Category: Membership

Membership helps and information

Some Membership Wows!

The most recent Grange Membership Year runs from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

According to the Membership Annual Report, 19 Granges in Maine had net gains that year, taking in some 75 members.

The top three membership gains were:

  • First: Huntoon Hill Grange #398, located in Wiscasset, showed a net gain of 16 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, Russell Marr is the Master/President.
  • Second: Jonesboro Grange #357, located in Jonesboro, showed a net gain of 10 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, John Cox Jr. is the Master/President.
  • Third: Trenton Grange # 550, located in Trenton, showed a net gain of 9 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, Peter Lazas is the Master/President.

Congratulations and well done! Wow!

Are you aware of any “Wows” (new members, funds raised, successful events, other accomplishments) we should announce? Send a few details!

Membership Moments – October 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Brothers and Sisters, for many months now, this column has been giving to you ways to approach gaining new members. Hopefully, this advice has worked well with your Grange.  Just remember the following:

There is no “I” in Grange or in team. No one should be a dictator or make rules based on their own ideas. This causes animosity and disrespect. Everyone has a duty, and all members are important no matter the office held. WE are the Grange, and our ideas need to be heard and discussed. Otherwise, we will be losing more Granges.

Be active. Plan events and help your community. Let people know you are alive and well.

Let the committees do their work. If you are the Master/President of your Grange, please do not give committees an agenda. Let them come up with ideas to present at meetings. The Master/President is a facilitator, not the ruler. This applies to all levels of the Grange. Do not overstep your authority. “My way or the highway” is absolutely unacceptable and should be avoided. Anyone who rules this way does not have the interest of the Grange in mind. Let all members become involved. Not all of us are leaders and those who do lead need to do it for the  Good of the Order (GOTO), not because they say so.

We need to develop new leaders and inform them of the rituals and traditions of the Grange.

Stay positive. Keep doing your good works.

Help one another. Teach your new members and welcome them. Answer their questions.

Visit other Granges and work with them. The days of visitation and mentoring have faded and need to be revived. Share with other members your successes, and if a Grange is struggling, it is the duty of the Pomona to help them. It seems like Granges are “doing their own thing” and do not visit or attend State Grange. We need every one of you to keep us alive.

Resolutions are an important part of the Grange procedure. Instruct members on how important it is to come up with resolutions and how to write them. Confer with your Deputy on instructions for floor work and other procedures. It is their duty to help you.

Major changes are happening to us, and we need to keep up and change too. We are severely lacking youth and younger members. Focus on bringing them in as members.

Remember, each and every member is vital to our Grange growth, and membership should be your major priority. Bring ’em in, feed ’em, teach ’em, and enjoy your meetings. It is what a good Grange member is expected to do.

Got a Stamp?

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

One of the “rituals” we follow during our Valley Grange Meetings is probably not unfamiliar to many Grangers. When the WM asks, “Is any member in sickness or distress?” the Chaplain reaches for a box of greeting cards. If there’s a report, a card is passed around for all to sign. Sometimes, it happens when the WM calls for “Suggestions for the good of the Order,” and someone reports a success or happy event, suggesting we acknowledge it with a card.

It’s a pretty cool ritual that represents our fraternal nature. It can also become a community service and an important aspect of “communicating” with members and Grange friends.

I was recently contacted by a hospice nurse who is caring for a 94-year-old man in assisted living. He’s a long way from home, unfortunately, and his nurse reports that he “talks about the Grange and his 70+ year membership on a daily basis.” She wonders if “if this friend could possibly get visitations or
information from the Grange mailed to him on a regular basis.”

I should certainly hope so. I’m going to put a copy of my book, Exploring Traditions, in the mail to him today. Since I know the Valley Grange Chaplain quite well, I suspect she’ll get a card in the mail before we meet. There’s a post on the Valley Grange Website encouraging others to reach out.

Does your Grange have members that you haven’t seen in a while? How do you communicate with them?

“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm… let us ever hold fast and firm our obligations of Fidelity.”

Quoted from the Altar Circle Ritual conducted when admitting new members

Barry loves the Grange!

I first joined the Grange while on active duty in the Marines in Pennsylvania in 1986. My parents were quite active members back home in Maine. I loved going to the Grange fairs and suppers growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. During those decades, the Grange was still vibrant and active in Maine. The Granges in Pennsylvania are still quite active. Though I lived away for many years I maintained my Grange membership all these years. After I retired and returned to Maine I was able to participate in the Grange actively and enjoyed the Pomona and State Degree Initiations. Though our Grange closed and we had to join another Grange I am NOT discouraged. Some Granges are failing. However, others have taken on an inspiring resilience. I am eager to lend my abilities to help our Grange grow. What I love the most about the Grange is the friendliness and companionship that are meetings offer, as well as the social participation in those awesome potluck suppers. I believe the Grange can make a turn-around and once again become a beacon for social interaction and progress that so many will find attractive.

Barry E. Tracy

What about you?

Do you love the Grange? Can you explain what’s great about being a member? It only takes a minute to click the button and tell the world!

I love the Grange!

Willow Grange Honors Members

At a recent meeting, the following were recognized for their years of service: 

  • 25 yr. Silver certificate – Allan Roberts
  • 40 yrs. – Richard Parlin
  • 50 yrs. – Joanne Bernier, Gerard Lupien, Nancy Lupien, Deborah Willette
  • 55 yrs. – Jon Moody, Marjorie Turner
  • 60 yrs. – Norman Hunt
  • 70 yrs. – Lillian Dolloff
Sisters Deborah Willette and Joanne Bernier were presented with 50-year membership awards at Willow Grange. (Paula Roberts photo)

Membership Moments – September 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Sometimes it is fun (and challenging) to make a phrase out of a word. This would be a great Lecturer’s program  by the way. An acronym for the word “MEMBERSHIP” comes to mind. I thought of one, but I’m sure there are many more. Can you make one?  Mine is “May Each Member Be Excited, Respected, So Happily Involved Patrons”. Sounds silly, eh? Not if you can get your point across. New and seasoned members need to be excited and involved to keep the Grange working. They need to be respected for their diligent labor and faithful service. No matter what Grangers do, they do out of love and respect for their communities and their Grange. We are loyal subjects, willing to take on most offices, tasks or committees in order to achieve the desired results. That is a true Granger.

Others will notice and will commend you for your accomplishments. Community will notice the difference and applaud the Grange and its members. Some will want to join and be a part of your successes. Welcome them into your hall, respect their ideas, embrace their involvement and certainly your Grange will grow.

As Lecturers are taught about “RIME” (recreation, inspiration, music, and education), membership has its own version of RIME (respect, involvement, mentoring, and excitement).  Four little words with a ton of worth for you and your Grange. We need to teach our new members about our history, rituals, traditions and symbolisms. Education is vital and the new member will be intrigued by what the Grange stands for. Our Grange has been asked to contribute a column in the community’s quarterly newsletter. The first column concentrated on a brief history of the Grange, what we do, and our schedule of events. What better publicity can you get for free?

We can blame a lot of things on why our memberships are declining and our Granges are closing. This negativity does NOTHING to solve the issue. We must take the bull by the horns, so to say, and do something positive to reverse the trend. Action is needed, not words. Look at the acronym above. That is what is needed to help our Grangers grow. Why not try some new things? You have much to gain instead of a lot to lose!

Membership Moments – August 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Is everyone having a good summer? Rainy and warm. State Session is soon upon us. I am wishing that you send delegates to represent your Grange. I have received no responses for my requests for your thoughts on getting new members.

Everyone should be busy with their gardens and fair displays. My Grange is a small group, but we always try to go public at the local fairs with a fair booth. The public looks forward to seeing these displays, and the agricultural fairs are screaming for more Granges to participate. As an agricultural organization, it is our duty to showcase these fairs and to support farming in Maine. It is a great publicity offering and a chance to talk to people about Grange and its activities.

Again, I will highlight some ways to get new membership.

  • Be an active Grange by meeting regularly and participating in community events. Have active committees.
  • Be open and prepared to accept new members. We can’t meet with no quorum or members.
  • Be diverse. Allow all members to contribute. Do not be a one-person show. Elect good leaders.
  • Learn the floor work and your part as an officer. Reading is fine, but do it clearly without hesitations.
  • Publicize your events in local free papers, cable, social media, or the area newspaper.
  • Have an open house for the community with a free lunch or snacks. Honor citizens with an award for volunteerism, helping your Grange, or any other special honor they have done to help the community.
  • Wear your Grange apparel out in public.
  • Visit other Granges/Pomonas. Invite others to visit your Grange. The pandemic hurt this but start again.
  • Smile! Smile! Smile!

Membership Moments – July 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

How are your gardens doing? Now that the sun is back from vacation, the veggie plants seem to be much happier. Mother Nature did our watering for us the past month. We have to have our veggies and fruit at our best because agricultural fairs are in full swing, especially here in Maine. Of course, it is way too early for most of our “goodies.” However, there are other wares we can display. I hope many Granges are displaying their treasures at their local agricultural fairs. It is excellent publicity and a great way to pick up some cash!

I would like to hear from you, our readers, on suggestions for membership topics. What would you like to share or to learn?  Fresh ideas are necessary, so send them to me! Membership issues apply to each and every one of us, so any ideas or suggestions will also help numerous other Grange members. Just one suggestion or helpful hint could be beneficial to a whole organization! Amazing, isn’t it? Do not hesitate to send me your thoughts/suggestions/tips, etc. This column could be a new helpful hints success, just like the famous one we all read in our newspapers. Who knows? If it works to help others, that is all that matters! Send your suggestions to me at ricti@aol.com.

Have a great rest of the summer! Keep healthy and cool.

    National Grange Membership Matters Zoom Meeting

    On Tuesday, June 13, at 8:30 PM Eastern/5:30 PM Pacific, join Grange members from around the country on Zoom for the monthly Membership Matters meeting on Zoom. This month, Membership/Leadership Development Director Amanda Brozana Rios will lead a conversation about reaching out to local leaders and other entities in our communities, including tips and tools that can help build awareness, trust, and partnerships.

    Join from PC/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android:CLICK HERE
    Meeting ID525 965 930
    Passcode981892
    Join from Telephone:+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 867 9923 US (New York) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

    Membership Moments – June 2023

    By Rick Grotton,
    Membership Committee Director
    207 582-5915

    How did your elections go? Did you acknowledge new members as officers? Were they willing to accept the office? Election time is a big deal for Granges everywhere. It signifies a time of change where fresh ideas and new leadership are incorporated. Enthusiasm is heightened as we are looking toward the new Grange year. It is important that these changes occur. It represents a new cycle of leadership and, many times, a jolt to a once lethargic group. As we all know, a thing called “burnout” happens; many of us have felt it and decided to pass the leadership duties to others in the hope (and trust) that the Grange prospers.  Change is a good thing most of the time. It just depends on how you apply those changes. The former leaders must pass their knowledge to their successors and be a good mentors to encourage good changes in our Granges. To the former leaders; “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  

    Just as the seasons change are welcomed by most of us geographically, change in leadership is just as welcome in our Granges. After a few days of rain, we are looking forward to the sun shining again and welcoming that change, just as we welcome rain after a stretch of sunny days. Change brings out fresh perspectives and keeps us encouraged with new ideas. Do not let your Grange get into a rut, make changes and take a different path. Otherwise, the results could be less than good. Open the windows and let the fresh air in; reflect on how that change of air feels. The same applies to leadership. Everyone deserves to have a chance to show their leadership skills, especially for the GOTO (Good of the Order). I haven’t used that acronym in ages, but it seems appropriate for this column.

    The important thing is to introduce your new members to leadership positions or committees. Maybe they are not ready, that’s fine. Do not force them but DO NOT overlook them! Membership is our lifeblood, and every now and then, a “transfusion” is required and necessary. Most of you know what I am talking about. When things start to get “stale,” liven it up, try new things, and welcome the changes. Think outside the box. Any change, no matter how small or large will do wonders a majority of the time. If each of us introduces new ways and new ideas, be ready to explain how these changes are good for the Grange and not for the individual. We are a family, and these changes affect all of us. The family that changes together grows together.  Happy changes to all!!!