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

• 2023-24 Annual Agricultural Committee Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the committee for the Grange Year 2023-24.
• 2024-25 Agriculture Department Program Book contains information about fairs and fair displays, the Grange Agricultural Enterprise Award, and Agricultural Scholarships.
• 2024 Fair Exhibit Results
• 2025 Ag Scholarship Information and Application: the deadline is April 23, 2025.
• 2025 Grange Agricultural Enterprise Award Application, the deadline is August 1.
• Piscataquis County Fair Judging Info Packet (Information is specific to Piscataquis Valley Fair. For information about exhibiting, please contact Valley Grange.

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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. (This is currently being updated.)
• Directory of Officers provides an online list of state officers, directors, and deputies with basic contact information. (Updated 11/3/24)
• ODD Directory for printing provides a printable list of state officers, directors, and deputies with basic contact information. (Updated 11/3/24)

Communication and Publicity Resources

• 2023-24 Communications Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Communications Director for the Grange Year 2023-2024.
• 2024-25 Communications Handbook 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.
• 2024-25 Website Handbook includes instructions for using different features of the website and our website policy.
• Photo Consent Form for Minors–You must have written permission from parents/guardians before we can post or publish photos of minors in print, on websites, or social media.
• How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams is the FTC Website… our advice is “When in doubt, don’t!” And have some doubts!
• 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 for printing within a day or two of that deadline.

• MSG Bulletin October 2024
• MSG Bulletin September 2024
• MSG Bulletin August 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

• 2024-25 Community Service-FHH Program Book contains basic information regarding activities and contests for both Community Service and Family Health and Hearing.
• 2023-24 Community Service Annual Report of Winners includes contest and award results.
• 2023-24 Community Service Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the committee. It will include contest winners after the state session.
• 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 Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the CWA Committee for the Grange Year.
• 2024-25 CWA Program Book contains information regarding activities and contests, including entry forms.

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Chaplain’s View

Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277

• Veterans of the USA provides the words to the song included in the 2024 Memorial Service.
• 2023-24 Chaplain’s Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the previous Grange Year.

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Educational Aid/Howes Nurse Scholarship

Carolyn Van Horne, Chairman
(207) 622-2734

• 2023-24 Educational Aid Annual Report summarizes the activities and scholarships presented.
• 2024 Scholarship Information and Application Form (which can be used for either scholarship). (Note Ag Scholarship forms are listed in the Agriculture Section.) The deadline for application is September 15, 2024.

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Fundraising Committee

Norma Meserve, Chairman
207-998-2586

• 2023-24 Fundraising Annual Report summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the Fundraising Committee for the Grange Year.

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Grange Month 2025 Resources

April is Grange Month!

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Historical Resources

Stanley Howe, Historian
(207) 824-2291

• The 150th Anniversary Booklet includes a list of all grants that have existed in Maine up through 2024, where state conventions have been held and more. Available for viewing and downloading from the site!
• 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

Maine participates in the National Grange Junior 1+ Program. If your Subordinate Grange has Junior 1+ members, please advise Maine State Grange.

• Junior 1+ Program Information

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Lecturer’s Resources

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

• 2023-24 Lecturer’s Annual Report is the report of the activities and accomplishments of the Lecturer’s Committee.
• 2024-25 Lecturer’s Program Book includes contest information, dates, and other important information for lecturers.
• “The Time Is Yours” — How to hints for lecturers/program directors.
• Lecturer’s Basics of Program Planning

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Legislative Committee

Barry Tracy, Director
(207) 491-7197

• 2023-2024 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.

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Membership Committee

Rick Grotton, Director
(207) 582-5915

Membership Recognition Order Form is listed under Secretary Resources.

• 2023-24 Membership 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 and Forms

Contact Webmaster

• 2024 MSG Journal of Proceedings — a complete record of the 150th MSG Convention, October 2024 (Previous years are listed under the secretary’s resource section.)
• 2024-25 Reimbursement for Community Service Material Form Information and application for reimbursement of community service materials.
• Grange & Nonprofit Status  — We occasionally get questions regarding Granges becoming 501(c)3 non-profit exempt. Here’s a summary.
• Grange Record and History Form records a loan of Grange Material to Historical Societies
• BYLAWS OF THE MAINE STATE GRANGE 2024 (most recent version, revised following the 2024 State Convention)

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National Grange Resources

Note that only a few select items are 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, 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 or order from the National Grange Supply Store.

• 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

• 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

• 2024 National Grange Digest of Laws — applies to all Granges of the Order, including Junior, Subordinate, Pomona, and State Granges. Updated annually following National Convention.
• 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.
• 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.

• 2023-2024 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 2023 Journal of Proceedings
• MSG 2022Journal of Proceedings
• MSG 2021 Journal of Proceedings
• MSG 2020 Journal of Proceedings

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Treasurer Resources

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

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Website Information

Walter Boomsma, Webmaster
(207) 343-1842

Please check Communications Resources as well!

• 2024-2025 Website Handbook includes instructions for using different features of the website and our website policy.
• 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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