Category: Communication

Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship now open

MSG Comm Department Logo
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Davis, State Senator for District 4.

The Maine Legislature annually recognizes one student from each county who is currently pursuing or planning to pursue education at a two- or four-year degree-granting Maine college or technical school. Through the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), these awards are given to Maine resident high school seniors or full- or part-time post-secondary students accepted to or enrolled in accredited Maine colleges for graduate or undergraduate degrees.

The 2022-2023 application cycle is now open and scholarship applications are being accepted until the deadline of May 1, 2022. Scholarship awards of $1,000 will be given to one student in each of Maine’s counties (16 total). Only complete applications will be considered, which should include the following:

  • A completed 2022-2023 Maine Legislative Memorial Scholarship application
  • An essay (make sure the applicant’s name appears on all pages)
  • Submission of transcripts, recommendations, and a 2022-2023 Student Aid Report (SAR)
  • College students should include both college and high school transcripts
  • All transcripts should also indicate graduation date or anticipated graduation date
  • A copy of a high school diploma or equivalent

Recipients selected from applications submitted by the May 1, 2022 deadline will be selected and notified in the fall. Notifications are not sent to those applicants not selected. It’s important that students submit the 2022-2023 free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) back from the federal government. The SAR with Expected Family Contribution (EFC), income information, and the number of family members must be sent to FAME and postmarked by the deadline during the application period.

Communications Column — February 2022

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Planning for Grange Month

It’s not too early! How are you going to create a stir in your community? For many Granges that should ask “How are you going to create a bigger stir in your community?” I recently had an exciting conversation with a member who described the overwhelming support their Grange is receiving because the community loves what they are doing and wants to keep things happening. I don’t think that’s a Grange that will need much help figuring out what to do during Grange Month!

National Grange has offered the theme “Raised Right Here” for this year. An interesting addition is a plan for a special “Grange Spirit Week” April 3 – 9, 2022. Each day of that week is dedicated to one particular aspect of the Grange.

If that feels overwhelming, think of it as an idea starter. Could, for example, your celebration of Grange Month include information about your Grange Friends? In addition to recognizing a “Community Citizen of the Year,” why not celebrate individuals and organizations who your Grange counts on for help when it’s needed? And, while you’re at it, how about a history of your Grange Hall that includes features available to those who use or rent it? Think about posters and displays. Can you enlist a member of the local media to write a series of articles? Are there organizations you could collaborate and partner with?

The idea is to overwhelm your community with awareness of the Grange. There’s not much time, so get on the phone, schedule a Zoom Meeting, or have an impromptu meeting at your Grange Hall. Throw out some ideas–the crazier the better! You may not do them all, but you just might be surprised at the energy you’ll generate.

Remember, we’re happy to post your events on the Maine State Grange Website–but you have to tell us about them!

If you are going to celebrate a Community Citizen of the Year, don’t forget to order that award from The National Grange Supply Store.

I’ll be updating the Grange Month section of the Program Books and Information Page over the next week or two as resources become available for National Grange. Don’t wait! Start planning the party now!

► FACT: The Maine State Grange Website was visited by over 600 people during the month of January 2022.

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Scholarship Info Updates Due

We have the following scholarships listed as available. Since students will soon be looking for support, it’s important our information be current and accurate. If your Grange is offering financial support, we’d like your current information soon! We especially need deadlines for applications and who to contact for additional information. You can use the submit tab on the website or simply email the webmaster. Thanks!

National Grange Scholarships

Sponsor: National Grange GROW Club
Scholarship: National Grange GROW Club Academic Scholarship

Maine State Grange Scholaships

Sponsor: Maine State Grange Ag Committee
Scholarship: Maine State Grange Ag Scholarship (2022 information has been submitted)
Sponsor: Maine State Grange Educational Aid Fund
Scholarship: Maine State Grange Educational Ed Scholarship
Sponsor: Maine State Grange Howes Nurses’ Fund
Scholarship: Maine State Grange Howes Nurses Scholarship

Local Grange Scholarships

Sponsor: Hollis Grange #132, Hollis
Scholarship: Hollis Grange #132 Scholarship
Sponsor: Kennebec Valley Grange #128, Madison
Scholarship: Carroll Dean Memorial Agricultural Scholarship
Sponsor: Mill Stream Grange #574, Vienna
Scholarship: Dorothy Waugh Memorial Scholarship
Sponsor: New Norland Grange #580, E. Livermore (closed)
Scholarship: New Norland Grange Memorial Scholarship
Sponsor: Parkman Grange #305, Parkman
Scholarship: Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship
Sponsor: Somerset Grange #18, Norridgewock
Scholarship: Somerset Grange
Sponsor: Winthrop Grange #209, Winthrop
Scholarship: Winthrop Grange Scholarship


Is It Time for a Re-run?

Are you old enough to remember when television programming involved sometimes dreaded and sometimes eagerly anticipated summer re-runs? What we call “media” was certainly different.

In completing some recent research, I happened to look at a program Amanda Brozana Rio and I did together on April 18, 2020. While it was centered on the book I wrote about the Grange Way of Life, we spent considerable time on the challenge of maintaining the Grange Way of Life during the pandemic.

Whether or not things have changed much since this interview is perhaps debatable, but that’s not the intent of reposting it. The Grange Way of Life doesn’t change much fundamentally, even if how we live and practice it does. Therefore, it seems worth reposting this for consideration. Don’t miss the part about caterpillars and butterflies.

http://:abbotvillagepress.com

Flying Our Flag

In response to a request during the state session, we have researched and are providing the information below. Note this information will also appear permanently at the very top of the Program Books and Information Page. Special thanks go to John Lowry of Porter Grange and Vicki Huff of Hollis Grange for their help!

How we display the flag communicates! The image to the left indicates recent state proclamations regarding flying the flag at half-staff. The image to the right indicates current federal proclamations.

This is a link to a guide to the Federal Law regarding displaying the Americal Flag: US Flag Code.

To sign up for email alerts advising when to fly your flag at half-mast, visit Half Staff American Flag

Learn more from the Department of Veterans Affairs about the rules and traditions for flying the flag at half-staff 

Sneak Peek Brochure

Check out this great resource for recruiting and developing your membership!

DIY Resource

There’s actually nothing “sneaky” about this tri-fold brochure designed by National Grange for local Grange use. What we have is a fairly complete explanation of what to expect at a Grange meeting. Topics covered include:

  • Tips for participating
  • A diagram of the traditional layout of the hall
  • The order of Business
  • A description of the opening and closing
  • Key terms and objects
  • How business is conducted

We also learn, “A special time is set aside during each meeting for an educational, entertaining or inspirational program to be presented, called the Lecturer’s Program. This allows Grange members to meet one of our charges – to help members grow to
their fullest potential – and provides a time for
the community to learn from and interact with
our Order.”

You can download a copy from the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page then print as many as you need. (You might consider adding a small label with contact information for your local Grange. Contact the MSG Communications Department if you need help with that!) Additional options include having a local printer produce them or ordering from the National Grange Supply Store as part of an orientation pack.

This brochure is a great way to introduce people who have never attended a meeting to what to expect and to make them feel more welcomed. Consider having copies available on the tables if you have a potluck supper before the meeting. Keep a supply near the gatekeeper/greeter’s station to hand to visitors.

Visit the Program Books and Information Page–Scroll down to the National Grange Section for a complete list of brochures available for your use. That list includes:

And don’t forget, there’s a one page letter describing these brochures and tips for using them!