season, so help your granges by contributing items for their Fair exhibits. Many Granges participate in showing off their harvests and talents at agricultural fairs, and there is money to be made for you. Many fairgoers look forward to visiting the Exhibition Halls and looking at the exhibits. Inquire at your grange how you can help. I have been involved with my Grange’s exhibits since I joined the Grange in 1985 and enjoy being a part of displaying our wares in a beautiful exhibit.

Remember, the State Grange session is coming in October in Auburn. Come receive your Sixth Degree and join in the camaraderie with your fellow Grangers. Become a Delegate or Alternate and learn much more about the Grange!

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

This year is the 150^th anniversary of the Maine State Grange and some of the earliest numbered Granges. What a wonderful way to attract new members! I have attended a couple of anniversary celebrations, which were well-received and provided much history. Let’s advertise this important event to the public through social media, television, radio, and newspapers or by holding open houses to invite the community to see your hall.

Plan a community celebration, contact your local PBS television station to attend, and advertise in the local newspaper. There are many, many people who would enjoy a walk through your history and how your Grange has survived for 150 years. News media thrives on such content and would be very interested in publishing your information.  PBS has a show called “Maine Life,” which covers everything about day-to-day living in our beautiful state. They would surely be interested in televising the Grange anniversaries as they are a part of Maine life and have been for 150 years. This is a big chance to show off your successes and hard work and to educate others on how important Grange has been in Maine history and how it has affected the people of Maine. From Eliot to Presque Isle, from Fryeburg and Wilson’s Mills to Alexander and Perry and in between (especially along the entire coast), the Grange covered most of our State at one time. Even today, although we have fewer Granges, the traditions and rituals are mainly the same as 150 years ago, and some of these Granges are doing extremely well by being active and serving their communities. Our Halls signify a safe place for people to gather and were always considered the centerpiece or hotspot of rural communities.

Please continue to attract members as our future depends on it.  Have fun!