Tag: Grange Membership

Some Membership Wows!

The most recent Grange Membership Year runs from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

According to the Membership Annual Report, 19 Granges in Maine had net gains that year, taking in some 75 members.

The top three membership gains were:

  • First: Huntoon Hill Grange #398, located in Wiscasset, showed a net gain of 16 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, Russell Marr is the Master/President.
  • Second: Jonesboro Grange #357, located in Jonesboro, showed a net gain of 10 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, John Cox Jr. is the Master/President.
  • Third: Trenton Grange # 550, located in Trenton, showed a net gain of 9 members. According to the 2022-23 Roster, Peter Lazas is the Master/President.

Congratulations and well done! Wow!

Are you aware of any “Wows” (new members, funds raised, successful events, other accomplishments) we should announce? Send a few details!

Notes from National – October 2023

  • Please subscribe to the National Grange’s Good Day! Magazine. Just $16 a year gets you access to our print or digital subscription. Learn more about the magazine at http://www.nationalgrange.org/goodday or the digital issue at http://www.issuu.com/grangegoodday. The October issue is in mailboxes across the country, and additional copies are available through the Grange Store.
  • Subscribe to the Patrons Chain and View from the Hill at http://www.nationalgrange.org/subscribe. These newsletters are released every Friday, containing information about National Grange programs, events, and more.
  • Are there topics you would like to see covered in a future Zoom from a National Grange staff member or department director or officer? Please let us know! We’re always working to ensure our topics are in line with what our members want or need to hear from us.
  • Many National Grange events have been recorded and archived – if there’s something you missed and would like to see, please visit the National Grange YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/nationalgrange. 
  • Follow National Grange on Social Media! We’re on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and more!

We hope to see you “at” some of our Events!

“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.

Membership Moments – October 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Brothers and Sisters, for many months now, this column has been giving to you ways to approach gaining new members. Hopefully, this advice has worked well with your Grange.  Just remember the following:

There is no “I” in Grange or in team. No one should be a dictator or make rules based on their own ideas. This causes animosity and disrespect. Everyone has a duty, and all members are important no matter the office held. WE are the Grange, and our ideas need to be heard and discussed. Otherwise, we will be losing more Granges.

Be active. Plan events and help your community. Let people know you are alive and well.

Let the committees do their work. If you are the Master/President of your Grange, please do not give committees an agenda. Let them come up with ideas to present at meetings. The Master/President is a facilitator, not the ruler. This applies to all levels of the Grange. Do not overstep your authority. “My way or the highway” is absolutely unacceptable and should be avoided. Anyone who rules this way does not have the interest of the Grange in mind. Let all members become involved. Not all of us are leaders and those who do lead need to do it for the  Good of the Order (GOTO), not because they say so.

We need to develop new leaders and inform them of the rituals and traditions of the Grange.

Stay positive. Keep doing your good works.

Help one another. Teach your new members and welcome them. Answer their questions.

Visit other Granges and work with them. The days of visitation and mentoring have faded and need to be revived. Share with other members your successes, and if a Grange is struggling, it is the duty of the Pomona to help them. It seems like Granges are “doing their own thing” and do not visit or attend State Grange. We need every one of you to keep us alive.

Resolutions are an important part of the Grange procedure. Instruct members on how important it is to come up with resolutions and how to write them. Confer with your Deputy on instructions for floor work and other procedures. It is their duty to help you.

Major changes are happening to us, and we need to keep up and change too. We are severely lacking youth and younger members. Focus on bringing them in as members.

Remember, each and every member is vital to our Grange growth, and membership should be your major priority. Bring ’em in, feed ’em, teach ’em, and enjoy your meetings. It is what a good Grange member is expected to do.

Fraternal Concern – Wesley Ryder

It becomes my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Wes Ryder on October 7, 2023. Wes was a past Master of both Stevens Mills and Danville Junction Granges and served as a Maine State Grange Deputy. Wes was also known for his poetry and description of the Grange as a place for Friends, Family, Food, and Fun.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in his honor to the Danville Junction Grange #65 Scholarship Fund can do so by sending it to 48 Pond Road, Raymond, ME 04071.

A private burial service will be held at Mt Auburn Cemetery. Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, and a full obituary is available here. You can also sign the guest book with your message and memories.

When I spoke to Glenys, she shared, “Grange has always been a huge part of Wes’s life.  He was born into a Grange family, and when he joined at fourteen, he became very active at both the Subordinate and Pomona levels.  Later, he enjoyed being a deputy of the Maine State Grange.  He loved going to Lecturer’s Conferences and state conventions.  His proudest moment, however, was when he received his 70-year Membership Certificate!”

Cards for Glenys can be sent to Glenys Ryder, 1267 Old Danville Road,
Auburn, ME 04210.

Got a Stamp?

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

One of the “rituals” we follow during our Valley Grange Meetings is probably not unfamiliar to many Grangers. When the WM asks, “Is any member in sickness or distress?” the Chaplain reaches for a box of greeting cards. If there’s a report, a card is passed around for all to sign. Sometimes, it happens when the WM calls for “Suggestions for the good of the Order,” and someone reports a success or happy event, suggesting we acknowledge it with a card.

It’s a pretty cool ritual that represents our fraternal nature. It can also become a community service and an important aspect of “communicating” with members and Grange friends.

I was recently contacted by a hospice nurse who is caring for a 94-year-old man in assisted living. He’s a long way from home, unfortunately, and his nurse reports that he “talks about the Grange and his 70+ year membership on a daily basis.” She wonders if “if this friend could possibly get visitations or
information from the Grange mailed to him on a regular basis.”

I should certainly hope so. I’m going to put a copy of my book, Exploring Traditions, in the mail to him today. Since I know the Valley Grange Chaplain quite well, I suspect she’ll get a card in the mail before we meet. There’s a post on the Valley Grange Website encouraging others to reach out.

Does your Grange have members that you haven’t seen in a while? How do you communicate with them?

“As we in form thus enclose you within a sacred circle, so does this Grange in the name of our noble and beneficent Order pledge to you a pure friendship, enduring through life to shield you from harm… let us ever hold fast and firm our obligations of Fidelity.”

Quoted from the Altar Circle Ritual conducted when admitting new members

Barry loves the Grange!

I first joined the Grange while on active duty in the Marines in Pennsylvania in 1986. My parents were quite active members back home in Maine. I loved going to the Grange fairs and suppers growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. During those decades, the Grange was still vibrant and active in Maine. The Granges in Pennsylvania are still quite active. Though I lived away for many years I maintained my Grange membership all these years. After I retired and returned to Maine I was able to participate in the Grange actively and enjoyed the Pomona and State Degree Initiations. Though our Grange closed and we had to join another Grange I am NOT discouraged. Some Granges are failing. However, others have taken on an inspiring resilience. I am eager to lend my abilities to help our Grange grow. What I love the most about the Grange is the friendliness and companionship that are meetings offer, as well as the social participation in those awesome potluck suppers. I believe the Grange can make a turn-around and once again become a beacon for social interaction and progress that so many will find attractive.

Barry E. Tracy

What about you?

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 the Grange!

Willow Grange Honors Members

At a recent meeting, the following were recognized for their years of service: 

  • 25 yr. Silver certificate – Allan Roberts
  • 40 yrs. – Richard Parlin
  • 50 yrs. – Joanne Bernier, Gerard Lupien, Nancy Lupien, Deborah Willette
  • 55 yrs. – Jon Moody, Marjorie Turner
  • 60 yrs. – Norman Hunt
  • 70 yrs. – Lillian Dolloff
Sisters Deborah Willette and Joanne Bernier were presented with 50-year membership awards at Willow Grange. (Paula Roberts photo)

Membership Moments – September 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Sometimes it is fun (and challenging) to make a phrase out of a word. This would be a great Lecturer’s program  by the way. An acronym for the word “MEMBERSHIP” comes to mind. I thought of one, but I’m sure there are many more. Can you make one?  Mine is “May Each Member Be Excited, Respected, So Happily Involved Patrons”. Sounds silly, eh? Not if you can get your point across. New and seasoned members need to be excited and involved to keep the Grange working. They need to be respected for their diligent labor and faithful service. No matter what Grangers do, they do out of love and respect for their communities and their Grange. We are loyal subjects, willing to take on most offices, tasks or committees in order to achieve the desired results. That is a true Granger.

Others will notice and will commend you for your accomplishments. Community will notice the difference and applaud the Grange and its members. Some will want to join and be a part of your successes. Welcome them into your hall, respect their ideas, embrace their involvement and certainly your Grange will grow.

As Lecturers are taught about “RIME” (recreation, inspiration, music, and education), membership has its own version of RIME (respect, involvement, mentoring, and excitement).  Four little words with a ton of worth for you and your Grange. We need to teach our new members about our history, rituals, traditions and symbolisms. Education is vital and the new member will be intrigued by what the Grange stands for. Our Grange has been asked to contribute a column in the community’s quarterly newsletter. The first column concentrated on a brief history of the Grange, what we do, and our schedule of events. What better publicity can you get for free?

We can blame a lot of things on why our memberships are declining and our Granges are closing. This negativity does NOTHING to solve the issue. We must take the bull by the horns, so to say, and do something positive to reverse the trend. Action is needed, not words. Look at the acronym above. That is what is needed to help our Grangers grow. Why not try some new things? You have much to gain instead of a lot to lose!

Membership Moments – August 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Is everyone having a good summer? Rainy and warm. State Session is soon upon us. I am wishing that you send delegates to represent your Grange. I have received no responses for my requests for your thoughts on getting new members.

Everyone should be busy with their gardens and fair displays. My Grange is a small group, but we always try to go public at the local fairs with a fair booth. The public looks forward to seeing these displays, and the agricultural fairs are screaming for more Granges to participate. As an agricultural organization, it is our duty to showcase these fairs and to support farming in Maine. It is a great publicity offering and a chance to talk to people about Grange and its activities.

Again, I will highlight some ways to get new membership.

  • Be an active Grange by meeting regularly and participating in community events. Have active committees.
  • Be open and prepared to accept new members. We can’t meet with no quorum or members.
  • Be diverse. Allow all members to contribute. Do not be a one-person show. Elect good leaders.
  • Learn the floor work and your part as an officer. Reading is fine, but do it clearly without hesitations.
  • Publicize your events in local free papers, cable, social media, or the area newspaper.
  • Have an open house for the community with a free lunch or snacks. Honor citizens with an award for volunteerism, helping your Grange, or any other special honor they have done to help the community.
  • Wear your Grange apparel out in public.
  • Visit other Granges/Pomonas. Invite others to visit your Grange. The pandemic hurt this but start again.
  • Smile! Smile! Smile!