SHIPmates Program

New SHIPmates Training Program Focuses on
Membership, Leadership Development

Applicants will be selected from each region.  Apply Now!

SHIPmates 2024 Online Application      Download SHIPmates 2024 Application

By Amanda Brozana, National Grange Membership and Leadership Development Director

Are you seeking a way to get more involved and give back to the Grange, by strengthening and sharing our wonderful organization with the next generation of Patrons?

SHIPmates is a training program that focuses on Grange membership, leadership and fellowship development. Launched in 2023, we are seeking additional members to join the seven individuals selected for our first class and add to our crew so, together, we will chart a course forward.

The program offers participants professional-level training on various leadership topics and a deep dive into Grange rules and traditions, organizational procedures and much more.

What are some attributes of a SHIPmate?

They are unashamed of their love for the Grange and belief that it is a necessary institution, perhaps now more than any time since its founding.

They can talk easily with people they don’t know, and are described by some as having “never met a stranger.”

They say “Box? What box?” They are creative and committed to finding solutions that others may see as impossible – a word that is like gasoline to the fire.

SHIPmates enjoy fellowship with other Patrons and make their rounds to talk to as many Grange Brothers and Sisters as they can at an event.

They are unafraid to express their opinion in a civil and respectful manner.

Servant leadership is not just a concept to SHIPmates, but a mindset and something they live by.

SHIPmates don’t shy away from learning more. They are willing to read books relevant to leadership development, membership growth and more.

They are confident communicators who can jump on a Zoom meeting, visit with others by phone, respond in a timely fashion to emails and are essential members of the hype squad for the Grange.

SHIPmates are dependable workhorses, not overcommitted to the point where they’re unable to dedicate time and energy to a passion project.

If this sounds like you, this is your call to action and invitation to apply to become a member of the SHIPmates crew this year.

What are the time and financial commitments and how do I apply?

SHIPmates begin remote training in August and will attend the 158th Annual National Grange Convention in Bettendorf, Iowa, for 9 days from the evening of Nov. 8 and leaving on Nov. 17. The crew continue to meet via Zoom at least monthly, attend their regional conferences as they are able and more.

Generous sponsorship by Potomac Grange #1, which prides itself as being “The Grange of the Founders,” provides funding to cover participants’ hotel, registration, ticketed meals and texts or supplies for SHIPmates. Additional sponsorship and support by some State Granges and individual state and national leaders helps offset additional meal costs. SHIPmates are required to fund their own travel, but may seek support from their local, Pomona or State Grange.

Any member of Subordinate Grange age may apply between April 1 through June 15 to be a part of the program. One member for each of the five National Grange Convention host regions will be selected to participate with an additional member from anywhere throughout the country selected to focus on “unestablished territories” and underrepresented populations. A special

exception to the “one SHIPmate per region” rule may be made for a couple that wishes to

participate together, however the region or couple may have to provide funding for registration and meals (in the amount of approx. $250).

To apply, complete the application online at grange.biz/shipmateapply or use the application found on our website under the Programs tab on the Grange/Member Programs page in full by no later than June 15, 2024.

Completed applications will be sent to the State Presidents and/or deputies of each of the States in the applicable region. Together, along with the 2023 SHIPmate of their region, the leaders in that geographic area will choose the SHIPmate for their region and may select a “first alternate” in case their first selected applicant cannot participate. A sixth SHIPmate, focused on

non-Grange territories and underrepresented populations, will be selected from the remaining applicants after regional representatives have been chosen. This individual or couple will be selected by the director, National President, Potomac Grange representatives and 2023 SHIPmates.

If you are ranked first in your region, you will receive notification of selection by July 5 and must confirm your availability to participate by July 20. If the first selection cannot participate, the first alternate will be contacted as soon as possible.

What are some specific program expectations?

By August 1, SHIPmates will be introduced to one another and provided program materials to review. In September, SHIPmates will begin meeting by Zoom every week or every other week and participants should plan to attend at least 75% of all scheduled meetings.

Participants will be asked to arrive at the convention hotel by 6 p.m. Central on Friday, Nov. 8 and should plan to leave on Sunday, Nov. 17, and will be housed together in two-queen-bed rooms, two to a room unless a couple is selected or the individual chooses to find their own roommate or pay for one-half of the cost of that room type.

Participants are responsible for travel costs to and from the convention as well as general spending money as well as additional funds for meals that are not covered by the sponsors or generous State or National leaders.

All SHIPmates will participate in a fundraiser to help offset program costs and participants are encouraged to solicit support from their local, Pomona and State Grange as well as their region.

Following the 158th Annual National Grange Convention, SHIPmates will meet monthly by Zoom, keep in touch with the Presidents in their region or the SHIPmate focused on unaffiliated territories and underrepresented groups will regularly meet with the National director and other staff members and officers. In addition, SHIPmates will be asked to attend their region’s conference in 2025 to help present a program with the topic related to the topic of leadership or membership.

If you have questions, please direct them to National Grange Membership and Leadership Development Director Amanda Brozana by email at me********@************ge.org

SHIPmates 2024 Online Application      Download SHIPmates 2024 Application