Here we GROW

NET GAIN FOR QUARTER!!!
We have said all year long, all we have to do is secure 1 member at a time.   Simple math tells us 1 and 1 is 2.  Not this time, 1and 1 is 11.  Congratulations, we had a net gain of 11 for the quarter ending 6/30/11.  
Your hard work is paying off, this is the first quarter in quite some time we have seen a net gain and we should rejoice in all your efforts in strengthening your Grange.   We believe this is only the tip of the iceberg in membership growth.  There is a renewed energy and level of excitement in each Grange. Continue to build on this, be more visible in your community, tell EVERYONE about the YOUR Grange and above all else, continue to ask them to join the Grange.
Here are some ideas for your next public function:
Dinners:
a. Put cards on the tables for guests to join a mailing list, events newsletter, Facebook, etc. include an area for them to request additional information about your grange.  Make these cards part of a free drawing.
b. Place mats:  Take an 8.5” X 14” sheet of paper and design an events place mat for each table setting.  Include upcoming events and contact information.
Bulletin Boards:
a. Put a bulletin board in your hall listing current events and recent news.  KEEP IT CURRENT!
Flyer, Posters and Brochures:
a. Put flyers and brochures in your town hall and public libraries.  KEEP THEM CURRENT!
b. Hang Posters advertising your Grange and events at town hot spots, again, KEEP THEM CURRENT!
We belong to the Grange at one of the most exciting times, we have the opportunity to chart the course for a stronger, more visible Grange in our community, it can be done, and you know how we know that?  You are doing it!  A net gain of 11, CONGRATULATIONS!

Grange Membership

As I sit here contemplating what to write, I am on Facebook catching up on the goings on of various Grange members, Granges and friends.  Today I saw pictures of my Great Niece who is due in April or May, wished someone a happy birthday, and read about a dear friend and fellow Ekonk Community Grange member going to be with the Lord after a very long illness.

The power of the social media and the internet still amazes me, I am not that old but I still remember when a computer consumed and entire room and even an entire floor of an office building, when you had to rotary dial a phone, when you had 4 channels on your television and there was always something to watch.  Time and progress has brought us along way.  I never imagined there would ever be a level of membership in the Grange called E-Membership, but there is, and it is good for our organization.  Everyone who has access to the internet can now join the Grange, enjoy the various benefits offered by the National Grange and the State Grange that serves the area in which they live, and all of the for $12.00 per year.  This is a perfect opportunity for all citizens with an active interest in preserving rural life to be part of the Grange, an organization that was founded on that very principal.

I encourage everyone to go to http://www.nationalgrange.org/ and become an E-Member of the Grange and start enjoying the benefits offered and aid in promoting the preserving rural life.