Patrons Chain – September 2016
“Spotlight On….. The Grange” to be Released
BY BETSY HUBER
National Grange Master | be***@************ge.org
We are very excited to announce that the 5-minute video produced by the company that films for the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) is finished and will begin to air on your local PBS stations in October.
Thank you to all the Grange members who were interviewed or allowed their photos to be used in this project. Unfortunately, we were not able to use all the footage or photos we gathered but we greatly appreciate your contributions. Special thanks to Amanda Leigh Brozana for her hours and hours of work gathering photos, editing the many drafts, rearranging material to flow better, coaching interviewees and pushing the video company to obtain the best possible product to tell what the Grange is in five minutes, without being a “commercial.”
We will be showing this video at the National Grange Convention, so if you miss it on TV you can see it in DC. After the initial 3-month showing period on PBS, we can use the film however we wish, so it will be available to State and Community Granges. I hope you will use it as a membership tool at fairs, mall displays, speeches to other organizations, and any other way you can think of to advertise Grange and what a great organization we are.
The 5-minute video is expected to have 500,000 showings in the first three months. Think what this will do to raise our name recognition in your community! Please follow up on this initial exposure with an invitation to your friends, neighbors and community leaders to join your Grange. The video will help to answer that first question, “What Is the Grange?” so you can follow up with a personal testimony of what the Grange means to YOU and then ASK them to join!
Get a FREE $10 to Donate to Grange Foundation in September
BY AMANDA LEIGH BROZANA
National Grange Lecturer | co************@************ge.org
Inspired to give to the Grange Foundation and support Grange Youth, Junior Grange, the Kelley Farm or other funds?
Better yet, do you want to give without dipping into your bank account?
Grange Foundation has partnered with GoodWorld, a fundraising platform that allows donors to give through simple and secure methods. Thousands of nonprofit organizations have signed up with GoodWorld to provide potential donors a quick new option for giving.
To promote the partnership, anyone who signs up for giving options with GoodWorld in September through this link: https://gdw.io/44b569 will qualify to receive a FREE $10 from GoodWorld to give to Grange Foundation.
Once you sign up, click the donate button in your dashboard to donate instantly (either the $10 only from GoodWorld, so no cost to you, or you can add your own donation gift as well). Then, tell your friends. By sharing the link (https://gdw.io/44b569) with them, they will be able to sign up and get the free $10 as well, plus you will each get an additional $5 to donate!
Once you’re signed up for GoodWorld, you can donate at any time through the Foundation’s Facebook page by commenting #donate + $ amount (example #donate $5) on any of our posts. Don’t forget to ‘Like’ Grange Foundation on Facebook before you leave!
Invest in our Youth: Today’s Pride is Key to Grange’s
BY AMANDA LEIGH BROZANA
National Grange Lecturer | co************@************ge.org
It’s nice to see the Youth of the Grange, starting to lead small projects on their own.
We smile broadly and clap as they display their talent with drill work and memorization.
We feel good knowing they are part of the Grange, proud to see them.
But how often do you think that if they were not there, the future of our Order would be erased?
Without the generosity of members who believe in the Grange and the positive impact programming for Youth members has on the entire organization as well as the lives of the individuals who participate, worthy young Patrons may never share experiences of their mothers, grandfathers, and other esteemed relatives and Grangers who were able to participate in generations passed.
Grange Youth advocate for the Grange as ambassadors and learn first-hand about the Grange’s policy development process through programs like the John Trimble Legislative Experience. They delight the leaders of State Granges and the National Grange, opening sessions to rooms packed full of individuals who often remember their passion for the organization growing through similar experiences.
There is possibly no greater investment in our organization than Grange Youth.
The National Grange Youth Foundation makes this, and so much more, possible by covering the housing costs, meal tickets and tour for Youth accepted to National recognition places.
By bringing Youth together, they are able to build leadership skills. Youth begin to connect with others from across the country, establishing relationships that can last a lifetime.
The investment also provides a return into their local, Pomona, and state Grange. The goal of these programs is to return youth to make an impact and positive difference within all levels of the Grange.
In lessons of our order, Grangers are taught that members will reap from what they sow in work. They enter the fields as laborers and maids. They persevere to achieve the elevation to husbandmen and matrons. However, it is up to us to nurture them along the way with whatever support we can offer.
Consider what the Grange has meant to you, to your family and to the generations of rural Americans who need leaders with values instilled in them through programs such as Grange Youth.
Donating is easy. Even small gifts are greatly appreciated and allow individuals to participate who would otherwise be unable to afford to take part in programming they qualify for and richly deserve to experience.
You may use the GoodWorld #donate option to give the free $10 or add the free $10 to the gift amount of your choice through our Grange Foundation Facebook.
Online donations may be made through our website at GrangeFoundation.org. Be sure to choose Youth Leadership Fund as the beneficiary.
If you wish instead to donate by check, they may be sent to Grange Foundation, 1616 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 with Grange Youth in the memo line.
The National Grange is Excited to Announce a New Benefit Partner
BY LORETTA WASHINGTON
National Grange Marketing and Sales Coordinator | sa***@************ge.org
InfoArmor, backed by one of the largest insurers AIG, is an identity theft insurance program available at a discount for members of the Grange. Not available to the public, InforArmor is an exclusive program that Grange members, their families and relatives may take advantage of that provides both financial protection from identity theft and online reputation monitoring through social media.
Reputation monitoring helps to protect you against damage by inappropriate comments on social media that could interfere with your personal and professional life. This is especially important for anyone in the public eye, in a public career such as educators and law enforcement and more.
InfoArmor offers and online vault to secure your documents, credit card and online account information and provides lost wallet replacement service. The concierge service will do all the calling you need to replace lost or stolen credit cards and other personal documents. The program also offers free credit reports.
A unique feature for InfoArmor is the promise that they will offer coverage even if your identity was previously stolen.
Learn more about this program and sign up today through http://nationalaffinity.net/national-grange-infoarmor/
Senators Call for Canadian Dairy Pricing Policies Probe
BY BURTON ELLER
National Grange Legislative Director | be****@************ge.org
Two Senators with dairy backgrounds are calling for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to investigate new Canadian pricing policies that could harm dairy farmers already suffering from depressed milk prices.
Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin want the U.S. to investigate Canadian actions that may violate U.S.-Canadian trade agreements.
Canada is poised to implement a pricing strategy that incentivizes Canadian processors to shift away from using dairy imports from the U.S. Currently, companies in the U.S. enjoy duty-free access to Canada for specific products agreed upon under the North American Free trade agreement.
The U.S. Dairy Export Council agreed with the Senators, stressing that Canada had a track record of intentionally erecting policy roadblocks to dairy imports. Dairymen in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states could be affected most.
U.S. Hunger Rate Falls
BY BURTON ELLER
National Grange Legislative Director | be****@************ge.org
The number of households that don’t get enough food to eat went down in 2015.
Latest USDA figures show 12.7 percent of households (15.8 million) experienced food security at some point in 2015 compared to 14 percent in 2014.
The number of households with food-insecure children in 2015 is the lowest since the reports started in 1998. About 7.8 percent of households (about 3 million) were home to children who didn’t get enough food compared to 9.4 percent of households (3.7 million) in 2014.
However, USDA data show that only about 59 percent of households reporting food insecurity participate in federal assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) or free school lunches.
Teen Obesity More than Diet and Exercise?
BY BURTON ELLER
National Grange Legislative Director | be****@************ge.org
Teenagers may pile on excess weight during early adolescence because of a temporary drop in resting metabolism or “energy saving mode,” according to findings of a recent 12-year study published in the International Journal of Obesity.
Conventional wisdom has generally blamed teenage obesity on children losing interest in sports or adopting unhealthy eating habits.
The study found that by the age of 15, teens used 400-500 fewer calories (about 25 percent) daily while at rest than when they were 10-year-olds. The trend appeared to reverse itself by the age of 16 when metabolism started to increase again.
Researchers believe the drop in metabolism during puberty makes sense as a species preservation tool. Food has tended to be scarce for most of human history. If fewer calories are required for basic bodily functions, more energy can be redirected toward growth in puberty.
Adolescent experts say our bodies may not be particularly adapted for a world where there’s food everywhere.
Find Your Cheerleaders!
BY JOE STEFENONI
National Grange Leadership/Membership Director | me********@************ge.org
Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year for a couple of reasons. First, many of our State Granges are meeting in annual convention and second, it’s College football season again! (Go Pokes)
Over the last few week, I’ve noticed that there are many similarities between a college football team and our Grange. A combination of the on and off-field personnel help make the whole event successful.
From the team on the field, all the way to the fans in the stands are an integral part of the experience.
The first and most recognizable set of people are the on-field players. In the Grange, these would be our officers, directors, committees, etc. They execute “plays” (Grange activities) that maintain a forward motion and play a part in setting the tone for the game (the Grange image).
The other highly recognizable group is the cheer and spirit teams. Just as they create the attitude and maintain the tone of the game. In the Grange, these would be all of the members who go out into the community, share the Grange story and promote the causes and activities supported by the Grange.
Finally, there are the fans who support and cheer for the team on the field. For us, these are all of the potential members out in our communities. As Grange leaders, it’s our task to find our fans and recruit them!
When is the last time that your Grange participated in a community event where you prominently displayed the Grange name, shared your activities and asked people to join? We cannot expect to build sustainable membership growth by expecting potential new members to come to us, we must go to them and invite them to become Grange members.
Every community has events for groups to participate in such as farmers markets, festivals, parades etc. These are the best opportunities to put the Grange name and imagery out in the community. Make connections with anyone you can talk to, build a fan base to share Grange activities and events with. The more “fans” you have the larger network your Grange will have from which to recruit new members.
If you study Grange history, you will see that the most common reason given for why a Community Grange closed is that they ceased to interact with the community that they served, but instead because Grange health within is ensured by Grange growth from without.
Even if there are no community events for your Grange to participate in, create one!
Your Grange can host a community event that will bring the community to you and create visibility for your Grange to build membership.
Successful recruiting of new Grange members is all about persistence, patience and networking. Grange “fans” (potential new members) are out there in your community and are waiting to be discovered by your Grange leaders.
There are numerous resources available from the National Grange that can assist you in learning and practicing how to speak to potential new members about joining the Grange. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to your State Grange about having recruitment training conducted for your Grange.
Let’s Brag and Band Together
BY PETE POMPPER
National Grange Community Service Director | co**************@************ge.org
Yes, it is that time of year and I hope all Granges have either put together or are in the process of putting together their Community Service reports (books) to showcase the work they have done this past year. I look forward to seeing the State winners at the 150th Annual National Grange Convention in November to see what amazing programs Granges are doing.
I asked this year that Granges keep track of the community service hours your members give of their time at the various programs/projects. It is important that as we celebrate the 150th year, we know and document the amount of time our members give back to our communities.
To say I am proud of the “doers” in the Grange is an understatement all of you should be also. I hope that on every level of the Grange from Juniors and Youth to State Granges we brag about ourselves and let the community know how much we do and how proud we are to do it.
You will notice there are not any examples of what Granges are doing to help with this article. That is on purpose not because Granges didn’t do any programs or I didn’t read of any.
In fact, just when I think Granges can’t come up with new and exciting ideas, you do.
The breadth and scope of community service projects all of you do is humbling. Could you imagine how big the notebook would be if one was done to encompass what Grangers across the nation do throughout the year.
Instead, I chose not to include examples this month because I wish to challenge Granges to look for a report any “out of the box” community service projects you do or you’re hoping to start that might not get the recognition it should.
If you have a project you would like to do but haven’t for whatever reason that is different, send that information in!
SISTER GRANGES
Recently it was suggested that we create a program to match or pair willing Granges with one another in a Sister Grange program. I love this idea.
I encourage this program from a community service perspective so that two Granges may share ideas and encourage each other because even though the ideas may be the same-old-same-old for one, it’s could be a brand new program or project for the other.
It would be wonderful if a Grange in Maine and Grange in California became sister Granges. Can you imagine Manatee Grange (FL) and North Pole Grange (AK) being sister Granges? What different ideas they would share could be both interesting and extremely beneficial for each of their communities.
Grandview Grange (CO) and Grandview Grange (NJ) – same name but separated by thousands of miles sharing community service ideas – could offer the same benefit to one another and the folks they serve.
If you are interested, please reach out to me and I will help facilitate the process of bonding Granges in a Sister program. Let the fun begin!
20 Selected in Competitive Program to Serve as Communication Fellows
BY AMANDA LEIGH BROZANA
National Grange Lecturer | le******@************ge.org
The National Grange Communication Fellows program returns this year with a record number of applicants and members accepted to participate.
Due to the high volume of applications, additional fundraising was done to accept as many as possible and many cost-saving measures were employed so that we could train 20 individuals in all aspects of communications, marketing and branding, programming and community service, legislative and policy advocacy, leadership development and more.
The primary sponsor of the 2016 program is TracFone, with additional donations by Hilton, AT&T, and the State Granges of Pennsylvania, Oregon, Illinois, New Jersey and New York; Potomac Grange No. 1, DC, and an additional individual donation by Lyle and Patti Lee (IL). Former Fellows and State Granges of the Eastern Region are also donating snacks and other items for the Fellows Instruction Room at the convention.
Some of those selected to take part in the program return as Senior Fellows who will both mentor first-time participants and be offered greater opportunities to serve the Grange at all levels.
Participants have already begun with three weeks of meetings through Zoom Conference, including two professional journalists. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Publisher of the Sand Mountain Reporter (AL) Jonathan Stinson, a former student of National Grange Communications Director Amanda Leigh Brozana, presented “What is News” and WGLC/CBS46 (Atlanta) TV Producer Tim Millard, a former classmate of Brozana’s presented “The Power of the Soundbite” for the Fellows.
In all, Fellows will attend virtually or in person more than three dozen short courses by different presenters, including professional media managers, consultants, folks in the legislative/advocacy fields and National Grange Staff, Officers and the leaders.
Fellows will produce this year’s convention newsletter, beginning on Sunday, Nov. 13 and running through Saturday, Nov. 19 with a final post-convention issue hitting email boxes by Nov. 30.
They will also serve as the initial staff and voices of Grange Radio, the National Grange online radio station that will relaunch this year.
This team will help manage certain elements of National Grange social media accounts, provide content for the National Grange website and assist with many other aspects of planning and promotion throughout the 150th Anniversary celebration of the National Grange.
Expect to hear from Fellows if your Grange has been named a 2016 Distinguished Grange or you are a Grange who has had your community service book chosen to represent your state at the national competition as they will be producing media alerts sent to your hometown media outlets prior to convention and press releases during session.
If you wish to pitch a story or request assistance from Fellows, contact Brozana at co************@************ge.org.
