Tag: Grange Publicity

Valley Grange Delivers!

https://www.wabi.tv/2021/12/01/valley-grange-delivers-dictionaries-brownville-elementary-school-students/

And we had company! Reporters from WABI TV 5 and WVII Fox Bangor asked if they could “tag along” when we delivered dictionaries to Brownville Elementary School and we were happy to have the company!

Valley Grange Master/President Jim Annis and Program Director Walter Boomsma had the back of his car filled with “words”–cases of dictionaries to deliver to several area schools. Annis admitted, “Sometimes we’re not sure who gets more excited, us or the kids.”

Boomsma noted that he misses the contact with the kids. “In the past we’ve had several schools make field trips to the Grange Hall and we’ve visited classrooms to hand out the dictionaries personally while explaining a little about the Grange and trying to get the kids really excited about having their own dictionary. Since safety is a priority as a result of COVID, we’ve had to get a little creative.”

The Guilford Grange produced a short video and some resources for teachers who are now doing the actual presentations. But the curious kids in Brownville were watching out the window at, what for Brownville was a “media extravaganza.” It wasn’t long before a window was opened and some chatting took place “long distance.”

Boomsma noted that the day’s delivery included a bag of knitted hats and mittens, compliments of Valley Grange’s Blistered Finger Knitters. “We have one woman in New Jersey who knits for us throughout the year and brings her work when she visits in the summer.”

A relatively new program started by the Grange asks people to “Sock It to Me.” Boomsma warned Principal Carol Smith “We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with a bag of socks. We want add feet to our efforts to keep our kids warm this winter, so we’re asking people to help us out with donations of socks we can provide to area schools.

The stockings were piled at the Grange Hall with care
In hopes children’s feet would be saved from cold air!

Check out the WABI-TV 5 Story
Check out the WVII Fox Bangor Report

If you’re interested in a Dictionary Project in your area or at your school, contact Mr. Boomsma or visit the Dictionary Project Website. To learn more about the Valley Grange Program, visit the Valley Grange Website.

  • Mittens and Mittens…
  • People are socking it to us!
  • Hats and hats and hats…
  • Loaded with words and hats and…
  • Fame is relative!

Sneak Peek Brochure

Check out this great resource for recruiting and developing your membership!

DIY Resource

There’s actually nothing “sneaky” about this tri-fold brochure designed by National Grange for local Grange use. What we have is a fairly complete explanation of what to expect at a Grange meeting. Topics covered include:

  • Tips for participating
  • A diagram of the traditional layout of the hall
  • The order of Business
  • A description of the opening and closing
  • Key terms and objects
  • How business is conducted

We also learn, “A special time is set aside during each meeting for an educational, entertaining or inspirational program to be presented, called the Lecturer’s Program. This allows Grange members to meet one of our charges – to help members grow to
their fullest potential – and provides a time for
the community to learn from and interact with
our Order.”

You can download a copy from the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page then print as many as you need. (You might consider adding a small label with contact information for your local Grange. Contact the MSG Communications Department if you need help with that!) Additional options include having a local printer produce them or ordering from the National Grange Supply Store as part of an orientation pack.

This brochure is a great way to introduce people who have never attended a meeting to what to expect and to make them feel more welcomed. Consider having copies available on the tables if you have a potluck supper before the meeting. Keep a supply near the gatekeeper/greeter’s station to hand to visitors.

Visit the Program Books and Information Page–Scroll down to the National Grange Section for a complete list of brochures available for your use. That list includes:

And don’t forget, there’s a one page letter describing these brochures and tips for using them!

Degrees and Symbols Brochure

Check out this great resource for recruiting and developing your membership!

DIY Resource

National Grange designed this long-overdue tri-fold brochure for local Grange use. It offers an effective summary of Grange heritage, ritual, and lessons.

The degrees “are short enactments, like plays, that allow members of the Grange to pass on to new candidates the values of the organization and lessons that can be learned – in the Grange’s case – through the natural world and work of agriculture.while emphasizing the core teachings of the Grange and the fact that ‘local Granges build resiliency and sustainability in their hometowns..'”

You can download a copy from the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page then print as many as you need. (You might consider adding a small label with contact information for your local Grange. Contact the MSG Communications Department if you need help with that!) Additional options include having a local printer produce them or ordering from the National Grange Supply Store as part of an orientation pack.

If you’ve ever tried to remember the emblems, seasons, or symbols of the first four degrees, you need this brochure! And what a great thing to give new members who are about to celebrate the Four Degrees–or as a take-home “handout” after a degree day.

Visit the Program Books and Information Page–Scroll down to the National Grange Section for a complete list of brochures available for your use. That list includes:

And don’t forget, there’s a one page letter describing these brochures and tips for using them!

New Applicant “Pack”

Check out this great resource for recruiting and developing your membership!

DIY Resource

National Grange designed this as a new membership application and orientation/welcoming plan! It’s larger than the other brochures and with good reason! The membership application is very user-friendly and captures plenty of good information. It is “detachable” in a way that leaves the applicant with meeting information, important additional contacts a local mentor, a dues reminder, and some ways to stay informed!

You can download a copy from the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page then print as many as you need. (You might consider adding a small label with contact information for your local Grange. Contact the MSG Communications Department if you need help with that!) Additional options include having a local printer produce them or ordering from the National Grange Supply Store as part of an orientation pack.

This brochure is a great way to process new members and to make them feel welcomed by providing basic information they’ll use. Ideally, an existing member would complete the application with the new member, making sure to include the orientation information–so much better than handing someone an application and telling him or her to fill it out! Applying for membership should be a warm and friendly experience just like being a member should!

And you just have to love the fact that the Grange Motto is right on the first panel.

Visit the Program Books and Information Page–Scroll down to the National Grange Section for a complete list of brochures available for your use. That list includes:

And don’t forget, there’s a one page letter describing these brochures and tips for using them!

Member Benefits Brochure

Check out this great resource for recruiting and developing your membership!

DIY Resource

National Grange designed this tri-fold brochure for local Grange use as a way to introduce members to the benefits that provide “added value for your dues dollars.” The general list of benefits includes

  • Travel and entertainment
  • Hearing services and devices
  • Financial planning and home protection
  • Shopping
  • Technology, shipping, and business services
  • Insurance
  • Prescription and medical care

While enjoying Grange membership, it’s easy to forget that there are some financial benefits as well!

You can download a copy from the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page then print as many as you need. (You might consider adding a small label with contact information for your local Grange. Contact the MSG Communications Department if you need help with that!) Additional options include having a local printer produce them or ordering from the National Grange Supply Store as part of an orientation pack.

This brochure is a great reminder of the opportunity to get the most out of membership. New members should definitely receive a copy and it could be used to supplement an occasional lecturer’s program to briefly review current benefits offered by National Grange.

One panel suggests “Grange benefits help you secure what’s most valuable”–an interesting thought starter. What is most valuable and how can the Grange help protect it?

Visit the Program Books and Information Page–Scroll down to the National Grange Section for a complete list of brochures available for your use. That list includes:

And don’t forget, there’s a one page letter describing these brochures and tips for using them!

An Order Like No Other Brochure

Check out this great resource for recruiting and developing your membership!

DIY Resource

National Grange designed this great tri-fold brochure for local Grange use. It describes the overall structure of the Grange explains Grange Entities and how each works to ensure rural prosperity.

There’s also information about the National Grange Foundation and other opportunities for giving. Of all the brochures available, this one has the least amount of local focus but does establish the credibility of the Order and explains the various IRS designations.

You can download a copy from the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page then print as many as you need. (You might consider adding a small label with contact information for your local Grange. Contact the MSG Communications Department if you need help with that!) Additional options include having a local printer produce them or ordering from the National Grange Supply Store as part of an orientation pack.

This brochure is a great way to introduce the Grange as an organization. Having copies available in a rack at your hall is great but you really want to get copies out to the community in a way that supports your role and recruiting efforts. Many people will find the national aspect of our Order reassuring as it suggests permanence and deeper resources.

Make sure people know “Granges improve quality of life and inspire others to work for the common good.”

Visit the Program Books and Information Page–Scroll down to the National Grange Section for a complete list of brochures available for your use. That list includes:

And don’t forget, there’s a one page letter describing these brochures and tips for using them!

National Grange “Cultivating Connections” Program to feature Jonesboro Grange!

by Rebekah Cox, Jonesboro Grange

As you know, the Jonesboro Grange members are working hard to bring fun events to our community! Our projects from 2020 and our current plans for 2021 have attracted attention at the National Grange level. Yes, our Jonesboro Grange #357 was seen by the National Grange and our projects are being recognized by them.

The National Grange hosts Cultivating Connections which is live-streamed and covers a variety of topics to help Grange organizations thrive and adapt to an ever-changing world.

On Thursday, April 30, at 8:30 pm, Cultivating Connections will be presented on the topic of Community Service and is being hosted by National Grange Community Service director, Pete Pompper. Jonesboro Grange #357 will be 1 of 5 Granges in the US to be featured. What an honor! We hope you’ll tune in and find out how Grange organizations from around the US are going above and beyond to serve their local communities!

How can you watch it? If you have access to a smartphone, tablet, iPad, or computer you’re in luck. The event will start at 8:30 pm and can be viewed on the national Grange’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/nationalgrange

Do you know someone who doesn’t have Facebook? You can also watch on YouTube. Find the link here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/nationalgrange.

Refresh the page if the video does not immediately show at 8:30 pm. We hope to see you on Thursday as we share what is happening in Down East Maine at the Jonesboro Grange!