Junior Grange: Advocating For Family Values By Building Communities

"Train up a child in the way we should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Never has there been a greater need for "trainers" of America's children than there is today. The challenges and choices facing our children as we begin the second millennium are overwhelming.
Our Granges, our "trainers", have the opportunity to provide the training grounds for our young people through Junior Grange. We can provide leadership training, build self-esteem, teach honesty, fidelity, and patriotism, and above all, respect and responsibility. Our "training" sessions also include fun and friendships that last a lifetime. Never has "training offered so much as in Junior Grange.

There is no question of the value of a Junior Grange. It helps the subordinate Grange under whose jurisdiction it exists. It strengthens community influences. It puts the children in training for effective, capable leadership parts in the larger Grange and their associations in the community. Children urge their parents to go to Grange in order that they may attend. By taking in children of parents who do not belong to the Grange but who are eligible for membership, the Subordinate Grange often secures new members that it would not otherwise reach. Activities and programs designed especially for children lead them to many things that will stand them well in hand when they assume a larger role in affairs of the community, as well as knit them together in true friendships. 

Junior Grange Informational Workshops
Who Should Attend: Junior Leaders and Assistants, Subordinate & Pomona Junior Committees, Regional Junior Deputies, Junior Parents (Regardless if they are Grange members), Older Junior Members (ages 11-14), Any Interested Grange members. Workshop Topics: Junior Grange Heritage, Junior/Youth Grange Camp, Craft Projects, Programs/Projects offered to Junior Members, How to Organize and/or Maintain a Junior Grange, Leadership Development for Junior Leaders & Members, Community Service projects, Fund Raisers. Two will be held in the spring of 2008 and one in September.  Keep checking this website for dates and locations.

Creative Writing
The Creative Writing continues as a NYS Junior Grange project 1. Any Junior member may submit a Creative Writing. There are no longer age groups. 2. Your Creative Writing may be a story, poem or skit. Entries with the use of unnecessary brutality or social violence will not be accepted. 3. Each entry should be in a folder with the Junior members name, Junior Grange and county listed in the very top center of the front cover. 4. Suggested length guidelines: ages 8 and under approximately 1 page; ages 9 to 14, approximately 2 to 3 pages. Please double space. Ages 6 and under may dictate their entries. 5. All entries must use the standard theme, for: 2008- "In my dreams I opened the door and saw..." 6. All entries will be evaluated using the "Danish System". Each entry will be rated and scored with a Blue Ribbon for excellence, a Red ribbon for good, and a White ribbon for worthy. A list of all Blue ribbon winners will be published in both the Junior Director's bi-monthly newsletter and the Empire State Granger newspaper, the official publication of the NYS Grange. A Certificate of Recognition will also be given to each entrant, along with a monetary award.
Merit Badge Program
The Merit Badge Program is continuing. New badges have been added, two in each section. The State Junior Director has the following materials available to Junior Leaders for this program: 1 Badge Presentation Ceremony. 2. Merit Badges available in each section. 3. Directions for making a Merit Badge sash. Once badges have been earned, it is the responsibility of the Junior Leaders to obtain them from the National Grange for presentation to members. Use the following address to obtain an order form for Merit Badges: National Grange Sales, 1616 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-4999,(888) 447-2643 ext. 17.
Junior Grange Legislative Project
THIS IS A TWO PART PROGRAM WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING JUNIOR GRANGE MEMBERS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN OUR SOCIETY. PROJECT REPORTS ARE DUE TO THE STATE JUNIOR DIRECTOR BY SEPTEMBER 15 AND SPECIAL CERTIFICATES WILL BE ISSUED.
A.Field Trip: 1. Plan a visit to the State Capital in Albany or your County Seat Offices or City or Village Mayors office. 2. Schedule a personal visit with a legislator and ask them to review the process of "How a Bill Becomes a Law." Special pamphlets are available from State lawmakers upon request.
B. Junior Members Projects: Submit a minimum of three projects from the following list. 1. Ages 5-8: Draw and color any three designs of American Flags and display them at a Junior Grange meeting. 2. Ages 9-11: Do a short research project on a President of the U.S. born in New York and give the report at your Junior Grange meeting. 3. Ages 12-14: Do a short research project on any former Governor of New York and report on your research at a Junior Grange meeting. JUNIOR LEADERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE THIS LEGISLATIVE PROJECT AT LEAST EVERY OTHER YEAR.
JUNIOR GRANGE Shoe Boxes Deadline: State Session 2008

     This is a sample of a "Kids Helping Kids" community service project your Junior members (individually) or Junior Grange (collectively) can do.  This project can help children in your own local area (i.e. cheer for you, welcome to the neighborhood, get well, fires, first day of school supplies, illness, birthdays, holidays, etc.), or bring them to State Session where they will be given to those in need, during any time of the year.

Christmas gift" to them:

DIRECTIONS

1. 1) Select a discarded shoe box with a good lid. You can wrap it -lid separately -if you wish, or leave it plain.

2. 2) Decide if your shoe box will be for a boy or girl and in one of the following age categories:

3. 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. With a piece of paper, label it boy or girl along with the age group you have chosen and tape it to the top of the box.

4. 3) Fill the shoe box with a variety of items using the following lists as a guide -remember to choose items for the gender and age you have selected:

TOYS -small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, plastic kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, small Etch-A-Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES -pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets,

coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS -toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER -hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights with extra batteries, ball caps, socks, T -shirts, toy jewelry, hair clips, watches, small picture books, etc.

DO NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Used items; War-related items (toy guns, knives, etc.); Perishable foods; Liquids (shampoo, lotion, bubbles, etc.); Medicines (vitamins, cough drops, ointment, etc.); Breakable items (mirrors, china dolls, snowglobes, etc.).

4) If you wish, in a separate envelope placed in the box, write a letter to the child and a photo of yourself or your family -if you include your name and address, the child may write back - NO GUARANTEES.

5) In each box, it is necessary to enclose a $5 bill to cover shipping and other handling costs. Place this envelope on top of the gift items so it is clearly visible.

6) Then place a heavy rubber band around your box and lid.

7) Give your completed box or boxes to a delegate from your county.. They will get them to the New York State Grange Session for distribution.

8) SPECIAL NOTE: For every Junior Grange who does at least 3 boxes, the New York

9. Deadline: All filled shoe boxes must be to your delegates by October 15 each year or whatever date they determine.

Community Service

Purpose:  The Junior Grange Community Service Program in New York State continues with the intent of giving Junior members recognition for taking the opportunity to show their concern for their community and its citizens, in particular, other children by reaching out and taking a leadership role by helping out with a special award.

Theme:     Children Helping Children     or      "Kids Helping Kids"

Junior members along with the Leader (and perhaps the Community Grange too) are asked to select a project (s) utilizing the theme, "Kids Helping Kids".  The project must benefit other children (kids) up to the age of 18.  It could benefit one particular child with a particular need, or a group of children with "special" needs.  Once the project is completed, a special Certificate of Recognition will be issued to each Junior Grange who reports.  No scrapbook is required, and no long forms need to be completed.  The only requirements necessary is to get some publicity in the news media (newspapers, radio, TV, etc.) about your project.  It is important that the public know of the efforts of your Junior Grange.  Publicity will also be received in the NYS Grange Newspaper, the Empire State Granger.

RULES:

1. Junior Lecturer and Junior Leader organize a program on the chosen country which should include the geography, costumes, customs, holidays, foods, industry, types of agriculture, etc.
2. Present this program for another group, Community Grange, Pomona Grange or parent group. If possible, invite a guest from that country or have a slide show.

COUNTRY:  IRELAND         

RECOGNITION: Junior Granges completing this project will receive a Small World International Project certificate. Due -September 15th.

OUTSTANDING JUNIOR MEMBER PROGRAM
Ages: One age group for all Junior members from 5 to 14. Participants must not be 15 before reaching state level. Consideration: Each participant is to submit a completed application listing all J/G activities within the last year ONLY (except where noted below). Attached must be a Letter of Recommendation from the Jr. Leader outlining why this Junior should be considered for this award.
ALL WRITTEN WORDING ON THE APPLICATION MUST BE THE WORK OF THE JUNIOR MEMBER.
APPLICATION BLANK: Level I During the year, the J/G member must keep an accurate record of their achievements and list them on the application. The following points will be allotted: Junior Grange Officer 10 points, J/G Committee member 5 ea., max. 10, New members secured 15 for each, State Craft Projects made in last two years 5 ea., max. 10, Merit Badges earned 5 each, Creative Writing entry (last two yrs.) 10 points, Junior Grange Camp 10 points, Grange Week Participation 5 points, Community Service Projects 10 points, Legislative program 5 points, Talent Show 5 points, Sports activities 3 points, Hearing Ear Dog Fundraiser 3 points, Agri-Basic 3 points, Stuffed Toys 3 points, Thank You Mom & Dad 5 points.
Scoring: Any Junior member who has reached a minimum of 80 points on their application by the date of the State level evaluation may participate in the program.  Any applications to be considered MUST be in the hands of the State Junior Director no later than two weeks prior to Evaluation Day, which will be at the fall J/G Membership/ informational workshop.
LEVEL II
State level participants must complete the following on State Grange Recognition Day: 1. Written test on knowledge of Junior Grange work 25 pts. 2. 1 to 2 minute speech on topic of choice related to Junior Grange 25 pts., 3. Judges Interview 25 pts., 4. Stage Presentation-poise, appearance, etc. 25 pts. Any participant who rates a score of at least 85 points, or higher, by a set of qualified evaluators, will be named an Outstanding Junior Member of the New York State Grange.
Awards: County Level: As provided by each County. State Level: Special Sash and $25 cash or a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. Timetable: County Level: Prior to one week before Evaluation Day State Level: (date/time to be announced.)
BETTER RITUAL PROJECT
Present the Opening and Closing with all parts memorized by the officers including the proper presentation of the flag. Include only the following Orders of Business in the scoring for this project: 1. Opening the Grange, 2. Salute and Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, 3. Junior Grange Pledge, 4. Calling the Roll of Officers, 5. Receiving Honored Guests, 6. Literary program in Charge of Lecturer (5-7 minutes), 7. Closing the Grange. Regional Junior Deputies will score each Junior Grange in their jurisdiction at the time they make their official visit (prior to July 1st).   Special certificates will be awarded to those Junior Granges who achieve a score of 85 points or higher. Scoring: Appearance of team 10, Memorization 35, Floorwork 30, Literary Program 25, Total Score 100. (Optional 15 Extra points) Officers seating drill- to be added to total score if used.
AGRI-BASICS
This is a two part program consisting of 1. a visit to an agricultural based industry, and 2. following the production, processing, and marketing of commodity from source to usable product. Junior Leaders will complete the program by having a resource person explain the project so Junior Grangers will gain a greater awareness of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives. To help introduce this project, sets of filmstrips on various agricultural industries are available on a loan basis from the State Junior Director. This is NOT a contest and project reports are due to the Junior Director by September 15. Special certificates will be issued.
NEW YORK STATE GRANGE CAMPING PROGRAM
The Grange Camping program was initiated in 1964 and has been continuous since then. We strive to provide a balanced program of education and fun by combining Grange heritage, crafts, recreation, leadership development, and other camp activities. Grange Camp provides a unique opportunity to make new lasting friendships while enriching your camping experience.
DATES & LOCATION: June 30 - July 4. 2008 at 4H Camp Bristol Hills, Ontario County.
Camp Director: David and Traci Crane, PO Box 104, Avoca, NY 14809, dlcrane@yahoo.com, telephone: 607-382-5050 (cell).
PROGRAMS: Grange Heritage, Leadership, Sign Language, Hiking, Athletics, Swimming, Environmental Science, Ropes Course, Skit Night, Campfires, Banquet & Dance.
Health & Safety: All campers attending must be in good health. Campers with health impairments or injuries must have a Doctors release and written restrictions at the time of registration. Each camper must submit a complete health form at the time of application before being accepted. All injuries must be reported to the camp staff at once.
Who may attend? Any child ages 8-14 who is currently a Junior Grange Member or the child/grandchild of a subordinate member or a youth Grange member through age 18, and any non-member friends.
**Campers may not arrive before 12:00 noon on check-in day and MUST be picked up prior to 10 a.m. on closing day. Campers are accepted without regard to sex, race, color, religion, or national origin. All applications should be requested from and returned to the State Grange Headquarters.