E-Newsletter April 25, 2013
| Issue 11 – April 25, 2013 |
Legislative Fly-In Scholarship Winners
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| By Grace Boatright | gb********@************ge.org National Grange Legislative Director The National Grange Legislative Department is pleased to announce that Victor Salazar, Caroline Tart, and Lexi Gegare are the winners of this year’s Potomac Grange Legislative Fly-In Scholarship Awards. Victor, Caroline and Lexi will join us in Washington, DC June 2-4 for our annual Legislative Fly-In to advocate on behalf of their Granges and rural Americans across the country. We’d like to send them a big congratulations from the National staff. Can’t wait to see these amazing youth in action! |
New Items Available for Grange Store
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| By Samantha Johnson | sj******@************ge.org National Grange Sales, Benefits and Programs Director
There are some items that have been out of stock for a couple of years that have now returned to the Grange store! These items include: the Golden Sheaf Button for $20 and the 4th Degree Past Master Pin with Gavel for $15. Also, the Grange is reintroducing the Grange Umbrella and the Grange Binder with new designs. The Grange Umbrella costs $12.50 and the Grange Binder costs $6. Check out these new items at www.grangestore.org . You can order online at the Grange Store or by calling the National Grange Sales, Benefits and Programs Director Samantha Johnson at 202-628-3507 ext. 109. |
Junior Grange Website
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| By Haley Tonner | in****@************ge.org National Grange Programs Intern
The Junior Grange’s website has a whole new look! The updated Junior Grange website has all you need to know about the Junior Grange. There is information about programs, membership and community service efforts of the Junior Grange. The updated website also includes all reports and downloads you might need for the Junior Grange. Some of these documents include, the 2013 Program Guide, State Directors Report and the Junior Guidebook Book. There is also great information on what to expect from the Junior Grange in the coming year. This year will mark the 125th anniversary of the Junior Grange and with that will come improvements in the program. For more information please visit the Junior Grange website.
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The Grange Advantage
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| By Michael Martin | mm*****@************ge.org National Grange Leadership Membership Director Why did you join the Grange? What do you get out of the Grange? Why should others join the Grange? Why did you join the Grange? What do you get out of the Grange? Why should others join the Grange? Last week I spoke at a well-established Grange, Keystone Grange No. 2 in Trappe, Pa. They recently celebrated their 100th anniversary, but not as a Grange. They celebrated 100 years of conducting Grange business in their current hall. The Grange was chartered in 1873. As I spoke with folks around the hall I met Golden Sheaf members; I met former National Grange delegates; I met active youth. Later in the week, the Grange hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive and filled all 43 donor slots. In a couple months they will host their annual Grange Country Fair; a good ole-time country fair they have conducted for several decades. In the fall they hold a Farm City Dinner. They are actively seeking new members and competing to bring in the most members in the state. People are joining the Grange in Trappe to network with the community. They know the Grange members are “plugged into” the pulse of the community and they want to become a part of this active, caring organization. |
Grange in the News |
| By Hayley Tonner | in****@************ge.org National Grange Intern With this month being Grange Month, it is especially nice to see Granges making it into their local news. It is something all Granges should try to do all year because media exposure for the Grange can lead to great to things. Regular media exposure for the Grange can enhance the Grange’s reputation locally and nationally. More than that it is a great way to bring in and attract potential new members! On April 1 there was a great article in Western Pennsylvania’s Altoona Mirror. The article gave a history of the Grange and touched on the importance and benefits of maintaining the Grange into the future. The article highlights the fact that “the Grange is not just for famers anymore” and illustrates the important community service impact of being a Grange member. On April 3in Colorado, the Montrose Press published an article that gives a very detailed history of the Grange in honor of the 145th Anniversary. This is another great article that could lead to membership growth and further exposure. These are only two examples of many state and local Granges that have attracted media attention this year. However, if we want the Grange to grow and continue to have a presence in this country every Grange has to do their part to garner media attention. If any Grange feels they have a story to tell the local media and needs help getting their message out, please contact the National Grange Communications Director Amanda Brozana. |
Grange not only for farms |
| By Walt Frank | wf****@***********or.com The Altoona Mirror
William Saunders, one of the founders, suggested that the meeting house of the patrons be called a “grange,” a name given to estates belonging to feudal lords in medieval England. It is one of the few organizations that admitted women to membership on the basis of equality with men. There was a westward movement following the Civil War. The government offered free homesteads, while railroads promoted the sale of vast amounts of land. Sod busters found that the land didn’t produce as easily as they were led to believe. Public property and mines were tax exempt, so the heavy burden of taxation fell upon property owners. |
Winners of the April 13Second Campaign |
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By Haley Tonner | in****@************ge.org
We have had many great submissions over the past few months. The winners of the $10 Grange Store credit include: December: Lurae Crawford Benzio of Fairview Grange #1351 in Pennsylvania |
