I love the Grange because it gives me an opportunity to meet new people as I join others in creating and doing community events. It’s the giving and learning .
Dorothy St Hilaire, Winthrop Grange #209
Dorothy loves the Grange!
Tag: Grange Membership
Welcome New Members in Maine!
Note that our source of information is the August 2022 issue of Good Day! magazine… please send any additions or corrections to the webmaster.
Branch Mills #366
Will Armstrong
Angela Haiss
Joshua Haiss
Allison Luciano
Nancy Thomas
East Sangerville #177
Andrew Robinson
Sarah Robinson
Jonesboro #357
Marilyn Dowling
Kassandra Holmes
Mary Vokey
Wayne Vokey
North Jay #10
Breanda Deojay
Sean Hennessy
Norway #45
Kathy Colby
Tonya Gleason
Everett Parlin
Darrell Thibodeau
Castine #250
Paul Norris
Enterprise #48
Judith Gross
Excelsior #5
Rosemary Johnson
Golden Harvest #33
Robert Sibley
Lakeside #63
Lloyd Sweetser
Mill Stream #574
Kristin Thompson
Richard Thompson
Norway #45
Kathy Colby
Tonya Gleason
Everett Parlin
Darrell Thibodeau
Saco #53
Amy Denis
Gordon Frohloff
Tina Giacollo
Kaylinda Libbey
Notes from National – August 2022
Rural Minds Partnership
Rural Minds is a non-profit focused on increasing awareness and reducing the stigma of mental health issues in rural America. Coming up in September is a webinar that is co-produced by Rural Minds and the National Grange on Rural Suicide Awareness & Prevention. (Information about the webinar will be posted and is available on the MSG Conferences and Dates Page.)
Good Day! Magazine
The latest issue of Good Day! has been sent to print and should be reaching mailboxes soon. Please consider subscribing or purchasing a subscription for their Grange or local schools or libraries. There’s also the option to subscribe to a virtual copy for readers who don’t want a physical magazine.
Grange Fairs Across the Nation
Phil Vonado, National Grange Communications Director, would love to know of any Granges in your state that run or are heavily involved in the organization of community/county/state fairs. He hopes to make this the feature of the October Good Day! magazine and connect with these Granges – especially smaller ones!
A Quarter’s Worth
The next deadline for A Quarter’s Worth submissions is November 1st. Please send these to Ann Bercher (lecturer@nationalgrange.org). (A Quarter’s Worth is the National Grange Lecturer’s Newsletter.)
Phil’s Challenge for August
Words have power behind them, and the words and phrases that we choose to use are very important! Negative words and language can lead to negative energy within yourself and within the Grange as a whole. But how often have you said, “We used to do…” or “We don’t have the people for…”?
Using negative/negating language can be a hard habit to break. I know I’m guilty of it myself. I encourage you to find a positive spin – “We could try…” or “We’re up to the challenge of…” are good places to start. Allow new members to bring new energy into the organization; give things a try, and encourage new members (and long-time members) to try something new.
When you hear yourself (or anybody else in your Grange) saying things that either take ownership away from a person or an idea, try flipping the language into something affirming. Building people up and encouraging new things is going to help grow the organization.
Please consider this when writing up your reports for this year. Despite challenges or setbacks, let’s look for the positives – and I know every state has done some incredible things this year!
National Grange Convention
156th National Grange Convention will be held at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, from November 15-19, 2022. Visit the National Grange Website for information and to register. Early bird registrations are open until September 9, 2022.
National Grange Heirloom Program
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us, or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.
New Member Recognition in Good Day Magazine
Want to see your new members recognized in Good Day Magazine? Anyone who has not been recognized as a new member in the past year can be included. Use this link to share the news. The deadlines for each issue are:
- November 30, 2022
“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.
156th National Grange Session is scheduled for November 15-19, 2022 in Sparks, NV
Janice loves the Grange!
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
Membership Moments — August 2022
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
Do your members know of the exciting contests that are proposed annually by different state committees? Do they participate? The Lecturers Department, CWA, Membership, and Community Service all have great contests, and some entries are due in September. If you follow the website, you will find information on all of these contests. When approaching new membership, these contests should be mentioned in the conversations. We all have varied talent interests and some of these contests could promote new membership. Communication is key. When you talk about Grange, be sure to give out contact numbers, applications, pamphlets of our history, and how your Granges affect your communities. People want to keep involved, to be active, to fit in and to be able to make a difference.
Encourage your newer members to take all of the Degrees to learn about our lessons, traditions, and history. We are all proud to belong to the Grange, so share your story, your pleasures, your memories and what you have learned. New friendships are formed and old ones are renewed. We are a fraternal family with strong bonds. It doesn’t matter where your Grange is located; our family has no geographic boundaries. Technology has provided us the opportunity to communicate easier no matter where we live. Keep in touch with one another. I know I think of my friends all over the country I have met through conferences, events, conventions, and committees. I am pleased to know them as they have helped me grow and advance. It is a warm, endearing feeling to know these Brothers and Sisters and what they have helped me accomplish as a Granger. I do respect and appreciate all of them. They make feel appreciated, wanted and needed. It has been such a life changer for me. I am sure there are many others who have the same thoughts and feelings. I am proud to be a Granger. You, also, could be a life changer for someone. Encourage them to join the Grange and watch what happens!!!
Communications Column — August 2022
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
Give us a bite!
Well, what I mean is “give us a sound bite,” except that’s not exactly correct, either. “A sound bite is a short, catchy piece of video, audio, or speech chosen to give the essence of what you are saying and arouse interest…” While we’d love a video, we’ll take a written snippet (a small piece or short extract.) Let me explain.
We did something like this when the website was first launched, listing them as Member Benefits. Since the site was launched over ten years ago, it’s time to update and expand what people love about the Grange. We can’t do this without you.
Brevity is the soul of wit.
William Shakespeare
Shakespeare would likely be able to work effectively with the media today–he understood the value of “short and sweet.” It’s important to remember that you are trying to capture interest, not cover “everything you need to know.” In my work with the media, I’m always amazed when a reporter covers an event and shoots over an hour of video. After editing, the story is told in 2-3 minutes. As someone prone to rambling, I have to remind myself to stay focused when being interviewed. In journalism, we are reminded to “write tight.”
Why do you love the Grange? We need your answer in a short, catchy way. I know, there’s lots to love. Think of your contribution as a “teaser” or testimonial designed to make people curious about the Grange. Another prompt might be, “What’s the one greatest benefit you receive from your Grange membership?“
We’ll take your answer in writing. Don’t worry about grammar and spelling–I’ll edit and correct (with your permission) if necessary. I’m making it as easy as possible by creating a short form you can fill out. This also makes it easy for me because filling out the form ensures that I’ll have all the information I need.
Visit the “I love the Grange” post for the form. (For those reading this in the printed Bulletin, there will be a form at the end of the Bulletin you can complete and mail.) And, yes, you can submit more than one.
It’s not just Grange members using the website. Let’s tell website visitors what’s great about the Grange. While I will be updating the Member Benefits page, I also hope to be using your answers in several other ways. Stay tuned!
► FACT: 530 people visited the Maine State Grange Website in July.
Notes from National – July 2022
2023 National Grange Revival
The 2023 National Grange Revival is just one year away! Information and registration forms are available on the Program Books and Information Page under the heading “National Grange.” Make your reservations at the campground as soon as possible – many of the campsites and RV sites are already reserved, which means you’re going to have an amazing week in Curtis, Michigan! Don’t miss out on a week full of fellowship, fun, excursions, great Grange food, and more! Booking your spot now will also save you some money!
Good Day! Magazine
The next issue of Good Day! magazine will be coming out in August, so there’s still time to subscribe! This quarterly magazine is full of information for your members, and at just $16 for a year’s subscription, it’s truly a steal! We are also always looking for content, including editorials, articles about things happening in your State or Community Granges, or other information that you think would be interesting to Grange members across the country. Please email me! The next deadline for information and articles will be August 31, 2022. Thank you to the states who send in your new members, too! It’s a great way to give your new members and Community Granges a shout-out!
Grange Foundation Virtual Telethon
THANK YOU to the States, Departments, and individuals who supported the Grange Foundation’s Virtual Telethon for the Junior and Youth Departments last weekend. You have made a HUGE difference in the future of the Grange, with over $24,000 raised!
Grange Fairs Across the Nation
Phil would love to see pictures from Grange Fairs across the country! I would love to see how fairs operate around the country and to hear how Granges are involved in making them happen. Photos of Grange exhibits and how we are sharing the message of the Grange are especially wanted! Attach them to an email to Phil!
National Grange Quilt Block Contest
The deadline has been extended to September 1, 2022. More information is available here.
National Grange Convention
156th National Grange Convention will be held at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada from November 15-19, 2022. Visit the National Grange Website for information and to register. Early bird registrations are open until September 9, 2022.
National Grange Heirloom Program
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us, or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.
New Member Recognition in Good Day Magazine
Want to see your new members recognized in Good Day Magazine? Anyone who has not been recognized as a new member in the past year can be included. Use this link to share the news. The deadlines for each issue are:
- August 30, 2022
- November 30, 2022
“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.
156th National Grange Session is scheduled for November 15-19, 2022 in Sparks, NV
Merriconeag Grange Seeks Members
Check out this article written by freelancer Sam Lemonick for the Harpswell Anchor. The article not only explores some of the factors creating declining membership in fraternal and community organizations, it explores ideas and adaptations that can impact local Granges’ relevance and growth.
The Merriconeag Grange isn’t in immediate danger. Despite struggles to convene formal meetings, Sam Alexander says it is doing better than most Maine Granges, both financially and in terms of membership.
Check out the article to find out how they are doing it!
Membership Moments — July 2022
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
I hope all are having a great summer. The weather has been good and people are getting out and enjoying the fresh air. Stores seem to be busy and traffic seems to be heavier than normal. After two years of COVID and people being afraid to go out of their homes, it seems great to see people milling about. Lawn sales (or whatever you call them) are everywhere, outdoor fundraising activities are abundant and Granges are joining in as well with their own fundraising activities. It is great to look on the Maine State Grange website and to see what is happening at various Granges. Their advertising is enthusiastic, their stories are refreshing and their events are successful due to hard work and teamwork. One of the most fulfilling things about Grange (for me) is to see organized and hard-working members happily serving the needs of the community. The Grange Hall provides a fun place to have a meal, socialize, smile, help others, and feel good about yourself and others. It is also a place where legislative resolutions are presented, business is conducted and event planning is done. When explaining to others about Grange and what it does, enthusiastically tell them about all of the above. Many persons would love to be a Grange member; all you have to do is ask. Speak often, advertise often, keep busy and continue to be fulfilled. Others can sometimes “read” our facial expressions and feel our likes and dislikes about any topic. So when you want to attract new members speak with passion, be enthusiastic, be positive, and provide proficient information to the inquirers. Keep your doors open for new membership.
News from Ocean View Grange
by Larry Bailey, Master/President
Grange member Ryan’s idea about serving a Strawberry Palooza of Strawberries and Cream was a success. We ran out of strawberries and whipped cream at 2 pm…, two hours before the advertised closing time.
We served 92 cups of strawberries and cream and grossed $610. The net after expenses of $146 was $464. Many of the folks who stopped in had never been in a Grange before and I gave tours of our meeting room. That went over well and, we may get a new member or two out of it.
We need to thank the following who worked to make the event both a financial and, just as important, a public relations success:
- Ryan Aponte
- Nancy Fagley
- Joss Coggeshall
- Dan Anderson (Ryan’s stepfather)
- Pat Deussing (Ryan’s mother)
- Bill Swittlinger
- Diane Bailey
Thanks to all of our members who helped and those members who came in to have a taste.
Webmaster’s Note: I highlighted the part about tours of the meeting room… what a great idea when having events!