Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Membership helps and information
A fellow Granger is never a stranger. There is an immediate bond between Grangers. We are part of a long and honorable tradition. Through Grange Programs, I can serve my community in ways I cannot do alone.
Janice, Valley Grange #144
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
As the holiday season arrives, we are reminded that this is the season of giving. Aside from the commercial aspects of this season; how you choose to celebrate Christmas and whether you do or do not celebrate, the air seems filled with a sense of giving; even heightened during this time of year. A friendly smile to a stranger, a helping hand to someone in need, a pay forward in the grocery line, shoveling out a neighbor, or any small gesture in order to make someone feel good also makes us feel good. Take a moment to reflect on the good feelings we generate and how it affects others around us. Others sense our positive energies and take notice. It spreads from there. Many times we don’t realize the effects our attitudes and feelings have on others around us. No words need to be said or interaction needed. Many people do not realize that their whistling or happy mood while walking down a crowded street or at their place of work may be making the day for another and another, It goes on and on like dominoes. Imagine if we all did this!!
Now, you say, what does the above have to do with membership? EVERYTHING! It has everything to do with membership. When talking to someone about joining the Grange, if they feel your passion, your positive thoughts, and your love for the Grange, you are more likely to keep their attention and make them feel good at the same time. They sense your happiness, and it affects them also. We all like things that make us feel good and when we share those feelings, we are spreading good cheer to many others and from the others to those around them. Most of us have a deep passion for our Grange. It can be detected by anyone who senses those feelings. The Grange has changed our lives for the better; enhancing positive relationships with others, the giving and helping we do for others, the sense of usefulness of ourselves and our accomplishments, and most of all it has made us better people all around. It makes us feel good; it makes others feel good. Therefore, when attracting new members, be positive, show your passion and be honest and true in your presentation. Remember that others can sense your feelings and will make their own conclusions based on your attitude. Always be kind and helpful to others. Even if you do not like the person remember that giving of yourself creates rewards for all. Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem. It’s about creating peace and harmony in today’s crazy world. It begins with YOU!!!
Enjoy the holidays and be safe!
The following article was originally part of a handout from Walter Boomsma’s presentation at the Northeast Leaders’ Conference in 2013.
If you don’t help with the milking, you’ll forget the cows’ names.
Amish Proverb
Your members are an untapped market! We tend to think of “markets” as customers. Those in business are aware of the tremendous strides made in understanding what motivates customers. Businesses spend a great time of time, energy, and money marketing products and services to their customers. But we tend to deal with people differently when we think of them as “members.”
We’d like to think that members should love and promote our organization. Well, customers should buy products and services, but companies still work hard to get them to want to! As Grange Leaders, we can be equally good at getting members excited about the Grange. After all, it doesn’t “cost” much to belong to and love the Grange.
Successful marketers know their customers’ values and get the business by offering obvious satisfaction (benefits, rewards, consequences). Successful Granges and Grange Leaders get motivated members by using exactly the same approach. Grangers, like customers, are motivated by outcomes and the amount of value placed on those outcomes.[1] This is a basic premise for all marketing: the price a customer will pay for a product is equal to the amount of expected benefit.
This simple formula (effort = outcome + value) is the basis for every choice we make. Usually, it takes place on an almost unconscious level. You choose a restaurant based on what kind of service and food (outcomes) you expect. The place just down the street may be cheaper, but the service is almost non-existent. You’ll drive the extra miles if you value the service more than the few extra dollars you’ll pay and the extra effort required. But notice this is about what YOU value.
There are hundreds – perhaps thousands – of tools available to excite and motivate. But we may need to change our thinking a bit. Member relations and member-centered publicity mean that we don’t preach. It means we don’t “sell” the Grange; we excite and influence people. For example,
These programs are not as important as the thought process. Consumer marketing works when the product has real value. Member-centered publicity works when you value your members and offer them intrinsic benefits.
Customers buy products because those products do something for them. People will join the Grange if the Grange does something for them. Your current members contribute energy because they get something in return. As a leader of your Grange what are you giving those members?
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
Remember, it is difficult to attract new members if your Grange is inactive. It has been a challenge during the past year, however, many Granges have “switched gears” from the normal “we have always done it that way”. Creativity and new ways of doing routine things have resulted in success for many. My Grange did (with success) the “trunk or treat” on Halloween night. We had many who stopped by to receive a bag full of goodies and many more who drove by waving and honking. It seemed like the adults had just as much fun as the young ones. The publicity from those who noticed us outside having a grand ole time was welcomed. During these difficult times, the members were excited to try different ways and came up with some wonderful projects. This was noticed by the community. It seemed to bring us closer together and strengthened our bonds even with social distancing.
There are many things Granges can be doing as the holidays approach to keep active and to bring awareness to potential new members. Donations to your local food bank, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to the unfortunate, help to the veterans, making Christmas cards for the elderly and shut-ins at nursing homes or rehab center, and checking in with members who cannot make it to the meetings are a few things that come to mind. Or you may have your own ideas which I wish you would share so that they can be forwarded to others in future columns.
It has been difficult this year to visit and to do membership drives, however, social media is a great way to boost your publicity and attract new members. Use social media to post events and remind others that the Grange is better than ever and is there to serve. Change happens and change is good. It keeps us thinking of new ideas and gets us out of the annual project rut where we tend to do the same things over and over without enthusiasm or thought. Change keeps us fresh, alive, and productive as well as motivated and excited. Non-members will pick up on that excitement and that will make it easier to attract them. Also, people tend to get stir crazy stuck at home during this pandemic and will be eager to get involved in something positive, new and exciting to get them out of their ruts. That is why communication, social media, publicity and being active will help you in your drive for new members. Now is a great time to increase your membership. Keep an open mind, a positive attitude and updated planning of new events. Take advantage of these down times to boost your Grange. We will do it!! Remember, I am available to help you with any questions or ideas to help you boost your membership.
May every Granger be safe during the holiday season and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas! God bless.
Because of the inter-generational contacts. ALL ages and capabilities are welcome. Kids are cared about and they are learning to be respectful of their elders.
Marilyn Stinson, Enterprise Grange #48 and Maine State Junior Grange #17
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!
This is the time of year when we “clear out the old” and bring in the new. There are two key documents for most committees.
An annual report for the previous Grange year (October 2021- September 2022) summarizing the committee/department’s activities and accomplishments.
A program book for the next year (October 2022 – September 2023) with important information such as contest rules, important dates, and resource material for that committee/department.
We are in the process of receiving and posting these to the Program Books and Information Page. For the next several weeks, it is important to pay attention to dates! If you are looking for information about this year’s contests, forms, etc., you’ll want this year’s (2021-2022) Program Book. We leave the books on the site for exactly that purpose–some forms and information are potentially needed right up until State Session in October. If you are planning for next year, be sure to download the book for that year (2022-2023.
Annual reports should be of interest to all members–it’s your way to discover what has happened in the previous year in the department/committee. The information can be of particular interest to those who are delegates attending State Session. The annual reports are provided in the delegate packet as well as available to all members on the website.
Both annual reports and program books are being uploaded as received from directors and committee chairs. Note that some annual reports are not usually available until State Session due to the close of the fiscal year on September 30, 2022. So far, we have annual reports from
Next year’s program books received so far include
Stay tuned! There’s certainly more to come! And don’t forget this:
Truly a local organization with down to earth people.
Rebecca Wentworth, Halcyon Grange #345
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!
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 it makes 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 be working to increase membership. Does your Grange have a membership committee? If not, you should. No matter how small or large your membership is, adding new members is always needed, just as the blood pumps through our veins and the sunlight helps our plants to grow.
How did you come about becoming a member? If you joined other than by family, you were recruited as was I. My life changed immediately for the better 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 the same way 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 State Grange session in October.
The Grange really helped me with my PTSD meeting with people I knew and loved.
Paul Woodman, Perry Grange #324
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 that Jonesboro Grange does community service for nonprofit organizations. We are one big family that cares about our community.
Lou Ann loves her Jonesboro Grange family
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!