Extend fellowship beyond the doors of your Hall By Amanda Brozana Rios
Fellowship for the present and future
Membership and Leadership Development Director
Every Grange and every community is
it’s easier for your members to “vet” them to
different, but a simple resolve to increase
see if they’re a good fit for membership when
and improve fellowship opportunities can
they’re just getting to know one another and
be made by every Grange today. To show
hang out in a social situation.
“For in our fraternity, there is work for
they finally attend a Grange meeting. Plus,
how easy it is for any Grange – regardless
Moreover, if you’re wondering what your
of size, age of members, budget, and other
community wants out of your Grange and
Yet, the Grange is not just for work. It is
factors – a list of suggestions for fellowship
what would motivate someone to join,
a “social order” that reminds its members
opportunities and tips is included in this
inviting a prospective member to a social
to “avoid intemperance in… work and
article.
event will get that conversation going without
all…” So we learn in the First Degree.
The focus here is on what you can do
much prodding. What are they suggesting
As new members take part in the
that requires little or no planning/work, and
the Grange could focus on with service
welcoming ceremony, they hear they can
requires little of your members beyond
projects or outreach? What programs could
“expect from this Grange fellowship” first,
“showing up.” This is meant to encourage
you offer to pique their interests and answer
before the President goes on to say they will
fellowship opportunities with fun at the heart
their questions? You may find so much more
have “a chance to explore and develop to
- there’s more than enough work to do later,
benefit than just getting to spend some
[their] highest potential and the opportunity
and of course, at any gathering of Grangers
quality time with friends and fellow Grangers
to serve.”
you’ll find lots of discussion about a next big
by adding fellowship opportunities into your
event, project or initiative.
routine.
recreation” at the close of every meeting.
We know our founders and leaders over the past 155 years took great pride in writing
Don’t forget, these events are a great way
If you’re thinking “why would someone
the ritual work of the Grange with precision,
to introduce people you think might make
come hang out with us,” the same applies
so it is not a stretch to believe that these three
great Grange members to your membership
with “why would someone join our Grange?”
“expectations” were written in the order they
and make them more comfortable when
If you don’t enjoy one another socially, how
felt was most important. How is your Grange doing with that important balance of doing good for others while being good for your members and their social needs? How often does your membership get together outside of meetings and activities that support the service, operations and maintenance of your Grange and its property to just enjoy the company of one another – to meet the expectation of fellowship? If the answer is “not often” or “never,” your Grange – regardless of how successful it may be in other ways – is failing at one of its core objectives. With all the challenges Granges can identify, improving our fellowship focus is one of the easiest – and potentially the most meaningful – we can make to improve the Grange experience for those who have already joined, whether they remain active or not, and those who may be welcomed in the near future.
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