Happy Spring from the Youth Department!!!
As you begin to read this, we will be wrapping up another year of Grange Month and going to the Grange Day Luncheon.

 

Did you, as a Grange member, ever stop and think why we need to have a Grange Month? During that month we as Grangers are to show our Grange Spirit, by telling others about the Grange and how they can benefit by becoming a Grange member.

How can we as a member make every month Grange Month? It seems pretty difficult when you first think about it. It almost seems overwhelming thinking of having Grange Month every month.

To tell you the truth, most of us already do it in some form, telling others about the Grange, supporting National and State Grange events, entering State Grange contests, attending Subordinate and Pomona Grange meetings, working on projects for your home Grange and State Grange Committees. These are just some of the activities we do on a regular basis. And the list could go on and on.

So fellow Grangers, challenge yourself to make each and every month Grange Month. Think of all the Fun you will have in making Grange memories.

So show your Grange SPIRIT, by "Starting Your Engines" and RACING for a great Grange Year!

God Bless,

Tina Traver
PA Grange Youth Department

 

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Tennessee Hosts Successful Youth Conference

 

Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
National Grange
Youth Development Director

GREENVILLE, Tenn. – Grange Youth from the Eastern Region traveled to Greenville, Tenn. to participate in the 2008 Eastern Regional Youth Conference. More than 60 people attended the three day conference.

 

This year’s host, Tennessee State Grange, organized an action- packed weekend filled with activities, contests and social time for the Youth. It also gave the Youth a chance to experience some “Southern Hospitality,” learning about the state’s history, its role in the early days of the Grange and some of the activities they enjoyed.

One highlight for the group was traveling to the Andrew Jackson homestead in Greenville. Jackson, who was a tailor before entering politics, became President of the United States after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The Grange was formed during his presidency by several members of his cabinet.

The Youth also participated in several contests such as public speaking, sign-a-song and drill, earning several achievement awards.

Jodi Keith and Martha Ebersole of Pennsylvania earned several achievement awards for their participation in the weekend. Jodi earned the Oliver Hudson Kelly, ITSPY, and Drill achievement awards. Martha earned the Oliver Hudson Kelly and Drill achievement awards.

Jodi also placed first in her division for her prepared speech, impromptu speech and she won the hobbyist division in the sign-a-song contest.

The theme of the weekend was "Teamwork." The National Youth and Junior Grange directors conducted a workshop on the importance of working together in the Grange as a team. Several activities followed to reinforce the teamwork message, including one that required the Youth to split up into teams and develop the latest kitchen product and market it.

North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Ohio Youth also helped with several activities during the weekend. Pennsylvania and Ohio Youth departments led the evening vespers and North Carolina organized Saturday evening’s dance, teaching the Youth several square dances.

The 2009 Eastern Regional Youth Conference is scheduled to be hosted by New Jersey State Grange in April. Plans are under way.

Editor’s Note: To learn more about National Youth Achievement Awards, contests and events, visit the National Grange Youth Website at www.nationalgrangeyouth.org.  To contact the national youth director e-mail Charlene at youth@nationalgrange.org.

 

 

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The Cultivator

Monthly Newsletter of the National Grange Youth Department

 

Greetings Grange Youth! I hope you are planning a great Grange Youth Month! This month provides an opportune time to celebrate the accomplishments of the Youth program with Youth themed meetings and events. If your Grange hosts a Youth activity, please pass it along so we can promote it through the newsletter, The New Grange, and on the National Youth Website.

For the time being I have named this newsletter “The Cultivator” however I am open to ideas. The name was selected because of the mission of the Youth Program to cultivate the Grange leaders of today and tomorrow. If you have a better suggestion for a name, please let me know. I would love to hear it.

Achievement Award Winner Congrats
I would like to extend congratulations to Emily Thomas of Albany, N.Y. for completing the Gold level of the ITSPY (Ireland, Trimble, Thompson and Saunders) Achievement Award. The gold level of the award is achieved by developing a brochure, table tent card or display for your Grange or by developing a Website or PowerPoint presentation promoting your Grange. Emily completed the award by designing a website for the Bethlehem Junior Grange. The website is: www.bethlehemjrgrange.wetpaint.com.
Keep those Achievement Awards coming! I enjoy seeing what you have been working on.

Start Planning for National Session
While the deadlines for competing in the National Grange Youth Contests seem far off, I like to encourage Grange Youth to start looking at the contests in order to get things completed by the stated deadlines. All of the information is located on the National Grange Youth Website located at www.nationalgrangeyouth.org under the "programs" tab. Also, all Grange Youth who complete all levels of one Achievement Award will be recognized. The Achievement Awards are listed under the awards tab.

Youth Program of the Month: National Grange Youth Officer Team
Ever wonder what it would be like to march into the National Grange Session, wearing one of the National Officer sashes and represent your state? If so, the National Grange Youth Officer Team is for you.

On Friday morning of the National Session, a full Youth Officer team will present an Opening/ Seating drill, Open the Session, Present Honored Guests and end with a Closing Drill. All speaking parts must be memorized. To compete, applicants must be at least 14 and not older than 29 by National Session. Other qualification highlights include earning a minimum of two Achievement Awards between Aug. 31, 2007 and Sept. 1, 2008 and a letter of recommendation from a member of their local Grange. However, if you are participating in the Horizon Leadership Program or the John Trimble Youth Legislative Experience you will not be eligible for the National Youth Officer Team.

For the full rules, application and a copy of the Frances McDowell Trivia and Current Events Achievement Award go to:
 

http://www.nationalgrangeyouth.org/Programs/programs_ngyot.htm

Youth Idea of the Month: Quaker Valley High School Senior Raised Money in Memory of a Grange Friend Brittany Hetzell of Sewickley, Pa. is a senior at Quaker Valley High School. She is a Youth Member of Mt. Nebo Grange and has attended both Pennsylvania Junior and Youth Camps throughout the years.

Through her participation in Grange Camps, she met and became very close friends with Jonathan Sattazahn, another Youth Grange member from Berks County. Unfortunately, Jonathan passed away on Oct. 18, 2007 as a result of a vehicle crash while on his way to work.

Jonathan had been extremely active in both Junior and Youth Grange camps over the years and had served as the 2004-2005 Pennsylvania State Grange Junior Prince while Brittany was the Junior Princess. He also served as a Youth Ambassador from 2006-2007. He loved attending camp every year and renewing his friendships with other young Grangers from around the state.

As part of her graduation project, Brittany is writing an informational paper on the Grange and has decided to raise funds for the Pennsylvania State Junior Grange Camp in Jonathan’s name. The fundraiser was a Walk-a-Thon at the Quaker Valley High School track on April 5. All proceeds will be presented to Pennsylvania State Grange Junior Grange Directors Janet and Michael Pratt for use at this summer’s Junior Grange Camp.

Have an great Youth idea or story? Other Grangers would love to hear it. E-mail your Youth ideas to me at youth@nationagrange.org

Calling All Facebook/ MySpace Users: The National Youth Director Needs Your Help!

One challenge issued to me by National Master Ed Luttrell was to organize an official home for the National Grange Youth on both Facebook and MySpace. While I have officially registered on both sites, I need some help to design and organize the official sites. I am looking for someone who is more technologically savvy to assist me with their design and use. My goal is to have a site that is professional looking for both our members and others who might visit.

Once online, we will use the site as an additional link-up to Youth information and the latest newsletters.

Anyone interested can e-mail me or contact me by phone at (717) 361-2844. Please call before 10 p.m. EST.

The goal of the site is to provide an official location for Grange Youth discussions to take place.

I will close for this month. I hope to hear from you all in the near future. Also keep posted for upcoming Youth events. In the near future I hope to host a Teamspeak teleconference. I will be speaking with the National Youth Committee this month to start organizing a schedule.

 

Until our paths meet again. Take care, have fun and I hope to see you at an upcoming regional Youth conference.

Fraternally Yours in Grange,

Charlene
Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade
National Grange Youth Director