One of my favorite things in my role as a Farm Bureau regional manager is visiting members on their farms.
Sometimes visits are planned and scheduled, sometimes I’m driving by and remember I should swing in and ask a question. Sometimes I’m there to introduce myself and leave a small new-member gift. The best visits, though, are when a board member tags along and we make a day out of visiting our Farm Bureau friends and family.
When visiting an uninvolved member leads to him or her attending the next county event, it reminds me why I do what I do. It’s incredibly rewarding to see old friends shaking hands, talking issues, sharing who sold what field to who, and can you believe So-n-so’s kid bought that new tractor?
Last fall Osceola County President Sandy Keller and I struck out to deliver certificates of recognition for long-term members — 50 years and longer! The smiles we saw and the excitement we both felt after hearing stories from lifetime members was so encouraging!
Life happens — sometimes quickly, and things get crazy. The next time you’re brainstorming ways to spark more involvement, consider visiting a friend or community member you haven’t seen in a while and inviting them to an event — a card night, your county annual, or maybe just coffee with your usual crew.
You’ll quickly see all it usually takes is simply reaching out to your members to realize — and to share — the value of belonging to your Farm Bureau family.
