Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange Master/President
207 490-1029

STATE GRANGE SESSION

The banquet buffet is scheduled for State session on Friday evening, October 30, at the Black Bear Inn. They will be serving beef tips, chicken cordon bleu, red potatoes, rice pilaf, green beans & baby carrots, stir fry vegetables, salad, rolls, and dessert. Tickets $40 each, purchased in advance, October 1^st deadline. Lunches will be on your own. Session info has been mailed to Secretaries and Masters/Presidents of each Grange.

I am very pleased to announce our National Representative at State Session will be Barbara Foster, Pomona of the National Grange and Master/President of the West Virginia State Grange. I know you will give her a warm welcome.

Once again, anyone may attend the State Grange Session, as long as you are a 4^th Degree (Subordinate/Community level) Grange member and have the passwords for the gate. (To receive the passwords from your Grange, your dues must be paid.) After the opening on the 1^st day of State Session is completed, we lower to the 4^th Degree and all work is conducted in the fourth degree, like your regular Grange meeting you are welcome to sit in at the meeting and listen. Only registered delegate(s), may vote on the issues and elections, but this does not exclude you from attending.

OFFICER and DEPARTMENT REPORTS

These are due in the office no later than September 15th. (written or emailed to my email SHarriman@twc.com and to the office). I prefer emailed reports. These dates may seem early, but getting everything put together for the session takes time, especially when we have to keep adding on the procrastinators.

MASTERS/PRESIDENTS and SECRETARIES

Of the 71 Subordinate/Community and 12 Pomona Granges, we have received 42 total roster forms. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE PROVIDED THEM! Another strong reminder to the rest of you: WE NEED YOUR CORRECT ROSTER INFORMATION– Which day or days and time is your meeting, (example 1st & 3rd Tues at 7 pm) Name, address, phone, cell phone and email address for each –Master/President, Lecturer, Secretary and CWA Chairman are due. Please type or print clearly. If you don’t have a form, send the information we requested anyway. During the meeting, when the Master asks, “Have the reports to State Grange and Pomona been made?” This question includes any information requested from your Grange. Even if there are no changes, please drop us an email or note to let us know that.

While on this subject of roster information I have received, several of you have changed the day or days and/or time of your meetings to something different. This is a bylaw change and does need a vote of the Grange and State Grange approval. So get those by-laws typed up and sent to me. If you have changed your dues fee, that is also a by-law change, if your bylaws say $3.00 that’s what you charge, so adjustments must be made to your bylaws to accommodate the change. When you make the changes, the word “minimum” may be added to cover future adjustments.

ANNUAL AUDIT OF GRANGE ACCOUNTS

This is a good time to remind you that your Grange Secretary’s and Treasurer’s books are to be audited at least once a year and carrying that out close to installation is the perfect time to get it done. The Executive Committee and/or the Finance Committee of your Grange are the ones to carry out the audit. Written records should be kept for all accounts in the Grange, receipts, and expenditures.

Maine State Grange By-Laws: Article XXI – Subordinate Officers and Their Duties
Section 8.1 It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee of each Subordinate Grange to see that the books of the Secretary and Treasurer and any other funds of the Grange are audited at the end of the fiscal year.    

You will need the Secretary’s Records and Secretary’s Order Book. This is the 5×7 book the Secretary writes what bills have come into the Grange and need to be paid with an amount listed. This record book also includes donations made to whom, etc. You will need the Treasurer’s books, checkbook, bank statements, savings book, etc., and receipt book (for funds received from the Secretary). You compare the Secretary’s minutes and Order Book with the Treasurer’s checkbook and statements for receipts and expenditures. All items should match between the Secretary and the Treasurer. All Committees of the Grange, that handle funds, such as CWA, Lecturer, Chaplain, Bingo, Dinner, Fund Raising, etc. should also be keeping written records of receipts and expenditures to have audited at the end of the Grange year.

GRANGE COMMITTEES

Committees are appointed by the Master and the Overseer and are responsible for organizing and implementing their programs in Subordinate, Pomona and State Granges. Each level has more responsibilities and activities for the membership.  If you would like to serve on a committee, please contact the Master/President.

• Legislative Committee educates Granges about public policy issues of concern to members and encourages them to take action.
• Agricultural Committee brings to the Grange’s attention issues affecting agriculture.
• Lecturer’s Committee assists the Lecturer in the preparation and implementation of programs.
• Committee for Women’s Activities conducts projects and contests, which encourage the development and use of the members’ skills and talents.  
• Youth Committee develops programs and workshops to inform and discuss everyday concerns.
•  Membership Committee is responsible for making sure that recruiting new members is part of all Grange programs and activities.
• Publicity Committee reports information about Grange activities and efforts to the news media.
• Community Service Committee develops projects which improve the quality of life and the community.
• Family Health & Hearing Committee– promotes the Grange health program of deaf awareness and other wellness issues through community outreach and education.
• Junior Committee – provides activities for children in their community that are fun and teaches them the principles and Grange values.  
• Special Committees — appointed for limited periods of time to manage and control special projects.   

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

 We have just installed a new metal roof; it affects and/or blocks my cell phone and internet service, so be patient, I’ll do my best to answer calls and emails. Happy Summer!   

Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange Master/President
207 490-1029

Roster information is now due include: Grange Name & Number, physical address of your meeting hall, day(s) and time of meeting. Officer information for Master/President, Lecturer, Secretary, and CWA chair – Names, addresses, phone numbers and emails.

State Grange Session is again at the Black Bear Inn in Orono – October 30 & 31. Reservations can be made with the front desk  207-962-2708; mention State Grange. Most of those participating were in agreement to return here again, and liked having everything in one place. A very similar schedule as last year except it is not a full election year. After Aug 15th, delegate registration forms, meal forms, and all resolutions will be mailed to each Grange.  The delegate registration form will not be posted on the website. Other State Session items will be posted on the site and everything will be mailed in the middle of August. Barbara Foster, Pomona of the National Grange and the Master/President of West Virginia State Grange will be our honored guest again this year.

Here are some tentative highlights

Thursday, October 29
Set up

Friday October 30
10:00 am – Opening in the Sixth Degree, the lowered to the Fourth Degree,anyone may attend session, even if you are not a delegate for your Grange.
10:45 am – Master’s Annual Address
11:15 TBD
Noon Lunch
1:30 pm Memorial Service by Christine Hebert, State Chaplain
2:30 TBD
3:15 Resolutions – by Committee Reports
4:45 Close in the Fourth Degree
5:00 Social time downstairs before banquet
6:00 Banquet – tickets must be purchased in advance

Saturday October 31
8:30 am Opening in the Fourth Degree
9:30 Acceptance of 2026 – 2027 Budget
           Election & Installation of Officers
10:45 TBD
Noon Lunch
1:30 Called back to order & close in the Fourth Degree
2:00 Open and Conferral of the Sixth Degree

Delegates to State Grange Each Subordinate and Pomona Grange, is entitled to name 2 Delegates and 2 Alternates to represent your Grange at State Session.  You must be a member of that Grange to be a delegate for them and must be voted on by the Grange. The Grange dues must be paid up to date through the Sept 2026 quarter to qualify for voting delegates. An individual may represent only ONE Subordinate Grange, and may also be a delegate for their Pomona, but again they must be voted on by the Grange.  The delegate registration form will not be posted on the website. Other State Session items will be posted on the website. Everything will be mailed to the Secretary in the middle of August.

Resolutions for the 2026 State Grange Session are due in the office by August 15, standard mail and/or email. Resolutions must be voted on by the Subordinate or Pomona Grange presenting the resolution.

Installation of Officers. The Installation Ceremony may be handled by each Grange on their own. Granges are required to install their officers annually, usually in September.

General answers for a couple of questions not State Grange related:

Making Motions:  Business of the Grange, including motions, may only be conducted or carried out when the Grange is opened and working in full form with a quorum present. Any member of that Grange may make a motion and it MUST be seconded by a different member of your Grange. If the motion is not seconded, discussion cannot take place, and the motion is lost.  Opening in full form means following the prescribed manual format for either traditional or alternative opening. Both include opening the Bible, opening the implement case, giving the salutation (the hand signals) and salute to the flag.  Business cannot be conducted outside the meeting then announced to the rest of the membership. All must have the opportunity to discuss and vote on all issues. Simple majority carries or loses the motion. The Master may not make a motion; however, they may ask the membership if someone wants to make a motion.

Reimbursement Funds Grant Program dates are from Nov. 1, 2025 to Sept 31, 2026 for Community Service:  The 2026 Reimbursement Funds Grant Program for Community Service Program is to repay half (1/2) of the expenses you paid for materials up to $250, for Community Service work done by your Grange such as the Dictionary Project, Cemetery cleanup, or Christmas party for area families.  Program Projects and requests for reimbursement must be made during this time frame. You may request only one reimbursement during the program term. Materials must be purchased before the reimbursement request is made and you must provide receipts for items you purchased for reimbursement. No receipts, no reimbursement. No cash donations or contributions will be reimbursed. I would suggest buying gift cards to make a donation, thus you would have a receipt.

Your secretary received the paperwork for the reimbursement program back in January or you may contact the office for the form. This is not part of the Community Service Program & Notebook, just that it relates to the materials for community service projects.

The Maine State Grange does not give or provide funds or grants for building repairs, improvements, property upgrades, or paying bills, etc.

Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange Master/President
207 490-1029

THANK YOU to Manchester Grange once again for allowing us to use your hall for our annual fundraising yard sale event. Thank you to all the folks who came to support us, and/or helped. We appreciate your participation, efforts, donations, and hard work. We had a wonderful day, and the weather cooperated.

ELECTIONS are at hand; June is the time for electing officers. Our State By-Laws require every Grange to have full elections every year and yes, we use paper ballots for each officer with names being presented for each, one officer at a time prior to the ballot. Please consider the officers/leaders of your Grange, are you ready for a change, what is best for your Grange, are there others who would make good officers, are you helping others learn the different duties of the offices, or are you pushing too hard?  Some offices are more involved than others. Some committees are more involved than others. 

After the election, the reelected or newly elected Master/President shall appoint/select the Committee Chairs and committee members for their Grange. This should be done right away; there is no need to wait for the installation of officers to get your committees set up. Some of the most common Committees in our Granges are: Legislative-Agriculture; Women’s Activities; Youth; Junior; Community Service; Family, Health & Hearing; Membership and Others. Committee terms begin upon installation of officers. Other Committees may be named as needed that may be specific to your Grange. Special Committees are established as needed for a special event or activity. Please tell your Secretary who the chairman will be, so they can report the roster information to the office.

ROSTER INFORMATION is to be sent to the State Grange office as soon as possible after your elections are completed. Grange Secretaries will receive the 2027 Roster forms next week. Please fill them out legibly and return them to the office as soon as possible. If you want to type the information out separately and mail or email it to us, that would be fine also. 

We will be looking for the following information to be provided to us for each Grange:  Grange Name and Number; Street Address and Town of Grange Hall; Meeting Day(s) and Time; Supper or Refreshments and Time.  (Maine State Grange By-Laws:  ARTICLE XXII – MEETINGS  Section 1.  The Bylaws of each Subordinate Grange should definitely fix the day and hour of all regular meetings.)  Plus the following information for Officers and chairmen.

• Master/President: Name; Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
• Lecturer: Name: Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
• Secretary: Name: Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
• CWA Chairman: Name; Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.

RESOLUTIONS are due in the office August 15, 2026, either by email to mainestategrange@gmail.com or by standard mail to 36 Anthony Ave, Suite 102, Augusta, 04330. Submit both ways to ensure we receive them.  Resolutions must have a title provided by the Grange; we cannot assign one. The Title reflects the issue you are proposing, the “whereas” section(s) explains the issue and includes facts or information and the “resolved” section(s) explain how you propose to correct the issue. The entire resolution must be written out, if you use initials in your resolution, the words must also be written out. The resolution must be voted on & supported by the Grange to be submitted to the State Grange. Any resolutions to make changes to State or National Grange By-Laws must refer to the Article number, Section number, and sub-section number(s) and be written out in full as it currently appears in the State or National By-laws, then the new change written out in full with the change(s) to be made.  

We then have to print everything and mail all resolutions back to each Grange, after the August 15^th deadline. The Delegate Registration, Meal forms, Schedule, etc., also will be sent in August. This all takes time.  State Session is October 30 & 31 at Black Bear Inn in Orono.

Officer and Department Reports are due in the office no later than September 15th. (written or emailed to the office and to my email  SHarriman@twc.com).  I prefer emailed reports. These dates may seem early, but getting everything put together for the session takes time. 

Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange Master/President
207 490-1029

President’s Perspective

By Sherry Harriman, MSG Master and President

During Grange Month, I held a State Officers meeting & ice cream social (extra incentive) and met separately with Deputies & Committee Chairs, yes, they had ice cream too.  Thanks to Judy Meserve for making yummy homemade hot fudge sauce and homemade peanut butter sauce for our officers’ and directors’ meetings. Also, thank you, Roberta, for helping with the cleanup both days.

Attendees were assigned homework before they arrived then we discussed it at the meeting. Responses were quite varied, which I was hoping for, and the discussions were productive. Thank you, everyone, for attending and participating. I appreciate your input.  We met in two separate groups because we can only seat about 20 attendees at each meeting in our new office.

I gave each of them six questions to answer/think about on their own, related to the State level and the Subordinate level.

1. Write down at least 2 (two) suggestions to improve the Grange. Or something you would like to see in the Grange. What should/could the Grange be doing? (Any subject – any level – constructive, not snide or nasty.)
2. Write down at least 1 (one) positive thing your Grange has done or accomplished.
3. Write down at least 1 (one) reply. What is the purpose of your Grange?
4. Write down at least 2 (two) replies. Why do you belong to / attend Grange?
5. Are you an Officer or Committee person? Which one(s)? Give a general description of your duties, or what should they be? If you are neither, pick one and describe what you feel should be the duties.
6. We would like to create a Maine State Grange Mission Statement. Any thoughts or suggestions?

We also discussed Granges who are NOT following proper procedures and ongoing personal conflicts among our members. Both are still very concerning. How do we resolve these issues? What solutions can we utilize? Will it make a difference? Will the right person(s) hear, accept, and adhere to the rules and rulings? I have been reviewing the Grange Manual, State Bylaws, and National Grange Digest of Laws to identify specific sections that define my options and authority as State Master/President. Additionally, and just as importantly, what are the Subordinate/Community Masters/Presidents options and authority? All had pertinent information. I even consulted Robert’s Rules of Order® and found several pieces of advice to deal with disruptions in the meeting.

In the Obligation of the Grange at all levels, we are reminded of our duties to the Order and each other. “…I will not knowingly wrong or defraud a Brother or Sister of the Order or allow it to be done by another if within my power to prevent it. I will endeavor to be a true and faithful Patron of Husbandry, perform the duties enjoined in this Order, and aid others in the performance of the same. Should I knowingly or willfully violate this pledge, I will invoke upon myself suspension or expulsion from the Order.”

Applications & Balloting for Candidates for membership MUST ONLY be done at a regular meeting open in full form with a seven (7) member quorum present. The vote cannot be taken with fewer than seven members from that Grange. The Executive Committee cannot declare the persons to be members.  Balloting is done by standard ballot box using balls and cubes, balls elect & cubes reject. 

State Grange Session is again at the Black Bear Inn in Orono – October 30 & 31, with a very similar schedule as last year except it is not a full election year. The setup will be on Thursday, October 29. Reservations can be made with the front desk  207-962-2708 mention State Grange.  Most of those participating were in agreement to return here again, and liked having everything in one place. First reminder: resolutions for the 2026 State Grange Session are due in the office by August 15, standard mail and/or email.

The facility and other date conflicts directly effects which date(s) we choose for our meeting. In our Maine State Bylaws – “ARTICLE III – MEETINGS  Section 1. This Grange shall hold its annual meeting on any consecutive Thursday, Friday and Saturday in October.  These meetings shall be scheduled at least 12 twelve months in advance.”  You may not remember but, many, many years ago the State Grange session was held the last full weekend of October, oftentimes that included Halloween. When we started going to Skowhegan, we were asked after a couple of years if we could move it to the weekend before Halloween so the Community Center could have other activities and events for Halloween. So we changed our dates to accommodate them. When we moved to Auburn, we adjusted our dates to their schedule. When we changed again to Bangor, we selected appropriate dates to meet our needs and we found out that was homecoming weekend, so we changed our date to accommodate any conflict for the hotel, this put us even earlier in the month. This year I checked the UMO football schedule and found the dates they would not be playing at home. One weekend was very early in the month, the other was the last weekend. I chose the latter.

WINNING WAYS

• Positive Attitude:  Liking what you do and showing it and being willing to try new things, keeps the job fun and interesting. Learn to be enthusiastic. Successful people are the type of person that has learned to persevere. 
• Performance:  Consistently producing and encouraging top quality work. Pay attention to details and the little things. It says that you care about what you do, have pride in your work, and care about those around you.
• Supporting your Grange:  Make your Grange a vital part of your community. Let people know that not only have they been heard, but their words have inspired action and remember to support their projects.
• Strategies:  Knowing where you want to go and develop your plan to get there. Courtesy and speed are two attributes of a good role model.
• Dependability:  Meeting deadlines, following through on projects, being on time. Learn how to find the answer and show that you can be depended on to get the answer.
• Team Playing: Work as part of a team. Learn to get along with people above, below and alongside you –Working with them as a team will accomplish a lot more than each group working on their own agenda. participating in Grange projects, cooperating with others, expecting the best, and then helping them achieve it.  Learn to acknowledge the help you get — That’s the only way you’ll get it.
• Self Development:  Set realistic goals to achieve the level of expertise you want to reach by obtaining your own training, and developing special skills.
• Visibility:  Get your members achievements and projects noticed, volunteering for special projects. Take on projects that promote a positive image, but be careful not to ignore the necessary, but less glamorous tasks. 
• Political Skills:  Knowing and responding to what’s going on around you. Learn to be familiar with organization policies, know what are permitted activities and the procedures for undertaking new projects. 
• Appearance:  Showing neatness and taste, looking the part. Learn that your and your Granges appearance does count.

                                                              Reprinted in part from National Grange Team Speak