A lot happens at State Grange Session! We’ll be posting reports and information over the next week or so to the 150th State Session Page and/or the Program Books and Information Page. The 2024 Journal of Proceedings will document the entire Convention and will be posted when available.
All resolutions were approved. (Updated by-laws will be posted when available. Most of the Good of the Order resolutions were minor wording and procedural changes made to bring Maine in line with National Grange rule and practice.)
Carolyn Van Horne was elected to fill the vacancy on the Executive Committee.
Here’s an updated list (as of October 4, 2022) of Annual Reports and Program Books posted to the Program Books and Information Page. There are still a few more to come.
Opportunity for the first Four Degrees – information given
Seeking an opportunity for the Fifth Degree – information needed
Opportunity for the Sixth Degree – information given
Four Degrees
Let’s take a quick look at some Degree Information. We have some information to give and some that is needed.
As most know, the first Four Degrees are considered “Subordinate Degrees.” They are an important part of the path to Grange Membership at the local level. We can receive the instruction for those Degrees at Mill Stream Grange on October 15, 2022!
Fifth Degree
The Fifth Degree is often referred to as the “Pomona Degree.” It is an important part of the path to Grange Membership at the Pomona Level and is most often offered at the Pomona Level. We always have a few people seeking the Fifth Degree this time of year, in part because it is a prerequisite to the Fifth Degree. On behalf of those people, we are seeking information about any Pomonas offering the Fifth Degree in the near future! Please email the webmaster with the basic information about your event!
Sixth Degree
The Sixth Degree is often referred to as the “State Degree” and signifies membership at the State Level. (Note that State Session is opened in the Sixth Degree, then lowered to the Fourth to conduct business. Completing the Sixth Degree is not required to attend.) The Sixth Degree is offered in conjunction with State Session. This year it is planned for Friday, October 21, 2022, at 2:30.Additional information is available here.
Seventh Degree
The Seventh Degree is considered the “National Degree” and, comparable to the Sixth, is offered at National Convention.
Opportunities for the first five Degrees can be offered at any time throughout the year. If your Subordinate or Community Grange is offering Degrees, please share the details so interested Grangers can attend!
October 8, 2022, Flea Market at Ocean View Grange in Port Clyde. Contact Maryann at 207 372-8629 for more information.
October 14, 2022, MSG Bulletin Deadline — columns and posts are due.
October 15, 2022, Degree Day (9 am) and Officer Installation (1 pm) at Mill Stream Grange. For more information and to R.S.V.P. with the number attending, please call Judy Dunn at 293-2330.
Photo, coloring, and art lecturer’s contest entries are due at State Session. Contact MSG Lecturer for more information.
Ann Bercher, National Grange Lecturer/Program Director
Ann Bercher will be the National Grange Rep at the 2022 149th Maine State Grange Convention. Ann has been a Grange member for 22 years. She is a member of Sunbeam Grange #2 in Elk River, MN where she holds the office of Lecturer/Program Director. She is currently the State Grange of Minnesota President, having served since She has also held the offices of State Grange of Minnesota Lecturer and Pomona.
Ann served as a Communications Fellow at National Grange Conventions in 2018 and She is currently in her first year as National Grange Lecturer/Program Director. Ann attended Iowa State University and received a B.A. in Landscape Architecture. She worked for 25 years at the Oliver Hudson Kelley Farm in Elk River, MN as a garden and farm interpreter, Assistant Site Manager and Program Manager. She also attended LeCordon Bleu and is a classically trained chef. Ann is currently employed at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum as the Education Culinary Specialist. Outside of Grange and employment, Ann is a member of Plymouth Church in Minneapolis, an avid gardener, inquisitive chef, and in spare time designs and sews quilt tops, and occasionally plays her piano. She has three children (Chris, Ben and Mikaela) and 6 grandchildren (Finn, Theodore, Maverick, Josephina, Silas, and Leona.)
