Successful
Actions of Bunker Hill Grange - ME
When
Craig Ladner describes the community of Jefferson, Maine, he says "It's two houses
wide and fifteen miles long." But then he'll go on to tell you why it's such a
great place to live, the beautiful woods, and the terrific people. And Bunker
Hill Grange - which is yet another reason why Jefferson, Maine is a great place
to live. Located
in mid-coast Maine, about 20 miles inland, Bunker Hill Grange was down to about
twenty members just five years ago. Now, with 70 members, they've made a 250%
gain. "We're family, friends, and neighbors growing together," says Norman Hunt,
Master. "As we've
grown, we've stayed focused on two concepts. First, no member is stronger than
all of us together," says Norm. "And two, the cost of change must be less than
the satisfaction of the status quo times our vision of the future times our knowledge
of the first steps." Norm adds, "That means that if we're satisfied with the way
things are now, or we don't have an adequate vision of the future, or we can't
imagine what our first steps might be, then the cost of change will be too high.
But if have a vivid future vision, clear direction about how we can start the
journey toward the future, and a willingness to change in order to get to that
vision, then we can easily bear any costs that changing how we do business might
cause." For Bunker
Hill Grange, the vision is strong. "We provide social connection in our community
and the chance to work together on projects that make our community a better place
to live." Ellie
Day gives some examples of some first steps that Bunker Hill Grange has taken
to meet their vision. "A few years ago, we discovered that the Grange used to
hold suppers 20 years ago, but hadn't done it since. For 20 years, the whole focus
was on themselves rather than on the community. Now, we've started doing that
again. Our first proceeds helped our school purchase a sign that they use to announce
events and vacations." "We
have a strong relationship with the school," says Ellie. "Seven of our members
go in to help as class volunteers once a week. We do what ever the teachers ask
us to do. Now they really count on us." "We
do a variety of fundraisers," Ellie says. "For instance, we prepared two hundred
box lunches for the local hospital's House and Garden Tour. But we've decided
that the best fundraisers we can do are the ones that get people to come to our
Hall, meet us, and see what great people we've got here. The summer people particularly
enjoy our authentic bean and chowder suppers. We're talking about holding our
suppers during the week so they don't compete with all the other festivals that
go on up and down the coast." A
great community organization is ready to meet needs as they come up, but to help
in planning, Bunker Hill Grange has committed to five annual events. "We want
to do things every year so that the community gets to know us - and plans to join
us for these events." says Judy Hunt. "We host a Community-wide Halloween Party
with all kinds of creepy decorations, costumes, and fun for all ages. In December,
we decorate the Ladies Aid Society Hall where we meet and the Bunker Hill Church
next door. We hold a Candlelight Carol Sing and a special reading of "The Night
Before Christmas" with cookies in the Hall. In April, we involve our neighbors
in a roadside clean-up followed by a pot-luck supper which is very well received.
Our barbeque picnic in July is when we give out our Community Service Award. We've
come to believe that we serve an important role in fostering fellowship - which
strengthens our community." Opportunities
to connect socially are just one way that Bunker Hill Grange serves its community.
The Grange also takes an active part in community and service projects. One
such effort came to be known as Operation Toasty Toes. Grangers solicited balsam
donations and made up balsam fir pillows to give an aroma of home to the 133rd
battalion serving in Iraq. The pillows were included in a ditty bag that also
had socks, drawings from local school children, and candy canes - anything that
suggested home. And then the 133rd Battalion suggested that Grangers send something
to the children of Iraq. Grangers raised over $3000 and sent 177 micro-fleece
blankets to Iraqi children. "The blankets were so gratefully received," says Nancy
Finnemore, Youth Chairperson and Lady Assistant Steward. "This was a project that
made us all feel good. And it brought in several new members who loved what we
were doing." Bunker
Hill Grange has earned a special place in the hearts of Jefferson, Maine, with
another community project. "To explain what we did," says Tom Shippee, "I'd like
to start by painting you a mental picture. Bunker Hill Church and the Ladies Aid
Society Hall where we meet sits across the road from Damiriscotta Lake. The lake
is about 13 miles long and 1 mile wide with a vista that stretches to the hills
of Camden. Years ago, the family that owned the land across from us donated two
acres to be maintained and cleared of the pines that our state is known of - so
that there would always be an opportunity to enjoy that amazing view. Recently,
that family's heirs were settling the estate and land surrounding those two acres
became available. The family made it known that they would like the land to go
to an organization who could protect it from being developed."
That opportunity struck a chord with Bunker Hill Grange who spearheaded a community-wide
effort to "Save the View." The ad hoc Preserve the View Committee was formed -
made up of Grangers and community members - to meet with the landowners, negotiate
price, and raise funds. "We started out believing that we could buy the land for
$25,000," says Tom. "After over a year and a half of negotiation, we finally agreed
on a price of $90,000. We raised money in lots of different ways. Artists donated
paintings and quilts to be raffled. We sought direct donations. We had two committee
members who were really savvy in fundraising, and we leaned on their expertise.
It took two years, but we did raise the money, and bought the land in the name
of the Bunker Hill Church." "People
who had become engaged there, people who had stopped for lunch, all kinds of people
from all kinds of places contributed," says Norm. "At the dedication, we lifted
off 1000 balloons. Channel Six out of Portland spotlighted our effort. We got
a lot of attention. It was truly a community effort."
Tom adds, "We feel like we've done something that will matter for hundreds of
years to come. How much better does it get than that?" |
