Communications Fellows ready to tell Grange story

The 148th Annual Session of the National Grange will create many news-worthy events. From setting the policy course for the next year to celebrating the accomplishments of Granges and Grange members, a team of Grangers will be hard at work documenting this year’s activity.

This year’s communication fellows team are Debbie Gegare of Wisconsin, Karie Blasingame of Illinois, Christopher Szkutak of Massachusetts, Suzy Ramm of Oregon and Lindsay Schroeder of Pennsylvania.

This year’s fellows team is sponsored by DCI Group.

DCI is an independently-owned public affairs organization. They work with a variety of organizations to tackle policy and communication challenges. This organization has also had a long-standing relationship with the National Grange, supporting many different Grange programs.

“There are so many different stories that deserve to be covered this week. The communications fellows are essential in crafting the stories, taking photos and assisting with the digital messaging of the National Grange this week,” said Amanda Brozana, this year’s communications fellows coordinator.

Additional information about each of the fellows is as follows:

Debbie Gegare
Returning for her third year as a member of the fellows program is Debbie Gegare. She has a daughter Lexi and son Cody. She is the Overseer of Milton Grange #670 and the State Membership and Youth Director for the Wisconsin State Grange. Her children are also members at Milton Grange.

She is employed by Catholic Charities in its Community Connections program and is the Lead Skills Trainer.
She is very active as an adult leader for 4-H, FFA and National Junior Horticultural Association, or NJHA. In 4-H, she leads the music and drama and food preservation project. She is the county camp director. She coaches the FFA floriculture team. With a passion for horticulture, she has continued her involvement with NJHA as the National Co-Adviser and chairing a national NJHA contest.
“Grange has given me the opportunity to make a difference not only in my community but also my world, Gegare said. “I’m excited about the possibilities that Grange offers and look forward to continuing to share my enthusiasm about our great organization with others.”

Karie Blasingame
Karie Blasingame is an 18-year member of Prairie Grange #1832 in Boone County Ill. She is the secretary and the webmaster and publicity chair at Prairie Grange. In Boone County Pomona Grange, Blasingame is the Lecturer. She also is the Illinois State Grange Lady Assistant as well as Youth Director.

Blasingame is the deli department manager at the local Walmart where she also serves on the donation committee. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in English secondary education. She is the oldest of four girls.
“I joined the Grange at the age of 18 and since I have found it to be exactly what my family was looking for,” Blasingame said on why she joined. “We actually were never asked to be Grange members, we asked a Grange member if we could attend a meeting and they said only if you join and the rest is history.”

Christopher Szkutak
Christopher Szkutak, is a member of Uxbridge Grange, #200 in Massachusetts and the Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange # 834 of Minnesota. From Northbridge, Mass. he is a fourth generation Grange member. He has a bachelor’s in political science and mathematics from College of the Holy Cross and master’s degree in American politics and contemporary history from the School of Advanced Study, University of London. He is the Gatekeeper and Legislative Director of the Massachusetts State Grange. He served as Massachusetts Youth Ambassador from 2008-2009 and National Grange Youth Mentor (Ambassador) from 2009-2010. Christopher received the Hero of the Grange Award in 2011 for his work with the National Grange Youth Department. During the summer of 2012 he was appointed a National Grange Deputy and sent to Arkansas where he helped to reorganize Zion Oak Grange, #826 in Springdale.
A committed “AGvocate” and certified teacher he works as Technical Associate and Assistant to the director of Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, writing agriculturally accurate curriculum for teachers to use in their classrooms while also promoting the organization through social media.

Suzy Ramm
Suzy Ramm is a member of Springwater Grange #263 and Clackamas County Pomona Grange #1 in Oregon. She has been a subordinate Grange member for almost 37 years. She was a charter member of Parkdale Junior Grange and after five years joined the subordinate Grange. She is a past Steward, Lady Assistant Steward, Lecturer and Master.

She is a past Oregon Outstanding Young Granger, National Female Young Agriculturalist and was a member of the National Youth Team. She has represented Oregon at national public speaking and sign a song contests.

Ramm has associate degrees in ornamental horticulture and landscape design and construction. After more than twenty years working in the nursery industry selling plants both on the retail and wholesale levels, she returned to school, graduating from Marylhurst University in June 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with focuses in communications/public relations, history and photography. She is employed by the Oregon State Grange and is the editor of the by-monthly Oregon State Grange Bulletin. She also serves on the state Grange communications team and is a member of the state GROW Club board.

“My Grange experience has been priceless in many respects, the friends I have made, the opportunities for travel and most recently the chance to put my education to work for an organization I believe in,” Ramm said. “But I am most appreciative for the skills I have developed in communicating my thoughts and ideas through Grange contests and activities.

Lindsay Schroeder
Lindsay Schroeder is the 2014-15 Pennsylvania State Grange Youth Ambassador and a member of Virginville Grange #1832. She is the daughter of Monte and Rebecca Schroeder. Her other Grange activities include Youth Committee Chairman and Junior Leader for Virginville Grange. Schroeder is also the Berks County Pomona Grange Flora.

Schroeder is an avid photographer and has entered several winning entries at local fairs and state Grange contests. At her church, she is a Sunday school teacher.