The 62nd Session of the Washington State Legislature is upon us. This is a short 60-day session which runs Jan. 9 through March 8. I encourage you, either as individuals or as Granges, to contact your legislators and our statewide elected leaders and let them know your support for or arguments against specific issues. Also, look at these issues with an eye toward writing resolutions that will help set Washington State Grange policy into the future; this is the basis for our grassroots heritage. Our Legislative Department sends out a weekly newsletter via email, Session Watch, which any member can request. Contact Legislative Director Holli Johnson at hjohnson@wa-grange.org to receive your copy.
Our annual Deputy’s Conference was held the first weekend of January in Yakima. It was exciting to have all of the Deputies and State Officers in one place sharing ideas and working together. Experiences and lessons learned over the last six months with the concept of using the Deputies in an “at large” role versus by county were discussed and the concept was found to be working very well. The one day conference also included a program overview by each of the department directors and a team-building workshop.
It is exciting to report on the recent reorganization of Roy Grange #702 in Pierce County with 16 new members. Welcome and congratulations! Special thanks to all of the Pierce County Pomona members who helped with this reorganization. This is a great example of how a Pomona Grange can be directly involved in the success of a community Grange.
I am extremely encouraged by the many accounts that I have received and the personal conversations that I have had with so many of you that are working diligently to ensure your Grange remains a positive and viable difference maker in your community. If all of our community Granges could focus on building the Grange, and not allow negatives to control their actions, there is nothing that we can’t accomplish. Remember, YOU choose your attitude.
Together, we can and will make a difference! |
