| MAY 2023 -- Hank Interviews Elizabeth Jensen of Redding Grange (and on the CT State Grange Membership Committee) –
This month Hank the Burro interviews Elizabeth Jensen of Redding Grange. Elizabeth was the catalyst for the revitalization of Redding Grange which had closed for lack of membership. In November 2021 due to Elizabeth’s hard work, 33 members were present to receive the charter for the newly re-opened Redding Grange No. 15. Today she serves as a member of the Connecticut State Grange Membership Committee.
1 Once a Grange gets past not wanting new members and/or thinking it cannot attract new members, what is step 1?
I think there is a difference between not wanting to attract members, and simply thinking you can’t attract them. If a Grange leadership team does not want to attract any new members, they should take a serious look at why, and really be honest with themselves about whether they are setting their Grange up for long- term success. It’s great if you are fortunate to have a few people as the backbone of your Chapter, but it’s not sufficient to keep it secure for years to come.
So I would say “step 1” is making sure that your Grange’s leadership and key members are open to new members, and are committed to cultivating a good experience for them. I learned early on that the Grange is not the building, it’s the people – so be sure to invest in the people.
2 What is the best way to connect a Grange to its local community when that connection has been broken?
For any Grange that is looking to refresh its place in a community, I would recommend conducting some due diligence about what is actually needed in your area. When Redding Grange was first re-forming, there were lots of good ideas that bubbled up - but some were already being covered by other organizations, and people were just not aware. We decided early on to do our best not to swerve into the lanes of other successful organizations in town and find our own path. I would do as much polling as you possibly can in your community to find out what is missing, and then see if that is something that fits within the scope of the vision for your Grange. If there have been issues, it may be also worth doing some questioning about what people find are the obstacles for becoming or remaining members, and be open to honest feedback – even if it is not what you want to hear. All feedback is a gift.
3 Best ways to leverage connections Grange may already have.
Make it understood that increasing membership is a goal for the entire Grange, not just some committee in the sidelines. Try to have membership slips on hand at all times, and consider creating a simple flyer specific to your Grange with a bit about its history, and what to expect with becoming a member of your local chapter- it makes it easier for your members to share with others. I also recommend having times when new members can come to get familiar with the Grange, without having to walk right into a meeting full of ritual. Look for things that have a larger common denominator in terms of appeal for new folks.
4 Retention
There are so many things that compete for peoples’ time and energy these days. Members want to spend time where they feel valued, appreciated, and have the ability to affect their surroundings. Figure out what your basic guardrails are for your organization, and then be open to new ideas and allowing people to experiment and try things that stay within those parameters. Celebrate small wins whenever you can, and actively seek out barriers to retention and engagement. If something is not popular, or getting in your way of growing your Chapter, take a hard look at how important it is to keep. I’m a big fan of ‘piloting’ new approaches – it’s a great way to try new things while keeping a safety net on hand in case it doesn’t work out.
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