July 2008 Issue

Greetings Youth! As you read this, I am in the middle of my regional conference tour. For those of you I met at the Midwestern Conference, thank you for a great time! Wisconsin rolled out the welcome mat for the region's Youth, and we enjoyed three days of fellowship, encouragement, fun, and Grange pride. For the remaining regions, the Midwest set the bar VERY high, but I am sure you can reach it.

Charlene

Plans have been finalized for the 2008 National Session, hosted by the Northeastern Region in Cromwell, Connecticut. We have an action-packed youth program planned. I would encourage all Youth to attend, even if you are not participating in a national program.

The youth activity track will focus on “building your youth leadership toolbox.”

Youth activities begin Wednesday, November 12, with Youth arriving from across the nation. Orientation will be at 6:30 to kick off the convention. There will also be a get acquainted party with games, fun, and snacks.

On Thursday morning, we will tour the New England Air Museum. After the tour, Youth will travel to the American School for the Deaf. The first “tool” we will add will be community service. We will eat lunch with the school’s students and work on a deaf community service project. The host committee is finalizing project details.

After the tour, Youth will collect their second leadership tool on mediation and working through difficult situations. Paul Johnson will present an interactive workshop with tips Youth can use in their Grange and other organizations to resolve conflict.

That evening, break out your 1960s style clothes for a pizza party and dance. I will be awarding prizes for the best costumes, so find motorcycle jackets, A-line dresses and high boots, peace symbols and love beads, or give your best impression of JFK or Jackie-O for a fun night.

On Friday, the much-anticipated National Youth Officer Team opening drill will take place. Eighteen Youth will present a drill and open the session in the fourth degree. This year, we plan to have the Junior Grangers attend and visit the session, assisting with the opening song. Always a highlight, Grangers pack the general session to see the Youth take center stage.

Friday’s workshops and tool collection will focus on leadership, teambuilding, and membership development. For the morning workshop, National Grange Membership Director Rusty Hunt will present a teamwork workshop. Rusty has plans in the works to make this a fun time for all involved. In the afternoon, the Youth will join other Grangers for a workshop on leadership and membership. The day will culminate with the Evening of Excellence, where sign a song and public speaking regional winners will be recognized. In addition, the National Mentors and Horizon Leadership Program participants will be honored.

Bringing everything together on Saturday morning, Carl Meiss, Pennsylvania State Grange Membership/Public Relations Director, will host a workshop providing Youth the tools for goal setting and achieving the impossible. The workshop is based on the life story of Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong and his battle to overcome cancer. A popular workshop in Pennsylvania, it will be one not to miss.

Also scheduled for the weekend is a hang out room to provide Youth a chance to meet Grange Youth from other states. We will also have a Grange Knowledge Bowl contest (no experience needed). This will be a great way to brush up on Grange history and knowledge for next year’s trivia challenge.

Congrats Go To.....

It was a busy month of certificate writing, as we had several Grangers earn seals for several Youth achievement awards and contests.

Francis McDowell Trivia Challenge (Grangers earning a 75% or higher):

The deadlines will soon be here for the National Youth Officer Team, Horizon Leadership, and Legislative Experience programs. I would encourage you all to get your applications started since several of them require achievement awards and letters of recommendations. Application deadlines are September 10.