Tag: Grange Events

A writer’s choice, an editor’s decision

Sometimes the question is more important than the answer!

A colleague who writes fiction posted a question in our writer’s forum. His forthcoming book includes a character who uses some bigoted slurs and language. The author was rightfully concerned about the effect the language might have on readers and how he should handle it.

Ironically, as I reviewed a website post on the same day, I faced the decision of whether or not to delete an adjective that, while not offensive, could be considered discriminatory.

Writing and editing are more art than science. This is one reason I don’t fear AI (artificial intelligence), but that would be a digression.

To my writing colleague, I suggested that we writers must not become so obsessed with the fear of offending someone that we forget the ultimate purpose of writing.

As an editor, I focus on the fact anything that appears on the website or in the Bulletin reflects on the Grange as an organization. Offending people is not in our best interest.

In both cases, there can be some hard decisions as we strive to find the delicate balance. The standard for a fictional novel will be different from the standard for publications representing an organization. And while communication, by its nature, is never perfectly done, we have to try to create understanding. “Free speech” does not equate to “irresponsible speech.”

Hopefully, editors exist to improve communication. Ultimately, it’s not an exact science because the reader contributes much to the process of the words used by the writer. If you’ve ever been misunderstood, you know what that means.

My intent here is not to start a political discussion but rather to create an awareness that society is increasingly sensitive to word choices. Writers and speakers do well to be considerate and can unintentionally cause problems when they are not.

Here’s a simple example. Have you noticed that when I refer to the head of a committee, I use the term “chair” instead of “chairman?” It’s just a simple example of “gender neutrality.” Another example from the news is changing “policemen” to “police officers.” Occupations are gender-neutral and should be referred to accordingly.

I can offer another example of how word choice can be important. This was actually a few years ago, before the heightened sensitivity. Someone only slightly familiar with the Grange explained, “When I see events listed, I assume a meeting is for members only, but a program can be attended by anyone.”

Isn’t that interesting?

“ I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant”

Alan Greenspan

With a little focus and by working together, we can decrease the chances of that happening.

► FACT: The third most visited post in the past seven days was the list of new members! People are hungry for good news from Granges!

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By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

What are we doing? 

“Multimedia” is defined as “the use of a variety of artistic or communicative media.” Most often, it is associated with technology and audio-visual activity. A recent question received on the website suggests we might do well to think a bit beyond that. It was probing enough to deserve repeating and providing at least a general answer. You can read both the question and answer here.

One aspect of the question that made it important is that the asker has been “thinking about ways to give back to my community.” That drove her to become curious about the Grange Halls’ main functions today. As someone who can be a bit obsessive over communication, that drives me to wonder how we answer that question. In multimedia terms, we are answering it, but are we answering it accurately and completely?

The questioner had obviously perused the site some. She noted that there was a lot of information about the history of the Grange, but not much about the purpose of the Grange today. She had clearly seen the scholarships page and noted that Granges hold public suppers to raise money. I understand that but I also find it a bit troubling. I hope the Granges across our state are doing more than raising money by holding potluck suppers.

I’m familiar with a Grange that had a great public supper program. People came from miles around to eat well every month. Sometimes, they ran out of food, and most times, there was a line to get in. That Grange is now closed. A simple analysis suggests that offering good meals at an affordable price isn’t enough to create a sustainable Grange. It will draw customers, but workers are hard to come by. When we get them, they will tire quickly and start asking, “What’s the point?”

How do we use our Grange halls? It’s not just about the building—it’s about our identity and purpose. And it’s not just about our identity and purpose, it’s how we communicate them. Most people have heard the expression, “What you’re doing shouts so loud I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

I was sitting in a potluck supper one evening before a meeting. There was a noise in the front lobby. A member went to investigate and discovered a child adjusting her shoe while two adults looked on. (She’d picked up a stone during the walk.) The adults explained that they lived nearby and often went for a walk past the Grange Hall and it was usually dark and empty. They wondered what it was all about. They were invited in to warm up and join us for dinner. They had already eaten but were hungry for information. Once they learned what our Grange was about and why we were there, they couldn’t wait to join.

Our dark and usually vacant Grange Hall was not communicating well because most of what we are about and what we do doesn’t happen in the hall. It happens in the community. There are also Granges that are busy hosting community events and occupied often. It’s not that one or the other is right. It’s that what we do communicates. We need to find ways to accurately and adequately communicate. Getting people into the hall does not necessarily equate to getting people into the Grange. Conversely, getting people into the Grange does not necessarily equate to getting them into the hall. Every Grange has members who do not attend meetings but are a big help with the “labors of the day.”

“Doing” is an important word. Our communication must be about what we are doing—not just what we used to do. We rightly value our heritage and history. Consider for a moment local historical societies—there is a huge emphasis on history, but the point of the society is to preserve history. A historical society gets supported and joined because of what it is doing. We live in the present tense—or at least we are supposed to!

One of the communication challenges we face with describing “what the Grange does” is the amount of diversity. It is both a weakness and a strength. Asking people to read the “Declaration of Purposes” is not a practical answer. Show and tell works. It’s often called “Show and Share” these days with good reason.

Let’s share more about what the Grange is doing and why. People DO want to know. And many would like to help and be part of doing the right things for our communities.

► FACT: So far this year, our biggest month was March when nearly 800 people the MSG Website!

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