Utilizing Our Resources To Better Our Granges And Communities

By Tom Gwin
State Grange
Master/President

We’ve had a couple buy months at the State Grange Office in Olympia. The Youth / Junior Legislative Experience and Grange Legislative Day were sandwiched between our series of Resource and Information Conferences. While those activities were highlighted last month, there are a few remnants to touch base on.

Resource and Information Packets

Your Yearly Information Packets should be in the hands of every Grange. While the packet did include the program information from each department, it also included resource material for Grange Masters / Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers. I cannot reiterate enough, the necessity for you to read through the information we provided to you. Nearly all of your questions can be answered simply by reading through the material. If you do not find the answers to your questions, then it is appropriate to call your Grange Deputy or the State Grange Office to get clarification.

Capital Budget Grants

Thank you to those Granges who completed applications for the Capital Budget Grants through the state legislature. While we started the application process last fall, Granges wishing to continue needed to apply directly with the legislature and to contact their State Senator and Representatives as a part of the process. Nearly 50 Grange completed the process and are working with the state legislators to secure funding. We are hopeful to for every Grange that accepted the opportunity to apply for these funds to improve your community meeting facilities. While not every Grange will be funded, we are receiving favorable comments on many of the projects.

About a month from now, we should have some indication as to which Granges will receive either full or partial funding. For those Granges that do get funded, we will work with you through the processes outlined in the legislation. For those Granges that do not get funded, we will work with you in learning how to improve your grant application as we try again with renewed vigor in 2026.

National Report

We just completed the State Grange Report to the National Grange for the Fourth Quarter of 2024. We are showing an increase in membership for the fourth quarter. While the number of Junior Grange members shows a decrease, the number of Grange Family Plans increased, along with the number of Individual Fraternal Members. The number of Associate Members increased slightly, while the number of Affiliate Members remains constant. We’ve had gains in total membership for the past three years. Much will depend upon the first and second quarter reports, which will determine if we can make it for the fourth consecutive year. I encourage you to continuing utilizing the resources to promote the Grange and the positive influence we make across the state.

Two Sides of the Story: The Importance of Perspective

In today’s Grange, it is easy to form opinions quickly. Whether it’s a political debate, a social issue, or even a personal dispute, our members often take sides without considering the full picture. However, every story has at least two sides, and failing to acknowledge this reality can lead to misinformation, division, and missed opportunities for understanding.

While this situation occurs in our Granges, one of the most common examples of this phenomenon occurs in the media. News outlets, whether intentionally or unintentionally, can present stories with biases that shape public perception. A single event can be reported in vastly different ways depending on the outlet’s perspective, leaving audiences with incomplete or conflicting narratives. Without critical thinking and a willingness to consider alternative viewpoints, our members may form opinions based on partial truths rather than objective reality.

Similarly, in personal conflicts, misunderstandings often arise because people focus only on their own experiences and emotions. Two individuals may recall the same argument differently, each believing they are entirely right. However, true resolution comes from empathy — understanding the other person’s perspective and recognizing that the truth is often somewhere in between. Acknowledging both sides allows for more effective communication and conflict resolution.

In legal and historical contexts, the principle of considering multiple perspectives is fundamental. The judicial system is built on the idea that both the prosecution and the defense must present their sides before a verdict is reached. Similarly, history is filled with events that can be interpreted in multiple ways. What one group sees as a triumph, another may view as a tragedy. Understanding these nuances helps create a more balanced and comprehensive view of the past.

To foster a more informed and open-minded organization, we must challenge ourselves to seek out multiple perspectives. This means engaging in conversations with people who hold different beliefs, reading diverse sources of information, and practicing empathy in our daily interactions. By acknowledging that every story has at least two sides, we can bridge divides, reduce conflict, and cultivate a culture of deeper understanding.

Ultimately, the truth is rarely black and white. It is found in the gray areas, where multiple perspectives intertwine. In a world that often encourages division, we expect our Grange members to embrace the complexity of different viewpoints. It is not just an intellectual exercise — it is a necessity for progress and growth as we continue working for the betterment of our Granges and our communities.

Unique Legislative Session Underway

By Jesse Taylor
Legislative Lobbyist

I got home from a late Appropriations Committee meeting the other night and glanced over towards my wood supply, noticing it was starting to get down. As the calendar begins to turn towards the spring months, my wood stack is always a measuring post of where we are in the year. Looking at the wood stack the other day gave me incredible optimism as it tells me we are turning the corner on the winter and barreling towards Spring. By the time I’m down to my last half cord of wood the cherry trees are popping, and Memorial Day is in sight. Springtime is my favorite season. The grass starts to grow, the birds start to chirp, fishing season opens and kids fill baseball fields. I hope our industry is feeling a sense of optimism this year as we gear up for the ‘busy’ season. With many unknowns around the world, the changing of the seasons is always a welcome staple that lets us know that order is imminent, and we are still a community of people running around this rock together.

As we have mentioned routinely throughout the year, the state revenue outlook is facing some challenges. The most recent official forecast from the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, released last fall, indicated a continuing downward trend. For the current 23-25 biennium projected General Fund revenue collections are estimated at $66.4 billion, a decrease of $89 million from the September 2024 forecast. As we look ahead to the 2025-27 biennium, which starts July 1, revenue is projected at $71.4 billion, down $181 million from the prior estimate. Over the four-year outlook, including the 2027-29 biennium, the total revenue projection has dropped by about $400 million compared to earlier forecasts.

This reduction is attributed to factors like lower-than-expected capital gains tax receipts, a slowdown in home construction, and softening personal income growth, despite steady employment figures. Our state rainy day coffer has about $2.4 billion, but this shortfall suggests lawmakers may face deeper cuts and tougher decisions than $2.4B worth. The next official revenue forecast, due by March 20, 2025, will provide further clarity as the legislative session progresses.

This legislative session has been unique in that it’s the first time our state has had a long session with a new president and governor in 32-years. The last time our state faced a new administration in both Olympia and D.C. were 1993 when Governor Mike Lowery and President Bill Clinton were sworn in. Because of that there has been a lot of uncertainty around matching federal funds with state funds and the interface between the two.

In light of that federal-state interface, Washington State faces a significant risk of losing federal funding due to its support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in public schools, especially in light of recent directives from the U.S. Department of Education. On February 15, 2025, the Department issued a letter giving states 14 days—until February 28, 2025—to eliminate DEI programs or risk losing federal dollars. This directive, aligned with President Trump’s executive orders to end what he calls “illegal and discriminatory” DEI initiatives, puts billions of dollars at stake for states like Washington that resist compliance. Washington State, however, has shown resistance to these federal directives. Local leaders, including some school districts and state officials like OSPI head Chris Reykdal, have indicated they intend to maintain their DEI programs despite the executive order. This stance could put the state at odds with the federal government, which provides significant funding to Washington—approximately 7% of the state’s education budget, and billions more across other sectors.

The remainder of the Washington State legislative session will look almost exactly like the first half; but with an abbreviated timeframe. The “halftime” of session (this year March 12th) represents the deadline for all bills to be passed out of their “House of Origin”. That means if a bill was introduced this year in the Senate, it has to make the entire journey through the Senate Committees and get successfully voted off the Senate floor with a full chamber vote before the March 12th “House of Origin” cutoff. If that bill is successful in getting voted off the Floor, it’s alive for the second half of session and then goes to consideration by members of the House of Representatives.

Please follow along our weekly legislative updates through the remainder of the session for specific, real-time information about what’s coming out of the 2025 session.

As we go throughout the session you can follow along the daily schedule of the legislature and see the Senate floor calendar and the House floor calendar.

By Grange News Staff

Scholarships are offered each year through the Washington State Grange Foundation to assist Grange members attending college.

Applicants for these scholarships must be high school seniors or graduates already enrolled in institutions of higher learning. They must be Grange members of a Grange in Washington State.

The scholarships may be used at any institution offering courses leading to a certificate or degree in a recognized profession or vocation.

The following scholarships are being offered this year:

• Grange Family Living Department Vocational Scholarship

• Grange Family Living Department Home Economics Scholarship

• Kegley Agricultural Scholarship

• Norm Buchholz Agricultural Scholarship

• Kittleson Memorial Agricultural Scholarship

• Delpha Goude Scholarship

• Horace Bozarth Scholarship

• Kiona-Benton (Koss Memorial) Scholarship

• Adrian & Betty DeVries Memorial Scholarship

• Martin & Grace Forry Scholarship

• Marion & Snowie Vanderpool Scholarship

• Riverview Grange Scholarship

• Fox Island Grange Scholarship

• Nob Island Grange Scholarship

• Ray & Marion Kammerer Scholarships

• Enga M. Anderson Scholarship

• Bear Creek Scholarship

• Rock Creek Scholarship

• French Creek Scholarship

• McCleary Grange Scholarship

• Pomona Villa Scholarship

Details on the requirements for each scholarship, along with applications forms, can be found on the Washington State Grange website, www.wa-grange.com. The online forms are not set as PDF fillable, however a signature is still required from the applicant and all recommendations must also be signed by the person making the recommendation. Completed applications and forms may be emailed, faxed, or sent via regular mail and are due by 5 p.m. on April 1.

By Grange News Staff

We encourage Granges to promote their Grange via displays in their communities throughout the year. This may be during Grange Month, during your county fair, or at any time throughout the year.

The purpose of the displays is to promote the Grange, our programs and activities, and to share the positive impact we make on our communities. Displays are a wonderful opportunity to showcase your Grange and to gather support for your activities.

The State Grange Membership Department is having a Grange Promotional Display Contest to assist in promoting the Grange by portraying the positive influences the Grange has had on our communities, state and nation.

Contest Information and General Guidelines

• Each Grange will arrange their own display area in a prominent public location in their community. It may be in a store or library, at a fair, or during a community event.

• Each Grange should design a display featuring their projects and activities, with a focus on positive impacts achieved in their community and state.

• The display should follow the theme “GRANGE STRONG”. If your display is from your county fair, you may use your fair theme.

• Grange programs should be represented (i.e. Lecturer, Family Living, Community Service, Legislative, Youth and Junior activities, etc.).

• The display must be in place for a minimum of five days or for the entire duration of the event.

• Each display must include a Grange logo and contact information for the local Grange.

• Each Grange is encouraged to take 3-5 pictures of their display (including one of the complete displays).

• Place the pictures in a folder, with a 300-word (maximum) essay about the display and what you wanted to convey.

• Submit pictures of your display for promotion in The Grange News.

• Judging will be completed by a committee and will be based on originality, creativity, design, and overall impact.

• Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three displays: $100, $50, $25.All entries should be placed in a folder and sent by October 31 to the Washington State Grange, PO Box 1186, Olympia WA 98507.