Membership Tip of The Month
SEPTEMBER 2009 - MEMBER'S RIGHTS Have you ever thought that as a member of the Grange, you have rights? Or that all members have rights? Yes, in the Grange all members have rights. Three come to mind right away: Every member has the right to feel important Every member has the right to be productive Every member has the right to an opportunity to make a difference Let’s think about each of these one at a time. Every member has the right to feel important . Do we agree that all members are important and play an important role in our Grange? If so, then what are we doing to give them that feeling of being important? Do we make sure that other members feel important to the Grange? Do you feel that you are important in the Grange? We are a member-driven organization that prides our self on our grassroots heritage. We love that there are Granges from coast to coast and north to south, across this country. I am not talking about Grange Halls--I am talking about Granges made up of PEOPLE! Members are important. We each bring something different to the Order and that is the kind of diversity that makes us great. Each member has something to contribute and that is important. We need to make sure that our members and whatever they contribute, big or small, is important and that we appreciate it. The right to be productive. Does every member have something to offer to the Grange that would be productive? I think that every member is capable of contributing something helpful. We all have different abilities, skills, and experiences that we can draw from. We have members that are big and strong while others are small and frail. We have members young and old, new members and 50+ yr members, and members that are quiet/shy and loud and boisterous. All Granges should be doing activities and programs that let each member be productive. Let each member do what he or she can with the abilities they have. Find something for everybody. The right to make a difference. As I talk to Grangers out there about why they joined the Grange and why they continue their membership it usually comes down to the feeling that the Grange makes a difference. Now what the Grange makes a difference in varies from community to community. The point is, each member has the right to make a difference in what is important to him or her. Has your Grange asked your members what difference they would like the Grange to work on? Each Grange should, on a regular basis, ask its members this question. After all, the Grange should be relevant to the community’s needs. Now do you see that these three rights that we have just discussed all work together? If the Grange is asking each member “what difference the Grange can make in the community” each member will feel they are important, because we are asking. Then as the Grange talks about how to go about making a difference we are giving everybody the opportunity to be productive. July 2009 - Family, Friends, and the Fourth I certainly have a lot to be happy about this summer. I have been enjoying the time with my family, of course I was talking about my wife and kids, but I also got to spend most of a week with all of my Grange family and friends in Washington state at our annual session. It was a great privilege for my son and I to attend the opening day of their 136th annual Oregon State Grange Convention. And now it is time for us to enjoy Fourth of July celebrations as well as summer reunions, picnics, fairs, and vacations. As you are out and about traveling, meeting new friends, and getting reacquainted with old friends, let them know about your family’s involvement with the Grange. Talk to them about our family values and how we have something for the whole family. Let them know that you couldn’t ask for better friends than Grangers. Invite your friends and family to your Grange picnic to meet and greet everybody from your Grange. You will see that if you talk positively about the Grange, about how being a member carries with it a special kind of seal of approval, and that you are a good person, they will feel honored to join when you ask them to. They will then know that you think they are a good person and that you talk positively about them also. They will know that you feel good enough about them to include them in a group of special friends. Summer is a great to time to show potential new members that the Grange is a family organization and that your family and community mean a lot to you. Family, friends, and the Fourth of July are essential parts of summer and mean so much to each of us. I encourage you to share these traditions and those of the Grange with your community. God Bless America Rusty MAY 2009 - ANSWERING THE QUESTION People ask me all of the time “How do you answer when some asks you the question….?” The questions vary in topics and interests and most folks are asking because they have had people ask them these questions and they didn’t know how to answer them. So now they are asking me hoping for a great answer that will fit any situation. As a parent, I have been asked many questions that aren’t always easy to answer. They may be funny or they may be serious. They may be personnel and make me feel very uncomfortable. They may even be about me and my actions as an adult that may not always lead to me being the kind of example that I need to be or want to be for my kids. The most important thing is that I “Answer the Question!” If people are asking questions about the Grange or its members it shows they are interested or concerned. They may even want to make a point about their perception of the Grange and its members. So we have to answer their questions or run the risk they will write us off as a viable organization. And if we don’t know the answer we find out and get back to them Pronto! We don’t answer them or don’t want to answer them because we either don’t know or don’t like the answer we would give them. Like when my son asked, “why can you say that bad word and I can’t?” See what I mean! I shouldn’t be saying the “bad word” either but I did so now I am faced with answering a question that puts me on the spot. The questions about the Grange such as; “Don’t you have to be a farmer?”, “isn’t the Grange a secret organization?”, “Why do you have an open bible on an Altar?”, “We have an Active Community club, why do we need a Grange?”, “Is there any money available to build a Grange Hall?”, “What does National Grange/State Grange do with all the money they get from dues?” are all questions I get asked frequently and I know that some of you have been asked the same questions. So, how do we answer these types of questions with a smile, positively, truthfully, and still be inviting and encouraging to those potential new members? We choose the right attitude and put on a smile, tell them the truth and let them know with our answer, that all these things are what makes the Grange different from other groups and that we like the Grange and think they will too as they continue to learn more about the Grange. I know all of you love the Grange and have a desire to see the Grange continue after we have gone. We know that means getting new people to join and take the “reins” and start steering the Organization. Many of us are seeing our role in the Grange changing from “the one doing everything” to the “teacher” or “mentor” of the new members. And with new members come lots of questions that we will have to answer and be the example of what a Granger is and can be. So, go out there and start talking to people about the Grange. Ask them to join and be prepared for questions about the Grange. Choose to have a good attitude and let your passion for the Organization show in your answers. It will pay dividends in the end. Just remember, the most important thing is to “Answer the Question!” MARCH 2009 – I’M TOO BUSY Have you ever said “I’m too Busy”? I have. Did you mean it or was it just an excuse to not do something? I have used it both ways myself but it never seems to work for me. I still end up doing whatever anyway. Has anybody ever said “I’m too busy” to you when you asked them for help or do something for the Grange? Have you ever asked someone to join and they have said “I’m too busy”? Do you have a good answer for them when your hear “I’m too busy”? We should. Aren’t we too busy. I know a lot of good Grangers out there and they are all busy people. We are working on things from Home, Family, work and Grange. We Care about people, schools, kids, health and safety. We care so much that we make time for Grange meetings, Grange programs, and Grange activities. We raise money to give dictionaries. We raise money for the foster children, March of Dimes, Deaf Awareness and etc……… We see the importance in it all. When we see a need we don’t just complain about it, we act and do something about it. I have had many people tell me that they haven’t asked people to help or join because those people are too busy. That is just an excuse not to ask. We should never assume someone else’s answer. We should never give them that excuse automatically. If we believe so much in the Grange why should we assume that they won’t see the value of the Grange and believe in it too. By giving them the excuse we are not allowing or offering the opportunity for other members or potential members to be a part. In some cases it is an excuse to make sure that we get to do it our way. Because, if the other person was to say “yes” to us asking then we may have to do things differently, like their way. By continually offering the opportunity to help with Grange programs, activities, and projects and by asking folks to join we are showing them that we value them. We are showing them that the Grange has value to us and our community and they need to be part of it. By asking we see them as an important person with things to offer to the Grange. And by being a part they will be able to get that good feeling of helping their community, State and Nation. So next time you think someone is too busy to ask to help out or join the Grange, ask anyway. You might just get surprised by their answer. If they do say “I’m too busy” then you answer “I know, I am very busy too but that is the reason I ask you”. The Grange needs busy people. We don’t need anymore members that don’t want to do anything. We need people with ambition. People that want to accomplish something. Members that see or have a need and want to help out. Just like us. Because we are all too Busy! NOVEMBER 2008 - SHOW SOME EXCITEMENT! We are in the last quarter of the year. State Sessions are all done for the year and National Grange Convention is upon us. Some of us will be making that pilgrimage to National Convention to work on policy and set our direction for the coming year. Is that all that happens at our State sessions or National Convention? No! We also get to see our Brothers and Sisters from around the state and nation. We get to hear about their Grange successes. We get to meet folks that have earned their way to convention by sharing their talents with us. We will have opportunity to learn more fun and interesting stuff to do in our own Granges. I come away from convention charged up every time. I love the camaraderie amongst Friends. I love the sharing of stories, the playing together, the touring together, and as funny as it sounds the working together. Grangers are just fun to be around and I, as some of you know, like to have fun. Starting new Granges and signing up new members proves that excitement brings people in. When you have a group of people in a community that get excited about something like the Grange and they are talking about it everywhere they go people begin to wonder what is going on. As the new members are talking about all the wonderful things they have plans for in the new Grange non members will begin the consideration process of joining the Grange. They start looking into what the Grange is all about. We are the reason people join. Friends and fellowship, is the #1 reason folks join. I think that joining a group of folks that are excited about what they are doing and excited about the possibilities for the future is a great calling card for us. Excitement can be expressed in different ways. You can “show” it and you can “tell” it. We all need to show some excitement. As we plan for our holiday parties and as we plan for the next meetings we need to make sure we let everyone see just how excited we are to be in the Grange. Let everyone see your excitement. Smile. Laugh. Give somebody a pat on the back or a thumbs up for a job well done. Just let all know by your actions that you are excited. We all need to tell people we are excited. Talk positively about the Grange to other members and non members alike. Tell somebody that they did a good Job at the last Grange event. Tell somebody that they are needed at the next meeting or activity. The spoken word can be powerful so make it positive and make it exciting. Excitement is contagious. It is like a virus. Once one person starts to show some others will start to get excited. Have you heard the saying “SMILE, make everyone wonder what you are up to.” I have proven this to be true. I challenge you to try it. September 2008 - Hunt in Packs Now that is quite a thought?  How do we apply hunting like wolves to getting new members in the Grange? Let’s look at it as a system of gaining members.  First, we have to decide that we need new members.  That is easy.  Is there anybody out there that thinks we already have enough?  I think we can all agree that we need a steady diet of new members in our Grange to keep us strong and healthy to serve our communities better.  We all know that as we lose a member of our Grange to Death or lack of stamina we need someone to fill that void or we all suffer because of the lack of numbers and that puts extra strain on the others in the pack to pick up the work of the lost member.  So it is pretty clear that we need new members. Second, we create a plan that includes everyone in the Pack (Grange).  We have our Alpha dog that leads us.  They help us make decisions that everyone can live with--always making sure that everyone knows their role in the hunt.  And then coordinates the Pack as the hunt progresses.  Each member then contributes whatever they can according to their strengths and talents to the hunt.  Some are fast, some are strong, and others are smart and calculating.  They all fit into the plan. Now it is time for the hunt.  We have all heard or seen the stories of how wolves are very successful hunters.  But how do they do it?  How do they get everyone to participate?  Well, they have learned the magical system of “TEAMWORK”.  They have realized that by working together they increase their chances for success greatly.  Each individual plays a part, gets to help out in some way, and all get to feel that sense of accomplishment when the hunt is over.  Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? Now in the Grange we have our elected officers.  So we all had a say in choosing our “Alpha Dog”/Master.  Now we all need to look to the Master/Alpha dog for direction and insight.  We don’t look to them to do it all!  We now bring our individual talents to the hunt.  Some of us like to talk (like me), some like to “do”, and some just like to help.  Everyone has something they can provide to the Team/Pack to add in a successful membership drive/Hunt. We need to make a plan?  Who are we targeting for this Membership drive/hunt?  What positions does the Team/Pack need to fill?  These are all good questions and ones that need to be answered by the Team/Pack.  Make sure you get input from all Team members.  It is very important that the entire Team buys into the plan and takes ownership in it. The Hunt!  We all follow the lead of our Master/Alpha dog.  We all know our part and what everyone else is doing so that we can work together.  If one of the Team members stumbles or struggles with their position another member can recognize it quickly and help out so the Membership drive/hunt goes on.  We continually watch out for each other because the health of the Grange/Pack relies on it.  Once the Membership Drive/hunt is over we all get to enjoy the success.  Sometimes the success is the experience and the feeling of working with our fellow Granger/Pack members, other times it is getting to know the new members and their families that have decided to join the Grange/Pack.  Either way, we have just gotten more prepared for the next Membership drive/Hunt. The Grange Provides Opportunity , It’s people provide the leadership, The Community Reaps the Benefits! July 2008 – Be the Example I have a twelve-year-old daughter, and like most preteens, she looks up to the sixteen to eighteen-year-olds with the idea that she wants to be like them.  There are also those seven to nine-year-old girls out there that look at my daughter and say they want to be like her.  I have the hardest time trying to explain to her that she is setting an example for those little girls that look up to her, just like she looks up to the older teens.  I try my best to show her that some of the girls she looks up to are good examples and others are bad.  Each has its own lessons.  She needs to decide then which kind of example she wants to be to the younger girls that are looking up to her. You see, each one of us needs to set a good example in the Grange.  We need to consider whom we look to as examples in the Grange.  Are they good ones or bad ones, and what do we learn from them?  Now then, who is looking to us as an example?  If you have new members, they are looking to you to see how to act, talk, and conduct business in the Grange.  Our youth in the Grange need good mentors that will show them the right way to do things and who will encourage them to act so they can grow in the Grange and hopefully be even better then we are.  The non-Grangers out there are really scrutinizing our each and every word and move.  If we are good examples, we have a chance to get them to join, but if we are bad examples, then we have virtually no chance of them even considering joining. Don’t you want everyone in your Grange to take action and ask somebody to join?  Wouldn’t it be great if there were somebody that would plan the next booster program for your Grange?  What about you?  Yes you!  Why not?  You have seen it done before.  You are more than capable.  Why don’t you show everyone what a great booster program is?  Why don’t you ask your non-Grange friends to join?  You could set a good example for others to follow in your wake. Just one person taking action can inspire others to do the same. -- Leslie C. Aguilar Do you hate the way that some Grangers run down the Grange and its members?  How about you?  Do you speak well of the Grange?  Do find good positive things to say about other Granges and their members?  You should.  You should encourage others to do the same.  Sometimes it is how we talk and act that influences others and the way they talking and acting.  You can be an example of how you would want others to talk about the Grange. To say "well done" to any bit of good work is to take hold of the powers   which have made the effort and strengthen them beyond our knowledge. -- Phillip Brooks Setting a good example in all that we do in life will make those around us happier and want to be with us, even encouraging them to strive to be good examples, too. Rusty Hunt Grange Membership/Leadership development (509)681-0218 cell (509)632-5600 home rustygranger@live.com MAY 2008 - BE POSITIVE If you were to look into the mirror and take a look at your Attitude what would you see? If you now put on your Grange glasses would you say you have a good attitude about the Grange? Would you say that you have a good attitude about the people in the Grange? What about it’s Officers/Leaders? What about it’s activities? Now it is time to face the cold hard truth: What do others see and hear when they look at you concerning the Grange? I always like to make the analogy; if you see someone walking down the street and they have a long face, staring at the ground and just generally looking lost what do you think? You think they have had a bad day, gotten some bad news, or just upset about something. Now what if you see someone walking down the street and they have a bounce in their step, a smile on their face and they are waving to folks and saying hello to who ever catches their eye. You would say that person is having a good day, happy about life, and someone you would like to talk to. Well, it is the same with the Grange. If folks hear us complain about our meetings, talk bad about our fellow brothers and sisters (we are a fraternal order), or just act like it is a chore to be a Grange member, how many folks would join if you asked them? Now if they hear us saying good things about our meetings, talking about how much fun we had with the good people at the Grange and how wonderful it was to work doing the activities for the Grange, how many folks would join if you asked them? I know for a fact the percentage would be higher in a positive case. Your Attitude is the single most important tool you have to convince people to join the Grange. Attitude is the foundation to all that we do in the Grange. We need to be positive, open and welcoming, and have that “can do” or “find a way” type of attitude. We need to be team focused. And most of all have fun! If you talk good about the Grange, people are going to want to know more. If you say good things about your fellow Grangers, they will feel more comfortable when they come to Grange functions and Grange activities. If you act like you are having fun working for the Grange and have that satisfied feeling about your time spent at the Grange others will not be so reluctant to participate with us in our activities. Now when you ask them to join you have just eliminated any excuse they may have had about the organization. Then you can focus solely on them and their needs. You can tell them they are missing out on a lot of fun, fellowship and making new friends. You can tell them that they too can feel that positive feeling of doing something good. We choose our attitude every morning when we get up. We choose if we want to be kind, say “please”, open the door for others, help some one, and turn in the wallet/purse we find at the mall. We can choose if we want to be happy in the face of adversity. We can choose if we want to speak positive about our Grange and Grangers and the Grange work we do. So when you are looking in the mirror and evaluating you attitude ask yourself; “Would you like to join the Grange?” “Do you trust the Granger in the mirror?” Do you see a positive Grange image? Make the right choice every time you do or say something “Grange.”
March 2008 - Getting The Word Out   Whether we are letting our local membership know what we are doing or we are trying to let people outside the Grange know about us there are definite do's and don'ts.   Let's start with the media; Newspapers (daily, weekly or monthly), Radio stations, and Television stations (including cable networks). You will want to get to know your local editors, Talk show hosts, and station managers. Creating a relationship with them can be a huge asset when it comes time to getting something important out to the public. Having them recognize you and/or the Grange will give you much needed priority over other lesser known people and groups. You must always be prepared with a good, honest and positive message. Never ever get sarcastic! Remember, news people are always looking for a quote and if you say something sarcastic that very well may be used in their story. Lots of the media provides free advertising for non-profit community groups, so make sure you contact them with all your activities and get them posted. It is a great way of reaching lots of people and getting acquainted with the right people that work in the media.   Posters and flyers are another thing that all Granges need to use when "Getting the Word Out". Make your posters and flyers colorful and entertaining. Make them "eye catching". Be careful not to make them too busy so people get lost in the message but just include enough information so they know what you are trying to convey.   Window displays, banners, and billboards can be much bigger projects that need more time, thought, and effort to put together. Get a team of members together when planning these types of projects. It makes it more fun and usually a better finished project is the result.   Brochures and newsletters are something that every Grange needs to have for themselves. They are more personal and also allow us to target our audience. We know who they are to go to so we should know what we want them to see.   What about our dances, parties, fair booths, parade floats, and etc? Aren't they considered "Getting the Word Out"? You bet they are! And they are a very important one at that. Check out the 2006 and 2007 "Idea Books" on the National Grange Website for more great ideas .   In all these different forms of "Getting the Word Out" one thing that should always come out, is our POSITIVE ATTITUDE and our PASSION FOR THE GRANGE! Let's get ready for Grange Month in April by planning how we are going to "Get the word out" about the Grange!   We will be discussing the " Idea books" and all of the above ideas on Team Speak March 11th at 9:00 pm EST. Everyone is welcome to join us. For hookup instructions contact:   Rusty Hunt @ membership@nationalgrange.org | Carl Meiss @ publicrelations@pagrange.org
SEPTEMBER 2007 - DO SOMETHING EXCITING Remember being a little child and waiting on Christmas Eve for Santa? When was the last time you felt that way about your Grange? You and every member should feel that way at least once every year about something at your Grange if you want to attract new members. If you don’t ever feel that anticipation and excitement, you need to do something exciting in your Grange. Doing something exciting doesn’t have to be big. Just suggest that the Grange do something that you are passionate about or something you’ve always wanted to try. Each member should have at least one activity or event that they feel excited about. When our members are excited by something in our Grange, they will have enthusiasm for that activity. Their enthusiasm will carry over into other parts of the Grange. The most important aspect is that they will talk about their activity to others. When people see excitement and enthusiasm about a Grange activity, they will be intrigued by it. That opens the door to recruiting a possible new member. Do something exciting and you will find it is easier to attract new members in your Grange. AUGUST 2007 - MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE MEDIA  When you want new members for your Grange the first step is to let people know you are still around. In order to show your community that you are there, you need some publicity. Your local media (newspapers, radio, cable or local TV) are important and critical allies to get your message to the people in your community. It’s time to make friends with the media! Make a list of all the media. If a major newspaper puts out a local section regularly include that section on your list. Are there any talk radio programs that focus on the area? Then you build a team to make contact with them. Use your member’s different skills. One member may take cookies or other goodies to the local office. Others will make contact and ask how to submit information. One might find out what format photos need to be in. Another may enjoy writing short articles. No matter how you initiate it, you must visit with the reporters. Find out what they are looking for and find ways to cooperate with them. Be mindful of their deadlines and work with them. You will become a trusted source of positive local information when they know you by name and see or hear from you regularly. Never forget to thank them when they do print an article or photo.  Make friends with the media and you will significantly increase the opportunity to gain new members for your Grange. JULY 2007 - FOCUS ON A PRINCIPLE     One method of looking for new members is to take the time to reflect on what is most important to you and your fellow members. Talk about the principles your members share. Remember that principles are deep fundamental beliefs that you will not compromise. Your principles are part of who you are. When thinking of new members, look for someone who shares a principle. Don’t look for a new secretary, look for someone who is honest. Look for someone who already has the same principles as you and your fellow members. Start telling people what the principles of your Grange are. Make a poster for your hall that shows the importance of your principles. Don’t be shy, share who you are with your community. The people that share those fundamental beliefs will be pleased to know that an organization exists in their community that has the “good stuff”. Focus on a principle in your Grange and watch your Grange grow!
JUNE 2007- THE MEETING IS NOT THE REASON Do you need to attract some new members because it is sometimes hard to get a quorum? As you start, remember that the meeting is not the reason that most people will join. Focus your efforts on the reasons that people will join. People want to be with their friends or to make new friends. Potential members want to have a good time, full of fun and enjoyment. Most important, they have needs that when met, will entice them to give their loyalty, effort, and time to the cause. Your meeting should be viewed as a means to the end, not the result. Meetings need to have reports of what has happened.  Plans need to be made about the future, and ideas of what could be done in the community presented at the meeting. The meeting must be the place where action starts, not just a monthly event. Remember that the meeting is not the reason and watch your Grange grow. MAY 2007 - SHARE YOUR FAITH If you want new members in your Grange, maybe it's time to tell your fellow members how you feel. Specifically share your faith about the future of your Grange. At your next meeting stand up and tell the members that you believe that your Grange is going to be here in a hundred years. You can say you have no idea how it's going to happen, just that you believe it will survive and prosper. Before you do this, you may have to take time to really examine your own faith in our organization. Look at the principles and values of the Grange and their importance to you. Look at what benefits the Grange could or should be providing to members and nonmembers. If necessary, contact your State Grange leadership or even someone from National to get some encouragement and reasons to be optimistic. When you stand up in your Grange be ready to surprise your fellow members. They may be silent or they may express their belief. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that they agree with you. Afterward you and your members will have a reason to talk to nonmembers about what happened in your Grange that meeting. It will be easier to talk to potential members after you have verbalized your faith that the Grange will be here a hundred years from now. Share your faith in the future of your Grange and watch the incredible happen!  APRIL 2007 - ASK FOR HELP  Do you hesitate about asking people to join the Grange? Are you a little bit afraid to bring up the Grange in conversation? What are you going to say, what should you say, what questions will be asked of you? Try something different and take a new approach. Select a person you would like to have join your Grange. Take the time to think why they might want to join. Look for activities, values, and opportunities that might appeal to them. Then go to that person and ask for their opinion of how you could get new members for your Grange. You will probably surprise the person, but you will be also letting them know that you value their opinions. They will likely ask questions about the Grange and give you the opportunity to show what the Grange can do for them. They may outline a different approach than you’ve tried before or they may suggest you contact certain people they think would be interested. They may even be interested in joining themselves. This approach is not a bait and switch tactic, but one for you to gain confidence to talk about your Grange and to bring up the topic of Grange. The worst thing that can happen is you will enlighten a nonmember about your Grange. Ask for help from a nonmember for your Grange and growth will follow! MARCH 2007- INVITE PEOPLE REGULARLY Do you ever feel uncomfortable asking someone to join your Grange? If so, then start asking people to come check out your Grange. Invite them to your next potluck, meeting, or other event. Make it a habit to invite people to visit your Grange. Don’t worry about asking them to join, just ask them to come visit. If you are willing to ask people to come visit on a regular basis there will be several benefits. First you will have to look for the positive things that you can invite someone to come see. This will improve your attitude and your confidence in talking about your Grange. Just by inviting someone to your Grange will make a positive impression on the person. Even if they don’t take you up on the offer, they will think more positively about the Grange in the future. After all, if nothing was happening they wouldn’t have been invited. In addition, when we invite someone to visit it means we like them, think that they are important, or want to get to know them. Invite people to your Grange regularly and make growth happen! FEBRUARY 2007- SHARE ACCOUNTABILITY Every Grange needs new members! New members bring new ideas, new skills and talents, and they become new friends with your current members. If your Grange really wants new members, it is time to share the responsibility and especially the accountability. If you desire your fellow members to be accountable, your Grange must set goals that everyone understands and shares. Do you want one new member or perhaps three members in the coming year? Do you want a 5 percent net gain in membership? Take the time to discuss what your members really want for growth this year. Then write it down and post it on the wall, in your newsletter, or wherever you can. Make a thermometer chart to show how your Grange is moving toward your goal. Explain the four steps of recruitment to your members so that they understand how easy it is to share the Grange with others. Give recognition to each member who helps sign up a new member. Include a lot of fun and make sure there is a short report at each meeting so members stay focused on the goal. Share accountability for new membership in your Grange and watch your fellow members create growth! JANUARY 2007 - SHARE A COMMON CAUSE To attract potential new members to your Grange you need to find a common cause with them.  A powerful cause is one that a person is passionate about and wants to have an impact on.  There are a number of ways to find that common cause. Take the time to talk to potential members and find out what they are interested in.  What issues gets them wound up?  What activity do they talk about regularly?  When you discover what issue or activity stirs their passion, that's the time to share what your Grange does on their cause.  If your Grange doesn't deal with their issue, then go to your next meeting and ask how the members feel about that subject.  Maybe the potential member can come explain the issue or case to the membership? What does your Grange do that impacts people directly?  How are you meeting the needs of members and potential members?  The more your Grange does that has members working for the benefit of others, the greater the possibility that you will find others that care about the same cause.  You can partner with other groups or even with individuals to improve what you can accomplish. When you share a common cause between potential members and your Grange, growth will happen!
DECEMBER 2006 - SHARE THE GOOD Everyone seems to talk about membership around the first of the year, and the Grange is no exception. There are two types of people we need to be focused on as we end this year and prepare to start a new one. Current members and potential members should be front and center in our actions to share the good things in our Grange. No matter what your Grange is doing, there are good things that your members often take for granted or overlooks. Share with your current members what the benefits of being a member are in your Grange. Each member should see some value to themselves. The more value they see in the Grange the quicker and easier collecting next year’s dues will be. The more positive impact the Grange has in their lives, the better ambassadors they will be for your Grange. Potential members need to see that your members are having some of their needs met in your Grange. When they see pride, satisfaction, or even simple friendships, they are seeing value. We must share with potential members how the Grange could fill some of their needs. We can adapt to include the things that they want to do. Many people are looking for the good things in the Grange, but don’t know we have them. Share the good things in your Grange and you will find it is easier to gain new members and keep your current members. NOVEMBER 2006 - USE THE TOOLS Do you really want new members? If you do, then it is time to use at least one of the tools provided by your State or National Grange. When you take a new tool to your Grange and propose using it, you wake people up, you inspire members, and you reinforce the idea that others want to help. There are several tools that the Leadership/Membership department has for your use. A new Idea Book with 86 different ideas from 10 different states is downloadable from the web site and each State Master has a copy of it. A Lecturer’s Program Guide is available to your Grange in the same fashion as the idea book. More than 35 powerpoint presentations are available upon your request on leadership and membership development topics. National Grange will also provide brochures for your use, each state has a variety of materials and programs to help you, and many Pomona’s will supply you with help when you ask for it. If you really want new members, it is time to start using some of the tools that are available to you. Contact Ed Luttrell at membership@nationalgrange.org or contact your State Master/President or Membership Director to learn about any and all of the tools available to you. It all begins with you starting action in your Grange! Use the tools available to your Grange and you will find it is easier to attract new members. OCTOBER 2006 - LOOK IN THE MIRROR Ever wonder why your Grange isn’t bringing in more new members? The person responsible is the one looking back at you in the mirror. Responsibility means you must be a leader in recruiting new members. To be a leader, you must create a welcoming atmosphere in your Grange. What happens when a person walks in the door? What happens when a member stands up and proposes something new and different? If the members of your Grange don’t introduce themselves and welcome all visitors and new people and if they don’t take a proposal and give it consideration and look for ways to do it, you need to create a new attitude in your Grange. Leaders create new attitudes by having them. With a great attitude, it is necessary for you to show the way by talking to nonmembers about your Grange. Brag about something to people you know outside the Grange. Tell nonmembers what you are doing at the Grange. Talking about Grange to people  will require most members to step outside their comfort zone. As a leader, you must set the example in sharing the Grange message outside your Grange. Look in the mirror and take responsibility and you will find it is easier to attract new members in your Grange. SEPTEMBER 2006 - START A CAMPAIGN As we are in the middle of an election season, perhaps we should take some lessons from the politicians.  There are some basic principles with any campaign. You want your name in front of the public, in as positive manner and as often as possible. You want your ideas and what you stand for clearly defined. You want people to choose to support you. While people will not see your Grange on the ballot, these principles will also work for recruiting new members. To get your Grange name in front of people, there are a number of tools. Advertise all your events with flyers, radio, free TV announcements, and especially by members talking about your activities. Your members are the single best source of promotion that your Grange has. They need to tell people about what is coming up and brag about what has happened. Take the time to talk as a Grange about what the core or key values of your Grange are. Is having fun, welcoming families, socializing, doing community service, or supporting young people part of your values? If your members don’t know what the core values are, they can’t tell others about them. Also talk about where the Grange is going. For some people it is sometimes far easier to talk about what is in the works than what you’ve been doing. Start a membership campaign in your Grange and you will find people choosing to be a new member. AUGUST 2006 - GIVE OUT CONTACT INFORMATION When was the last time someone called or emailed you and asked how to join your Grange? It will not happen unless your contact information is available. It is time for your Grange to get contact information out into the public. There are a number of effective ways of letting your community know how to contact a Grange member. Make a brochure that includes names and numbers on it or make labels with the information to place on national or state brochures. Create a website for your Grange. Make business cards that each member can carry and put their contact information on. Place contact information on your Grange building or at your meeting place. Provide contact information to your local chamber of commerce, fire and police departments, and city hall annually. When your Grange puts out contact information, make sure that you list a persons email or phone number who is positive. It is crucial that whoever represents your Grange understands that they must be positive and a good listener. When someone calls, we have to meet their needs if we are going to get them to join.  When you give out contact information for your Grange, you will significantly increase the opportunity to gain new members for your Grange. July 2006 - Be Thankful Very little of our attitude is communicated by our words, but mostly by body language, tone of voice, and expression. If you want to communicate a great attitude that will attract new members start by being thankful for what your Grange has. When you are looking for things to be thankful for, it is much harder to be negative.  Your attitude will improve and all the subtle parts of your communication to others will be more positive.  As you focus on the good and great things in your Grange, you will see more and more that you can be proud of.  Thank God, thank your fellow members, thank concerned citizens, thank yourself. It is also important for your fellow members to see that you're looking for what is working and right in your Grange, rather than they see someone who is looking for mistakes and errors.  Those fellow members are the ones that create public perception of your Grange.  A Grange that is looking for the good in everything is a growing Grange. Be thankful for what you've got in your Grange and watch your Grange grow! June 2006 - Work Together Asking someone to join the Grange can be a little scary to many members.  That is because they haven't done it in years or maybe ever.  That is why it is important to work together to recruit new members. There is strength in numbers, especially when you ask someone to join.  Having a partner, or even two will help you to be successful in asking people to join your Grange.  You will gain confidence because you know the other member or members will help you out if you forget something or are at a loss for words. Another advantage to working together is that "your team" will help each other stay on track and to identify the potential members' needs.  Then you can share how your Grange can fill those needs. A final benefit is that when the person decides to join, all of you will feel accomplishment and may be willing to do it again soon, perhaps by yourself. Work together to ask people to join and watch your Grange grow. May 2006 - Expect Success People want to belong to a winning team.  One important component of a winning team is that they expect success.  Not only do they want to win, but they believe that with hard work they are going to win.  In your Grange, winning means that we will successfully fill needs of our members and in the community. Expecting success begins with your attitude.  A why not, let's try it, we will find a way, of course we can, attitude leads to success.  Negativity will always take you away from achievement.  Potential members are attracted by an attitude that we are successful and will be successful into the future. The second aspect of expecting success is that you have to expend effort in order to be successful.  You hold an extra meeting, you spend a little extra time planning, you ask someone to participate, or you try something new.  A little hard work doesn't ensure success, but without that dedicated work, success can be very elusive. Expect success in your Grange and watch the incredible happen! April 2006 - Take Control of Your Future Do your fellow members ever talk about the challenges facing your Graqnge as if we can't do anything about them?  If you want new members, it's time to take control of your Grange's future. Taking control means you accept the responsibility for the success or failure of your Grange.  This is a powerful way to change your attitude toward the future of your Grange.  When you are responsible, you will look for new ideas or even new focuses and goals for your Grange.  Responsibility also gives pride to you as you have successes, no matter how small. Taking control means you can't blame others.  You are accountable to yourself to do things that will attract new members.  It also means that you will ask for help when needed.  When you accept responsibility, you will find it is also a terrific time to start building teams which will also join you in taking control of the future of your Grange. Take control of the future of your Grange and growth will follow!  March 2006 - Tell Somebody Something Good Are you woried about getting new members?  Are you afraid they might say that they are not interested?  Then set yourself a reasonable and achievable goal.  Tell somebody who is not a member something good about your Grange every day.  Don't fret about the big things, just talk about the little things that make you feel good. Talk about the unusual or great dish at the potluck.  Tell the joke that you heard at Grange and say you heard it at your meeting.  Talk about the community service project or the reason for doing a fundraiser.  Pass on the good news about your fellow members, who is doing better, who was honored, whatever is positive in their lives.  Share what activities are upcoming in your Grange. If you make an effort to merely tell others about the good things in your Grange, there will be two effects.  First, you will become more positive and enthusiastic.  Second, sooner or later, the person or people you talk to will ask about this organization that you speak so highly of. Tell somebody something good about your Grange every day and make growth happen! February 2006 - Be An Enabler Ever hear someone talk about an enabler?  Usually this refers to a person who allows someone to do something that is not good for them.  However, in your Grange, you should be an enabler for growth in your fellow members. An enabler will find ways to fill the needs of his or her fellow members.  They will teach others how to make motions, write resolutions, or how to express themselves to create action.  They will take time to show the new member the ropes of how to get things done in their Grange. Enablers give recognition to others as a tool to help people grow.  They celebrate achievements of others both inside and out of the Grange. They are always positive in their outlook.  Enablers give encouragement and suggestions to help and assist to every member. Become an enabler in your Grange and watch your fellow members create growth!
	January 2006 - Recognize Your Members It is far easier to get new members when your current membership feels that they are important to the organization.  If you want members to feel valued, the first step is to recognize their achievements.
Recognize their service.  There are two basic ways to recognize our member's service.  We can celebrate when they reach a certain number of years of membership and when they complete a term or terms of service as an officer.  National Grange recognizes membership with 25 year and 50 year awards, and both have consecutive and non consecutive programs.  However, your Grange could make a first year, 10 year or any time period recognition.  Be creative! Often we give credit to past Masters, but fail to recognize other officers.  Make a tradition in your Grange that recognizes every officer. Recognize their achievements and milestones.  Take the time to celebrate when a member wins a Pomona or State Grange award or contest.  Expand that to include whenever a member is recognized by other groups.  It is also important to note the milestones that a member reaches.  When was the last time your Grange celebrated with a member who had reached retirement or had graduated from college? Recognize your members in your Grange and make growth happen!