By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029
Hello everyone. Thank you to the Granges that have invited me to come to your hall for instruction and information meetings. Things have been going very well; I want to thank each of the members who took the time to attend, your interest, attention, respect, and willingness to participate were appreciated. Your questions and concerns were well put, and I hope I provided some help. I enjoyed myself tremendously. Richard also enjoyed being there, plus the food, meals, and snacks you gave us, thank you.
One of the things we discussed and I wanted to share with you. When candidates go to a Degree Day at another Grange to receive the Four Degrees, the new member needs to let the secretary of their Grange know they had done it, to keep membership records up to date for the Grange, including the date and place of degrees. Or the person who took them to the Degree day needs to let their Secretary know. Most often, the secretary or someone takes notes as host at the degree day, so it was suggested the host secretary at the degree day meeting could notify the Subordinate Grange(s) of the new member participating there.
Since we are in the middle of July already, it’s time to start mentioning the State Grange session and one final reminder to you; there is less than one month to get your resolutions into the office by August 15,2023, by standard mail and/or email. Resolutions must be read and voted on In your Grange before submitting them to the State Grange for consideration.
The 150th Annual State Grange Session is Oct. 20 & 21 at the Auburn Masonic Hall located at 1021 Turner St, Auburn. There is lots of parking, handicapped accessible, and a lift (sm elevator) available in the building. The tentative schedule is included. Any member may attend the session. You do not have to be a delegate to attend part or all of the session. The business is conducted in the 4th Degree. Our quorum at State Session is 45 Delegates, and they must be pre-registered with State Grange Secretary and your Grange’s dues up to date. Department sales tables and raffles will be available to all. As in previous years, there will be NO food, candy, or beverages allowed upstairs whatsoever. Bottled water only.
Friday, October 20, 2023— 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, and others.
Saturday, October 21, 2023 — 9:00 a.m. opening, acceptance of budget, full election of officer(s), resolutions and reports mixed in with elections as needed & installation of officers, 12:00 Ag Luncheon – tickets purchased in advance. 1:30 Call back to order – business continues.
Conferral of the Sixth Degree will be at 2:30 p.m. ($10 fee for 6th Degree candidates) (must have had the Sixth Degree or Fifth Degree Obligation to take the Sixth Degree).