PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Betsy E. Huber
I’ve been doing a lot of reading
for the last two years, but hopefully by
and scanning of the organizational
now your Grange is back to in-person
documents
meetings, fulfilling those desires for
and
files
in
the
subbasement of the Grange building,
socialization.
and I am continually amazed at the
Another founding principle of the
numbers of Granges and thousands
Grange was legislative work. Farmers
of members who flocked to join us,
joined together to fight the railroad
even 100 years ago - before the
monopoly because there is power in
age of advertising, internet, or even
numbers. The same is true today. Our
telephone. Word of mouth and some
lobbying and influence in the nation’s
charismatic leaders were effective tools
Capitol is still strong and an important
to grow our Order in the 1800s and
part of the Grange organization.
early 1900s. As a child on the farm, I remember
While not everyone is as interested in
legislation
and
government
Nights, legislative banquets, and open forums on current topics of interest.
what a big event the twice-monthly
regulation as I am, it certainly affects
The U.S. seems to be filled with
Grange meeting was for our family.
everyone in their daily lives. It is a great
Grange, church, family gatherings and
benefit to belong to an organization
dissatisfaction about our government
the annual milk producers banquet
like the Grange that can look out for
were our only social activities. Imagine
your best interests, even if you’re not
what it was like in those early days of
always paying attention or connected
the Grange when farmers were really
to what our leaders are doing.
isolated on their farms and didn’t even have those social outlets!
The Grange gives you opportunities to stay informed and up-to-date on
leaders and their actions or lack of actions on things we care about. Instead of griping and complaining, why not get involved in something that can make positive change? Next time you’re caught up in a conversation about problems, suggest
What was it that attracted so many
issues that are important to you - the
people to join us? I believe it’s the
monthly View from the Hill email,
same primary reason that attracts
annual Legislative Fly-in, email alerts
people today - social interaction. The
when an important issue comes
isolation of rural life didn’t end with the
up, even training our youth to be
in your local precinct, can have
advent of telephone and television;
influencers and advocates through the
great influence on what happens in
it’s still present today as we’ve seen
annual DC Experience.
the Capitol. National Grange has a
that the complainer do something about the issue by joining the Grange. A group of people, especially voters
through the pandemic. In every survey
Some State Granges have an active
legislative department that can teach
of Grangers I’ve seen, the number one
legislative program also, keeping you
you how to be an effective citizen
reason they join or stay in the Grange
updated on statewide government
influencer. Start by signing up for
is friendship and fellowship. Zoom
activity. Many Community or Pomona
legislative updates on our website
meetings have partially filled this need
Granges hold Meet the Candidates
www.nationalgrange.org/subscribe.
N & V
GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org
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