Category: President’s Perspective

Information from the State Master

Memorial Bricks Available

By Sherry Harriman, MSG Master/President

This message is about the Memorial Bricks that were under the flagpole on the side lawn at our previous office building at 146 State Street. Before we sold the headquarters building, I had someone (thanks, Greg) dig them all up for me. Many have people’s names and/or Grange names or both. Richard and I hauled them all home last fall. Now we have made a list & hauled most of them back to the new office at 36 Anthony Ave, Suite 102 in Augusta. Thanks, Richard, for sorting, listing, and moving them all around so many times.

As Richard and I have been traveling, we have dropped some off to those in the neighborhoods we are passing through. A list of what is available at the office is posted under the “Programs & Information” section on the website. If you are interested in picking up any of the bricks at the Augusta office for your Grange or yourself (first come, first served), we will NOT mail the bricks; it is in-person pick-up only, and you or someone else must arrange with Sharon to get them. Please contact Sharon at the office 207-632-3421 or email at mainestategrange@gmail.com — she is most often in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 to 1:30. We have set a September 10, 2026 deadline to collect them, after that time I will take what’s left to my home again and utilize them for something. 

A list of what’s available as of July 2026 will be included on the final page of the Bulletin.

President’s Perspective – July 2026

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.

President’s Perspective – June 2026

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 15th 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. 

President’s Perspective – May 2026

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

  

President’s Perspective – April 2026

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

Among the brown leaves I saw several bunches of daffodil and jonquil shoots up about 4 inches, the forsythia is budded, and even little spots of green are showing up more and more — that’s progress for “spring” to be upon us.   

CELEBRATING GRANGE MONTH

As we get back into our halls for meetings, I remind you again that specific actions must take place for all meetings.  Opening the Grange & Alternative Opening  to open in “full form or due form” means to follow the prescribed Ritual/instructions in the Grange manual, which includes opening the Bible, taking the passwords & reporting, opening the implement case, the salutation given (prescribed hand salute), Salute to the Flag, and the Charter displayed in the hall. The Grange MUST be opened in full form for Conferral of Degrees, Obligation or Welcome Ceremony, even at a special meeting where this is all you are doing, at your own meeting or someplace else. Alternative Opening is a little shorter version of the full form.

The Annual Password: may only be given by the Master/President of your Grange to members who have paid their dues up to date including the current year. If you are taking candidates to Degree Day(s) please let your Secretary know the member has received the Degrees.

Signs and Salutations:  The Code Book or Secret Work describes how to make the signs of each of the degrees (levels) and the Salutation is made by giving the signs of all the degrees consecutively and is accompanied with specific wording during the opening and closing ceremonies. The Master/President says the words and the members silently and simultaneously make the salutation. 

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 (7 members of your Grange). 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. 

Making Motions:  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.  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.

Subordinate and Pomona By-Laws: Granges are to keep By-Laws up to date and provide a copy for the office.  Changes may be made by vote of 2/3 of members present and voting at a subsequent meeting after the suggested change has been submitted in writing to all members.

Vacancies in Office: May be filled by election at the next regular meeting of the various Granges of the divisions of the Order. Or not later than the 2nd meeting after the vacancy.

Membership: Fraternal Individual Membership (standard) and Affiliate Membership are the two types of membership we have in Maine. Both are attained by application into a Grange, fee paid, voted into membership and receive degrees or obligation ceremony. Affiliate membership may be held in one additional Grange at the same time as the standard membership, affiliate members have the right to vote and hold office in the additional Grange.

Election of Officers:  Full elections are required in each Grange and yes, we use paper ballots for each officer.  After election the reelected or newly elected Master will appoint and give the names of the committee chairmen to the Secretary asap after election, so the Subordinate or Pomona Secretary can provide the info to the office.

Reimbursement Grant Program:  The 2026 Reimbursement Grants for Community Service Program we do have is to reimburse half of the expenses up to $250, for Community Service work done by your Grange such as the Dictionary Project, Cemetery cleanup, or Christmas party for area families. Your secretary will receive the paperwork for the program or contact the office for the form. The Maine State Grange does not give Grants for building repairs, improvements or property upgrades, etc.  One reimbursement per Grange per year. Forms sent to the Secretary in a mailing earlier this year.   The project must be completed and the receipts for materials only, sent to the Maine State Grange by September 1. 

  

President’s Perspective – March 2026

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

Reminder: Dues increase now in effect. As of January 1, 2026, the State quarterly dues have increased to $6.00 per quarter per member. Golden Sheaf members are exempt at the State level.

Insurance information request. We would like to hear from you. One of the resolutions that was passed by the delegates at the 2025 State Grange Session as a resource for Granges searching for insurance. We are asking Subordinate Granges to submit the names and contact information of their insurance agents and carriers, types of insurance the Granges have, such as fire, liability, and other (without disclosure of specific premium costs or coverage information, unless you choose to). We are looking strictly for the names of the companies that provide coverage. Please send your insurance provider’s information to the office.

Promote Your Grange. A display in a front window or a bulletin board on the Grange hall would help us promote ourselves more. We talk about a display in a public area only during Grange Month, but this display would be ongoing year-round. You could list program and other information in your display. Include activities or projects your Grange is involved with as part of your Grange work and include contest information for the different committees of the Grange. (Four 2” boards, an old aluminum storm window, a couple of hinges and a hasp makes a very nice outside bulletin board, using plywood or paneling for a backing if you wish.) It may just spark some interest in someone who wishes to help do something for the Grange or someone who may want to join.

You could also put a board in the hallway, entryway, or on the back of the entry door where the public comes in to wait for suppers, bingo, etc. Once seated, they don’t have the opportunity to look around or read something they see hanging on a wall, unless it is close or big, but while waiting in line, they might be nosy enough to check things out beside them on a wall close by. Use BIG print, keep it neat and attractive, give some details, add some color, and promote all the different activities, benefits, and programs we are involved with in the Grange. (See the various National and State program books for information.) If you don’t have these books handy contact someone who can get them for you and use them. Change things around every so often or add something new so it doesn’t get boring or outdated. The Grange has a lot of great things to offer, have brochures or sheets of information within easy reach, for someone who wishes, to pick one up and take along, (most people are more comfortable checking out information in private) or they can read it there while waiting.

Happy Spring! It will soon be spreading its wonderful colors all around us, and Happy Easter.

  

President’s Perspective – February 2026

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

Annual Passwords: The annual password ciphers were sent to the Grange Secretaries with the December quarterly report forms. The keys to the password will only be mailed to the Masters/Presidents when all dues are paid up to date, including the December 2025 Quarter. If you have not received your key, check with your Secretary or our office to confirm your dues are paid in full. Sharon did tell me recently that not all dues are up to date.   As an individual, to receive the new password, your personal dues must be paid up to date, you should receive a receipt as proof of payment to show the Master/President.

Degree Day:  April 26, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Manchester Grange #172, located at  953 Western Ave, (Rt. 202) Manchester, ME.  All four degrees will be conferred.  Let Norma Meserve (207-583-7211) or email her at:  meserve1965@gmail.com  if you have candidates or if you would be willing to help out. The candidates should bring their application for membership with them.

Spring isn’t so far away as it may seem at this point, but it is eventually on its way. Winter has been treating us fairly well, except for the big storm of 19” and a few inches here and there, some wind, and several cold days. I guess we really can’t complain all that much about the weather – after all, it is Maine and February. We are still hunkering down in place with the weather & doing well.

With spring comes reopening. It’s almost time to get back in the swing of in-person meetings in our halls. Spring is also clean-up time outside and inside for our own yards, but this should also include our halls.  Get the lawn raked up, clip the grass and bushes around the steps and foundation, pick up the branches and trash lying around, get the tattered plastic off the windows and maybe even wash the reachable ones. Repaint your sign, the steps, railings and even the door.  We all need an occasional facelift.  Closer to summer, get some new plants in the window boxes and garden.

As we are all involved in promoting Grange membership and growth, we should be advertising ourselves.  The name and number of a Grange should be on the building or on the sign at the road, and should include the day and time of the meetings.  This way, someone passing by or visiting the area will know when you meet.

Grange Month: It doesn’t feel like it, but here we are a little over a month away from Grange Month, a time of year we honor our community members and promote our Grange. Congratulations to those who have made plans for something special at this time. Why not incorporate something to honor our Nation’s 250th Anniversary at the same time. This was a resolution we accepted at the State Grange Session in October. You can plan your event honoring your community later in the year. Nothing says it can only be done in April, honoring someone special or a special activity can happen anytime, it’s the result that really matters. You can buy or make up your own certificates, plaques, etc., for honoring an individual or group, or items may be purchased from National Grange.  Whether you order on your own or from National Grange, remember to allow lots of time to get the items back, especially if you are getting it by mail or shipped.   We have lots of informational brochures as handouts in your halls available on request at the office. 

State Office: I want to remind you that the State Grange office does have an answering machine to leave questions, requests, and information at 207-623-3421. Please leave a clear name, phone number, and brief message so we can return your calls.  We are in the office a couple of days a week.  We also have a new email address:  mainestategrange@gmail.com.

Our personal numbers, home and email addresses are in the 2026 Roster that each Grange Secretary will receive soon.  I must apologize for the error I made in the new Roster. I listed the wrong additional email under State Secretary’s name – it should be mainestategrange@gmail.com.  We had been given a preliminary email prior to the new Gmail one being issued. The State Grange web site is valuable and can provide information, the webmaster is very helpful, however, some of your questions should be directed to the State Grange Secretary or myself personally by email or phone.

Until we can be together again, take care of yourselves.   

President’s Perspective – January 2026

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

The following is an overview of items that should be stressed at all meetings, following the manual (the most current version of the manual is 2023, but whatever year your manual is, it covers the needs of your meetings.) You may wish to add to or subtract from this list. We fully realize that conditions and situations vary with the different Granges.

Suggestions and Instructions for Grange Procedure

  1. Following the manual, instruct proper procedures for Opening and Closing in full form. To open in “full form” means to follow the prescribed Ritual / instructions in the Grange manual, for either traditional or alternative opening which includes opening the Bible, opening the implement case and the Salutation given (prescribed hand salute), Salute to the Flag, and the Charter in the hall. 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.
  2. The word “Ritual” means a set routine/pattern of conducting the meeting each time you meet.
  3. Your Grange is required to meet at least once a month and open the meeting in full form. You may meet more than once a month as desired, but must open in full form every time.  (A minimum of 7 of your members must attend for a quorum to hold a legal meeting.)  
  4. Stress the importance of beginning meetings on time and ending at a reasonable time.
  5. If only 7 members are present the following Officers are to be filled:  Master, Overseer, Steward, Assistant Steward or Lady Assistant Steward, Chaplain, Secretary and Gatekeeper.
  6. Prospective members may sit in on a meeting, but do not count toward the quorum.
  7.  Emphasize the importance of committing parts to memory, (but not required) especially for Opening and Closing, the Obligation Ceremony and Degrees when conferred.
  8. Demonstrate Grange Salutation. Demonstrate the Voting Sign.  (Read the specific instructions from the Code Book on how to make the Signs and Salutation properly.) Encourage and assist with reading from the Code Book.  (The secret work of the Grange) 
  9. Demonstrate Flag Presentation, Balloting, & Draping the Charter. Do you need instructions?
  10. Stress the importance of prompt advance payment and collection of dues. Encourage the Secretary and the Grange to make every possible effort to retain a member. Delinquent members should have 3 notices, one a personal contact, before they are suspended. Suspension may only take place upon vote of the Grange at a regular meeting.
  11. Granges are to keep their by-laws up to date, in writing, (a copy to be on file at State Office).  Changes may be made after the initial reading of the proposed change, the vote is taken at a subsequent regular meeting, opened in full form with a quorum. Changes must be made with a 2/3 vote of those present and voting of the Grange. After the vote to adopt, the changes must be submitted in writing to the State Master for approval. Are your by-laws up to date? Does MSG office have a copy?t write out the current section of the by-law(s) and write out what changes are to be made.
  12. All funds go through the Secretary regardless who is holding the money, and should be reported by a specific committee or under “Bills and Accounts” at every meeting. All Grange and committee accounts are to be audited at least yearly by either the finance committee or the Executive Committee of the Grange. All Grange accounts should have at least two (2) signers, from different households, on each account and all persons who handle monies are required by our by-laws to be bonded. Do you have a plan for fundraising? What are your goals and needs?
  13. The minutes of the meetings must be read and adopted at the same meeting or adopted at the next consecutive meeting as the third order of business, while open is full form. The minutes of open meetings are included in the next meeting minutes. 
  14. When you ask “Have reports to Pomona and State Grange been duly and promptly made?” This covers quarterly dues reports but also includes year end reports of committees, requests for roster information, survey and any other information requested  by Pom or State Grange.
  15. Are your Committees active and reporting? After elections are completed, the Master selects or appoints the chair for the needed committees, the appointed chair takes over upon Installation of officers and they remain chair until the next election & installation. The Master can appoint their committee or the Chair can make their own selections.
  16. The Gatekeeper may come into the hall after the completion of the Flag Presentation during the Opening after the Master has rapped the gavel to seat the Grange. (The Gatekeeper should go to the anteroom during the opening ceremony to take the outer gate password from members who arrive late and when candidates go out at the start of the degree.)
  17. Balloting for candidates may only be done at a regular meeting with a quorum present. Presentation of applications, balloting and obligation/degree work may be at the same meeting.
  18. Candidates who are waiting for obligation/degree work may come into the hall for the opening.
  19. The Grange must be opened in full form for Degrees, Obligation Ceremony and Welcome Ceremony, even at a separate Degree Day where all degrees are done on the same day.
  20. The Obligation Ceremony and Welcome Ceremony may be used in all Granges, but full Degrees (degree means a level in the Grange) are recommended to be viewed or read thru by the Grange. However, since it is harder and harder to get a team together or to take your candidates somewhere else, encourage the Grange to read aloud through each Degree, even one degree at a time at 4 different meetings. This gets everyone involved and is less overwhelming than viewing the degrees all at once. Don’t keep the prospective members waiting. *(There is a Pomona Obligation Ceremony also.)
  21. Installation of Officers may be handled by your own Grange.  Encourage joint installations. There is an alternative Installation Ceremony now available for use, it is about half the length of the original ceremony, but still gives the Officers duties and instructions. The Installation Ceremony could be more informative to the members and the Officers, if each Officer take turns reading the charges at other times besides the Installation meeting.  It could be spread out over several meetings giving more time to absorb the messages.
  22. Encourage community service and participation in the Community Service contest; at least send in the Community Service Report form, even if you are not doing a lot.
  23. Encourage participation in various contests, attending other meetings, conferences, etc.
  24. Encourage the Grange to send a listing of upcoming meetings and events for the Maine Grange Bulletin and website, at least two months in advance with reminders. And report afterwards. *Encourage members with internet to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website.
  25. Encourage Open House and Booster Night meetings during the year or Grange Month as good Grange promotion. Promote good publicity — Grange newsletter, press, radio, etc.
  26. There are many published items to help in your work, items may be requested on the National Grange Website or the Maine State Grange website.
  27. Encourage your membership to get involved with Junior activities (includes ages 5 – 14) even if the Grange does not have a Junior Grange. Children and Grandchildren may join the Junior plus 1 program. Handled at the Subordinate Grange.
  28. Guest speakers and visitors are welcome to sit in on a meeting even during the full opening. Prospective members may attend a meeting.

                 ~ ~ ~ We wish you much success.  ~ ~ ~

President’s Perspective – December 2025

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Richard and I wish you all a very wonderful holiday season. 

Deputy School and instructions will be held in the spring, date and place to be determined.

We are very excited to announce this great news. Our office building at 146 State Street has been sold! We have moved to a new office and hope to be completely in our new space by December 13, 2025. Sharon, Henry, Richard, and I have worked many hours to get everything sorted, packed, and ready to go, especially Sharon & Henry. THANK YOU-THANK-YOU-THANK-YOU. Thanks Jimmy & Roberta who also came to give us a hand. We hired professional movers to get everything from one place to the other. They took two days to get the bulk of our items moved, placed and set up for us.  A few odds and ends are left to transfer.

Our new mailing address and location is: 36 Anthony Ave., Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330

Our phone will remain the same: 207-623-3421 and the same toll free number 1-800-464-3421

Our email address will change.   (To be finalized upon installation on the 10th of Dec.)

    To get to the new office

    • From Rt 95, Exit 112B going north or Exit 112 going south. Stay to the right.
    • Follow Rt 27 North, toward Belgrade about ½ mile.
    • Take left at the light between Irving and Kentucky Fried Chicken. 
    • Take 1st left onto Anthony Ave  (go past Great Wall Buffet and past Fairfield Inn)
    • Number 36 is the third building on the right. It has a brick archway at the entrance with glass doors.  Suite 102 is straight back through the lobby to the left.

    Letters announcing the change were mailed to all Subordinate & Pomona Masters and Secretaries, Officers, Deputies, Department heads & Committees giving them the same information as listed above. The effective date of the change of address of December 1, 2025, has been provided to the Post Office.  All communications, quarterly reports, etc., are to be sent to the new address listed above. For those of you who drop things off directly at the office, there is a mail slot in the door of our Suite 102.    

    As a reminder, the password(s) and key will be mailed this month to the Secretary and the Master/President of each Grange after the Grange’s quarterly dues & report forms are submitted to the State Secretary. We must receive the report and monies before the passwords are sent to your Grange. Do we have your current and correct information for your Master/President and your Secretary at our office?  As an individual member, your 2026 dues must be paid before you may receive the password.

    President’s Perspective – November 2025

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

    We had a very busy schedule at our 151st State Grange Session, which went well. Thank you to the Officers, Delegates, Members, Deputies, Directors, and Committee members who attended. I appreciate your participation and input during the business and activities. Thank you to all those special helpers and workers for your assistance, whether a large part or a small piece of the work, I personally appreciate every one of you. I would like to hear your comments and/or suggestions about State Session – schedule, facilities, location, banquet or any other comment you care to make. Send to my email address.

    We welcomed Kathy Gibson, Lady Assistant Steward of the National Grange, who gave us inspiring words of wisdom and also taught us “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in sign language, we all managed to get through the entire song in rounds. Some of our “boats” didn’t “row” as good as others. Kathy’s enthusiasm is definitely contagious. Brother Glenn Gibson, Executive Committee Member & Past Master of the Massachusetts State Grange and Amanda Gibson, Communications Dir of the MA State Grange both enjoyed being with us also.

    A heartfelt Memorial Service was presented. Resolution work started and continued on Saturday with much discussion on each. A wonderful banquet was shared, and the various Committees presented many awards. We held a full election of officers with most of us being re-elected, thank you for your confidence in me. I am pleased to welcome our new officers, Judy Meserve as Ceres, Tracey Small as Pomona, and Dale Holst to the Executive Committee for a four-year term. I want to express my appreciation to our retiring officers Betty Huff, Ceres; Kathy Gowen, Pomona and Jim Owens from the Executive Committee for their dedication and years of service to the Manie State Grange. We welcomed five new State Grange members who received the 6th degree on Saturday afternoon. Vicki Huff installed our officers in an impressive manner. Thank you!


    The new Department Program Books and Annual Reports were given to the Delegates for your Grange. If you did not have delegates at the session, you may download the programs and reports from the web under “Program Books,” or if you want a printed copy, email or call the office or me, and we will send them to you. You may request all or just select certain ones. Agricultural Scholarship, Educational Aid & Howes Nurses Scholarship requirements and applications can also be found on the website or requested from the office. We need to promote these scholarships and awards in our communities; each is a wonderful opportunity for our young folks. Grange Enterprise Award (formerly Farm Family) information with the application can be found on the web too or requested.

    I hope to get the 2026 Roster done in the near future. Do I have your most current information? I know I have only about 2/3 of them. Welcome to our new Subordinate and Pomona Masters/Presidents, Lecturers, Secretaries and Committee people. There have been a few changes to Deputies and Committees. Several of our dedicated Deputies have retired after long years of service on behalf of the Maine State Grange. I want to THANK each of them, Maynard Chapman as Chief Deputy, David Gowen, Basil Mosher, Harriet Spencer, Holly & Burt Welch, and Phil Parsons. I know I keep repeating myself with the thank-yous. Still, it is well deserved, heartfelt and important especially to me to do so.

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Hug your family and friends. Help someone every day.