Public Relations/Membership
Carl Meiss
Director
20 Erford Road
Suite 310
Lemoyne, PA 17043
800-552-3865
publicrelations@pagrange.org
The Advocate
Well, I am actually extremely disappointed that I couldn't send two members a $20 gift card to Sheetz this month. Neither Dean Shoop from Dorsett Grange #1888 in Franklin County nor Alvana Snyder from Sugar Creek Grange #1131 in Venango County called me to say they read their names in The Advocate so they could win the gift cards.But I will not give up. I will continue the contest to try to get more of our members to read The Advocate in its entirety. There are again two Grange members' names and their Grange numbers (randomly selected by the computer) "embedded" in articles somewhere in this issue. If you read your name and Grange number in this issue of The Advocate and call me at the State Grange office (1-800-552-3865) by the third Friday of February, the 15th, I will send you a $20 gift card to Sheetz. You must properly identify yourself and specify where (article and page number) you read your name to win.
The Advocate is the best source of communication from the State Grange Office to each and every Grange household in the state. We try to put as much information as possible on our WEB site at www.pagrange.org, but we also realize that not everyone has internet access. But a portion of your dues pays for a copy of each issue of The Advocate to be sent to every Grange household, giving every member an opportunity to keep up-to-date on Grange news.
So when you think about it, finding your name in The Advocate and winning a $20 gift card has much better odds than any of the lotteries or casinos. Our odds are only about 1 in 12,000 (number of Grange households receiving The Advocate).
Another item I want to talk about briefly in regards to The Advocate...this is an opportunity for every Community (Subordinate) Grange to get some much needed publicity for your events and functions. I highly recommend that you do whatever is necessary to get local press coverage (be it in local daily, weekly or monthly publications), but you are almost guaranteed of getting your event in print (space is about the only limiting factor) if you send it to me for inclusion in The Advocate. Put it in writing and send it to me in an email if possible. If you don't have a computer, then type or write it and mail it to me.
National Grange Membership News
To stop any rumors about me leaving the PA State Grange office...YES, I did have an interview in December with National Grange President Ed Luttrell and Vice-President Jimmy Gentry for the position of National Grange Membership/Leadership Director. But, NO, I did not get the job. Rusty Hunt, co-director of Membership for the Washington State Grange was hired for the position and I am confident will do an outstanding job.Rusty has contacted me to tell me that he is in the process of adding to our traditional "Grange Month" in April by making April "Grange Membership" month as well. The month that we are already showcasing ourselves and our halls through Open Houses, Legislative Dinners and the like is the perfect time to push for new membership.
So think about inviting all those non-Grangers who attend your Grange Month functions to join your Grange. They already have the opportunity to see some of what your Grange does for its members and the community through your events, so what better time to ask them to join?
Take advantage of the various brochures available from the State Office: "Membership Information and Application"; "2008 Member Benefits"; "Youth Grange"; Grange Scholarship Programs"; "Junior Grange"; "Family Membership Information and Application"; and "Legislative Goals and Accomplishments".
It only takes a phone call (1-800-552-3865) or an email to publicrelations@pagrange.org to tell me which brochures you would like and how many you want for your next event. Printing and shipping are FREE. Please give me at least two weeks notice so that I can get them printed and shipped to you in time for your event.
Rusty has also asked me to serve as the moderator of monthly "TeamSpeak" computer conferences to be held. These computer conferences (you need a computer with internet access and a headset with microphone) are open to any Grange members and are geared toward membership recruitment ideas from around the country. These were started by Ed Luttrell while he was still National Membership/Leadership Director. I will keep informed about these so that you may join in if you'd like.
Membership NewsCongratulations to Martha Bollinger of Virginville Grange #1832 in Berks County and Ronald H. Houtz of Logan Grange #109 in Centre County! I have sent checks to each of their respective granges for $30.00 in their names to pay for their 2008 State and National dues as a result of their recruiting efforts in the last quarter of 2007. Both Martha and Ronald recruited two new members for their Granges.
I have seen some of the quarterly reports coming in and it appears that we have some members who have recruited at least two new members during the last quarter of 2007 but their secretaries are not notifying me so that they can receive the $30 checks for their 2008 dues. If are one of those who recruited two new members during the fourth quarter of 2007 and you have not received notice from me that I sent a check to your Grange to cover your 2008 dues please talk to your secretary and ask them to send me notification. Even if you are a life member, I am sure that your Grange can put that $30 to good use in its general fund.
Since it does appear that we had at least some members taking advantage of the recruiting program from last year. I am extending it into the first half of 2008...If you recruit at least two new members to the Grange and they Pay their 2008 dues and are Obligated/Welcomed between January 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008, AND YOUR SECRETARY NOTIFIES ME OF SUCH, I will send a check in the amount of $30.00 to be used by your Grange as either payment toward your future dues, if you are paid up, or for the Grange's general fund if you are a life member. By continuing the program through June 30, I am hoping that many of you will take advantage of this program during "Grange/Membership Month" in April. Take advantage of the opportunity to recruit new members and reduce your dues payments at the same time.
We already know that National Grange approved an increase in dues of $2.00 for 2008 and another $2.00 again in 2010. By participating in this recruiting program and getting just two new members, you can avoid this increase by having the first $30.00 paid by the State Grange.
CALLING ALL PENN STATE STUDENTS!
If you are attending Penn State Main Campus, we need you! We are working to reorganize the Penn State Grange, which has been inactive since 1965. We had our first organizational meeting on December 11, 2007 and plan a second meeting in late February, 2008. Watch your Advocate and your college email for additional updates. We know there are a number of current Grange members who live in University Park who could re-charter a Grange under the auspices of Student Activities. We only need 20 students to get started. If you are a current student or if you live in the Centre County area and would like to help with this effort, please contact the State Master at master@pagrange.org