When
I tell people that I do seminars for local Grange teams, the number one response
I get is, "Grange? Really? I didn't know that still existed." Until
five years ago, I'd have asked the same question. "Does Grange still exist?" Now
that I've worked with Grange Leadership Development in New York State and Action
Grange teams in 18 states, I know that not only does it exist, Grange has the
potential to build community at a time when our communities sorely need to be
built, to forge solid connections between people who feel increasingly isolated
in the social fabric of our country. One
very fundamental truth has come clear to me. We can't make a lot of progress to
grow Grange until we help people know that Grange does in fact exist. In fact,
being "well-known" is one element of the National Vision Statement for Grange
- and I think it's one that we need to work on right away! I've
been paying attention lately as I drive into communities near my home and as I
travel. I've begun to notice welcome signs - from Rotary, from Kiwanis, from Masons,
and other community organizations. I have never yet seen a Grange included on
such welcoming signs. No wonder people don't know if Grange still exists. There's
a "Grange Hall Road" not too far from my home. But even with my heightened awareness
of Grange, I don't know whether that Grange still exists. There's no sign at the
intersection - and it's a well-traveled road - that would tell me which direction
I'd go to find out. In fact, I've seen a lot of "Grange Hall Roads" as I've traveled
to do Action Grange seminars. Only once have I seen a sign that told me that,
indeed the Grange Hall was right up ahead and that's where senior citizens could
get a meal every Thursday noon.
Once I arrived in a community to do a seminar and didn't have directions to the
Grange Hall where it was to be held. I found the Super 8 hotel with no problem.
But they hadn't heard of Grange. The Grange Hall wasn't on any of their impressive
stock of local maps. Grange wasn't listed in the phone book. Even other Grangers
from that state didn't know where the local Grange Hall was. Without cell phones,
we'd still be wandering the streets of that community! No
wonder people don't know Grange still exists! Even when you're looking, Grange
isn't easy to find! And that's something that we need to change! In the Action Grange Seminars, I ask if people are proud of Grange? You should
see the reactions. A few heads nod. A few people will say, "Oh sure." One or two
might even speak right up and say, "Yes!" It's rarely a convincing display of
pride. It seems to be part of our culture to be humble - and to hide rather than
show off our assets. But
we can't afford to do that anymore! We need our communities to know who we are
and what we can do! And we can't expect them to figure it out for themselves.
We need to show them who we are - and where we are! We need to show them that
we still exist! And we need to show them what we can do to make a difference for
the people who live in our communities! Growing
Grange can involve some fairly complex actions. You may need to revamp your programming,
you may need to find ways to reach out to parts of the community you've never
reached out to before. You may need to experiment and try new things that may
seem uncomfortable because they won't be "the way we've always done it." But
in the meantime, why not do something that's not all that complex? Why not put
up some signs so that people know that Grange does really still exist? Why not
let people know that Grange Hall Road really does lead to something good - something
that does deserve your pride? Why not do that now? Here's
an example of one Grange that has made a point of letting their community know
what's going on at their Grange Hall. It's not elaborate. It didn't cost a pile
of money. And it gets big rewards because I'll bet that the folks who commute
on that road, know that Grange really does still exist! |
