Category: President’s Perspective

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

Non-members at Meetings

A question has been asked about non-members visiting or sitting in a meeting of the Grange. There are a couple of sections in The National Grange Digest of Laws 2025 edition that deal with this question.  

Chapter IV  BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

4.10.4 Authority of Masters 

The Masters of Subordinate and Pomona Granges are answerable to the Master of the State Grange having jurisdiction over said Subordinate or Pomona Granges. 

The right to make Rulings, as to Grange Laws and Usage, is vested solely in the Masters of the various Granges of the divisions of the Order.

Chapter XI  CODE OF RITUAL, DEGREES, AND REGALIA

Grange Meetings

11.8.11 Non-members may be allowed to observe the opening and closing ceremonies of the fourth degree and all aspects of a business meeting conducted in the fourth degree. Any member may object to the presence of non-members during balloting on candidates or balloting on accepting reinstatement or demits into Grange membership. 

State Master/President’s Comments: As a visitor, they would not be allowed to participate in discussions on motions or vote on any issues to come before the Grange. If they are there for a presentation or as a speaker, then that is a different situation.  An additional question along the same line is how many times may they visit without becoming a member? There is no specific timeframe outlined in the by-laws, however, as Master/President of the Maine State Grange, my opinion or ruling would be — not more than three (3) visits to check things out. They should not be allowed to visit indefinitely without membership.

Membership numbers. Each Grange is required by the By-Laws of the National Grange to maintain a minimum of 13 members to retain your Grange Charter. It is up to each Grange to keep that minimum, and it is up to you as members to ask others to join your Grange. The Maine State Grange cannot get you Grange members. 

A Degree Day with the first Four Degree Ceremonies being fully conferred, will be held on April 27, starting at 1:00 pm at the State Grange building at 146 State Street, Augusta.  You must have submitted an application to the local Grange you wish to join or you must have already been given the Official Obligation Ceremony or Official Welcome Ceremony to view the Degrees. The word Degree refers to the level of the Grange, the first Four Degrees are for the Subodinate/Community level with lessons based on Agriculture and the seasons of the year. If you are already a member, you are welcome to attend the degree. We hope to see a good group of candidates again this year and many members too. 

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

Procedures and NE Leaders’ Conference

The Ritual, bylaws, rules, and regulations of the Grange MUST MUST be followed by everyone, not just a select few. Every regular Grange meeting must be opened in full form to conduct any business, whether voting on finances, changing your by-laws, conferring degrees, conducting the obligation ceremony, or discussing activities, etc. The Grange Ritual (the set pattern that we do things at each meeting), opening the Bible, the Prayer, the Grange Salutation, and the Salute to the Flag must be done at every regular meeting, even if you are meeting in homes or by Zoom. It may seem outdated or unnecessary to some, but it is part of this Fraternal Organization and to be considered a Grange, to use the term “Grange” certain requirements must be carried out. Some things have been modernized and simplified, but the basics are still there. If you are a longtime or new member and want changes to be made, there are set processes in place to make that possible. The Manual, National & State Bylaws and Guidelines are available to help you with the process. Let’s make the effort to be part of it whether in person or by use of technology.

To request funds being held in custodial accounts by Maine State Grange, mail or email your request to the State Office. The State Master/President approves it; then it will be forwarded to the State Treasurer for the issue of a check. Invoices and/or estimates must be included with the request. Checks for building repairs, etc., will be made out to the contractor and mailed to the Secretary of the Grange requesting the funds. Remember, mail does take time; you can’t expect to get the check the same day you request it.

The Maine Grange Foundation, Inc., is a 501c3. It can be the fiscal sponsor for grants when requested and can receive tax-deductible donations on behalf of a Grange. (After the grant/donation check clears, we will issue a check to the appropriate Grange.) The Maine Grange Foundation, Inc. is a separate financial entity from the Maine State Grange, which does not have the 501c3 status. There is definitely a difference between the two.

The Northeast Leaders Conference was hosted by Massachusetts early in January and attended by 65 enthusiastic members. Maine was represented by Missy Baldwin, MSG Lecturer; Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service & Family Health & Hearing Director; Brenda’s husband, Joe Fallo; Past MSG Master Vicki Huff; and myself. The Northeast State Masters/Presidents & Overseers/Vice Presidents (the Northeast Connection group) and New England Grange Building Trustees met several times during the weekend. As the weekend progressed, interesting and helpful workshops were presented to the group. Finding Hidden Potential and Empowering Members and Aligning Your Strategic Plan to Your Core Values. Also included in the weekend was a wonder-ful tour of the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School located close to the conference center. Everyone attending could sit in on whichever meeting or break-out group they chose. State Lecturers, Youth, and Chaplains groups started planning their respective Northeast Conferences and Activities. Community Service, Family Activities, Women’s Activities, Agriculture, Membership, Information/IT, and others met as a large group, having good discussions on activities for their states and ideas all could try. Junior Directors and interested members met to discuss the craft for display at the Big-E in September at the New Eng-land Grange Building. The Junior craft for 2025 will be Egg Carton Craft and for 2026 will be Bird Houses. Next year’s conference will be hosted by Vermont.

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

Degrees in your Grange

There have been questions about the Degree Days and who can do them. Any Grange may confer all Four Degrees in one day, at any time during the year, but permission is required from the State Master beforehand. However, each Grange is entitled to confer the Degrees in their own Granges at their own convenience. To “confer degrees” means initiatory ceremonies giving instruction and information about the Grange. You may confer 1 or 2 degrees at one meeting, then confer 1 or 2 more at the next meeting, and so on until you complete all Four Degrees. (The word Degree refers to a level of the Grange and is based on the four seasons and agriculture. The first Four Degrees bring you into Subordinate or Community Grange membership.) The meeting must be open in full form for any balloting and conferral of any Degree. The candidates must be balloted on prior to the conferral of the degree. Following the Grange Manual. (2023 is the newest version but the Degrees in all the manuals are the same.) The Degrees are very impressive if done from memory, but this may not work for everyone. Have each officer read the part for the office where they are seated, marching candidates are encouraged but it can be done with everyone seated, follow the instructions as you go along. Everyone can participate in this manner and learn the lessons of the Degrees at the same time.

Have a safe winter. Check on your neighbors and give a hand wherever you can.

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As a reminder, the password(s) and the key will be mailed this month to the Secretary and Master of each Grange after the Grange’s quarterly dues & report forms are sent to the State Secretary. We must receive the report 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 2025 dues must be paid before you may receive the password.

Responsibilities of a Leader
* Listen
* Contribute
* Don’t dominate
* Show enthusiasm
* Put the group at ease
* Promote teamwork
* Discourage criticism
* Focus on the task, not personalities
* Be fair
* Give recognition

Here is a suggestion for an exercise for you and your members in your Grange. The anonymous written suggestions can be collected and discussed at another meeting. This is not intended to cause embarrassment or dissention but insight into what you and your members may think. Pre-print the questions and hand them out to everyone. Add questions of your own. This way the participants work easier at their own pace.

• 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!)
• Write down at least 1 (one) positive thing your Grange has done or accomplished.
• Write down at least 1 (one) reply. What is the purpose of your Grange?
• Write down at least 2 (two) replies. Why do you belong/attend Grange?
• Write down at least 2 (two) replies. Describe the duties of an Officer or Committee person, or what should their duties be?
• Write down at least 2 (two) replies. What do you suggest as a fundraiser?

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

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

Our 150th State Grange Session 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. A wonderful banquet & luncheon were shared, awards were presented, Juniors participated, and a heartfelt Memorial Service was held; Barbara Foster was pleased to be with us. We elected Carolyn Van Horn to the Executive Committee and welcomed five new State Grange members who received the Sixth degree.

The new Department Program Books and Annual Reports were given to the Delegates for your Grange. If you did not have delegates at 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 myself 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. Grange Enterprise Award information and the application can be found there too or requested.

Deputy School was held on Nov 2 with several State Officers & Committee people also attending. Paperwork was passed out, we covered Opening & Closing — Opening the Bible, Presenting the Flag, Introducing Honored Guests, balloting, and discussed other Grange business.

I would like to do instruction meetings in your areas again this year. Think about setting something up in the spring with me. I would prefer a Saturday meeting during the day but could do an evening if requested. We will be covering the same as above. Everyone is invited to attend.

Contact the office or myself if you would like to have any of the following materials:

1. Expectations of State Officers and Deputies
2. Visitation reports — Subordinate and Pomona
3. Maine State Grange Guidelines, Information, and Instructions.
4. Hello Worthy Master and Members (information regarding closing/consolidation of Granges)
5. Maine State Grange Ritual Handbook
6. Suggestions and Instructions for Grange Procedure
7. Code Book with instructions on Grange Ritual
8. Official Obligation Ceremony
9. New Member Welcoming Ceremony
10. Official Fifth Degree Obligation Ceremony
11. By-Laws of the Maine State Grange (newly revised edition)
12. Officers, Deputies, and Directors List 2025. The complete roster will be available soon. Additional materials are listed in the book.
13. Maine State Grange Leadership Directory from Webmaster.
14. Maine Granges, Town, and Contact Brochure (many changes included)
15. Subordinate/Community Manual Edition 2023 (printed on regular-size Paper)
16. Manual of Pomona Granges 2017* (printed on regular-size paper)

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

Fellow Grangers,  I would like to strongly encourage our Granges and Grangers to do whatever they can to help our southern Grange families and friends. The note below is from National Grange President Chris Hamp.

Brothers and Sisters,

In the past few days, I have received many emails, texts, and phone calls asking how Granges can help with recovery in North Carolina following the devastation left behind in the wake of Hurricane Helene over the weekend.

Please see the email sent from Jimmy Gentry, President of NC State Grange, with information on how to support their Granges.

I encourage Granges at all levels to support your Brothers and Sisters in their time of need, as they, in turn, help their communities recover.

In addition to North Carolina, we have also heard that Goodwill Grange, Virginia, and the surrounding communities received damage and are also in recovery. Goodwill Grange is known by its community for being an internet center, a vital need in rural southwestern Virginia.

We are working with the Virginia State Grange and will disseminate information on how to help Goodwill Grange as soon as it is available.

Please support these Granges and their communities in whatever ways you can.

Thank you,

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

The Deputy School will be held on November 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at State HQ. We will cover ritual, floorwork, salutation, and other related Grange items.

Congratulations and welcome to all the Officers & Members, new and seasoned and I wish you all much success for the coming year.  September is the time of new Grange year beginnings with installations, making plans for the coming year and setting goals. This is also the time for year-end wrap-ups such as your annual audit, reports to be submitted, (to your Grange, Pomona and State), and a time to evaluate last year’s activities, events and goals, what was successful and what was lacking. There are very few Installation Teams or Installing Officers traveling, so I encourage each Grange to do their own Installation. There is an Alternative Installation Ceremony  (half the words) in the new Manual which can be read with one or two people in charge and working with the members present. It is impressive to have it memorized however many people, like myself, cannot memorize charges any longer. By reading it with appropriate feeling and enunciation, it comes across very nicely. The original ceremony in also still in the manual if you are so inclined. We have manuals at the office for sale or get it on line from National Grange at sales@nationalgrange.org

Another reminder or nag, less than half of you have provided your 2025 Roster information.  Even if there were no changes, a report or email needs to be sent.  During the order of business, the Master asks, “Have the reports to the Pomona and State Granges been duly and promptly made?” This includes this and any request for information. If you are changing the time or day you meet, this is a By-Law change and is required to be voted on in a regular Grange meeting and approved by the State Master before it can officially take effect!  Do we have a copy of your By-Laws at the office? 

I am still working on getting the new database completed. I am typing in all the information for our 80 Granges, 2,200+,  names, addresses and other information into a more user friendly format that can be accessed without internet. I have not heard anything at all from many Granges, where are your lists?   

The National Grange and the Northeast Region will be holding a Covid-19 and Influenza free immunization clinic at the New England Grange Building at the Big-E Fair in Springfield, MA in September. 

The Annual Maine State Grange is a month and a half away, October 18 & 19.  Our National Representative will be Barbara Foster, Pomona of the National Grange and President of the West Virginia State Grange, long time Grange member and she is looking forward to being  with us.  Information about our guests can be found on our website under State Session along with other session information such as schedule and meal registration form.

Meal tickets are to be purchased in advance, form and money are due by Oct. 5.

Remember, if your Subordinate and/or Pomona Grange plans to or wants to have 2 voting delegates at State Session:

1. Your Grange MUST vote by name on the people to be delegates and alternates at a regular meeting prior to session. Two delegates and two alternates are to be selected.
2. Delegates must be members or affiliate members of your Grange. You may only represent the Subordinate or Pomona Grange where you are a member. 
3. You may represent your Subordinate and Pomona Grange and have one vote for each.
4. You may NOT represent 2 Subordinate Granges or 2 Pomona Granges.
5. Register that person or persons using the Delegate form provided to your Secretary.
6. The form must be signed by the Master or Secretary of the Grange
7. Your Grange’s quarterly dues must be paid up to date or brought with you to registration to be eligible to vote
8. You can’t just show up expecting to vote on the resolutions, elections, or any other business without the proper paperwork being submitted. NO exceptions.
9. Anyone may attend the session just are not allowed to vote, but may participate in discussions. You may pick your program books for your Grange if there is not a delegate.

The National Grange annual session will be November in Bettendorf, Iowa hosted by the Mid-west Region of States.  All are welcome to attend.

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

State Session is October   in Auburn. All paperwork and information has been mailed to the Secretaries and is posted on the website under “Program books and Information”. Remember, each Grange may have 2 delegates (they must be voted as delegates in your Grange meeting), and the quarterly Grange dues MUST be paid up to date for them to be able to vote. Any 4th-degree member may attend the session even if you are not a voting delegate. Our National Grange representative will be Barbara Foster, Pomona of the National Grange & Master/President of the West Virginia State Grange. 

Reports – Reports – Reports. That’s right, ALL Reports are due Individual, Subordinate, and Pomona:

Lecturer’s report and Book Reading lists to Melissa Baldwin. 

Community Service reports and books to Brenda Dyer.

Family Health & Hearing reports due to Brenda Dyer.

CWA reports to Margaret Henderson.

Pomona and Subordinate Roster information to the State Office was due by July 15th. Thank you to those who have submitted them — where are the rest of yours? Even if you had no changes, the report is to be sent in. We ask you to provide the Grange name & number, the physical street address and town of the Grange hall, which day or days and time. Let us know if there are refreshments or supper and that time. Also, the name, postal address, phone, cell phone (if they want it posted), and email (if applicable) of the Master, Lecturer, Secretary, and CWA (Committee of Women’s Activity) chair. Additional committee chairs may also be included on the back or a separate sheet for Agriculture, Legislative, Community Service, Family Health & Hearing, Junior, Youth, and Education. 

State Officers and Deputy’s Visitation reports are due to the State Master (standard mail or emailed) or get them to the office. 

State Officers — Lecturer, Chaplain, Treasurer and Secretary are expected to present a written report by Oct 1.  

Committee Chairs/Directors — Agriculture, Committee of Women’s Activities, Communications, Community Service, Family Health & Hearing, Educational Aid & Howes Nursing Scholarship, Fundraising, Junior, Legislative, and Membership are required to give a written report on your actives for the year, submitted to ME, State Master, by standard mail or email (email is easier for me, I can copy into the book). All of these reports will be compiled together and printed for approval by the delegates at the State Session. 

Directors, I need your 2025 Program Books, so those can be printed to be passed out at State Session. 

While I am talking about reports. I am still missing many updated membership lists. Please get them corrected and sent in. 

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

Richard and I had a good time as part of the Maine group that attended the NE Lecturers Conference in CT. A variety of workshops were presented, activities, entertainment, tours, food, and friends.

The 150^th Anniversary was a success, with about 55 Grangers and 10 Juniors attending. Thank you for coming, and thanks to all who helped in any way: cleaning, changing light bulbs, setting up tables, bringing food, setting up, taking part in the program, clearing away, and saving me some goodies. Thank you, Juniors, for weeding and sprucing up the memorial garden as a Community Service activity. It was a very casual afternoon with lots of visiting, reminiscing, hugs, and a wide variety of yummy, yummy sweets & snacks! Everything was done downstairs throughout the house (the chairlift was out of order). Souvenir 150^th booklets were printed for our guests to take, listing all 593 Maine Granges, when they were organized & closure dates; all State Officers & dates they served; Annual State Sessions dates & places; National Sessions in Maine; and Maine Grangers who served as National Grange Officers; and assorted moments in State Grange history. Special 150^th pads of paper were also passed out.  I would like to do the same thing in the north or Downeast.

There were posters, memorabilia, assorted photo albums, and other unique items to look at. The attendees participated in a meet the officers scavenger hunt to fill in a questionnaire with the name of a different officer for each question. Richard and I were very disappointed we couldn’t be there because we had been exposed to Covid on Wednesday.

Mike Griffin was MC for the program which consisted of a welcome by Darrell Huff, Moments in History by Missy Baldwin., membership information by Sharon Morton. Jim Owens. talked about the officers albums he has custody of, the Juniors performed a song, the officer questionnaire was reviewed with much laughter, several folks gave some of their experiences, door prizes were drawn and “It’s A Good Thing To Be A Granger” was sung by all. Thanks for making the day a success.

Since we are already in the middle of July, it’s time to start mentioning the State Grange session. One final reminder: You have less than one month to get your resolutions into the office by August 15 by standard mail and/or email. Resolutions must be read and voted on in your Grange before submitting them to the State for consideration.  

The 150^th Annual State Grange Session is Oct. 18 & 19 at the Auburn Masonic Hall, 1021 Turner St, Auburn. Delegate registration, full schedule, meal, and motel information will be sent to the Granges soon. The Residence Inn (207-777-3400) in Auburn has agreed to give us a discount this year. You must ask for the Maine State Grange Annual Session group rate.

Friday, October 18 – 1:00 p.m. opening & business. 2:00 State Master’s Address.  2:45 Memorial Service,  3:45  Resolutions and National Grange Rep. guest speaker,  6:00 p.m. Banquet by Pine Cone Eastern Star Chapter here in the Masonic Hall – tickets purchased in advance. Awards will be presented upstairs after the banquet:  Junior Presentation, Community Service, Family Health & Hearing, Membership, Educational Aid and Howe’s Nurses Scholarships, CWA and other awards.

Saturday, October 19– 9:00 a.m. opening, acceptance of budget, election of officer(s), resolutions and reports mixed in with election as needed & installation of officers, 12:00 Ag Luncheon – tickets purchased in advance. 1:30 Call back to order – business continues. Saturday Oct 19 — 2:30 p.m. Conferral of the Sixth Degree($10 fee for 6^th Degree candidates) (must have had the 5^th Degree or 5^th Degree Obligation to take the 6^th Degree).

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

June 29,2024 is our 150th Anniversary Celebration from 1 to 4 pm at our HQ home/office at 146 State Street in Augusta. Refreshments will be available all afternoon. We will have historical photo albums of Past State Masters to look through, Dot Brown’s Youth Department photo albums, memorabilia to see, lists of all the Granges organized in Maine over the past 150 years, other items to share, and a “Meet Our State Officers” game for all to participate in if you wish. We will have a short program at 2:30. All are welcome to attend. We do have a chair lift. Casual attire.

I’m very pleased to announce we cleared over $500 at our recent fundraiser event June 1^st, with Visa gift card raffles, t-shirt sales, other Grange items and 50/50. THANK YOU to the many supporters and helpers, Granges and individuals selling and buying tickets. Each of the $100 gift cards were won by Grange members Gailene of Golden Harvest Grange in Carmel and Karen of Danville Junction in Danville. The 50/50 was won by someone in Vienna.

June is the time for election of officers. As soon after the election has been held, the elected Master/President selects 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; they will take over their term at installation. 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. Other Committees may be named as needed and specific to your Grange. Special Committees are set up as required for a special event or activity. Please tell your secretary who will be the chairmen so she/he can report the roster information to the office.

It is important to provide the following information to us for each Grange for the 2025 Roster: Grange Name and number; street address and town of Grange Hall; meeting day(s) 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.) Include if you havesupper or refreshments and time.

Plus we need the following information for the Officers and chairmen.

• Master/President: name; address; phone; (cell if they want it listed) and e-mail address.
• Lecturer: name: 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: n name; address; phone; (cell if they want it listed) and e-mail address.

If you want to type the information out separately and mail or email it to us, that would be fine. We will be sending the 2025 Roster information forms to the Grange Secretaries. Please fill them out legibly and return them to the office as soon as possible.  

I know I am repeating myself again, but remember Resolutions are due in the office by August 15^th. Every resolution must have a title already named by the presenting Grange and must be voted in the affirmative in that Grange, in a regular meeting opened in full form. 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 written out in full.

 Another reminder I have not mentioned for a while. I have only received 45 updated membership lists of the 80 Subordinate Granges. Obviously, I am still looking for the rest of them! Please get them updated and sent to the office or emailed to me.