Pop Up Banner Available!

 Fund Raising, Publicity Posts  No Responses »
Mar 192013
 

Deluxe Retractable Banner On Sale for $175  now through March 31st 

 These stands are easy to transport and simple to set up. Standing at 80 inches tall and 31 inches wide they are a great way to make a big impact without the worry of hanging banners. Perfect for community/fair booths, open houses and fundraisers. In an effort to create consistent branding the National Grange will work with you to create a design that fits your Grange’s needs.

Sale has been extended: Inform the National Grange Communication Department about interest in purchasing a banner by March 31, approve design by April 15 for order.

 Interested? Contact Amanda Leigh Brozana  (abrozanaatnationalgrangedotorg)   

Share

Supporting 2013 National Session

 National Conference  No Responses »
Mar 182013
 
Raffle prizes for fundraiser. Get your tickets soon!

Raffle prizes for fundraiser. Get your tickets soon!

Dear Maine Grangers,

As Maine’s Coordinator for the hosting of the 2013 National Session I am appealing for your help. Below is the list.

1. We will be decorating a wooden tree like structure with hats, mittens and scarves that can be either handmade or purchased. After the session is over the purchased items from Maine will be donated within the state to non-profits that can use them. The handmade items will be donated to the New England Grange Building store. These items will be collected at State Session in October.

2. Every person that registers for conference will receive a “ditty” bag. We are expecting approximately 500 registrants and Maine is expected to come up with 500 items for these bags. The theme of the conference is “How Sweet it is”. We are looking for items that could be donated by Maine businesses that fit this theme. Most of the folks coming to conference have to travel, therefore items should be light and edible so they do not have to add these items to their luggage. If you know of some businesses we could contact please email me or call my phone number in the roster.

3. Several items have been donated to a Fund Raising Raffle. We have a quilt, some painted sap bucket lids, a painted basket and State baskets (items made in that state). As I travel this year I hope that many of you will purchase tickets, they are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

4. Maine will host the Hospitality Room on the Friday during session. Once the coordinator has been announced I am sure he or she will be asking for volunteers to help in the hospitality room.

I know that this seems like a lot and every little bit helps, whether it is a homemade item, the purchase of a ticket or fundraising item or volunteering to help. The other members of the host team and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do.

Sincerely,

Vicki Huff

Maine’s Coordinator

Northeast Connection

Share

Community Matters More

 Fund Raising  No Responses »
Mar 022013
 

The Bangor Savings Bank 2013 Community Matters More voting began January 28th and will end March 11th. Winners will be announced in early April. We earlier noted that as a matter of policy, we wouldn’t promote individual Granges and organizations on this site. One reason for this is to avoid “wasted” votes for organizations that do not qualify.

Steve Verrill of Excelsior Grange has suggested, however, that we might consider write-in votes for the Maine Grange Foundation, a registered 501(3)(c) that should qualify based on the write-in guidelines. You can vote for three organizations. To vote, visit Community Matters More or stop by any of our 56 branches statewide. My suggestion is to add the Maine Grange Foundation to the Central Region where headquarters is located.

Again this year, a total of 68 grants will be awarded to the organizations listed on the ballot and to the top 20 write-in recipients. The organizations in each of the eight regions (including write-ins) that get the most votes will receive $5,000 each. The remaining 60 organizations will each receive $1,000.

A complete list of voting guidelines and eligibility requirements for write-in nominations are available at www.bangor.com/cmm.

Share

Dexter Third Graders Get Into Dictionaries

 Community Service, Grange News  No Responses »
Jan 292013
 
Ridge View Third Grader gets into her dictionary. (Photo by Walter Boomsma)

Ridge View Third Grader gets into her dictionary. (Photo by Walter Boomsma)

Dexter–Third graders at Ridge View Community School learned how much fun it can be to get into a dictionary as a result of four classroom visits by a “Words for Thirds” team from Garland Grange consisting of William Bemis, Ernest Rollins, and Becca Myers. The local Grange provides a personal dictionary to every third grade student in the Dexter District in conjunction with the Dictionary Project—a global program designed to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary.Students received not only a dictionary, but as Granger Ernest Rollins pointed out, “you are also getting all the words in it. You can make them yours by learning them.” Rollins led students through a basic understanding of how to use the dictionary by encouraging them to find and read definitions of words associated with the Grange. Students quickly discovered the books not only include words and definitions but a back section that’s similar to a mini-encyclopedia. Favorite sections included a list of sign language symbols and what’s believed to be the longest word containing over 1900 letters. Rollins joked they might find the word on their next spelling test.

Third grader Jennifer Young noted that she was pleased to have her own dictionary because “I can use it when I write… and I write songs. I’ll use it everywhere I go!” Other students promised to keep their dictionary and use it for a long time, possibly even passing it down to their future children.

Garland Master Bill Bemis helps a third grader. (Photo by Walter Boomsma)

Garland Master Bill Bemis helps a third grader. (Photo by Walter Boomsma)

Garland Grange “master” (president) William Bemis explained some of the Grange’s history, noting that while “in the past the Grange was all about helping farmers” over the years the organization has changed its focus to “helping communities by doing projects and providing help.” One student interrupted him several times to offer that she knew about Garland Grange because “they have really good suppers!” Bemis pointed out this is just one way the local Grange raises funds to purchase dictionaries and provide other support to kids and communities. “We try to help when we see a need or opportunity,” he said.Grange member Becca Myers volunteers at the school and notes that it’s fun to see the kids really take ownership of their dictionaries and use them regularly. She also notes that parents of homeschooled third graders may also participate and should contact the school or the Grange to receive a copy.

Information about the Dictionary Project is available online at www.dictionaryproject.org. For information about Garland (and their great suppers) call William Bemis at 924-3537 or Ernest Rollins at 717-7057.

Share

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation Grants

 Community Service, Fund Raising, Web Site Information  No Responses »
Jan 262013
 

Bangor Savings Bank has once again announced their “Community Matters More” grant-making initiative. This annual program allows the community to assist by deciding how to best distribute $100,000 and always generates a great deal of interest and activity! Following are some additional details regarding the program based on a recent press release.

The 2013 Community Matters More voting begins January 28th and runs for six weeks, ending March 11th. Winners will be announced in early April.

Again this year, a total of 68 grants will be awarded to the organizations listed on the ballot and to the top 20 write-in recipients. The organizations in each of the eight regions (including write-ins) that get the most votes will receive $5,000 each. The remaining 60 organizations will each receive $1,000.

To vote for your favorite nonprofits, visit Community Matters More or stop by any of our 56 branches statewide.

A complete list of voting guidelines and eligibility requirements for write-in nominations are available at www.bangor.com/cmm.

We are proud that Community Matters More is now in its seventh year. The success of this annual initiative is made possible because of the commitment Mainers have to their communities and the important role nonprofits play in our state.

As Maine’s largest independent bank, Bangor Savings Bank is committed to being a strong community partner and a good neighbor throughout Maine. We need your help to make Community Matters More a success in 2013.

Webmaster’s note: Please review the voting guidelines and eligibility requirements for write-in nominations and note the requirement that any write-in candidates must be registered as a 501(3)(c). In the past I’ve received numerous last-minute requests to post support for individual Granges and/or specific causes with write-in votes. While we are more than happy to make this information about the program available, such requests cannot be granted as a matter of policy. Thanks for understanding!

Share

Quick Tip–Get a kid going!

 Community Service  No Responses »
Jan 172013
 

by Walter Boomsma

look_who_has_an_idea_150_clr_7993You don’t have to be around me too long to figure out that I love working with kids… just this year I started substitute teaching at the elementary level! Now when the kids see me they like to ask, “Who are you today, Mr. Boomsma?” If you need a boost, watch a kid learn–it’s awesome!

Just this morning a news article crossed my screen about a teacher in Connecticut who toGive to Public Schools in Need! - Go to DonorsChoose.orgok on a project based on his passion for learning and his love of his kinder kids. That in turn led me to a truly fascinating online program where teachers can post their classroom needs and folks can contribute as little as $1 towards the cost. One thing that impressed me was the flexibility donors have in selecting projects and level of transparency that exists in the project. I will definitely be sharing this with some of my teaching colleagues, but I’m posting it here because if your Grange is looking for a community service www.donorschoose.org is a great place to start! There are currently 115 projects open in Maine ranging from towns like Brownville to cities like Portland. I didn’t look through all, but you’ll see thorough descriptions of the needs, photos, and a running tally of what’s been collected and how much is needed. If you are a Words for Thirds Grange, don’t be surprised to see “your” school has some additional needs! If you decide to take on or help with a project, please send in a report!

Share

Deaf Awareness Grant Program

 Community Service, CWA Committee  No Responses »
Jan 172013
 

A fund was developed within the National Grange Foundation for the purpose of supporting deaf activities within the Grange. Because funds are still available, this grant program is being offered to assist states with funding various deaf awareness activities.  In the past three years these grants helped Granges in Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington.  If you would like to know more about these projects please go to www.grangefoundation.org.

Eligibility

Any State Grange is eligible to apply for a grant to assist with a worthwhile project that may be planned within the state. Community Granges can apply thru their State Grange.

Timeline

Grant applications will be due on July 12, 2013 to the National Grange Foundation. If you are mailing it please send to National Grange     Foundation, Attn: Samantha Johnson, 1616 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 or e-mail it to sjohnsonatnationalgrangedotorg  (sjohnsonatnationalgrangedotorg)  .

Guidelines

Grants up to a maximum of $500.00 will be awarded to each approved application, and will be awarded to the State Grange. The State Grange will have the option of transferring those funds to the Community or Pomona Grange conducting the deaf activity included in the grant application.

A maximum of three grants will be awarded in 2013.

Grants may be awarded for any project that enhances deaf education. Creativity and uniqueness of the projects will also be factored into the selection process. The Grange Foundation is looking for projects with not only an impact on deaf education but plans that involve members working with deaf community in some way. The Foundation will give preference to Granges who are doing more than fundraising.

Requirements

This should be in document form and include the following information:

Name of State Grange
Name and Address of Contact Person
Date of Submission
Name of the Project
Description of the Project
Anticipated number of people involved
Anticipated impact on the Grange (State and/or Local)
Anticipated impact on the Community or State
Other anticipated results of the project

Share

Parkman Grange Reports Accomplishments in 2012!

 Community Service, Grange News  No Responses »
Jan 142013
 

building_success_400_clr_91752012 was a busy and successful year for the Parkman Grange.  We started with a chicken pie supper for the town meeting in March. May brought us our Mother’s Day Tea, a popular event for over a decade. In June with the help of the Bridge family we had a spaghetti supper and awarded 2 $500 scholarships from the Minnie Bridge Scholarship Fund.  The next couple months plans were made to present books to young readers and get ready for a busy fall.  September began with a benefit supper for a long time member battling cancer.  Later that month Parkman Day was a fun event despite the rain.  In October we hosted a free supper for active and retired military and got many thanks from the Vets.  Our Hunter’s supper in November was a sell-out and helped out another member also battling cancer. We ended the year with our biggest project. Led by Amanda Kain as the new Piscataquis Santa Project coordinator for MSAD 4, the community provided a winter coat, boots and toy for more than 170 local kids. Each family also got a turkey and all the fixings thanks to the Masons from Sangerville.  The Grange helped out with a craft/bake sale and lunch.  We finished off the year with our kid’s Christmas party, the highlight was a visit and photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a gift for each child.

In addition, each month we donated to local groups and individuals. We also sent out care packages to active military members.

During this past year we have raised and donated over $10,000 to various causes. We could not have done this without the help and support of the community and we would like to thank everyone that made all this possible.  A special thanks to the cooks and bakers that provided so many tasty dishes for our events.

We are making plans for another great year. If you would like to join us in our efforts, please call Sue Manchester, Parkman Grange Master 277-3942 .

Share

Grants Available for Non-Profits

 Fund Raising  No Responses »
Jan 132013
 

Webmaster’s Note: Thanks to our local newspaper, The Eastern Gazette, for an article announcing these grants are available in local counties… a quick look at the resource website suggests grants are available state-wide.

Nonprofit organizations seeking funding for projects that “draw on the strengths of the community and foster collaboration” are encouraged to research the grants available as part of the Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program. Mostly organized by county, a committee of local residents makes recommendations for what projects get funded in each county.  Visit the Maine Community Foundation website for more information–there is plenty of information available about the process and how to apply. Note that the deadline for application is February 15, 2013 but this is an ongoing program. There will likely be another opportunity in the fall. Grant application writing is not for the faint of heart, so you might want to start now!

Share

Sandy Hook Angels Fund Started by CT State Grange

 Community Service, Fraternal Concerns, Grange News  No Responses »
Dec 182012
 

The Connecticut State Grange Foundation has established the Sandy Hook Angels fund, where 100% of the donations collected will be given to help families of the victims and students of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. If you need more details, please follow this link:

 http://ow.ly/g8rXG

Webmaster’s Note: I received this notice from National Grange and did not have time to research additional information or details this morning–I’ve been working at school this week.

Share
 Older Entries