Halcyon Grange and Food Sovereignty

 Agriculture, Grange News, Legislative  No Responses »
Apr 082013
 

Webmaster’s note: Please note his is a local (Halcyon Grange) resolution and, as such may not reflect Maine State Grange Policy. For more information visit the Halcyon Grange website. You may also visit the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee’s webpage.

The Halcyon Grange enthusiastically voted to support  legislation being considered in Augusta called LD 475 An Act to Increase Food Sovereignty in Communities. Halcyon Grange Master John Gandy  sent the following letter to the clerk of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee:

Please find attached Halcyon Grange of Blue Hill’s Resolution For Food Sovereignty in support of LD-475. The members of the Blue Hill Grange feel strongly that individuals have the right to consume foods of their choice from sources of their choice and that government does not have the right to take that freedom from us. We value the wholesomeness of locally grown and produced food from our farm neighbors. Therefore, Halcyon Grange #345 of Blue Hill unanimously passed the attached resolution and authorized me as Master of the Grange to forward it to the Committee.

Share

Legislative Updates…

 Legislative  No Responses »
Mar 112013
 

In his original post, Legislative Director Jim Annis mean to say “carbon monxide” detectors, not carbon dioxide. Thanks to eagle-eyed Marilyn Stinson for catching the error!

Jim also tells us he’s heard that the  ”Fluoride in Municipal Water Systems” has been deemed as a local choice. The state gets involved only after the local community makes the determination to fluoridate their water systems. The state has specific rules and equipment requirements because fluoride can be toxic if not dispensed properly.

Share

Legislative Report March 2013

 Legislative  1 Response »
Mar 062013
 

Legislative LogoSubmitted by Jim Annis, Legislative Director

Now is the time to think about your Grange’s resolutions for the next conference coming up in October. Subordinate Granges can submit their resolutions directly to State Grange. However, I’ve found it more favorable to share each resolution with our Pomona Grange. It can be more appealing when fleshed out by getting all Granges within the Pomona involved providing, of course, if it’s of interest to the Pomona. Resolution 13 as listed in last year’s convention bulletin directs that all resolutions to be sent to State Grange by August 15th. That means for those of you who meet but once a month, you have only four more meetings to put your resolutions together. OK, let’s get busy and top the 13 resolutions we had to discuss last year. Here’s a report of the status of last year’s resolutions.

In November 2012 I submitted five resolutions, as recommended by various Granges at the State Grange conference, to local legislators to be made into bills for the Maine State Legislature. The titles of the bills were Fluoride in the Municipal Water systems, Smoke Detectors, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bicycle Traffic Safety Laws and Secondary Roads.

The Fluoride in the Municipal Water Systems resolution asks that the Department of Human and Health Services and the Center for Disease Control enforce the public health recommendations regarding fluoridated municipal water systems.

The Smoke Detectors resolution asks that all pre-owned homes be equipped with working smoke detectors at the time title of the property passes.

The Carbon Monoxide Detectors resolution asks that all new and pre-owned homes sold be equipped with working carbon monoxide detectors at the time title of the property passes.

The Bicycle Traffic Safety Laws resolution asks that all law enforcement agencies enforce all bicycle infractions of the law governing the operation of bicycles as they would all other moving vehicles.

The Secondary Roads resolution asked that the State Department of Transportation, or the local municipality which maintains the roads, to paint a centerline on the secondary roads. I was informed by Senator Doug Thomas that the state could not enforce such a law on local municipalities. That responsibility is entirely up to town or city ordinances. This would require that the resolution be presented to every municipality throughout the state.

At this point in time I haven’t been made aware of the scheduling of these resolutions for a public hearing. However, as they are scheduled I will make State Grange is informed of the time, place and date of the public hearings.

 

Share

Legislative Luncheon Rescheduled!

 Events, Legislative  No Responses »
Mar 052013
 

Just been advised that the Legislative Luncheon originally scheduled for March 13 has been rescheduled to March 27th. I assume all other details remain the same… please help spread the word! If you made fudge you can eat it yourself as long as you make more!

Share

Quick Tip — Resolutions

 Legislative, State Conference  No Responses »
Feb 222013
 

look_who_has_an_idea_150_clr_7993Offered by Vicki Huff, MSG Overseer:

As spring approaches it is never too early to be thinking about resolutions for State Grange Conference. This year the deadline for submissions has been moved up to August 15th. There are lots of issues happening at all levels; local, state and national. Let your Grange’s voice be heard.

Webmaster’s Note… National Grange offers a one page “Basics of Writing Resolutions” Guide on the members’ side of the National Grange Website… you can also contact Jim Annis, Legislative Director or a member of the Legislative Committee for help. 

Share

Quick Tip–Resolutions Due!

 Legislative, Quick Tips, State Conference  No Responses »
Sep 072012
 

Submitted by Vicki Huff

Here’s a quick reminder that resolutions are due to State Grange Headquarters on or to before September 15th. That is right around the corner. This deadline is important so the resolutions can be mailed to all Granges for discussion before State Grange. Resolutions are a big part of the State Grange session and an opportunity for Granges to express their opinions on issues and for the delegate body to take action.

Share

Quick Tip — Grange Legislative Policy Book

 Legislative, Quick Tips  No Responses »
Sep 062012
 

Webmaster’s Note: Our quick tip to the Communications Handbook and related resources was pretty popular, so here’s another resource from National Grange! (Article excerpted from the September 5 E-Newsletter.)

September and October are busy months here at the Grange, with 29 of our State Granges holding their annual sessions during this time. Thus, this seems like a perfect opportunity to remind Grangers how to best use their Legislative Policy Book.

The Legislative Policy Book is both a summary of our Grange policy and a Grassroots Training Manual to guide Grangers in developing Grange policy at the local and state levels.

During State Grange sessions, Grangers can use the LPB to research existing Grange policy and how best to expand, amend, or eliminate it. Just like policy at the federal level, Grange policy can become outdated, causing a need for Grangers to take action and change it. As resolutions are presented and debated, it is always a good idea to first look at how those proposed resolutions fit in with our present Grange policy.  Read the full story.

Share

Resolutions Wanted!

 Legislative  No Responses »
Aug 132012
 

The annual State Grange conference is coming up fast. October is but a couple months away so it’s time to think about resolutions. With perhaps one or two Pomona meetings left until the conference and the same for subordinate Granges we’d all better get busy.

Certainly there are some concerns out there that require attention. Get them together and submit them to the State. Dealing with resolutions is all part of the annual agenda. Let’s show our communities that Grange can get things done when it comes to community service.

Hoping to see a plethora of resolutions, I’m at your service.

In Faith, Hope and Charity,

Jim Annis, Legislative Director

Maine State Grange

 

Share

Make Your Voice Heard!

 Legislative  No Responses »
Jul 302012
 

Webmaster note: I’ve posted this as received as “news” and information with an opportunity for interested Grangers to make their voices heard… There is no intended endorsement.

To the Maine State Grange:

I hope this message finds you well! My name is Kate Power and I work with the Permanent Commission for the Status of Women (PCSW). The PCSW is government-appointed group dedicated to improving opportunities for women and girls. As such, we advise the Governor and members of the Legislature about policy and social issues affecting women and girls in the state.

As a part of this work, we’re asking for public feedback. Specifically, we’d like to identify what issues are the most challenging for Maine women and girls, and what could be done to help. We’re doing this primarily through an online survey developed by the PCSW.

I was hoping that you might be willing to pass along the survey to people in the Maine Granges whom you think might be interested (participants, volunteers, whomever!) – we’re trying to get as many Maine voices as we can. The surveys are anonymous, and the answers will be reviewed by the Commission and directly influence the recommendations and policy positions that we take moving forward.

HERE is the link to the survey. (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JSKRP3C). If hard copies of the survey are needed, please contact me at katherinedotpoweratmainedotedu  (katherinedotpoweratmainedotedu)  

Any and all help you’re willing to offer is greatly appreciated! Please don’t hesitate to contact me at this email address if you have any questions. For more about the PCSW itself, please visit our page on the Secretary of State’s site: www.maine.gov/sos/womenscomm.htm.

Sincerely,

Kate

 

Share

Maine State Grange Has Busy First Day

 Community Service, Grange News, Legislative, Membership, State Conference  1 Response »
Oct 222011
 

Submitted by Steven Haycock

Skowhegan, Maine – The first day of the 138th Annual Session of the Maine State Grange found 159 delegates from across the state meeting at the Skowhegan Community Center. The delegates were very decisive in their actions and all fifteen resolutions that were brought up for consideration were acted upon on Thursday.

A resolution entitled, “Fluoride in Municipal Water Systems” which urges the Dept. of Health & Human Services and the Center for Disease Control to continue to enforce current public health recommendations regarding fluoridated municipal water, was adopted by the delegates.

Another resolution entitled “Bicycle Traffic Laws” which calls for all bicycles to have some sort of high visibility, and also calls on law enforcement to enforce all bicycle infractions of the law governing the bicycles as they would any other moving vehicle, was also adopted by the delegates.

Another traffic related resolution entitled “Secondary Roads” urges the State Dept. of Transportation or the appropriate local municipality to paint center lines on all secondary roads to promote safety.

A resolutions entitled “Balanced Federal Budget” calls on the Maine State Grange and the National Grange to actively lobby for and support a constitutional amendment requiring Congress to pass a balanced federal budget for every fiscal year.

The final resolution adopted by the delegates that was referred to the legislative committee entitled “150th Anniversary Stamp” calls on the National Grange to start the process of having a commemorative forever stamp designed in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Grange. The remaining ten resolutions were either rejected or covered internal Grange policy.

Throughout the day many speakers addressed the delegates and awards were presented.

Caldwell Jackson, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Maine spoke about the role of the Dept of Agriculture in Maine.

Chris Hadsel of the Painted Curtain Project spoke to the delegates and gave a slideshow presentation about the many stage curtains and backdrops she has seen in her travels around the state. Her organization works on restoring and cleaning these curtains.

Steve Mayberry, Development Director for the Maine Home for Little Wanders, highlighted the various programs the organization does in this state. Women’s Activities Committee Director Karen Flagg presented Mayberry with over $500.00 worth of toys and clothes for the children and young adults they serve, along with a check for $225.00.

Awards presented included: The Grange Farm Family Award to Richard Marble and family, a 4th generation farm family from Farmington and the Tree Farmer of the Year Award to Allen Higgins of Brunswick who has over eighty acres of woodland in Brunswick.

Granges winning the Community Service awards were 1st place Valley #144 in Guilford, 2nd place Maple Grove #148 in Sebago, 3rd place Saco #53 in Saco and 4th Wilson #321 in East Wilton. Granges recognized for net gains in membership were 1st place Bingham #237 in Bingham, 2nd place East Sangerville #177 in East Sangerville, 3rd place (tie) Danville Junction #65 in Danville & Bangor #372 in Bangor and 5th place Kennebec Valley #128 in Madison.

This busy day was finished off with an impressive memorial service under the direction of Chaplain of the Maine State Grange Clayton Collins. Friday’s session will include election of officers for a two year term, and conferral of the Sixth Degree which is the Degree of Flora by the officers of the Maine State Grange.

Share
 Older Entries