"WHAT IS THE NATIONAL GRANGE YOUTH PROGRAM DOING AND
WHERE ARE
WE GOING?"
We
should all be looking at our own Subordinate Grange and asking ourselves:
- What
are we doing that is attractive to younger people?
- Do
you have a youth chairman and committee that are planning activities for youth
in your community or region?
- Are
you inviting your youth age friends who are not members?
- Are
you inviting those involved in other youth organizations?
- Are
you sharing the Grange with people?
If
we want to grow we must share what we have with others first before we approach
them to join us, but we must be doing something! What are we reporting at our
meeting? If you are reporting only things happening on the state or National level
I encourage you to start planning activities for those in your community or region. We
say that we are a family organization, but I ask you if your Grange shows that
to everyone? Do you have a box of toys in your hall or meeting place for families
with younger children? Do you have a box of crayons and coloring books or paper
available for the children? If not, I encourage you to rectify the situation immediately. Now
to answer the Main question on everyone's mind. The
National Grange Youth Program is designed to provide leadership training and life
skills training opportunities for youth between the ages of 14 and 21. Each state
can select their own age categories. The
goals of the National Grange Youth Development department include providing
leadership training through a variety of opportunities such as:
- Regional
Conferences
- Ambassador
Program
- John
Trimble Legislative Experience
- Washington,
D.C. Experience
- Kelley
Farm Experiences
- The
National Convention, just to name a few.
Individual
life skills will be developed through the Achievement Award Program which offers
opportunities for exploration in Public Speaking, communication (Sign-A-Song,
and Foreign Language), critical thinking, mentoring, and career exploration. Pride
and knowledge will be developed in those who desire to learn more about our organization
through a Current Events and Grange Trivia Challenge. We
will work with the Junior Grange department in creating opportunities for older
Junior Grange members to begin their transition into the Subordinate Grange by
encouraging youth to be mentors to those older juniors and by providing opportunities
for them to become involved in the Achievement Award Program. We
will strive to create within youth a desire to care for those dealing with physical
challenges by educating all about organizations that meet the needs of those physically
challenged. This year we are asking Granges to hold a fund raiser (Bowl A, etc.)
for the Make A Wish Foundation. Detailed
guidelines will be sent to State Grange Masters and Youth Directors who are to
make the information available to each Subordinate Grange who desires to promote
Youth membership. If you can't get the information from one of those two people
in your state please contact me and I will make sure that you get a copy of the
information.
Cindy Greer
National
Grange Youth Development Director
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