Membership Moments

I will be attending the annual Agricultural Trade Show in Augusta this week to talk to people about grange and to try to get some new membership. Each year I attend, emblazed in my Grange attire, either wandering around talking to the vendors or seated at the Maine State Grange booth, enticing new membership and explaining what Grange has to offer. People from all over the state attend and check out the agricultural exhibits, eager to find new ideas or products to help with their gardens and food production. Events like these offer a great opportunity to add new membership. We have people sign up who are interested, and the list is passed to Granges based upon the geographical location of the person’s residence. Applications and other information are readily available. 

By attending this event, I am achieving three things that are mentioned in my columns over the years as in the following:

Visibility, by letting yourself be shown and making yourself known.

Approaching others and having pleasant conversations about Grange. 

Wearing clothing that proudly displays Grange emblems and creates conversations such as, “My parents (grandparents or myself) used to belong to Grange” and “Do Granges still exist?” 

I encourage all members to attend any kind of event in their jurisdiction where there may be interest in Grange membership. There are so many people who have not heard of Grange, so get out there, make yourself visible, talk to others and wear Grange apparel!