| MAY 1, 2024 -- Public Relations is more than just marketing, social media, slogans, and taking photos. The mission of public relations is the building of beneficial relation- ships between an organization and its public.
There are a few basic principles that underscore the narrative in building these relationships and engagement. Let’s take a look at how these work in a Grange environment.
Honesty
Always tell the truth when promoting your Grange, while staying positive. Once trust with the public is lost, it’s hard to get it back. This includes setting real- istic goals for your Grange. In the digital age, wrong or misleading information is often shared. We’ve all read articles that are misleading. This is a big responsibility when promoting your Grange.
The need for collaboration
Granges are often encouraged to work with other local organizations, such as the FFA, 4-H, Extension Service, Garden Club, etc. There is an intrinsic value in a good collaboration. It’s not a competition - and not about who shouts the loudest or has the most popular event. It’s about who collaborates effectively and efficiently and are willing to be open to fresh ideas and insights.
Check your facts
Before talking publicly about your Grange, it is of utmost importance to be sure that your facts and sources are accurate and reliable. Nothing screams lack of credibility more than a Grange who doesn’t know their history, or a member speaking about an activity or event without all the proper information. In our current information-driven times, there is no excuse for logistical errors. Always fact-check.
Be considerate and respectful
Respect other Granges. Not all Granges are the same, just as not all of our communities are the same. Some are active, some are passive, some are in the news frequently, others are not. While sharing the basic mission, work and principles, Granges have the latitude to apply what works best for them. The shrinking field of Granges can sometimes feel small in Connecticut, but each Grange has a job to do. They each should be humble, courteous when dealing with the media, and respectful of others - in the best and the worst situations.
Be proactive not reactive
Granges should not be sitting around waiting for news to happen. Granges should be actively creating news. Host an event, sponsor an activity, engage in community service, start a new project. Granges must continually take a role with their communities and engage with the media.
Build and maintain fellowship/relationships
In the age of social media, it is easy to just post a quick message and hope that it gets seen and shared or send out a press release and keep your fingers crossed that it gets picked up and published in the newspaper. Or even hold a meeting and hope that members walk through the door. But if that post is not seen, or that press release is not published, then they are ineffective. Building and maintaining fellowship between members encourages enthusiasm within the organization, thus increasing participation. Building and maintaining a relationship with the media encourages communication both internally and externally. Building and maintaining a place in your community guarantees success.
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