by Ed Luttrell
National Grange Director of Leadership and Membership
It is far easier to get new members when your current membership feels that
they are important to the organization. If you want members to feel valued,
the first step is to recognize their achievements.
Recognize their service. There are two basic ways to recognize our member’s
service. We can celebrate when they reach a certain number of years of
membership and when they complete a term or terms of service as an officer.
National Grange recognizes membership with 25 year and 50 year awards, and
both have consecutive and non consecutive programs. However, your Grange
could make a first year, 10 year or any other time period recognition. Be
creative! Often we give credit to past Masters, but fail to recognize other
officers. Make a tradition in your Grange that recognizes every officer.
Recognize their achievements and milestones. Take the time to celebrate when
a member wins a Pomona or State Grange award or contest. Expand that to
include whenever a member is recognized by other groups. It is also
important to note the milestones that a member reaches. When was the last
time your Grange celebrated with a member who had reached retirement or had
graduated from college?
Recognize your members in your Grange and make growth happen!
