Successful
Actions of Cherryvale Grange - OK
“Cherryvale Grange was chartered in Grant County in 1921,” says Larry Shafer, Master. “We’re in north-central Oklahoma, right up against the Kansas state line.”
“We currently have 32 members ranging in age from 15 to 90. Twenty years ago we had 45 members, ten years ago we had 35, and five years ago, we had about the same as we do now.”
“The change in membership reflects the state of agriculture in our area. There are no large cities. Schools and nursing homes are the largest employers.”
“We hold eight meetings a year, and half of those are open meetings. We suspend meetings during the growing season to accommodate farmers. We hold our meetings in church halls or in members’ homes. Some of our members are older and would be unable to participate unless we met in their homes. Either they can’t get out or don’t like to drive after dark.”
“We meet at 7PM unless we’re having a meal, and then we meet at 6:30. We don’t fully set up at every meeting. We do a partial opening, an opening prayer, the flag salute, and a modified order of business with secretary and committee reports.”
“Most of our members hold the 7 th Degree. New members are obligated and then have the opportunity to go through the first four degrees at State Degree Day in the spring and take the 5 th and 6 th Degrees at Oklahoma State Grange Session.”
“Some things never change about Grange,” says Mary Krehbiel. “Grange is a place to socialize, for families to develop close ties by working on projects, sharing meals, and playing games together. We believe in giving everyone a chance to hold office or chair projects.”
“Our membership is spread over four to five communities. We’re active in Oklahoma State Grange Degree Days and contests. Many of our members either do hold or have held state offices. Youth members take turns as delegates to Oklahoma State Grange. Our Grange supports members financially to participate in State Grange sessions,” says Mary.
“We take our opportunities to influence legislation seriously and send resolutions to State Grange. We have a Legislative Director who does lobbying for us at the state level.”
“We also believe strongly in education,” says Mary. “Oklahoma State Grange offers a scholarship and a number of our members have taken advantage of it. It’s for full time students at a 4-year college or part-time at a junior college or vocational school. It’s been a big help to many Grangers who are pursuing education.”
“Oklahoma State Grange Mutual Insurance offers home and building insurance with competitive liability, fire, and theft coverage,” says Mary.
“Most of our members do carry Grange Insurance,” says Larry. “Insurance is a large draw for membership, especially in the eastern part of Oklahoma. In order for Grange insurance to work, it has to be very competitive and it is. This last year, we had the largest income we’ve ever had from insurance. One reason we support the Grange insurance is that they do a really good job of supporting Oklahoma State Grange projects.”
“Some things stay the same,” says Mary, “but other things do change. One thing that’s changed is that Grange used to be for farm families. Now we also serve people who live in towns and suburbs.”
“Community outreach is a very important aspect of our Grange,” says Beverly Rapp, secretary-treasurer and long-time member of Cherryvale Grange. “We do a variety of community projects, trying to focus on things that are needed in the community but that aren’t already being met by other organizations.”
“Educational programs are high on our list,” says Beverly, “and we make a point to offer interesting programs at all our open meetings. One program we had recently was on promoting small businesses. An individual brought in her products to show us and talked about all that was involved as she was getting started in her small business. She talked about the legal aspects, marketing, and everything she had to do to get going.”
“Another time we had a funeral director come in from one of our local funeral homes. She talked with us about pre-payment and planning for funerals. We had a very interesting program about the Medicare Part D plan. We held a refresher course in First Aid. Of special interest to the men in our Grange, we had a Conservation Officer come in to do a program.”
“We connect with our schools by offering an essay contest for sophomores. Each year a topic is chosen to promote citizenship and pride in our community. We offer cash prizes and the contest is offered in all the schools in our county,” says Beverly.
“Words for Thirds was new for us this year, and it’s proving very popular. Teacher appreciation is important to us also, so we take snacks for the teachers during test times.”
“During the Old Settlers Cherokee Strip Celebration, we contribute items for the auction and we sponsor two children’s game. One is a Money Dig for younger children and the other is a Mock Land Run for 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th grade students. There are cash prizes for both games.”
“Our older residents are not forgotten either,” says Beverly. “We make favors for them at holiday times like Easter, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day. And cards are sent to remember their birthdays or just because.”
“We do a food collection for the community food bank when it’s needed. We put up a directions sign for the Veterans Memorial, and put both the American and Oklahoma State flags up at the gazebo downtown.” Beverly adds, “Most of our projects are meant to be completed in a short amount of time.”
“Our strategy for new membership has been community service involving young children and teens,” says Sheila Conrady. “When we do the Money Dig at the Old Settlers Days or when we deliver dictionaries for Words for Thirds, kids recognize our faces and know us as Grange leaders. We’re a small enough community for that, and we hope that will get them interested as they grow up - and their parents too. The scholarships are a good way to get students interested and we have had several members join so their children could be eligible for scholarships.”
“I’ve been involved with State and National leadership with Grange Youth and I’m able to promote to kids all the opportunities they have in Grange.”
“Something our Grange is considering is the idea of recruiting a younger adult to sell insurance locally and actively seek out new members in that way. We’ve become a Grange that’s made up of family, extended family and friends, and we want to expand as well as work with other organizations.”
“We use our dues and the money we win in state contests like the Community Service Contest to support some of our projects. And when we think something is worthwhile, we take up an offering amongst ourselves. We share costs when we buy supplies and individual members donate cakes that are given to the health center or buy candies that are given – things like that.”
“Most of the towns in our county have a population that’s less than 400,” says Larry. “Our county seat has 2000 or slightly less. Grant County dipped below 5000 in the last census. We’re a community of very large farms – maybe two or three thousand acres. We grow wheat, cattle, alfalfa, milo, and other hay crops. We’re about 35 miles from Enid which has a population of about 50,000. Even though our population has declined in Grant County, we do have a fairly good economy.”
“I joined Grange back about in 1950,” says Larry. “I didn’t keep my membership up when I was in the service, but I have been a member since I got out. I enjoy my Grange work. I’ve held all the offices in our Community Grange plus State Grange, and I’m on the Executive Committee of the State Grange. It’s been an important part of my life.” |
