Webmaster’s Report — May 2012

 Web Site Information  No Responses »
May 152012
 

Words from Walter...

If you haven’t visited the National Grange Website, you should! The site is definitely a work in progress, but already has much to recommend it. The “public” side is what you see first. But look along the menu choices in the red line. Near the right side you’ll see “members.” Click that and start exploring!

But wait! You will need to “register” – a relatively straightforward and painless process. You will need the annual word as a password to access the members side – how appropriate is that!

You’ll definitely want to look at the “Downloadable Files” section! Here you’ll find a good selection of resources ranging from the 2012 Digest of Laws (refer to it often and eliminate controversy!) to forms and some great publicity aids including things link a full color brochure of our Declaration of Purpose.

You don’t have to be your grange’s publicity director or webmaster to benefit by downloading the Grange Communications Handbook and Workbook. This may well be one of the best tools created in some time. The Handbook itself runs about 80 pages, the appendices are separate and the workbook is yet another document. Just to give you a sense of how thorough this is Appendix C includes a short guide to AP Style. If those who submit to our Maine State Grange site would become familiar with this, not only would your events be better listed, my life would become a lot simpler!

Please consider curling up with this book. Admittedly, not every section will apply to everyone, but there’s a lot to learn here. We do need to make certain our organization’s image is positive and professional. These tools will help—guaranteed!

One of the great potentials of any well-designed website is that it can create order and structure as well as being a “one-stop shopping” source of information. The National Website has added a section on the TeamSpeak Program that includes recordings of previous programs. I’m planning to listen to “Grange Growth: How Our Founders Did It” soon!

The site has a social media component that allows you to connect with other Grangers around the nation. Information will appear in a sidebar to the left, but you’ll also want Continue reading »

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Junior Department — May 2012

 Junior Department  No Responses »
May 132012
 
by Laurie McBurnie
email: laurie_mattidewaterdotnet  (laurie_mattidewaterdotnet)  
phone: 563-5347

The Maine State Junior Grange met on May 5. This was a first time experience for many who were there and all did a great job. Many thanks to all the subordinate members who assisted.

The State Junior and Youth Departments’ Yard Sale will take place Saturday, June 23, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Headquarters. Contributions of good quality items are welcome as well as baked products as there will be a food sales table. Items can be dropped off at State Headquarters (please call first to make sure someone will be there) or given to the State committee members. There are still some table rentals available – contact Laurie McBurnie.

Registration forms for Junior Grange Camp 2012, July 7-8 at South Sangerville Grange have been sent out. Any youngster aged 5-14 is eligible to join us for this fun weekend.

Junior contests – entries will be judged July 21 at the Family Campout Weekend. Please see the Junior program book for contests and rules.

 

 

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Juniors Meet at Headquarters

 Junior Department  No Responses »
May 132012
 

Craft time - Zoe, Emily, Jillian, Shyanne, Judy

The Maine State Junior Grange met on May 5 at State Headquarters. Preceding the meeting the young Grangers worked on a craft project directed by Judy Meserve. Most of the youngsters had not participated in a Junior Grange meeting before and appreciated the assistance given by subordinate members, in both filling chairs and guidance on the floor work. The Lecturer’s program consisted of several team games and all participants received a Junior Grange pencil and notepad as a prize.

Following the meeting Betty and Darrell Huff served lunch, provided by Oak Hill Grange. The next meeting of the Maine State Junior Grange will take place during Junior Camp, July 7 & 8 at So. Sangerville Grange.

 

(front) Overseer Emily Dill, Asst. Steward Zoe Dill, Lady Asst. Steward Shyanne Vincent, Ceres Jillian Dill; (back) Gatekeeper Gary Faulkner, Steward Bobby Faulkner

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National Master Visits Maine

 Grange News, Membership  No Responses »
May 132012
 
Ed Luttrell answers an individual question

“You can’t have a grange meeting without food,” according to National Grange Master Ed Luttrell. “And I have brought food for thought.”  Brother Luttrell introduced his informal and informational meeting with Maine Grangers in the Bangor area with the observation that the recently adopted theme “America Values – Hometown Roots” will be our theme for “many years to come”  because it “captures the meaning of our organization.” This was the second meeting of his weekend visit to Maine.

Luttrell noted that the minimum requirements for a grange meeting are “seven people, an American Flag, and a Bible—how American is that?” He also reminded members that the grange lives in towns—not Augusta or Washington D.C.

Luttrell came to Maine to deliver a positive message around the financial condition of the National Grange, trademark protection and to share some thoughts regarding growth and public awareness. Noting that the Grange changed the face of America, Luttrell also pointed out that while agriculture is a very different topic that it was even forty years ago it remains a focus of the Grange. Studies have shown that words associated with the Grange include family, community, agriculture, and history.

Encouraging members to “look at the positives,” Luttrell reported that Maine is the seventh largest grange state in the country with 146 community granges and nearly 5,000 members. He also pointed out that 35 of those granges experienced net gains in membership last year. “You want to remember that everybody who says ‘no’ to an invitation to join the grange has at least become aware of our organization. We believe statistically one out of four people will say ‘yes,’ so getting those refusals moves you closer to gaining a member.”

State Overseer Vicki Huff Promotes National Conference 2013 in N.H.

Emphasizing technology and social media, Luttrell pointed out that the National Grange Website is undergoing a major renovation that will include free web pages of individual granges. The member’s only side of the site is now active and includes a social media section—all members are invited to join in by using the annual password!

Brother Luttrell also highlighted plans for the 150th Birthday of the Grange in 2017 and a calendar of events that begins unfolding next year when the original four degrees (there were actually eight) will be conducted as a public event on July 13, 2013 at the Kelley Farm.  He also mentioned the Quilt Block Contest and indicated that one challenge they are facing is “finding a conference location large enough to display all the quilts we hope to end up with…”

In his closing remarks, Luttrell asked those present to consider, “How many of you have seen rats swimming out to reach a sinking ship? We need to keep finding the positives and create a positive image for our organization.” Members present found our National Leader’s enthusiasm contagious and left inspired to meet his challenges.

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Fraternal Concern–Kathy Brewer

 Fraternal Concerns  No Responses »
May 112012
 

Likely most have heard the sad news that Kathy lost her brave battle with cancer… there are several opportunities to show our sympathy and support of Patrick and the family:

  • Sunday, May 13, 2012  visiting hours from 4pm to 7pm at the Staples Funeral Home 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner
  • Monday, May 14, 2012 service to be held at 2pm at the United Methodist Church on 31 Highland Avenue, Gardiner
  • Cards of condolences may be mailed to Patrick Brewer at 20 Harry/Thelma Road, Jefferson, Maine  04348

Link to Obituary

Message from Chaplain Clyde Berry:

I would suggest to show our support for our State Master, Patrick Brewer and his family that all Grangers attending the services, Monday at 2PM at the Highland Avenue Methodist Church in Gardiner, to please wear their sashes. We will gather in the downstairs of the church at 1:30pm and we will enter the church as a group at 1:45pm. Please be there prior to 1:45 so that we can be seated as a group.

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Declaration of Purpose

 Grange News, Web Site Information  3 Responses »
May 082012
 

There is a story and photos in the works regarding National Master Ed Luttrel’s recent visit to Maine… but this just can’t wait! Our Declaration of Purpose is now available “live” and online! This is a great reminder of what the Grange is all about and a great way to explain it to others! (Click the arrow in the center of the screen to play.)

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