PIPS Program Being Implemented To Move Our Granges Forward
By Tom Gwin
State Grange
Master/President
The National Grange has proposed the use of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPS) for Granges across the nation. To develop this program in each state, members of the National Grange Executive Committee has been assigned as mentors to each of the State Granges. The mentor for the Washington State Grange is Joseph Stefenoni, Master of the California State Grange.
Joseph met with our State Grange Executive Committee via Zoom at their December meeting. We were joined by nine additional state officers for an introduction to the program and implementation into our state. The state officers unanimously agreed to support the program and to serve as mentors for Granges.
The State Grange is beginning the process by completing the State Grange Assessment Form. The form asks questions about the State Grange Mission Statement, how we communicate with our Pomona and Community/Subordinate Granges, and goals we want to focus on for the next 1-2 years.
The first step for Community/Subordinate Grange is also the completion of a Grange Assessment Form. State Officers and Deputies have been working to complete assessments of each Grange in our state since last spring. We have completed these assessments for approximately half of our Granges and will be working to finish the remaining Granges in the next few months.
The National Grange Executive Committee has proposed Performance Improvement Plans for each of the State Granges. We in turn will be designating Community/Subordinate Granges to participate in this program. The program involves completing a current assessment of the Grange and then working with that Grange to determine Smart Goals for moving that Grange forward in both membership and program development. Each participating Grange will work closely with a team of State Grange Officers to implement a plan to broaden their impact in the local community. Granges interested in participating in this program should contact me immediately as we are moving forward with implementing this program in December.
Upon completion of the assessments, we will then identify 10-15 Granges across the state to participate in the PIPS Program this year. Your team of mentors will meet with you to assist in setting goals for your Grange in the area of membership development, creating relevant and interesting programs and activities, communicating with your current and potential members, and identifying and developing leaders to carry on your Grange’s legacy.
Your mentors will be familiar with the use of SMART Goals to move your Grange forward to increase your relevancy in your community. SMART is an acronym that help guide goal setting and achievement. Each letter stands for a key component:
S – Specific; clearly define what you want to accomplish.
M – Measurable; identify how you will measure progress and know when the goal is achieved.
A – Achievable; ensure your goal is realistic and attainable.
R – Relevant; make sure your goal alights with your broader objectives or values and those of the Grange at the state and national levels.
T – Time Bound; set a deadline to create urgency and focus.
The use of SMART goals is a well thought out process that will assist our Granges in creating an action plan to attain those goals, which will strengthen our organization across the state.
If your Grange is looking for new ideas to develop membership, increase relevancy in your community, and/or developing new leaders, I would encourage your participation in this program. If your Grange is even remotely interested in participating in the program, please email me at tagwin@wa-grange.org to let me know of your interest. I am hoping for many more interested Granges than we can possibly mentor this year. We will select 10-15 Granges for immediate inclusion in the program and put our mentorship teams to work.
Training for state officers and deputies will take place at the Deputy and State Officer Conference in late February. Mentorship teams will be created, assigned a Grange to work with, and immediately begin the PIPS project. The Mentors will continue to meet and check in with each Grange over the next year to help move your Grange forward.
WA Legislature To Convene For Short 69th Regular Session
By Jesse Taylor
Legislative Lobbyist
Happy New Year fellow Grange Members.
As we ring in this New Year, we’re stepping into an extraordinary milestone: 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America — a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the enduring spirit that built this nation.
American history has always interested me, ever since I was a wide-eyed kid perched on my Granddad’s knee, hanging on every word of his wartime tales. He didn’t talk much about his days as a foot soldier in Eisenhower’s mighty army during Operation Overlord, the epic push across France against Hitler’s forces. But when he did open up, it was mesmerizing—his blue eyes would drift to another world, as if he were right back on the battlefields of Western Europe.
I’ll never forget his most gripping story: leaping from a landing craft onto the blood-soaked sands of Normandy Beach, just one day after the D-Day invasion. Amid the chaos of gunfire, explosions, and sheer heroism, Granddad and his fellow patriots fought with unbreakable courage. Against all odds, they triumphed, liberating Europe and securing victory for the Allies.
This year, as America turns 250, I’m filled with gratitude for warriors like Granddad who defended the ideals we hold dear. Here’s to honoring our past, celebrating our present, and charging into the future!
Now, all eyes turn to Olympia, where the Legislature convenes for its 69th regular session. This short, 60-day session kicks off on January 12 and wraps up by March 13, focusing on supplemental adjustments to the 2025-27 biennial budget and a select slate of bills. With Democrats holding majorities in both chambers—59-39 in the House and 29-20 in the Senate—expect debates shaped by progressive priorities, but also bipartisan opportunities on rural, agricultural, and natural resource issues.
What can we anticipate? Short sessions emphasize urgency, with cutoff dates accelerating the process: bills must pass committees by February 17, their house of origin by February 28, and opposite house by March 6. Pre-filing began December 1, 2025, and already over 300 bills are in play, touching everything from taxes to energy. For us in the Grange, this means vigilance on matters affecting our farms, small towns, and natural resources. We’ll push for policies that bolster family agriculture, protect water rights, enhance rural broadband, and ease property tax burdens.
The 2025-27 biennium, effective since July 2025, totals $78 billion in general fund spending and $150 billion overall, funding education, health care, and infrastructure. However, recent revenue forecasts paint a concerning picture. The June 2025 update projected $74.76 billion in revenues for the biennium, a 5.4% increase from prior estimates, but subsequent collections have tumbled, creating a projected billion dollar shortfall through 2027. Factors like sluggish capital gains tax receipts and economic slowdowns are to blame. Gov. Bob Ferguson released his budget in mid-December 2025 and that will be the biggest point of debate.
Expect discussions on balancing the books without deep cuts to essential services. Democrats may advocate for new revenues, such as expanding the 7% capital gains tax or introducing a 9.9% income tax on earnings over $1 million, potentially raising $3 billion annually for education and social programs. Republicans, meanwhile, will counter with calls for fiscal restraint, tax relief, and efficiency measures. For Grange members, this translates to safeguarding ag funding: programs like the Farm to School initiative, soil health grants, and disaster relief for wildfires and droughts should remain intact.
On potential bills, several align with our priorities. Senate Bill 5117, sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres and others, aims to “protect agriculture” by streamlining regulations, supporting workforce development, and incentivizing innovation in farming tech—crucial for our members facing labor shortages and climate challenges. House Bill 1588 seeks to expand opportunities for organic, regenerative, and climate-smart producers, offering grants and tax credits to transition to sustainable practices, which could benefit our fruit orchards, dairy operations, and grain fields. Wildfire prevention is another hot topic; Rep. David Stuebe’s proposals include enhanced forest management and rural fire district funding, vital after recent devastating seasons.
Housing and affordability bills may also gain traction. Lawmakers are eyeing financing for rural homes, permanent supportive housing, and eviction reforms to address the cost-of-living crisis squeezing our communities. Energy legislation, like advancing nuclear power and curbing pollution via House Bill 1303, could impact rural utilities and clean energy transitions.
There will be much more coming our way as the session progresses so please check the Session Watch along the way.
Please join us for Legislative Day on January 26th as we run around the capital and meet interesting and important people! See you soon.
Grange News Staff
The State Grange Executive Committee spent several hours working to balance the State Grange budget for 2026. In October 2025, the State Grange was informed of the loss of nearly $200,000 in supportive membership funds from GIA. As this loss of funds is hitting us extremely hard, the Executive Committee has taken the following actions:
• payments to Pomona Granges for Pomona Dues are temporarily suspended
• we will print six issues of the Grange News (January, March, May, August, and October)
• delegate mileage payments for the WA State Grange Convention are temporarily suspended
• suspended housing reimbursement for officers, deputies, directors, etc. for the WA State Grange Convention
• eliminate printing of convention dockets and make the information available online for delegates
• distribute printed copies of the WA State Grange Roster only to State Officers, State Directors, and Deputies. For others desiring a copy of the roster, we can email a pdf version to you upon it’s completion.
• we will make Department packets, the Legislative Handbook, the Program Handbook and Secretaries handbook available only in an online format.
• duties and responsibilities of State Grange staff will be adjusted to meet our current financial and operational needs and budgetary requirements.
• implementation of a $30 registration fee for all state convention attendees in 2026. The delegate registration fee is eliminated.
Copies of the 2026 Washington State Grange Budget have been sent to each Grange in the state.
By Grange News Staff
It was beginning to “Look a little bit like Christmas” with Meridian Grange’s first Christmas Cookie Decorating Event held November 29th.
Thirty-nine people of all ages participated in this fun afternoon of decorating cookies to take home to show family and friends their efforts at cookie decorating.
This event was hosted by Taj Alex, Tricia Garboden, and Matthew and Tiffany Richard who had everything ready when people arrived. This committee had a wide array of sugar cookies in the shapes of Santa, trees, candy canes, stockings, and stars ready to decorate with various colors of frosting and an assortment of colorful sprinkles.
Taj Alex did a wonderful job narrating this event giving out various sugar cookie recipes, along with ideas and hints on making sugar cookies and various frostings including buttercream, royal icing, and even demonstrating how to “flood cookies with the royal icing”!
Taj Alex’s husband, Rod, had a table with multiple beads where guests could also create wonderful beaded Christmas ornaments for their Christmas tree.
A fun and memorable experience was had by all.
Meridian Grange planned another free Community Event for Saturday, January 10th from Noon to 2:30 PM on learning to make Sourdough Bread.