Category: Resources for Granges and Grangers

Communication Shorts 9-15-2025

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

September Bulletin

The September Bulletin is now available for download and printing. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

An Annual Report?

It’s the end of the Grange Year. Certain State Officers and Directors are expected to file an annual report of their activities and accomplishments. (We’ll be publishing them on the site as they are received.) Have you considered putting one together for your Grange? You can think of your communities as your stockholders. Let them know what you have done this year!

Dates and Deadlines

Fall is coming. Some might say it’s already here. With the start of another Grange Fiscal Year, essential dates and deadlines abound! ODDs Note: Annual Reports are due today and Program Books by October 1, 2025!

Annual Purge Continues

We’re removing dated information from the website. This includes documents, posts, and photos. While some things are considered timeless, a general policy is to remove items that are more than two years old.

Think About This!

“A dull truth will not be looked at. An exciting lie will. That is what good, sincere people must understand. They must make their truth exciting and new, or their good works will be born dead.”

Bill Bernbach

An Idea for Your Grange

Last call! We’re almost finished with the BEB (Books Exchange Box) and LFL (Little Free Library) Resource Page. If your Grange has one or is interested in participating, please let us know.

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information.

Coming Soon?

Maybe several things! One that we’re sure of is another resource page for Granges and Grangers. This time, we’ll be introducing an easy-peasy community service that’s already being offered in over 200,000 locations around the world.

The Grange has always emphasized education and literacy. One of our signature programs, Words for Thirds, is an example. Now, in addition to making dictionaries available to third graders, we’re looking at a way to make many books available to everyone through library boxes located at our Grange Halls.

While these libraries do not have to be part of the Little Free Library project, they do offer some great ideas and inspiration.

The resource page we’re building will be available soon. It will include information about several libraries located at Granges in Maine. If your Grange has one or would like, please tell us about it!

Reach Out!

Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Today, our knowledge about suicide has evolved, as have conversations about mental health. We know that we save lives when we work to #EndTheStigma around seeking help. In September and always, we stand together in strength, dignity, hope, and purpose

During the month of September, the MSG Communications Department will be featuring brief weekly resources for suicide prevention. We’re Grangers. We help each other.

Fraud Watch- Taking on AI Banking Scams

MSG Communications Resources Logo
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making it even easier for criminals to steal people’s money, and American’s anxiety is rising. Concern is especially high around financial services, where scammers can use deepfake technology — AI-generated audio and video — to impersonate people and hack into bank accounts.

To help tackle the problem, AARP endorsed the Senate’s bipartisan Preventing Deep Fakes Scams Act and a companion bipartisan bill in the House. The bill would establish a dedicated federal task force to examine the positive and negative impacts of AI on the financial services industry.

The panel would include industry representatives, AI experts, and others. It would be charged with examining how criminals use AI in financial scams and how the industry can leverage the technology to better detect fraud and stay ahead of scammers. The bill would also require the task force to explore the use of AI in the financial sector to detect fraud and to work on interagency solutions.

More Topic Resources

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

Communications Column – September 2025

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Can we “c” this?

The recent reminders of the Grange’s “non-partisan” policy are timely, as it has become increasingly difficult to comply with for at least two reasons. First, many people have become quite intense over their political affiliation. Second, political issues are increasingly seen as party issues.

Pick a “hot” issue–it almost doesn’t matter what the issue is. Gun control? Education? The environment? Can we discuss it without becoming partisan? The odds are good the discussion will quickly devolve into “choosing sides.” Of itself, that’s not a bad thing until the “side” becomes the issue. Often, labels take the place of the actual issue. It’s tempting to ban political discussions in the interest of maintaining harmony.

Have you noticed that the words “party” (or partisan) and “political” are being used almost interchangeably? If the Grange is non-partisan, must it be non-political? What happens to our legislative interests and efforts? How do we write and then discuss resolutions without stumbling over the line?

Years ago, I worked with a guy who often noted that people like to talk about things, but they rarely talk about HOW they are going to talk about those things. So, if the Grange is to remain “non-partisan” but not abandon our interest (and original purpose!) in legislative matters, how do we do that? (That, in and of itself, is an interesting topic. I am tempted to digress into the point that practice is ultimately policy. What we do communicates our values as an organization far more than what we say.)

In all our discussions and deliberations, we need to “c” some things about the purpose of communication. Here’s a partial list:

  • compassion,
  • cordiality,
  • concern,
  • consideration,
  • cooperation,
  • collaboration,
  • charity.

In essentials, unity; In non-essentials, liberty; In all things, charity.

The Grange Motto

Too often, we communicate to convince. Can we, instead, communicate to explore? Can we, in all sincerity, ask another with whom we might initially disagree, “Help me understand…” It’s a great question. Let’s communicate to understand. Understanding does not have to equate to agreement.

Within the Grange, we aim to reaffirm (and hopefully agree on) the essentials of community building, education, and non-partisan grassroots advocacy. We succeed when we allow personal freedom and respect for diverse opinions that are not crucial to the organization’s core mission. The wisdom of the founders is evident in the fraternal nature of the Grange.

The order of our motto is critical. First and foremost, let’s focus on the essentials. (The Declaration of Purpose is a good place to start.) We allow–maybe even encourage–personal freedom of choice. And we practice the “c’s” in the interest of achieving the essentials.

Let us be quiet, peaceful citizens…”

If things start to get out of hand during a Grange meeting, the master might do well to bang the gavel and declare loudly, “Let us be quiet, peaceful citizens,” not because we’re about to “separate and go our separate ways,” but because one essential thing we’ve agreed to is simply that. We will be quiet (but not silent), peaceful citizens. And we’re going to help each other understand what that means while we explore.

We’re Grangers; we help each other.

► FACT: The Communications Department’s Annual Report has been released and is available on the Program Books and Information Page.

988 Day

Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Today, our knowledge about suicide has evolved, as have conversations about mental health. We know that we save lives when we work to #EndTheStigma around seeking help. In September and always, we stand together in strength, dignity, hope, and purpose

During the month of September, the MSG Communications Department will be featuring brief weekly resources for suicide prevention. We’re Grangers. We help each other.

Fraud Watch- Three Things to Know About Scams

MSG Communications Resources Logo
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Here are three important things to know about fraud right now.

First, most scams today are often run by highly organized international criminal networks, not  individuals acting alone. These mafia-style organizations use stolen money to fund abusive criminal activity around the world, including Southeast Asian fraud compounds that rely on human trafficking, forced labor, and torture. Fighting scams isn’t just about protecting your life savings, it’s also about cutting off funding to these inhumane and violent organizations.

Second, just as you take steps to protect your health or home, you can take steps to safeguard your finances. This means taking actions like blocking unknown callers, using strong and unique passwords for every account, enabling two-factor authentication on your online accounts freezing your credit, checking your credit report regularly, and shredding documents that contain personal information.

Third, if you do fall victim, report the crime, as fraud is notoriously underreported. Reporting isn’t just about helping authorities catch criminals. It also helps expose the true scale of the problem and the need for fraud-fighting resources. The AARP Fraud Watch Network recommends reporting to your local police to create an official record and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

More Topic Resources

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

Communication Shorts 9-1-2025

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Please send us your ideas and thoughts!

September Bulletin

Deadline for this month’s Bulletin is September 14th. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

An Annual Report?

It’s the end of the Grange Year. Certain State Officers and Directors are expected to file an annual report of their activities and accomplishments. (We’ll be publishing them on the site as they are received.) Have you considered putting one together for your Grange? You can think of your communities as your stockholders. Let them know what you have done this year!

Dates and Deadlines

Fall is coming. Some might say it’s already here. With the start of another Grange Fiscal Year, essential dates and deadlines abound! ODDs Note: Annual Reports and Program Books are due soon!

Annual Purge Continues

We’re removing dated information from the website. This includes documents, posts, and photos. While some things are considered timeless, a general policy is to remove items that are more than two years old.

Think About This!

“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.”

Richard Bach

An Idea for Your Grange

It’s time to start thinking about Words for Thirds! And it’s not too early to think about Holiday Craft Fairs.

Subscribe!

Remember, we don’t share your email address with anyone, and you get a weekly summary of what’s been posted. Subscribe here! Share that link with your members!

Online Directories Available 24-7

Thanks to those who help us keep these directories current by letting us know of changes!

  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct! Visitors to the site frequently consult these directories.
  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies, along with their contact information.

Fraud Watch- Natural Disaster Scams

MSG Communications Resources Logo
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Following extreme weather events, dubious contractors and outright scammers descend on affected communities, offering quick, cheap fixes. They canvas neighborhoods in search of “work” that they may or may not even attempt to do—often, specifically targeting older homeowners.

Before any disaster, it’s a good idea to call your insurance company to clarify your coverage and ask any questions you might have. Investigate before hiring a contractor and check the vehicle of any contractor who arrives unsolicited for a business name, phone number, and their state contractor license number. You can also look businesses up on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other consumer review sites to double check.

Not everyone who shows up after a storm is there to help you rebuild. Take your time, ask questions, and know that you are not alone.

More Topic Resources

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

Pesticide Disposal

Reprinted with permission from an enewsletter published by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin.

Maine residents looking to get rid of pesticides can take advantage of the Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program, a joint initiative of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) and Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The program aims to safeguard Maine’s natural resources and prevent agricultural pollution by promoting the safe and proper disposal of outdated, unused or unwanted pesticides.

Homeowners and family-owned farms are encouraged to bring their unwanted pesticides to one of several collection sites around the state. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants and similar products used in agricultural production or around the home.

Programs typically take place once a year in October. Pre-registration is required and collections are held at four sites across the state in Portland, Augusta, Bangor and Presque Isle. Event dates, times and locations are subject to change; and only registered participants will be notified of this information upon acceptance into the program. Registrants may apply at any time but will typically be contacted about the program in August and September. The program only accepts pesticides and spray adjuvants – a list of more than 11,000 registered products can be accessed here. For more information about the program’s drop-off locations or instructions on how to register, visit BPC’s webpage