Program Books and Information

Please note that we are in the process of updating all of these resources. If you have any questions or need anything, contact the Communications Director! Department Heads and Directors are encouraged to assist by providing current copies of resources you would like to make available.

Flying the Flag

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Agriculture Committee

Roberta Meserve, Director
(207) 998-3857

• Grange Agricultural Enterprise Award Application, the deadline is August 1, 2024.
• 2023-24 Agriculture Department Program Book contains information about fairs and fair displays, Grange Agricultural Enterprise Award, and Agricultural Scholarships
• 2024 Ag Scholarship Information and Application, the deadline is April 23, 2024
• 2022-23 Annual Agricultural Committee Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the committee for the Grange Year 2022-23.
• 2023 Agricultural Fair Grange Exhibit Results.
• Piscataquis Pomona Fair Judging Info Packet (Information is specific to Piscataquis Valley Fair. For information about exhibiting, please contact Bill Bemis, Piscataquis Pomona Master or Walter Boomsma, Piscataquis Pomona Overseer.)

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Communications Department

Walter Boomsma, Director
(207) 343-1842
(See also the Website/Social Media Section)

Directories

• Directory of Granges is available online and will help you locate a Grange and provide a contact person for it. ☺
• Directory of Officers provides an online list of state officers, directors, and deputies with basic contact information. (Needs updating based on 2023 Elections.)

Communication and Publicity Resources

• How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams is the FTC Website… our advice is “When in doubt, don’t!” And have some doubts!
• 2023-24 Program Book, Communications includes information that will help you communicate, publicize, and advertise your Grange. There are tips submitted by Granges and lists of major and weekly newspapers.
• 2022-23 Communications Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Communications Director for the Grange Year 2022–2023.
• 2023-24 Website Handbook includes instructions for using different features of the website and our website policy. ☺ (Note this requires revising due to the restructuring of the site.)
• Website Subscription Flyer will help stamp out FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Hang it up, pass it out!
• Grange Meeting “Summons” Postcard… this pdf allows you to print four postcards to a page that can be used to “summon” your members to a meeting–based on an old design–just a few modifications.
• Maine State Grange Bulletin Policy explains what we seek for content and how to submit articles and information. (Included in the Communications Handbook.)

Monthly Bulletins

• Maine State Grange Bulletin Policy explains what we seek for content and how to submit articles and information. (Included in the Communications Handbook.)

The most recent issue is at the top of the list. Contributions must be received before the 15th of the month and the Communications Department releases the Bulletin within a day or two of that deadline.

• MSG Bulletin May 2024
• MSG Bulletin April 2024
• MSG Bulletin March 2024

Meeting and Ritual Resources

• US Flag Code. How we display the flag communicates! This is a link to a guide to the Federal Law regarding displaying the American flag, provided by the American Legion. ☺
• Opening and Closing Ritual, alternate is an outline and instructions for conducting what we typically call an “open meeting.”
• Obligation Ceremony is an approved method for initiating new members.
• Grange Position Descriptions lists Grange Offices and some of the most common committees and appointments with a very brief description of their purposes and responsibilities.
• Books by Walter includes information about Walter’s book “Exploring Traditions–A Celebration of the Grange Way of Life” including an order form. ☺
  • Permission to Use Form grants permission to excerpt and otherwise use portions of “Exploring Traditions–A Celebration of the Grange Way of Life.” ☺
• Granges in Maine: The Historic Role of The Grange as Rural Community Center and How It Has Evolved This is a link to a one-hour program on Maine Calling featuring past State Master Vicki Huff and Walter Boomsma, Communications Director and author of Exploring Traditions–Celebrating the Grange Way of Life. ☺

Miscellaneous Communication Resources

• NPR (National Public Radio) Training website. “We created this site for the journalists working in public media but kept it open for all to learn from. In this constantly changing media world…” While this may seem a bit “over the top” for the average Granger working on communications and publicity, there’s some “good stuff” here, like “A Guide to Making Awesome Photos…” ideas about headlines and social media.

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Community Service – Family Health & Hearing

Brenda Dyer, Director
(207) 608-9193

• 2023-24 Community Service/FH&H Program Book contains basic information regarding activities and contests for both Community Service and Family Health and Hearing.
• 2022-23 Community Service Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the committee. It includes contest winners.
• Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital ways of giving.

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CWA (Committee on Women’s Activities)

Margaret Henderson, Director
(207) 948-2762

• 2023-24 CWA Program Book contains information regarding activities and contests, including entry forms.
• National Grange Quilt Block Contest
• 2022-23 CWA Committee Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the CWA Committee for the Grange Year 2022-23.
• Grange Emblem Table Scarf — With thanks to Steve Haycock and Norma Meserve, we have a pattern for a table scarf bearing the Grange Logo.

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Chaplain’s View

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

• 2022-2023 Chaplain’s Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the MSG Chaplain.

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Educational Aid/Howes Nurse Scholarship

Carolyn Van Horne, Chairman
(207) 622-2734

• 2022-23 Education Aid Annual Report summarizes the activities and scholarships presented.
• 2023 Scholarship Application Form (which can be used for either scholarship). (Note Ag Scholarship forms are listed in the Agriculture Section.)
• 2023 Scholarship Appeal Letter and Form

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Fundraising Committee

Norma Meserve, Chairman
207-998-2586

• 2022-23 Fundraising Committee Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Fundraising Committee for the Grange Year 2022-23.

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Grange Month 2024 Resources

April is Grange Month!

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Historical Resources

Stanley Howe, Historian
(207) 824-2291

• Moments in MSG History — prepared by MSG Lecturer Margaret Morse for the 2023 State Convention, these make for fascinating reading! They could also serve as the basis of a lecturer’s program or trivia contest!
• Fogler Library Special Collections holds a number of documents relative to the history of the Grange and Granges in Maine. Some folks have had success using the Maine State Library. ☺
• Historical Society Agreement Form is used when providing historical items to local historical societies.
• Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges, part 6 of a well researched and well written series by Mary Grow, reprinted with permission of the Town Line Newspaper. (May 2021) This part features Victor and Hinckley Granges.
• Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges, part 1 of a well-researched and well-written series by Mary Grow, reprinted with permission of The Town Line Newspaper. (April 2021)
• Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges, part 2 of a well-researched and well-written series by Mary Grow, reprinted with permission of The Town Line Newspaper. (April 2021)
• Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges, part 3 of a well-researched and well-written series by Mary Grow, reprinted with permission of The Town Line Newspaper. (April 2021)
• Granges in Maine: The Historic Role of The Grange as Rural Community Center and How It Has Evolved This is a link to a one-hour program on Maine Calling featuring past State Master Vicki Huff and Walter Boomsma, author of Exploring Traditions–Celebrating the Grange Way of Life. (May 2019) ☺
• Grange Issue of the Courier Newsletter The Courier is the History Journal of the Bethel Historical Society and this particular issue (Vol. 34, No. 1 2010) is all about the Grange! Have you wondered how CWA started and what it was originally called? Did you know that the earliest appearance of the Grange in Maine actually predated the founding of the first subordinate Grange? Have you ever wondered who was the first woman master of a subordinate grange? You’ll find the answers–and a whole lot more–in this newsletter.
• Don’t forget to visit the Books Page for information about books that are available regarding Grange History.

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Junior Committee

Betty Young, MSG Junior Co-Director
(207) 440-7801
Terry LaCombe, MSG Junior Co-Director
(207) 327-1692

• 2023-24 Junior Program Book contains basic information regarding Junior activities and contests.
• 2022-23 Annual Junior Committee Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Junior Committee for the Grange Year 2022-23.
• Photo Consent Form for Minors–You must have written permission from parents/guardians before posting or publishing photos of minors in print, on websites, or social media.
• Junior Grange Merit Badge Manual (2018) is still being used by some states, including Maine.
• Junior Grange Application — this is the application for Junior Grange membership in Maine.

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Lecturer’s Resources

Melissa Baldwin, Maine State Grange Lecturer
(207) 324-4661

• 2023-2024 Lecturer’s Program Book includes contest information, dates, and other important information for lecturers.
• 2024 NE Lecturers’ Conference Registration Form (June 21-23, 2024)
• The Role of the Lecturer prepared by MSG Lecturer Margaret Morse details the responsibilities of the Lecturer and offers practical suggestions.
• Moments in MSG History — prepared by MSG Lecturer Margaret Morse for the 2023 State Convention, these make for fascinating reading! They could also serve as the basis of a lecturer’s program or trivia contest!
• 2022-23 Creative Writing Results includes poems and skits submitted for the Lecturer’s Contest.
• 2022-2023 Annual Lecturer’s Report is the report of the activities and accomplishments of the Lecturer’s Committee.
• National Grange Lecturer’s Resources include the “Lecturer’s Programs in a Box.”

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Legislative Committee

Linda Weston Director
(207) 215-8233

• 2022-2023 Annual Legislative Report is the report of the activities and accomplishments of the Legislative Committee. (Not Received)
• National Grange Legislative Updates — these are issued at least monthly and contain timely information and news about what’s going on at the federal level.
• Resolution Writing by National Grange — This describes the process and form for writing resolutions.

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Membership Committee

Rick Grotton, Director
(207) 582-5915

Membership Recognition Order Form is listed under Secretary Resources.

• 2022-23 Membership Committee Annual Report is the report of activities and accomplishments of the Membership Committee for the year 2022-23.
• Subordinate Grange Application (black and white, an application only, 2011)
• Pomona Grange Application (black and white, an application only, 2011)

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Miscellaneous Resources

Contact Webmaster

• 2022 MSG Journal of Proceedings — a complete record of the 149th MSG Convention.
• Grange & Nonprofit Status  — We occasionally get questions regarding Granges becoming 501(c)3 non-profit exempt. Here’s a brief summary.
• BYLAWS OF THE MAINE STATE GRANGE 2018 (most recent version, revised following 2018 State Convention)

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National Grange Resources

Note that there are only a few select items listed here for your convenience. Many additional resources, forms, etc., are available directly from the National Grange Website. You’ll want to access the Member Resources Page for a wide variety of resources ranging from secretary forms to the National Digest and promotional material.

2016 National Grange Ruling on Virtual Attendance at Grange Meetings Yes, it is allowed.

“How to Create a Grange Facebook Page”– a video created by Phil Vonado, National Grange Communications Director. ☺

Recruiting, Orientation and Recognition Brochures

Brochures that communicate important information to the public and your members (released in 2021). You can customize and print these yourself or order from the National Grange Supply Store. (This section is under construction.)

• Introductory Letter — written by Amanda Brozana Rios, this letter gives an overview of the seven brochures and some thoughts on how to use them.
• Like No Other Brochure— provides and overview and some information about the structure of the Grange as well as descriptions of the National Grange Foundation and Advocacy.
• Local Grange Brochure — gives an effective synopsis of that local Granges are what they do, including the benefits of joining. Add a label or customize an announce “Hometown resilence and personal growth starts here…”
• New Applicant Pack — this is a great “all in one” new member application that includes lots of information and an orientation for the new member. This requires legal-size paper for printing.
• Oath of Membership Brochure — an easy to understand explanation of what members pledge.
• Sneak Peek Inside a Grange Meeting — exactly what it says–a guide to understanding Grange meetings.
• Newer Member Recognition Forms can be downloaded and printed to recognize 5, 10, 15, and 20 year members.

Grange Heirloom Program

• Heirloom Program Outline — You’ll need this to manage the program in 2022. It contains steps for each month with clickable links to the material.
• How to Set Your Facebook Cover Page — this will help you change the photo on your Grange’s Facebook Cover Page.

National Grange Contest Information

• 2024 National Grange Contest Handbook contains complete information about National Grange Contests. Before printing, note that it is 100 pages long!

General Resources

• Grange Supply Store–This is a direct link to the National Grange Supply Store where you’ll find Grange Publications and other supplies.
• National Grange Guide to Virtual Meeting–includes resources and guidelines for connecting online.
  • 2016 National Grange Ruling on Virtual Attendance — an explanation of what is permissible for those wishing to participate in Grange meetings by telephone or electronic means.
• National Grange Resource Binder–This is the complete content, all 432 pages! It includes general “operating instructions” for Granges, the current National Digest, Manuals for Masters, Secretaries, and Treasurers (listed separately below), and current program books.
  • National Grange Master’s Handbook — One section of the NG Resource Binder written specifically for Masters/Presidents.
  • National Grange Secretary’s Handbook — One section of the NG Resource Binder written specifically for Secretaries.
  • National Grange Treasurer’s Handbook — One section of the NG Resource Binder written specifically for Treasurers.
• 2022 National Grange Digest of Laws — applies to all Granges of the Order, including Junior, Subordinate, Pomona, and State Granges.
• The Patrons Chain Newsletter–Read the current and back issues on the National Grange website.
• Grange Values PSA-Reduce Food Waste This would make a great flyer at a farm market!
• Grange Values PSA-Rural Food Security Asks the question, “How are your neighbors doing?

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Secretary Resources

Sharon Morton, Maine State Grange Secretary
(207) 485-6197

Note that many of these forms used by secretaries are available for ordering through the Maine State Grange Office–this will often be to the secretary’s advantage as some require multiple copies and are printed on NCR paper. Ordering information is available on the inside back cover of the Roster.

• 2021-2022 Secretary’s Annual Report is the report of activities and accomplishments of the State Secretary, including the status of Grange Membership.
• Subordinate Grange Membership Application
• Subordinate Grange Demit Card
• Pomona Grange Membership Application
• Pomona Grange Demit Card
• Pomona Annual Report with Status Change
• Subordinate and Pomona Grange Reinstatement Application
• MSG Membership Recognition Order Form. Instructions for ordering Membership Recognition Certificates–Please contact State Secretary Sharon Morton for clarification and/or questions regarding the process.
• Subordinate Quarterly Report Form
• MSG Bond Application Form is the form used by Subordinate and Pomona Granges to secure a bond on certain officers.
• Meeting Record Form provides the layout for keeping meeting minutes with everything in the right order! Make a copy for your Master he or she can use it as an agenda!

Journals of Proceedings – These are effectively a report of what happened at the Annual State Convention

• MSG 2022Journal of Proceedings of the 149th MSG Convention.
• MSG 2021 Journal of Proceedings of the 148th MSG Convention.
• MSG 2020 Journal of Proceedings of the 147th MSG Convention.

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Treasurer Resources

Laurie McBurnie, Maine State Grange Treasurer
(207) 592-1763

• 2021-22 Annual Treasurer’s Report Summarizes the activities of the treasurer. ☺

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Website Information

Walter Boomsma, Webmaster
(207) 343-1842

Please check Communications Resources as well!

• 2021-2022 Website Handbook includes instructions for using different features of the website and our website policy. (Note this is currently in need of updating due to the restructuring of the website.)
• Website Subscription Flyer will help stamp out FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Hang it up, pass it out!
• National Grange Website Handbook is a seven-page resource designed to help you adopt and maintain the website National has set up for your Grange. ☺

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Youth Committee

Director position is vacant–visit the National Grange Website for information or contact MSG Master Sherry Harriman.

• 2023 National Grange Youth and Young Adult Program Guide

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