By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
Our April Column discussed “boosting” the Grange. One obvious way of doing that is to promote your events thoroughly. Since I’ve recently had some questions about posting events on the website and in the calendar, let’s continue the theme!
When you submit information about an event…
For example, the deadline for the May Bulletin was May 14th. As long as space permits, I include the entire website calendar (the following month [June] through December) in that (and every) Bulletin. I usually complete the Bulletin a day or two after the deadline and post the PDF on the website. I also send it to MSG Headquarters for them to print and snail mail a copy to all Subordinate Grange Secretaries. The way the local secretary handles it is very individualistic. Many bring it to their next meeting. That’s where it gets tricky. Using Valley Grange as an example, we’ll be meeting on June 19th, so you can see how most of the June events in that Bulletin will be over by the time it reaches some people.
For the website, I usually post events within 24-48 hours of receiving them. I probably should note that we don’t post “regular” meetings. I love to create an individual post for events when there’s sufficient information. If you use the submission form on the website, it prompts you for what to include. If sending an email is easier, by all means do so—if you send an email, you can attach a copy of any flyers or other visuals. Visuals help me create an actual post for the event!
Once your event is posted on the MSG Website, it’s easy-peasy to share that post to Facebook–or lots of other places! Go to the bottom of the post and click the button!
Hopefully, this shows the value of posting your events to the website:
- Your event information is posted and available almost immediately after submitting it;
- Your event may include illustration–for example, we have standard logos for events such as public suppers and yard sales;
- Your event information is easily discovered by people searching for Grange activities;
- Your event is easily shared by anyone on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc.;
- Your repeating events are listed as such on the MSG Event Calendar;
- Your event gets statewide and national exposure.
To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.
Leonard Bernstein
► FACT: So far this year, nearly 3,000 people have visited the MSG Website!
