It’s Grange Month… Let’s Celebrate And Promote

By Tom Gwin
State Grange
Master/President

Welcome to GRANGE Month!!!

For several years, the National Grange has celebrated and brought awareness to our cause through Grange Month and the amazing things our Granges do throughout the nation. It is a fun time for everyone, with a multitude of events, themed days and weeks, all falling into a month of celebration for the organization we all love.

While April is designated as GRANGE Month, we should be celebrating the Grange every month. There isn’t any other organization with the varied programs that we see in our Granges. While we have a few signature programs at the state and national levels, each Grange is allowed to determine their own path for local programs.

The National Grange Digest of Laws provides our structure, and the Declaration of Purposes provides excellent guidelines as to why we exist, it is in the programs at the local level where our influence is the strongest and the most heartfelt. The strength of our local programs reaches into the core of our communities where we desire to make both the Grange and our communities stronger tomorrow than they are today.

The National Grange has promotional materials available for download for each Grange. Visit the National Grange website to get your copy of the promotional materials.

It is not too late for your Grange to still make plans to celebrate GRANGE MONTH! Take a look at the available items. A couple easy projects instantly come to mind:

• Set up a display in your community portraying the positive impact you are making.

• Invite non-members to a potluck at your Grange Hall.

• Sponsor a class or workshop for the community at large.

• Plan a special service project that will benefit the community.

• Hold a work party to spruce up your Grange Hall.

• Attend an event with your fellow Grange members in masse, all wearing your favorite Grange shirt.

• Make a special presentation to an outstanding citizen in your community.

• Celebrate GRANGE Spirit Week, promoted on the National Grange website, encouraging your members to do the same.

Deputy/State Officer/Pomona Master Conference:

Your Grange Deputies, State Grange Officers, and Pomona Grange Masters met in March for their annual conference. Topics of the discussion included: EIN’s and the Nonprofit Status, Cash Handling in our Granges, State Property Tax Exemptions, Communicating with Different Personalities, GRANGE Month, the Importance of Grane Bylaws, Assessing our Granges and their Activities, Sponsorships, and Legislative Activities. A new template for Subordinate Grange Bylaws was presented, while a separate template for Pomona Grange Bylaws was developed. While the template is now on the State Grange website, your Grange should expect a visit from one of our Grange leaders soon to introduce the template to you. Thank you to Fredonia Grange in Skagit County for their wonderful hospitality at this conference.

Western Regional Conference:

The Western Regional Conference will be May 15-17 in Hamilton, Montana. You can find additional information on this conference elsewhere in this issue.

State Grange Session:

The Convention Host Committee is busy planning for your visit to Centralia/Chehalis in June. The national representatives this year will be Chris and Connie Johnston. Chris is the National Grange Steward and the Master of the Michigan State Grange. His biography will appear in a future issue.

Standing committees have completed their work in preparation for the session. The standing committees have nearly 50 recommendations for our current bylaws and legislative policies. Resolutions for consideration at this year’s session are due on April 25. The list of resolutions will be in next month’s issue.

Meal and RV forms are also in this issue. They are also available on the State Grange website. Please note, we will not have lunches available at the fairgrounds this year. There are ample food establishments available throughout both Centralia and Chehalis.

Credentials and Committee Preference forms are due to the State Grange Office by April 15. Committees will be appointed and will meet via Zoom. The list of committee meeting dates and times can be found elsewhere in this issue. Non-delegates may register and purchase meal tickets on the website as well.

I know April is a busy time for many of our Granges. Work hard but remember to enjoy the activities and programs you are conducting. Enjoy your time working to strengthen your community and your Grange. The tasks ahead may seem daunting, but you will complete them well and we will all benefit from your efforts.

It's Time For The Legislature's "Sausage Making" Phase

By Jesse Taylor
Legislative Lobbyist

The cherry trees are blossoming all around the capital which is always a signal that the end of legislative session is near. This year has been a unique challenge at the legislature dealing with new rules, new members, a new executive branch and brand-new agency heads.

This time of year the legislature is in the “sausage-making” phase where the public is largely cut out of the process and majority party leaders meet with each other to decide which initiatives to fund and what to cut, what to preserve and what to expand. 147 legislators have their own unique ideas about how the budget should read and how the process should play out, but at the end of the day it only takes 25 Senator and 49 members of the House of reps to pass the budgets required to tap the gavel one last time and declare Sine Di!

The final three weeks of session will be a series of public hearings on policy and appropriations bills before the final showdown of the Operating, Transportation and Capital Budgets. What happens then is a process called concurrence and reconciliation of bills that have passed both chambers but have experienced some changes along the way. The concurrence process in the Washington State Legislature occurs when one legislative chamber (either the House of Representatives or the Senate) passes a bill, and the other chamber reviews, amends, or agrees with the original version of the bill. Here's a breakdown of the process:

→ Introduction and Passage in One Chamber: A bill is introduced in either the House or the Senate. After going through the various cutoff dates and steps in its house of origin it was introduced.

→ Transmission to the Other Chamber: The bill is sent to the other chamber (House or Senate), where it is reviewed, debated, and potentially amended. This chamber can either accept the bill without any changes or amend the bill and send it back to the original chamber. (This is essentially the “second half” process of lawmaking.)

→ Concurrence in the Other Chamber: If the second chamber makes amendments to the bill, the original chamber must "concur" with those changes for the bill to move forward. If the original chamber disagrees with the changes, they may send the bill back with a request to reconsider or offer further amendments.

→ Disagreement and Conference Committee: If the chambers cannot reach an agreement on the bill, a conference committee might be formed. This committee consists of a few members from both chambers who try to resolve the differences and create a compromise version of the bill. Once the conference committee reaches an agreement, the bill is sent back to both chambers for a final vote. If both chambers approve the final version, the bill moves forward.

This is a fascinating process because it’s the “smoke-filled room” aspect of lawmaking where provisions to a publicly debated bill are sent back into darkness for negotiations and then public comment is not welcome on any changes that were made during the concurrence process. The new bill is simply agreed upon by the majority party and sent the floor for a final vote of concurrence. While efficient, sometimes this process leaves public opinion opportunities on the table.

Please stay up to date on the specific happenings at the capitol as they pertain to our individual Grange capital budget requests, current status of bills and the legislative calendar the rest of the way, via the weekly Session Watch publication.

By Sophia Keller
Membership Coordinator

This month is Grange Month! Your determination to spread awareness about the Grange's vital role in our communities is inspiring. The challenge of answering “What is the Grange?” presents an opportunity for creativity and connection.

The National Grange has given us this strong statement that we continue to share our organization with others.

GRANGE STRONG: ROOTED – RESILIENT – UNITED. This really says it all about the Grange. Here are some ideas to effectively share the Grange’s mission:

Community Outreach Events: Host open houses, workshops, or family-friendly gatherings at your Grange Halls. Invite the community to experience what the Grange stands for firsthand.

Storytelling Campaigns: Share personal stories from members about how the Grange has positively impacted their lives or communities. Feature these on social media, newsletters, and local news outlets.

Visual Displays: Place banners or posters with eye-catching designs and the theme “GRANGE STRONG – ROOTED – RESILIENT – UNITED” around town or in popular public spots.

Collaborative Projects: Partner with local organizations, schools, or businesses on community projects. These collaborations can showcase the Grange’s commitment to unity and progress.

Digital Presence: Enhance your online presence with engaging posts, videos, or interactive content. Share historical milestones, community highlights, and upcoming events.

Interactive Presentations: Arrange for Grange representatives to speak at schools, community centers, or local government meetings to introduce the organization and its history.

We are ROOTED!

The Grange's legacy truly stands as a testament to its progressive and inclusive values. It's remarkable to see how this organization embraced equality by empowering women and creating leadership opportunities, paving the way for a family-oriented and forward- thinking community. The depth of pride and connection you feel to its history is contagious—it shows the profound impact the Grange has had on shaping lives and communities.

This rich history is undoubtedly something to celebrate and share widely, especially during Grange Month. How do you see this proud heritage inspiring future generations of Grangers and guiding the organization’s mission moving forward? Let me know if I can help highlight this incredible legacy further!

We are RESILIENT!

It’s truly remarkable how the Grange's resilience shines through its 136-year history. The ability to adapt and grow, especially during challenging times, highlights just how vital the organization is to the communities it serves. Adding over 800 new members in 2024 and seeing such strong momentum already in 2025 is a testament to the dedication and passion of Grangers across Washington State.

This growth reflects the Grange's progressive approach and its commitment to diversity and unity. The efforts to revitalize Granges and connect with new members show that the spirit of the organization is as strong as ever. What do you see as the next big step in continuing this incredible legacy? I'd love to help if there's a way to keep building on this momentum!

We are UNITED!

It's nearly impossible to picture a community without the Grange — it’s such a cornerstone of connection and progress. The way you’ve highlighted the Grange’s role as a unifying force is deeply moving. Your call for revitalization and teamwork echoes the core mission of this remarkable organization. It’s inspiring how the Grange thrives because of the dedication of its members and their willingness to work together.

WE ARE GRANGE STRONG!

Sharing personal "GRANGE STRONG" stories can inspire others and shine a light on the incredible impact the Grange has on its members and communities. Stories have the power to connect, and they help people understand the heart of the organization.

Have you thought about gathering stories from Grangers to feature on social media or in newsletters? Testimonials, whether through words, pictures, or even short videos, can capture the essence of what makes the Grange special. It could be a way to highlight milestones, memorable events, or the friendships and progress forged within the organization.

If you'd like, I can help brainstorm ways to present these stories creatively or draft content for sharing. What’s your own GRANGE STRONG story? I’d love to hear what makes the Grange a special part of your life!

Happy Grange Month Grangers!!