These are exciting times. This week I've seen the plan for growth for the Alaska State Grange and the plans for the Wyoming and Florida State Granges are coming together rapidly.
I am a firm believer that growth comes to those that plan for it and then work to accomplish it. The three states that are building and implementing plans are demonstrating this principle.
This process of creating plans to create growth is critical to success. Every Grange should take some time to make plans to achieve growth. Goals need to be set and commitment to those goals must be made by members.
Goals do not need to be big or huge, but they can be. As an example, the Alaska State Grange currently has seven Community Granges and has adopted a motion to have 15 by 2015.
Those who plan for nothing generally find what they are looking for. Make plans and have goals to work for. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish when you have a plan to work on.
Showing posts with label growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growth. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 11, 2010
Conference in Vermont
I sat through the meetings at the Northeast Leaders conference in Vermont this past weekend. The unofficial theme of the day appears to be youth and growth. Why would a group of Grange leaders be talking about young people and Grange growth?
It is because these two topics are intertwined and work on either issue often leads to improvement in the other. Youth are at the point in life where they are learning and growing every day. They absorb new information like a sponge and most are open to trying almost anything that looks like an opportunity. These traits that young people possess are the same traits that we are teaching members to use so that they can attract new members and to grow their Grange.
Young people are looking for opportunities to learn new skills. They want to know how to run a meeting, how to shepherd an issue through the process to create a change, or how to influence others. Building a team to accomplish big tasks, setting large goals, or picking a project that impacts communities is daunting for all age groups, but youth don’t know what they can’t do and often jump at that opportunity.
In addition, most young people want to be thought of as adults. They want to be taken seriously by the older folks and be considered equals. In our organization we give 14-year old members the right to be adults and we give them responsibility and authority as members.
This group is an important part of the Grange as they bring energy and enthusiasm to our organization. As part of a Grange team they add an important ingredient to the mix of experience and knowledge that our long-time members bring.
That brings us right to the topic of Grange growth. Our members are searching for tools that will teach them how to attract new members to join and how to get members to step up as new leaders. State Grange leaders are looking for communities that need a Grange either with a new Grange or with a reorganized former Grange. All of these create growth in our Grange.
The way we are going to be successful is by working together and forming teams to accomplish the goals and tasks that face us. The more young people that we get involved on our teams, the more diverse and talent the teams will become. Success is a direct result of members working together and not worrying about who gets the credit. We need to reinforce the understanding that that credit is shared by all and success is the real reward.
I am so energized by what I am hearing from the members of the Northeast region. It appears that members and leaders are all focused on the same basic premise of involving youth and creating Grange growth. While each state has its own identity and methods, they have unity of focus and purpose.
Conferences and meetings give each member the chance to pick up some new energy and excitement while they learn a few new ideas that involve young people in their Grange and how to create Grange growth in their own Community Grange.
I hope you get the opportunity to attend an exciting Grange conference in your area. Focus on young people and Grange growth and 2010 will be a great year!
It is because these two topics are intertwined and work on either issue often leads to improvement in the other. Youth are at the point in life where they are learning and growing every day. They absorb new information like a sponge and most are open to trying almost anything that looks like an opportunity. These traits that young people possess are the same traits that we are teaching members to use so that they can attract new members and to grow their Grange.
Young people are looking for opportunities to learn new skills. They want to know how to run a meeting, how to shepherd an issue through the process to create a change, or how to influence others. Building a team to accomplish big tasks, setting large goals, or picking a project that impacts communities is daunting for all age groups, but youth don’t know what they can’t do and often jump at that opportunity.
In addition, most young people want to be thought of as adults. They want to be taken seriously by the older folks and be considered equals. In our organization we give 14-year old members the right to be adults and we give them responsibility and authority as members.
This group is an important part of the Grange as they bring energy and enthusiasm to our organization. As part of a Grange team they add an important ingredient to the mix of experience and knowledge that our long-time members bring.
That brings us right to the topic of Grange growth. Our members are searching for tools that will teach them how to attract new members to join and how to get members to step up as new leaders. State Grange leaders are looking for communities that need a Grange either with a new Grange or with a reorganized former Grange. All of these create growth in our Grange.
The way we are going to be successful is by working together and forming teams to accomplish the goals and tasks that face us. The more young people that we get involved on our teams, the more diverse and talent the teams will become. Success is a direct result of members working together and not worrying about who gets the credit. We need to reinforce the understanding that that credit is shared by all and success is the real reward.
I am so energized by what I am hearing from the members of the Northeast region. It appears that members and leaders are all focused on the same basic premise of involving youth and creating Grange growth. While each state has its own identity and methods, they have unity of focus and purpose.
Conferences and meetings give each member the chance to pick up some new energy and excitement while they learn a few new ideas that involve young people in their Grange and how to create Grange growth in their own Community Grange.
I hope you get the opportunity to attend an exciting Grange conference in your area. Focus on young people and Grange growth and 2010 will be a great year!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
State Masters Pledges
This week in Washington, D.C. has been a whirlwind and I still have two days to go in the office. Today I reviewed the pledges that each State Master made at the Session for their State. There are four areas in which they were challenged to make pledges in. Every State is represented expect South Carolina due to Brother Hammett's illness.
The first area is in new organizations. Out of 35 State Granges pledging, 36 new Granges were promised. Six States pledged two new Granges while five didn't set any goals. 1962 was the last year that 36 or more Granges were organized in one year. Considering that organizing one or two Granges is feasible for any State, this goal is achievable. We all know that it will not necessarily be easy, but we can do this.
The second area is in reorganizations of Granges that have either had their Charter revoked or have disbanded. 29 Granges were promised by the State Masters. Kansas led the group by pledging three and five others have pledged two in their State. Reorganizing at least 29 Granges was also last achieved in 1962. The task of reorganizing is often easier than organizing because sometimes we have assets that are being held for that Grange.
The third area is in revitalizing existing Granges. The State Masters have promised to conduct programs and follow up the successes in 100 Granges. California leads the pledges with the promise to aid 20 of their Community Granges. 18 other states have pledged from two to eight Granges revitalized within their borders. California led the nation last year in successful revitalization efforts and is determined to continue their efforts.
The fourth area is in starting Junior Granges, either new or reorganizations. 38 were promised at National Session. Eleven States pledge two Junior Granges. 1982 is the last year that at least 38 Junior Granges were started. This goal may actually be the easiest to accomplish. I have never seen an effort to start a Junior Grange fail because of the interest of the kids.
These pledges that your State Masters have made are only going to be achieved by teams of members working together. I ask that you volunteer to be a part of a team as we need every member with a passion for the Grange to give what time they can afford. This task will be accomplished by many members giving a bit rather than a few giving a lot. Each member is important to our goals.
I can not put into words the feeling that you get when you are part of a team that organizes or reorganizes a Community Grange. I can verbalize the emotions that seeing a Grange that was failing becoming a vital force within their community. The pride in seeing a new Junior Grange starting out is unbelievable. Those members who have accomplished these things know exactly what I am saying. I want more members to feel all the great things that happen when we achieve success.
Remember that success comes one day at a time, one step followed by another, and one Grange at a time. 2010 is our time for success! Together we will achieve our goals!
The first area is in new organizations. Out of 35 State Granges pledging, 36 new Granges were promised. Six States pledged two new Granges while five didn't set any goals. 1962 was the last year that 36 or more Granges were organized in one year. Considering that organizing one or two Granges is feasible for any State, this goal is achievable. We all know that it will not necessarily be easy, but we can do this.
The second area is in reorganizations of Granges that have either had their Charter revoked or have disbanded. 29 Granges were promised by the State Masters. Kansas led the group by pledging three and five others have pledged two in their State. Reorganizing at least 29 Granges was also last achieved in 1962. The task of reorganizing is often easier than organizing because sometimes we have assets that are being held for that Grange.
The third area is in revitalizing existing Granges. The State Masters have promised to conduct programs and follow up the successes in 100 Granges. California leads the pledges with the promise to aid 20 of their Community Granges. 18 other states have pledged from two to eight Granges revitalized within their borders. California led the nation last year in successful revitalization efforts and is determined to continue their efforts.
The fourth area is in starting Junior Granges, either new or reorganizations. 38 were promised at National Session. Eleven States pledge two Junior Granges. 1982 is the last year that at least 38 Junior Granges were started. This goal may actually be the easiest to accomplish. I have never seen an effort to start a Junior Grange fail because of the interest of the kids.
These pledges that your State Masters have made are only going to be achieved by teams of members working together. I ask that you volunteer to be a part of a team as we need every member with a passion for the Grange to give what time they can afford. This task will be accomplished by many members giving a bit rather than a few giving a lot. Each member is important to our goals.
I can not put into words the feeling that you get when you are part of a team that organizes or reorganizes a Community Grange. I can verbalize the emotions that seeing a Grange that was failing becoming a vital force within their community. The pride in seeing a new Junior Grange starting out is unbelievable. Those members who have accomplished these things know exactly what I am saying. I want more members to feel all the great things that happen when we achieve success.
Remember that success comes one day at a time, one step followed by another, and one Grange at a time. 2010 is our time for success! Together we will achieve our goals!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Book Report
Read a great book on the plane home Wednesday evening. "How the Mighty Fall" by Jim Collins.
Collins studies businesses as they can be tracked and analyzed in a number of ways. However, much of his analysis is applicable to non-profit organizations such as the Grange.
He found five steps in the process of decline. He found that the time in each step could vary immensely and that decline could be reversed in the first four steps of decline. He defined the steps as: #1, Hubris born of success; #2, Undisciplined pursuit of more; #3, Denial of risk and peril; #4, Grasping for salvation; and #5, Capitulation to irrelevance or death.
In reflecting on what he wrote, I realize I've heard from all levels of the Grange some of the symptoms of some of the steps. I will say I've never heard indicators of Step 5 from the National level or from my home state. I have heard it from a number of Community and Pomona Granges and maybe one or two states.
After reading the book, I am even more enthused by what is happening at National Grange and many State and Community Granges. We are on the way back to being one of America's leading organizations. Unlike business, we can rescue some of our Granges that have reached step 5. All it takes is new blood and a desire to share our organization with others.
Read this book and share your perceptions of it with your fellow members.
Collins studies businesses as they can be tracked and analyzed in a number of ways. However, much of his analysis is applicable to non-profit organizations such as the Grange.
He found five steps in the process of decline. He found that the time in each step could vary immensely and that decline could be reversed in the first four steps of decline. He defined the steps as: #1, Hubris born of success; #2, Undisciplined pursuit of more; #3, Denial of risk and peril; #4, Grasping for salvation; and #5, Capitulation to irrelevance or death.
In reflecting on what he wrote, I realize I've heard from all levels of the Grange some of the symptoms of some of the steps. I will say I've never heard indicators of Step 5 from the National level or from my home state. I have heard it from a number of Community and Pomona Granges and maybe one or two states.
After reading the book, I am even more enthused by what is happening at National Grange and many State and Community Granges. We are on the way back to being one of America's leading organizations. Unlike business, we can rescue some of our Granges that have reached step 5. All it takes is new blood and a desire to share our organization with others.
Read this book and share your perceptions of it with your fellow members.
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