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Special Convention Preview Edition
October 30, 2026
A publication of the National Grange
Broken Arrow, Here We Come! Are YOU Ready for the 160th? by Christine E. Hamp
National Grange President
The countdown is on, the excitement is building, and the National Grange is getting ready for something special! November 9–14, Grangers from across the country will gather in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, for the 160th Annual Session of the National Grange. And if you haven’t made plans to join us yet, I have one question: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? This isn’t just another convention. It’s our opportunity to celebrate everything that makes the Grange extraordinary, reconnect with the people who make it special, and build momentum for everything that comes next. Our Convention Management Team and the Grangers of the Great Plains Region have been pulling out all the stops to create an experience worth traveling for! From inspiring speakers and meaningful conversations to special celebrations, hands-on learning, and plenty of laughter, we’re putting the FUN back into getting things done! You’ll hear from Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Dr. Bill Chapman of the National Rural Education Association and enjoy the talents of Oklahoma Poet Laureate Jay Snider. Add in a packed Junior and Youth schedule, workshops filled with ideas and tools to take home and share, opportunities to explore, and
the fellowship that only Grangers can create, and we’ve got the ingredients for one heck of a week! But here’s what I really want you to know: The best part of National Grange convention has never been what’s printed on the schedule. It’s the people. It’s the friendships renewed, the new connections made, the conversations over coffee, the laughter around the dinner table, and those unexpected moments when a great idea becomes the beginning of something remarkable. At a time when we’re working hard to grow and strengthen our Grange, being together matters more than ever. We need your ideas, your enthusiasm, your perspective, and yes, your presence. You don’t have to be a delegate or an officer to be part of something extraordinary. You just have to show up! So, call your Grange friends. Make those travel plans. Pack your enthusiasm. And if you’ve been sitting on the fence, consider this your personal invitation to jump off and join us! The 160th Annual Session won’t be the same without YOU. I can’t wait to see you in Broken Arrow. Come ready to celebrate, connect, and have a great time. Leave with new friends, fresh ideas, renewed purpose, and a whole lot of Grange pride! Grange Strong!
In This Issue Broken Arrow, Here We Come! Are YOU Ready for the 160th? . . . . . . . . . . 1 160th Convention Schedule Highlights ...................................2 Tune In from Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Convention Speakers Include... . . . . . . 4 Calling all Veterans: Join us for a Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Tulsa .................................5 Meet the Communication Fellows . . . . 5 Download the Convention App . . . . . . 5 Getting Around the Area . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Grange Member Benefit: AVIS & Budget Rental Cars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Thank you to our sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Chow Down! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Limited-edition 3D-Printed items available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Meet the Youth Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Help Shape the Future of National Grange Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 A Note from the Grange Store . . . . . . 10
CLICK HERE to Register for Convention!
Convention Countdown: 9 days Pre-Registration Closes November 2!
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www.nationalgrange.org
Tune in from Home This year’s National Grange Convention will feature two livestreamed events, which can be found on the National Grange’s Facebook, YouTube, or LinkedIn pages. First, join us for the National Grange President’s Address on Monday, November 9 at 10:00am (CST). In this address, President Christine Hamp will give updates and guidance on the National Grange’s work to ensure rural America remains strong, relevant, and prosperous for the future. Second, the Remembrance Celebration with National Grange Chaplain Kay Hoffman Stiles will be on Thursday, November 12 at 2:00pm (CST). This special event honors the National Grange leaders who have gone to the Great Grange Above since we last gathered together. In addition, other portions of the Convention will be recorded and later released, including guest speakers and special events. We encourage you to follow along on our social media channels, as some special “live” moments may pop up throughout the week, too! As started in 2025, there will be no daily newsletter from Convention, so please stay tuned for a VERY special issue on November 27, that will include coverage from all over the 160th Annual National Grange Convention in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Granges and Grange members are also encouraged to tune in for this year’s National Grange Honors Night on Friday, November 20, at 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT. While some awards and honors will be presented during this year’s convention, this special event is a perfect stream-from-home evening that will recognize the great work done by Granges and Grangers nationwide. With presentations from the National Grange President, Community Service, Youth, Junior, Membership, and Communications Departments, Distinguished Grange, Grange in Action, Legacy Families, the Grange Hall of Fame, and more, you won’t want to miss it. We encourage Granges to host watch parties when feasible so that everyone can see the amazing work being done by Granges - large and small - in all areas of the country. This will be streamed live on our Facebook and YouTube channels - so mark your calendars now!
CLICK HERE to view the Full Schedule www.nationalgrange.org
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Convention Speakers Include... From tribal leadership and rural education to Oklahoma history and cowboy poetry, the 160th Annual National Grange Convention will offer attendees a diverse and engaging lineup of guest speakers. This year’s featured guests include leaders in Native American government, rural education, law enforcement, history, and the arts. Each will bring a different perspective to Convention, offering members opportunities to learn more about Oklahoma and the people and institutions that shape rural America. Among the featured speakers is Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., who leads the Cherokee Nation, the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States, with more than 475,000 citizens. First elected Principal Chief in 2019 and reelected in 2023, Hoskin has made investments in education, workforce development, healthcare, housing, and preservation of Cherokee language and culture central priorities of his administration. His work has included expanding behavioral health services, strengthening economic opportunities, protecting natural resources, and supporting families throughout the Cherokee Nation. His participation offers Convention attendees an opportunity to gain insight into tribal leadership, community development, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage while preparing for the future. Rural education will also be in the spotlight with Dr. Bill Chapman, President of the National Rural Education Association (NREA). Chapman brings decades of experience as an educator and administrator, including 14 years as a superintendent in Texas school districts. Throughout his career, Chapman has been an advocate for rural schools and the students, teachers, and families they serve. His leadership in both the Texas Rural Education Association and NREA has given him a broad perspective on the challenges facing rural school districts, from resources and staffing to educational opportunities and community support. His experience is particularly relevant to Grange members, whose communities often depend on local schools as centers of education, connection, and civic life. Convention attendees will also hear from Osage citizen, author, and historian James Weigant, whose research and writing have helped illuminate important chapters of Oklahoma’s history. Weigant received the 2025 Richard W. Helbock Prize for his article, “The Osage, Gray Horse, and Killers of the Flower Moon,” which explores Osage history through postal records and the events surrounding the Osage Reign of Terror. Weigant’s work demonstrates how local records, artifacts, and personal histories can deepen our understanding of the past. He also served as the keynote speaker for the First-Day-of-Issue Dedication Ceremony of the American Bison Forever Stamp at the Boston 2026 World Stamp Show. His participation will offer members a closer connection to the history and heritage of the region hosting this year’s Convention. Another featured guest, Sheriff Bart Perrier, brings a unique combination of agricultural heritage, community service, and law enforcement experience. A sixth-generation resident of Osage County, Perrier was raised on his family’s ranch near Barnsdall, Oklahoma, where his family has deep roots dating
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Featured peakers at this year’s Convention include (top row left-right) Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., Oklahoma State Poet Laureate Jay Snider, (bottom row left-row), author & historian James Weigant, Dr. Bill Chapman of the National Rural Educators’ Association, and Sheriff Bart Perrier. Photos provided
to the early 1900s. Perrier has spent more than 27 years in law enforcement, including service with the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, the Osage Nation Tribal Police, and the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, where he worked as a Special Ranger investigating agricultural and livestock-related crimes. His background reflects the important connections between rural livelihoods, public safety, and community service. Adding a distinctly Oklahoma flavor to the week’s programming will be Jay Snider, Oklahoma State Poet Laureate and nationally recognized cowboy poet. Raised in a ranching and rodeo family in southwest Oklahoma, Snider draws upon his experiences with horses, cattle, ranch life, and Western traditions to share stories that are both entertaining and deeply rooted in rural culture. Snider has performed at major cowboy poetry gatherings across the country and has received numerous honors for his work, including the Academy of Western Artists’ Cowboy Poet of the Year award in 2008. His appearance promises an entertaining celebration of the storytelling traditions, humor, and experiences that remain an important part of the American West. Together, these speakers- and many more workshop presenters - will contribute to a Convention experience that extends well beyond the organization’s annual business sessions. Their varied backgrounds offer attendees an opportunity to consider the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, appreciate the history and cultural traditions of Oklahoma, and find inspiration in the work of leaders and storytellers from across the region.
www.nationalgrange.org
Calling all Veterans: Join us for a Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Tulsa Join us on November 11 at 0700 hours for a special Wreath Laying Ceremony during the 160th National Grange Convention. Held in recognition of Veterans Day, this meaningful ceremony will honor the men and women who have served our nation in each of the six branches of the United States Armed Forces. Six wreaths will be laid, with each representing one branch of military service and the generations of
Americans who have answered the call to serve. All veterans attending the National Grange Convention are especially invited to take part in this ceremony. We are also seeking four to six volunteers to assist with the event. Veterans who would like to participate, as well as anyone interested in volunteering, are encouraged to contact Mark Gibbons at mark@retiresafe.org for additional information.
Meet the Communication Fellows! This year, two Grange members are joining the National Grange Communications Department as our Communication Fellows. With support from Grange Advocacy, this year’s Fellows will serve through 2027, helping to build and energize a new version of the Fellows program. They will work to create digital content throughout the 160th Annual Convention, and serve as point people for various communications projects throughout the year. Molly Newman, a member of Pleasant View Grange #1459 (KS) returns as Senior Communication Fellow, after first serving as a Fellow in Bettendorf, Iowa, in 2024.
Marisa O’Dell, a member of Beaver Valley Grange #1791 (IL) joins the Communication Fellows as a first-time Fellow. With more than 50 previous Fellows in the program, many of whom currently serve as National and State Grange leaders, the program has a rich history of developing Molly Newman (left - Kansas) and Marisa O’Dell (IL) will serve as the 2026-2027 Communication strong communicators, who Fellows, working to tell the Grange Story during will help tell the Grange Story and after the Convention. Photos provided in the coming years - both are in attendance. If you would like a during and after this year’s professional headshot taken, come Convention. One special project that will be to Slate (the Communications Office) happening at this year’s Convention during our posted hours to get your is FREE HEADSHOTS for all who photo taken. They will be sent following the Convention.
Download the Convention App As the National Grange continues to modernize and update our Convention offerings, this year there will be no printed program books. Instead, we will be using the Cvent app throughout the Convention, from registration through post-convention followup. The app is easy-to-use and will feature information that all Convention attendees need to know!
In the app, there will be opportunities to give session feedback, connect with attendees, sponsors, and vendors, interact with the schedule and set your own agenda, preview the speakers and workshops, and more! All registered attendees will receive a link to access the 160th Annual National Grange Convention event within the app on November 2, but you can download the app now to be ready to explore everything the app has to offer! Click here to access the app in the Apple App Store Click here for the Google Play Store (for Android users)
www.nationalgrange.org
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Getting Around the area... The Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center offers shuttle service every day from the Tulsa airport (TUL) between the hours of 8am to 8pm. If you want to use the hotel shuttle, please call the Stoney Creek Hotel Guest Services directly at (918) 416-8100 (option 2). You must call at least 24 hours in advance of your desired shuttle date.
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Free Uber Service! If you desire to use Uber, you will need to have the Uber app installed on your mobile evice and complet teh Broken Arrow Uber Rideshare Program application. You can CLICK HERE or scan the QR code in the ad at right.
KICK-OFF 6:30 PM
November 12
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Grange Member Benefit: Avis/Budget Car Rentals
AVIS Car Rentals: Grange members always receive up to 35% off your rental when you use AWD# B291044, plus enjoy additional offers like dollars off, a complimentary upgrade, or a free weekend day. With a complimentary membership in Avis Preferred®, you’ll travel better, save time and gain access to exclusive offers. Skip the counter and paperwork at many locations and go straight to your car. Visit avis.com/en/association/B291044 or call 1-800-331-1212 to make a reservation.
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Budget Car Rentals: Grange members always save up to 35% off Budget base rates with offer code (BCD) R198144, plus get other great offers like dollars off, a complimentary upgrade, or a free weekend day. Plus with a complimentary membership in Budget Fastbreak, enjoy our fastest, easiest rental experience! Visit budget.com/en/association/R198144 or call 1-800527-0700 to make a reservation. Both Avis & Budget offer car rentals from the Tulsa International Airport - book now to reserve your car for the duration of your stay at the 160th Annual National Grange Convention!
www.nationalgrange.org
Thank you to our sponsors
This year’s National Grange Convention is made possible with the generous support of corporate sponsors, as well as Granges and individuals across the country. Be sure to show them your thanks!
with special thanks to
and additional support from Anonymous (2) Connecticut State Grange Eastern Connecticut Pomona Grange #14 (CT) Ekonk Community Grange #89 (CT) Idaho State Grange Kansas State Grange Kansas Tent Company - Nathan & Sarah Strawder Nebraska State Grange
New Jersey State Grange New York State Grange North Carolina State Grange Oklahoma State Grange Oregon State Grange Pennsylvania State Grange Texas State Grange Yakima Valley Pomona Grange #11 (WA)
www.nationalgrange.org
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CHOW DOWN!
Food Trucks to add local flavor to Convention
Lunch breaks will look a little different at the 160th Annual National Grange Convention. This year, instead of formal lunches, we are encouraging members and guests to try some local flavors with the addition of food trucks, who will be available just outside of the Convention hotel. Check out the schedule, and click on their names to learn a little more about them! (truck schedule subject to change - others may be added!)
Sunday, November 8
Bussin Subs Marshall Family Catering Ugly Cookie Company
Monday, November 9
Bussin Subs Trippy Turtle Ugly Cookie Company
Tuesday, November 10
Bussin Subs Marshall Family Catering
Wednesday, November 11 Marshall Family Catering
Thursday, November 12 Trippy Turtle Soul’d Out Cuisine
Friday, November 13
Psycho Taco Ugly Cookie Company
Saturday, November 14 Psycho Taco Ugly Cookie Company
Limited-edition 3d-Printed items available Attendees at National Grange Conventions are used to a familiar face, Grange entrepreneur Eugene Fletcher (MI), who creates limited-run 3D-printed items for each annual convention, with profits going to the Grange Foundation. This year, 3D Gene Designs has three special fidgets - one with the Junior Grange emblem, one with the Grange Youth emblem, and one that combines the two. They will be for sale for $5.00 each.
Additionally, he has made a unique item celebrating this year’s Convention theme: “Route to the Future.” This 3D-printed statue will be auctioned off during the Foundation auction during the Celebration Banquet at the end of the convention - so stick around and get your bidding paddles ready. Gene, thank you for all of your support and work!
Left: Three fidget designs will be available for sale for $5.00 each during this year’s Convention. Above: A 3D-printed statuette of this year’s Convention logo will be auctioned off during the Grange Foundation Auction at the Celebration Banquet. Photos by Eugene Fletcher
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www.nationalgrange.org
www.nationalgrange.org
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Help Shape the Future of National Grange Conventions The future of our National Grange Convention starts with YOU! Do you have experience in event planning, budgeting, member engagement, marketing, promotions, or program evaluation? Or do you have great ideas and a passion for creating meaningful experiences? The Convention Management Team (CMT) is looking for Grange members from across the country to help design not only this year’s convention in Broken Arrow, but the future of National Grange Conventions for years to come. If you’re ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you! Interested? Contact CMT Chairpersons Jody and Jodi Ann Cameron at convention@ nationalgrange.org to learn more.
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A NOTE FROM THE GRANGE STORE The Grange Store will remain open online throughout the National Grange Convention. However, no items will be shipped from November 4th through the 16th while staff is on the ground in Broken Arrow. Shipping will resume on November 17th.
www.nationalgrange.org