WE ASK THAT YOU EITHER:

1. PREPARE A SPEECH FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST
2. PREPARE A GRANGE COMMERCIAL
3. COMPETE IN THE SIGN A SONG CONTEST
4. COMPETE IN THE GRANGE JEOPARDY CONTEST

ANY YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES 14-35 WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP!  (EVEN IF YO DO NOT WANT TO COMPETE) WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL GRANGE YOUTH CONTEST RULES. http://www.nationalgrange.org

THE CABINS LOOK NICE, THE FOOD SOUNDS YUMMY, AND THE AGENDA LOOKS FUN! A GREAT WAY TO ENJOY A SUMMER WEEKEND!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU ASAP AS CAMP IS FRIDAY JUNE 28 TO SUNDAY JUNE 30^TH!

FRATERNALLY,

TERRY LACOMBE-STEVENS AND CJ ROY, CO YOUTH DIRECTORS

terryllacombegmailcom  (terryllacombegmailcom)                 

The June 8th grange supper was overwhelmed with 50 hungry Grange supporters that heaped their plates with stuffed chicken, rice, carrots, salad, and dessert.

Zevulon is scheduled to perform on June 22. It was decided the doors open at 6:30 PM. Volunteers were asked to bake for intermission refreshments and agreed to do some general house cleaning of the hall.

The talent show committee reported on the skits that will be presented. This show is scheduled for June 29th.

Dave Pearson will contact the head of the Dexter Community Band to schedule a concert to be held after a Grange supper sometime in September.

The next Grange supper is scheduled for July 13th featuring pulled pork. Sarah Johnson will be playing on her keyboard during the meal and we hope to hold a “sing- a long” to follow.

In other business, Grange members voted to send another payment to the state grange. The roadside “supper” sign was completed by Wally Warren.

Evergreen’s final concert is scheduled for October 26th. It was decided to take reservations early in advance that will probably fill the hall to capacity.

Michelle offered to mow the lawn before the next concert. The next meeting will be on July 11th at 6 PM at the grange building at 851 North Dexter Road/Route 23 in Dexter. FMI: contact Chester Bekier at 924-5711.

laurie_mtidewaternet

As I write this, Junior Camp is not far off. A trip to a state park is on the schedule so hopefully the weather will be hot and we can go swimming. The campers will also be working on crafts and a community service project as well as practicing Grange ritual. There are still spaces for more campers so if you know of a child who would like to join us, please contact me right away. The model meeting will be held Sun., July 7 at 1:30 pm – all are welcome to come.

The Junior contests will be judged on Sat., July 20 at the Family Campout.

Many thanks to the Granges that have sent donations so far.

How are the membership drives going? There are many exciting drives going on throughout the State. I am happy to hear that new membership is happening and new Granges are being formed! Make them feel welcome, involve them, and keep activities happening in your communities. Especially keep the positive attitudes. Remember, we are a family and are always there to help by sharing ideas and giving a motivational boost. This is an election month so there are many things to consider in order to build up your membership. Understanding that many Granges cannot fill their offices due to low numbers, do the best you can do. With the membership you do have, plan some activities that involve non members and focus on how you can get new members.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  I have been making visitations to those who are asking, with great results. The enthusiasm is high and plans are being made. The idea is to have fun with it, it does take effort and hard work, but we are Grangers and we will persevere.

The agricultural fairs will be starting up soon so make your grange visible by having  a membership booth or setting up exhibits. If you are interested and have never  set up an exhibit, you can always ask for guidelines on the requirements and what the judges look for in the exhibit. This is a great way to involve many members by asking for exhibit items such as baked goods, crocheted items, fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly canned fruits and vegetables, jellies and jams, afghans, quilts, paintings, herbs. This is just a partial list. There are many talented Grangers out there with a variety of interests. Having put together many exhibits in my time, it has been fun and rewarding for all. It involves all members of all ages. This is a good way to bond, to raise funds and to keep members active.

Keep all members notified of Grange activities. Send a newsletter to those who do not attend regularly or give them a call to let them know you are thinking of them. Ask them for advice and ideas, especially those who can no longer attend. They certainly would be happy to know what is going on and to be still involved no matter what the limitations are to their involvement. They are still Grangers and still have much to offer.

If you contact me please call me at 215-3064.

Share your ideas with other Granges!

Submitted by Master Vicki

When it comes to money… it’s always a good idea to have at least two people authorized to sign checks on behalf of your Grange.  Our procedures are designed to protect Grange funds. When you think about this, it probably makes sense the second signer should NOT be the secretary (that’s the double-check office) or a member of the Executive Committee (they typically are the official auditors). In many cases, the Master would be a good choice–and it’s important to remember to update this with your bank after elections.

We hope to produce this volume by the 2013 convention and have it available as a resource for every Grange at every level. Grantham Grange in NC is the only Grange thus far to submit a “recipe” but we hope to have at least a dozen in each category before SEPTEMBER 15, 2013!

Please identify successful programs that can be submitted for inclusion. The department is happy to answer questions or assist in the production of recipes. Please send any concerns or questions to Communications Director Amanda Leigh Brozana at abrozananationalgrangeorg  (abrozananationalgrangeorg)  .

These will be written as recipes, as the name of the book implies.

• Each recipes should consist of at least the following:
  Name of Project
• Type of Project (fundraiser; advocacy effort; membership effort,   etc.)
• Grange Name, State, Number
• Submitted By
• # of People: (a range is fine)
• $ Required: (again, a range is fine)
• Other Resources Required (Ingredients):
• Time Required:
• Skills   Necessary:
• Mix: (This   should be about 200-500 words and tell – as a recipe does – the steps of the   process from brainstorming to completion)
• Notes/Hints:   (here is where you can put information like “if you try this project, it   may be best to invite a State Deputy” or “You may have to learn   about different types of insurance in your area for such an event” or   whatever)
• Yield:

I look forward to beginning to gather these. I hope to have several from every state. I believe there is something positive happening in every Grange across our country and it’s time to showcase our efforts!

Please send all submissions to  abrozananationalgrangeorg  (abrozananationalgrangeorg)  . Submissions can come with digital photos (in fact, we encourage it) or links to websites that showcase the Grange in action.  ALSO: If you are citing a fundraiser by an outside company/vendor, please include their website.

Again, if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to email them to our Department.

Thank you!

Amanda Leigh Brozana
Communications Director

By Samantha Johnson | sjohnsonnationalgrangeorg  (sjohnsonnationalgrangeorg)  
The National Grange Sales, Benefits & Programs Director

Lecturers are you looking for program ideas? If you are then you should check out our free CDs that include the “Methamphetamine: A Menace to Rural America”, The Oliver H. Kelley Farm, “The National Building: 50 Years of Service”, Dogs for the Deaf, and “The National Grange Building Rededication Ceremony: The Essentials”. Also, available for free is the 2013 Resource CD: Medicare Part D: Prescription Coverage in the 21^st Century one we did with our partner Phrma; and as part of the National Grange History Series Webisode 1: The Grange and Rural Free Delivery.

If you would like to get any of these cds you can contact me at sjohnsonnationalgrangeorg  (sjohnsonnationalgrangeorg)   or 202-628-3507 ext. 109.

Registration for the 147th Annual Convention will be available online July 1.This year’s event in Manchester, NH, will feature a celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Junior Grange, exciting tours to meet the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales and a bigger, better Idea Fair full of extra workshops and vendors.  

If you have a question concerning registration for the 147th Annual Grange Convention, please contact Jessica Cope at jcopenationalgrangeorg  (jcopenationalgrangeorg)   or 202-628-3507 ext. 113.

Master Vicki

Greetings Maine Grangers,

I would like to give a big thank you for all the well wishes I have received since becoming your State Master. This truly is a humbling experience as there is much to learn. Also, a big thank you goes to the Executive Committee, Past Master Jim Owens and State Secretary Sharon Manley for your guidance and patience with my many questions.

There are many exciting upcoming events and my hope is that more Granges will share this information with the State Office and the website. If you do not have a computer or email, please send your information and news to State HQ. When the newsletter is released, your information will also be published on the website. Note that when you send info directly to the website it will be posted immediately.

Junior Camp is scheduled for the first weekend in July at South Sangerville Grange. I am sure Sister Laurie would love your support either by attending the model meeting on Sunday afternoon or with donations towards the hosting of camp. A child does not need to be a current member of a Junior Grange to attend camp. They will become a member at camp. More information is available on the Junior Grange page of the website.

The Grange Family Campout weekend is scheduled for July 19^th-21^st at Silver Springs Campground in Saco. This is a fun event. Some folks take their vacation and come a few days early to enjoy the area, swim in the pool and just to relax before the weekend. You can come just for the day on Saturday if you do not wish to camp. There may be cabins available for those who wish a more comfortable stay. Reservations can be made by calling Silver Springs Campground, 207-283-3880 and their website is www.silverspringscampgroundandcottages.com/‎.

Northeast Lecturer’s Conference is Aug. 5-7 and will be in New Haven, CT. Registrations must be in by July 10^th.  The forms have been sent to the Grange Secretaries but if you need a form please contact Sherry Harriman for forms or additional information.

The question has come up about “What happens with the Overseer’s position, since I am now State Master?” The answer is I appoint someone to fill the Overseer’s position for State Session. I have asked Brother Steve Verrill to fill that position and he has graciously accepted.

State Session will be here before we know it. The dates are October 17^th-19^th and this year’s session will be at the Community Center in Skowhegan.  Hotel and banquet information will be forthcoming once pricing is finalized. Brother Jim Owens is working diligently on the arrangements.

While on the topic of State Session how are your resolutions coming? This is your opportunity for your voice to be heard. The deadline for receiving resolutions has been moved up to August 15^th. A resolution was passed at the 2012 session to move the deadline up so regardless of when a grange holds their meeting in September they would have the resolutions to discuss before State Session in October.

To make the Grange succeed we need to work together. There is strength in numbers. If a Grange feels it cannot accomplish an event on its own try working with another Grange in your area or perhaps even another organization in your town. Together we can make the Grange a stronger organization.

Fraternally,

Vicki

To assist in that endeavor, we’ve posted the Maine State Grange Fair Judging Guidelines on the Program Books and Information Page of this site. We understand that some fairs use different criteria and invite members to submit copies. For example, Piscataquis Pomona adopted different criteria for the Piscataquis Valley Fair in 2005. Those criteria place emphasis on the Grange’s work in the community as well as its agricultural heritage and we’ve posted a copy for your information.

Electronic copies are best, but you can also mail a paper copy to Walter Boomsma, Abbot Village Press, 17 River Road, Abbot ME 04406.