by Ed Luttrell
National Grange Director of Leadership and Membership
Do you hesitate about asking people to join the Grange? Are you a
little bit afraid to bring up the Grange in conversation? What are
you going to say, what should you say, what questions will be asked
of you? Try something different and take a new approach.
Select a person you would like to have join your Grange. Take the
time to think why they might want to join. Look for activities,
values, and opportunities that might appeal to them. Then go to that
person and ask for their opinion of how you could get new members
for your Grange. You will probably surprise the person, but you will
be also letting them know that you value their opinions.
They will likely ask questions about the Grange and give you the
opportunity to show what the Grange can do for them. They may
outline a different approach than you’ve tried before or they may
suggest you contact certain people they think would be interested.
They may even be interested in joining themselves. This approach is
not a bait and switch tactic, but one for you to gain confidence to
talk about your Grange and to bring up the topic of Grange. The
worst thing that can happen is you will enlighten a nonmember about
your Grange.
Ask for help from a nonmember for your Grange and growth will
follow!
