(If you read news online, you are probably familiar with paywalls—but try it! I think BDN will allow a limited number of free reads. This article is definitely a very positive one that’s worth reading!)
I’ve always said, “It’s easier to make news than it is to write press releases!”
August 16, 2024, Mystic Valley Grange Open Meeting with light refreshments & entertainment. TIME CHANGE -Public Meeting 12 noon to 1:00 pm followed by Open House 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. in East Dixfield. Public invited. For more information, contact Nancy Farrington.
With data breaches on the rise, we wanted to take the time to remind you to stay vigilant against phishing attempts. Hackers use fraudulent practices to spoof people into giving up their data and or money. The most common technique is email phishing.
Hackers send messages that appear legitimate or look like they’re from someone you trust so that you engage with the message or click on malicious attachments. The National Grange will never ask for money, gift cards, emergency assistance or any financial transaction via email. It is very important to look at the details of any email to make sure it is in fact coming from the person you believe it to be. Two-factor authentication is enabled for all National Grange email accounts, which require a security code to be sent to the mobile phone of the National Grange President or staff member before allowing access.
If something seems fishy…it’s probably phishing. Here are some tips to keep in mind to avoid falling victim and to protect yourself against these attacks. Double-check that the sender’s email address matches who they claim to be. National Grange communication from President Chris Hamp will use the email address champ@nationalgrange.org. Any other variation should not be trusted. Don’t click a link or download from someone you don’t know or weren’t expecting. Don’t reply to a suspicious email or message from an email you don’t recognize. When in doubt, call the person and ask if they sent the email. The “Reply” email address should never be different from the person you believe it to be. Be cautious of slight changes in the email address.
Webmaster’s Note: This is not limited to National Grange email, obviously! We’ve recently been experiencing similar issues here in Maine. Please be vigilant and cautious.
By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director 207 343-1842
Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!
July Bulletin Is Available!
The July Bulletin is now available for download and printing! You can find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.
State Session Page is Available
A page dedicated to the 2024 State Session is now available with preliminary information. This will be a work in progress!
National Grange Digest Is Available on this Site
We have made the 2024 National Grange Digest available directly from the MSG Website. It is listed in the National Grange Section of the Program Books and Information Page. This booklet will answer many of your questions regarding Grange Law and Practice.
Scholarship Information/Application Available
The Educational Aid and Howes Nurses Scholarship information and application is now available on the Program Books and Information Page or this direct link. Note that the deadline for application is September 15, 2024.
Check out the Senior Circle being hosted by Victor Grange! It’s a fairly simple way to get folks into your hall!
Think about this!
“Doing things is not the same as getting things done.”
Jared Silver
Submit News! Be “famous”
Submitting news can be as simple as a photo and “cutline.” A cutline is a brief description–longer than a caption–to accompany the photo. Let’s prove that the Grange is alive and well in Maine! (Photos should be submitted as an attachment to an email.) We get inquiries from people looking for active Granges!
Online Directories Available 24-7
The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!
I wonder if I’ll ever cease to be amazed by the number of scams being run on the Internet and Social Media. I can’t resist sharing this one because it might actually be considered funny.
So “Commander Kirkland” has reached out to “whom it may concern” with what might initially appear troubling news. He informs us “...you and your organization, that the Federal Law Enforcement agencies of the United States of America in conjunction with Interpol, the World Security Council and the United Nations Amnesty International Program, are announcing a series of arrests and investigations concerning various Religious and Social organizations using a psychological torture, and brainwashing technique known as a ‘forgiveness tatoo’.
I’m reminded a bit of the old joke “You know it’s not going to be a good day when you find the Sixty Minute News Team waiting for you at the office.”
By the way, “forgiveness tattoos”(spelled correctly) are a real item readily found on the Internet. I don’t pretend to fully understand their value, but as far as I can see, they aren’t about brainwashing or torture.
“What is the scam?” you ask. I don’t know, I didn’t fall for it. But I suspect the first step was to get me to reply to the email. It’s interesting that a Federal Law Enforcement Commander is using a Gmail address. I’ll admit, I almost did reply out of curiosity.
You can fool some of the people some of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.
Attributed to Abraham Lincoln.
The updated version is
You can fool enough people some of the time to make a decent living.
Unknown
Just don’t be one of those people. And, perhaps more importantly, don’t let these attempts get you down. Think of them as an opportunity to demonstrate how smart you are. Just slow down and think! Wouldn’t you think a high-ranking federal law enforcement official would (among other things):
know how to spell the “tattoos” he is investigating
have an email address associated with his agency (and identify it)
No worries. Now, if you see the CNN News Team standing in front of the Grange Hall…
Sometimes the question is more important than the answer!
A colleague who writes fiction posted a question in our writer’s forum. His forthcoming book includes a character who uses some bigoted slurs and language. The author was rightfully concerned about the effect the language might have on readers and how he should handle it.
Ironically, as I reviewed a website post on the same day, I faced the decision of whether or not to delete an adjective that, while not offensive, could be considered discriminatory.
Writing and editing are more art than science. This is one reason I don’t fear AI (artificial intelligence), but that would be a digression.
To my writing colleague, I suggested that we writers must not become so obsessed with the fear of offending someone that we forget the ultimate purpose of writing.
As an editor, I focus on the fact anything that appears on the website or in the Bulletin reflects on the Grange as an organization. Offending people is not in our best interest.
In both cases, there can be some hard decisions as we strive to find the delicate balance. The standard for a fictional novel will be different from the standard for publications representing an organization. And while communication, by its nature, is never perfectly done, we have to try to create understanding. “Free speech” does not equate to “irresponsible speech.”
Hopefully, editors exist to improve communication. Ultimately, it’s not an exact science because the reader contributes much to the process of the words used by the writer. If you’ve ever been misunderstood, you know what that means.
My intent here is not to start a political discussion but rather to create an awareness that society is increasingly sensitive to word choices. Writers and speakers do well to be considerate and can unintentionally cause problems when they are not.
Here’s a simple example. Have you noticed that when I refer to the head of a committee, I use the term “chair” instead of “chairman?” It’s just a simple example of “gender neutrality.” Another example from the news is changing “policemen” to “police officers.” Occupations are gender-neutral and should be referred to accordingly.
I can offer another example of how word choice can be important. This was actually a few years ago, before the heightened sensitivity. Someone only slightly familiar with the Grange explained, “When I see events listed, I assume a meeting is for members only, but a program can be attended by anyone.”
Isn’t that interesting?
“ I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant”
Alan Greenspan
With a little focus and by working together, we can decrease the chances of that happening.
► FACT: The third most visited post in the past seven days was the list of new members! People are hungry for good news from Granges!
Find the button representing how and where you want to share a post.
With all the great Grange events around the state this summer, we should be able to show our communities the opportunities the Grange offers and how successful our programs and events are!
You won’t earn cash, but you will get credit. Consider yourself appointed as a reporter for the Maine State Website.
Smartphone photos are welcome for posting. Send them by email to webmaster@mainestategrange.org. Include at least a few details–think of it as captioning your photo so we know what it’s about. Remember the “who, what, where, when” basics.
We’ll try to keep this simple but here are a few guidelines.
Photos of children require the written permission of a parent or guardian to publish. A form is available here. The fact that the child is with a parent is not sufficient.
Courtesy and respect are important! Even with adults, explain that you’d like the photo posted on the website.
One of the common rules of press/media photography is “no feet! When taking a posed photo of a group, move in close and try to shoot above the waist. Time permitting, we’ll crop and edit if needed.
Of course, written stories without photos work, too! We’re here to help! Send us what you have and we’ll write, edit, and let you know if we need additional information. Let’s show off the Grange!
The codfish lays ten thousand eggs, The homely hen lays one. The codfish never cackles To tell you what she's done. And so we scorn the codfish, While the humble hen we prize, Which only goes to show you That it pays to advertise.
