Who wants to pay higher dues?
I don’t, but I can promise this, if we, as individual
Community Granges do not initiate immediate sustainable growth we will be
seeing frequent dues increases from both the National and State Grange. If we do not initiate immediate sustainable
growth in each Community Grange and organize new Community Granges, our
existing membership base will bear the entire financial burden of the National
and State Grange in the future.
Sister Jodi Ann and I just returned from attending the
National Grange Session in Boise, ID and there were two particular resolutions
that were defeated by the Delegate body I want to address with you. The first was a $4.00 per member dues increase
to the National Grange; the other would have instituted an annual Charter
Licensing fee. These were debated at
great length, with State Masters speaking to both the pro and the con, but in
the end it is clear that if we do not initiate sustainable growth a dues
increase or fees of some kind will be necessary for us to maintain the National
Grange. By the delegate body voting
these items down it has only enabled each state to go home and institute ways
of increasing revenues to National Grange.
We can increase dues, but what does this really accomplish? A dues increase puts additional financial
burden on our existing membership. I do
admit we have the lowest dues of any organization I am involved in and many of
you say the same. We have been
short-selling ourselves for many years and now it is up to us to correct this
situation. I can assure you if and when
a new resolution is submitted to national Grange for a dues increase we will
not be seeing $4.00 per member, it will most likely need to be nearer to
$10.00. I am neither trying to make
our National Grange out to be a villain nor am I advocating for a dues increase
or any fees of any kind. Our National Grange belongs to us; therefore it is our
responsibility to ensure its healthy well-being. The National Grange will not and cannot survive
without our financial support and personal involvement.
So, what can we do about this? Well there are some options.
Option: We can support a dues increase putting the
burden on our existing membership. Not
the answer!
Option: We can write a resolution that the National
Grange mortgages our National Headquarters, but then WE, the membership, will
have to repay that. Not the answer!
Option: We can do nothing; we all know if you always
do what you have always done you will always get the same results. For some I am sure this is the answer, sorry,
not the answer!.
What we can do, need to do, WILL do, is GROW our
MEMBERSHIP! At state session I asked
every Grange to make a pledge for membership growth. Some Granges made a commitment, some have not. I am upping my challenge; I am challenging
every Grange in Connecticut to increase their membership by 25% in the 2013
Grange year. Growth in these numbers is
no longer an option, it is essential for our survival. I promise to every Grange that initiates
measures to grow they will receive the FULL support of the Connecticut State
Grange. Those Grange that choose to stay
as you are, I wish you well, but understand this, the energy of this State
Grange will ONLY be expended on what is important, and what is in the best
interest of the Grange and Grangers. We
will not be investing time, energy or financial resources in any activity that
does not foster a positive environment.
We cannot tolerate petty bickering in our Granges. We cannot tolerate a
member that “controls” our Granges. We can no longer tolerate Granges not
bringing in new members; self destruction is NO LONGER AN OPTION! By increasing our membership annually we will
delay any need to implement dues increases for the foreseeable future. The increases we will then see will be
necessary to support and sustain a larger membership. Increases that will be needed to improve and
implement new programming; increases for ALL of the right reasons.
I have written this blog this month to give you the facts
on this issue, not to scare you or anger you.
I know the Grangers in our State want what is best for the Grange and
will do whatever it takes to succeed. We
have the opportunity to be proactive and I look forward to facing this
challenge with you.
