Tag: Grange Procedure

Communication Shorts 11-1-2023

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

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

November Bulletin Reminder

Columns and Posts for the November Bulletin are due on or before November 14, 2023. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Planning a Holiday Event?

Are you planning a holiday event such as a Craft Fair or Party? Don’t forget to submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing!

Honored Members

According to the most recent issue of Good Day! Magazine, we have three members who recently reached 75 years of continuous membship:

  • Nancy Gowen, Highland Lake #87
  • Shirley Hatch, Danville Junction #65
  • Donald Proctor, Danville Junction #65

And two members who recently reached 50 years of continuous membership:

  • Sally Jo Kinney, St George #421
  • Elizabeth Vanidestine, Bangor #372

Honoring New Members

You may submit the names of new members so they can be recognized in Good Day! by emailing Philip Vonado or by calling (814) 404-7985.

Ideas for Granges

Here’s a link to a short Seth Godin Post. Lecturers may find it particularly useful–it’s a short activity that demonstrates “We get much further together!”

Thought for You…

“Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.”

Erma Bombeck

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Communication Shorts 10-15-2023

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

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

October Bulletin Reminder

The October Bulletin is complete and available for downloading and printing. However, with the State Convention happening this week, there may be some delay with the actual mailing. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Planning a Holiday Event?

Are you planning a holiday event such as a Craft Fair or Party? Don’t forget to submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing!

Need an Absentee Ballot?

You can request a Maine Absentee Ballot online. Election Day is November 7, 2023.

Ideas for Granges

Rory Feek of Plain Values Magazine recently wrote an article on gardening and included a photo of his daughter’s “rolling garden.” It’s a child-sized “box” on wheels with child-sized “tools” kept on a port or deck. What a great idea! A Grange could make some as a fundraiser… provide a version for senior citizens… put your thinking caps on!

Thought for You…

Between what I think, what I want to say, what I believe I say, what I say, what you want to hear, what you believe to hear, what you hear, what you want to understand, what you think you understand, what you understand…They are ten possibilities that we might have some problem communicating. But let’s try anyway…

Bernard Werber

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Communications Column – October 2023

Annual Reports and Parties

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

As most know, the “Grange Year” ends on September 30th. One of the communication tasks I have is to post annual reports and program books on the website. Annual reports should highlight the activities and accomplishments of the person or department. Program books should be a resource for all Granges and Grangers. For this month’s column, I’d like to share a few paragraphs from my annual report as communications director.

The website is now in its thirteenth full year of operation in its current form. The objectives for the redesign in November 2010 were simple. Some of the more important included:

  • To encourage prompt posting and maintenance of information and resources,
  • To control that posting process with some level of moderation and quality control,
  • To allow users to find basic information and resources (such as applications, manuals, etc.) readily and
  • To allow users to subscribe to the site and receive email versions of posts.

We continue to achieve those objectives. Site views have decreased by 3.0% over the previous year. There have been 20,840 site views from September 1, 2022, through August 31, 2023—an average of nearly 1,700 monthly. However, these visits do not include subscribers who are receiving the posts without necessarily visiting the site.

Considering the decline in Granges and Grange membership, the site is doing well. Some of that success can be attributed to the site design and content. The site is resource-rich and appeals to both members and non-members. The top pages visited are the information pages, such as the directory of Granges, program books, etc. This year, however, several posts about Community Grange Events and programs received a lot of attention. This tells us how to maintain interest in the site.

I would go one step further and suggest that this also tells us how to maintain interest in the Grange. In a word, it’s “communication.”

The Communications Handbook is designed to help local Granges do just that. You can download a copy from the Maine State Grange Website or request one be mailed. Grangers help each other. Please let me know if there’s some way I can help you and your Grange achieve more in 2023-24.

For your part, please use the website! One of the largest pages is the “Program Books and Information” page. You’ll find annual reports, program books, and assorted resources listed by department or committee. But an even more important part you play in the website’s success is communicating your news and events. Are you having a craft fair during the holidays? If you send the information, you get a free “ad” and a listing on the Events Page. Will everyone who sees it attend? Of course not. But I can assure you that people who do not know about it won’t come!

Don’t be guilty of having a party and forgetting to invite anyone! And remember, this is not just about events. When you share news about your Grange, you give people a reason to be interested. You could even write an annual report of your activities and accomplishments and include some of the things you’ve got planned for next year!

► FACT: During the first week in August, there were 513 emails delivered to website subscribers. (The most subscribers get is one email per day.) A big advantage for subscribers is that they don’t have to remember to check the website and can choose which posts they are going to read entirely.

President’s Perspective – October 2023

By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029

I want to say a huge THANK-YOU to the Secretaries who have already made the corrections and updates and returned their lists to me for the new database. 

In addition to updating the instructional guidelines, roster, state session & budget and other items I work on, I have worked on getting a new database completed. I typed in all the information for our 82 Granges, 2,359  names, addresses, and other information into a more user-friendly format that can be accessed without the internet. The basic information has been compiled, and copies sent to the Grange Secretaries for corrections, additions, and deletions. Yes, I can hear the grumbles but it needed to be done. if I am spending this much time putting it back together from older versions provided by the State Secretary, your assistance is greatly appreciated. Each of you, as an individual member can help by checking your information, is your name spelled correctly, is your address up to date, if not, then please correct whatever may be required.  I am most interested in the date you joined the Grange, and the Granges you have belonged to, many of the dates or previous membership in a different Grange (because of closure or consolidation) are not listed. Some are listed as Golden Sheaf members (50 years of continuous membership) but do not list the date of joining or where. Most Granges exempt all Golden Sheaf (50-year) members from paying dues to their respective Granges and the Maine State Grange does not charge dues on any Golden Sheaf members but the Maine State Grange must still pay dues to National on them.  Golden Sheaf membership attained before Jan 1, 2001, the Maine State Grange does not pay dues to National Grange on those members. Golden Sheaf membership attained after Jan 1, 2001, the Maine State Grange must pay dues to National Grange on those members. 

September and October is the time of new Grange year beginnings with installations, setting goals and making plans for the coming year. This is the time of year for year end wrap-ups such as your annual audit, reports to be submitted and evaluate your goals, what was successful and what was lacking. There are very few Installations Teams or Installing Officers traveling, so I encourage each Grange to do their own Installation. There is an Alternative Installation Ceremony (half the words) in the new Manual which can be read with one or two people in charge and working with the members present.

Congratulations to all the Officers and members, I wish you much success for the coming year. 

Communication Shorts 9-30-2023

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

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

October Bulletin Reminder

Yes, we are planning an October Bulletin! The deadline remains the same: October 14, 2023. However, with the State Convention happening right after the Bulletin is produced, there may be some delay with the actual mailing. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Grange “Stuff” Available for the Taking!

We have a contact in the Belfast area who has a number of Grange items (50-year member’s medallion, Past Master’s pin, tie clips, etc.) he would like to donate to an active Grange in Maine.” First come, first served! If you’re interested, let me know, and I’ll send contact information!

Where’s Your Grange Hall?

You might be surprised to learn that it’s quite easy to label your Grange Hall location on Google Maps. It helps to have your street address. While step-by-step instructions are beyond the scope of this tip, give it a try or ask a kid to help.

Program Planning – “New” Website Page

We’ve renamed the Conferences and Dates Page to the Grange Events Page–a more accurate description. Please send in your events! Note that we do not list regular Grange Meetings–just special events. Pomona Meetings are, however, listed because they are often held in different locations.

Ideas for Granges

How about starting a DIY Clubhouse designed to provide a space for different ages ranging from age six and up to meet and make new friends through specialized activities? Participants could try different unique activities. (Remember that working with children in Grange settings requires a background check.) Something similar could be offered for adults.

Thought for You…

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”

Napoleon Hill

(And Patrons of Husbandry know all about seeds, right?)

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Communication Shorts 9-15-2023

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

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

September Bulletin Reminder

The September Bulletin is complete and available. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Posting Your Events

This is yet another reminder that we love seeing your events listed on the MSG Website! We make a post of your event and add it to the MSG Website Calendar! Once they are posted, it’s easy for anyone to share them on Facebook. This is especially important when planning Officer Installations and Degree Days. We give those higher priority so other Granges have the opportunity to participate.

Is Anybody There?

I’ve recently had several contacts requesting “more information” as a result of phone calls not being returned and emails not being answered. These are often from people trying to reach local Granges with questions about hall use or events. Please check your voicemail and email regularly and respond within a reasonable period of time. You can choose whether this is a nudge or a nag.

Grange Supplies

Looking for forms or other items necessary to keep your Grange running with the correct procedures? Some are available from State Headquarters. Contact MSG Secretary Sharon Morton with your questions and to see what is available. Secretary Supplies are also available from National Grange.

Rolling Gardens?

Rory Feek of Plain Values Magazine recently wrote an article on gardening and included a photo of his daughter’s “rolling garden.” It’s a child-sized “box” on wheels with child-sized “tools” kept on a port or deck. What a great idea! A Grange could make some as a fundraiser… provide a version for senior citizens… put your thinking caps on!

Ideas for Granges

It’s not too early to start planning your annual Christmas Fair. Don’t forget to include in your plans submitting the information to the website! Use the tab on the site or send an email!

2023-2024 Events Calendar

This is a great time to start planning your programs and events for the next Grange Year. Please submit the information for posting on the MSG Website Calendar.

Thought for You…

“If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important – and you do that by being genuine and humble.”

Nelson Mandela

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Communications Column – September 2023

Updates Continued

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Can you tolerate a little more information about the mechanics of communication and the website? For those who are suspicious or even hateful of technology, you’ll love this!

Some will recall about a year ago, the Maine State Grange was “hacked” by someone in Turkey (we think). A lot was involved in fixing the hack, including the need to rebuild much of the site after correcting the damage that was done.

A year later, Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director, by sheer luck, stumbled on to a post attributed to the Maine State Grange Website. It clearly was not something we’d posted.

After some investigation, it appears to have been made during that hack a year ago. These hackers are both smart and sneaky. They obviously back-dated the post to 2016 in the hopes it would escape notice. It did! It’s now been removed.

Several things can be learned from this. First, one can’t be too careful. A healthy degree of suspicion and mistrust is necessary when using the Internet in general and social media in particular!

Second, back when the breach happened, a lot of history was both lost and deleted. Understand that as part of ongoing maintenance, I continue to delete history as my time permits. This accomplishes a number of things–most importantly, it keeps the site current and makes it much more manageable.

To create perspective, as of this writing, there are over 1,000 posts on the site, some dating back to 2016. While they can be interesting, they really do have little value. My ultimate goal is to keep posts and pictures limited to the past three years. This seems to be more than sufficient. This will be a reduction of approximately 25%. That also represents a huge reduction in server space and the potential for erroneous, outdated information.

Certainly, if you have any questions about this, I’ll be happy to try and answer them, either in a future column, comment, or email.

This is certainly not meant to discourage anyone from submitting events, news, etc. If anything, it means there’s room for more! As Dean Martin used to say, “Keep those cards and letters coming in!”

► FACT: During the first week in August, there were 513 emails delivered to website subscribers. (The most subscribers get is one email per day.) A big advantage for subscribers is that they don’t have to remember to check the website and can choose which posts they are going to read entirely.

Email the MSG Webmaster
Subscribe to the Website

Secretary Helps – September 2023

By Sharon Morton
MSG Secretary
207 485-6197

Wow, where has summer gone?  I have enjoyed my summer camping, between the rain drops, and traveling to our Granges to help our State Master/President, Sherry, with informational meetings.  I hope that if you need more information regarding Grange procedure you will contact us here at State Grange Headquarters and we will be more than happy to help you. 

Table Of Contents
  1. Reminders
  2. Quarterly Dues
  3. State Grange Session
  4. Delegate Credential
  5. Membership Recognition Form
  6. Database
  7. Roster Information
  8. And finally….

Reminders

                Our office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 2 pm.  Please feel free to contact us by phone or email: mainestategrange@myfairpoint.net (Headquarters); sharriman@twc.com (Sherry’s) and grangenut@netscape.net (Sharon’s)  Our phone numbers are 207-623-3421 or 1-800-464-3421 (Headquarters); 207-490-1029 (home) or 207-432-6386 (cell) Sherry’s) and 207-485-6197 (cell) (Sharon’s).

Quarterly Dues

                State Grange is a month and a half away, and Community/Subordinate Quarterly dues must be paid in full to be entitled to have delegates for the session.  All quarterly dues include the following quarters: December 2022, March 2023, June 2023, and September 2023.  There are Community/Subordinate Granges that I have not received all reports (which includes September 2023)/  Letters will be mailed to those Granges that are in arrears.

State Grange Session

                This year, our registration area will be up and running for registration to begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20th.  The Registration Committee will check you in and give you your delegate packet.  Please do not help yourself to try and help the committee that only confuses and makes for a stressful situation.  Please be patient as the State Session does not begin until 1:00 p.m.  The correct and easiest way to check in at the registration desk is to give your name and the Grange and/or Pomona you will be representing.  If you are a double delegate, you would state who you are and who you are representing a Subordinate Grange, as well as the  Pomona Grange.

Delegate Credential

                As your Grange elects your new slate of officers, you will then vote on who your delegate(s) to the State Grange Annual Session will be.  Please complete the form that was included in one of the mailings relating to the State Session.  This form is easy to complete. If your Master is unable to attend, but you have someone who will be coming to State Session, please send them as your delegate.  Your Grange is entitled to two delegates, and if you have two members who may be coming, they can be your delegates and in case one or both of your delegates are unable to attend you may have two alternates.   I would like your delegate credential FORM NO LATER THAT THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 9TH so that I can get name tags and material for Session ready, but they can be brought to State Session.  NO CREDENTIALS WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS ALL QUARTERLY DUES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. ( I LEAVE STATE HEADQUARTERS ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19TH SO I WILL PICK UP THE MAIL THAT DAY)  ALL QUARTERLY DUES NOT RECEIVED WILL BE PAYABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE REGISTRATION DESK AND IF THE DUES ARE NOT ABLE TO BE PAID, I AM UNABLE TO ISSUE DELEGATE CREDENTIALS.   NO CREDENTIALS WILL BE CHANGED UNLESS THE PERSON IS LISTED ON THE DELEGATE CREDENTIAL AS AN ALTERNATE.  PLEASE NOTE YOU CAN ONLY REPRESENT ONE SUBORDINATE/COMMUNITY GRANGE.  IF YOU ARE REPESENTING YOUR SUBORDINATE/COMMUNITY GRANGE YOU CAN ALSO REPRESENT YOUR POMONA GRANGE.

Membership Recognition Form

                Please use the current Membership Application Form which is on our website.  If you are unable to print this form, I will more than gladly mail you copies of the newest form, which includes the newest prices for the 25-year certificate, Golden Sheaf certificate, 75-year Diamond Certificate and folder, 80-year letter and 85-year letter in a folder with letter from National President which are now $12.00 each.  ALL checks for Golden Sheaf certificates and up are made out to the National Grange with the correct shipping and handling which is indicated on the back of the application form.  Many secretaries are having a hard time with the requests for certificates for 50 years and above as their records do not reflect that date and Grange to which the member belonged.  I see this happening more and more often as a Grange closes and consolidates with another.  Please do not hesitate to contact me at Headquarters as there are means to check for that information.  It is very helpful if they (the member) remember when they joined and where they joined, and if they, in their Grange journey, changed Granges along the way.   

Database

                As you are aware, the Company that held our database has been unable to provide us with a working membership database.  The State Master and I decided that this need was great, and Sherry has undertaken the task of creating a user-friendly database for our State Grange.  She has worked many hours using what membership information that I have had on file and an older copy of our membership database.  Now, your help is needed.  Upon getting the information compiled, she will be sending a membership list with your members.  Please have your members or you yourself, check the information, making sure everything is spelled correctly (name, address (mailing), email; telephone number), and most importantly, the date they joined the grange.    Remember Golden Sheaf members (50 years of continuous membership is indicated by a Y and would indicate Golden Sheaf membership before January 1, 2001 and the Maine State Grange does not pay dues to National Grange on those members.  YN indicates Golden Sheaf membership after January 1, 2001 and the Maine State Grange pays quarterly dues to National Grange on those members.  So please take the time to correct and complete the membership list of your Grange.  If you have a current updated membership list, please feel free to email or mail it.   I thank Sherry for her due diligence in completing this long-needed database.

Roster Information

                The list of officers of your Grange that is sent to headquarters to make up the State Roster is perhaps the most important report of all.  The information furnished on these lists become the connecting link between all Granges, National Grange, Subordinate/Community, Pomona, and State Granges across the land.  This information is used to compile a listing of the Master, Lecturer, Secretary, and Women’s Activities Chairman.  Therefore, it is very important that the names, addresses, zip code,  telephone numbers, and emails (if available) are correct, complete, properly spelled, and legible. 

                During the year, if any of these officers or their information changes, please notify Headquarters as soon as possible.  Please if you have not furnished your roster information by sending it with September 2023 dues report or emailing to mainestategrange@myfairpoint.net  even if nothing has changed. 

And finally….

                I wish to thank all the Grange Secretaries across the great State of Maine for your dedication and devotion to the order.  We all realize that this group performs far beyond the “call of duty”.  I would like each one of you to know that it is greatly appreciated.

                Hope to see you all at State Session.  Until then enjoy the rest of summer!

President’s Perspective – September 2023

By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029

Wow, State Grange is a month and a half away, October 20 and 21. Our National Representatives will be Cindy Greer, Ceres of the National Grange, and Harry Greer, Overseer/VP of the Colorado State Grange, both long-time Grange members and are looking forward to being with us again.  Information about our guests can be found on our website under State Session, along with other session information such as schedule and meal registration form.

Meal tickets are to be purchased in advance; form and money are due by Oct. 5. Remember, if your Subordinate and/or Pomona Grange plans to or wants to have two voting delegates at State Session:

  1. Your Grange MUST vote by name on the people to be delegates and alternates at a regular meeting prior to the session. Two delegates and two alternates are to be selected.
  2. Delegates must be members or affiliate members of your Grange. You may only represent the Subordinate or Pomona Grange, where you are a member. 
  3. You may represent your Subordinate and Pomona Grange and have one vote for each.
  4. You may NOT represent 2 Subordinates or Pomonas.
  5. Register that person or persons using the Delegate form provided to your secretary.
  6. The form must be signed by the Master or Secretary of the Grange.
  7. Your Grange’s quarterly dues must be paid up to date or brought with you to registration to be eligible to vote.
  8. You can’t just show up expecting to vote on the resolutions, elections, or any other business without the proper paperwork being submitted. NO exceptions.
  9. Anyone may attend the session just are not allowed to vote but may participate in discussions. You may pick up your program books for your Grange if there is not a delegate.
  10. This is a full election year. Anyone may be elected to any State Grange office, you do not have to be a delegate to be elected.  However, only a delegate may present names for consideration. (You must become a Fifth and Sixth Degree member if not already a member in those levels.) 

Another reminder or nag: a few more than half of you have provided your 2024 Roster information.  Even if there were no changes, a report or email needs to be sent. During the order of business, the Master asks, “Have the reports to the Pomona and State Granges been duly and promptly made?” This includes this and any request for information. If you are changing the time or day you meet, this needs to be voted on in a regular Grange meeting and approved by the State Master before it can officially take effect! 

In addition to the Roster, State Session and budget and other items I work on, I am working on getting a new database completed. I am typing in all the information for our 82 Granges, 2,359  names, addresses and other information into a more user friendly format that can be accessed without internet. When I get the information compiled, I will be sending copies to the Grange Secretaries for corrections, additions and deletions. Yes, I can hear the grumbles already, but it needs to be done, if I am spending this much time putting it back together from older versions provided by the State Secretary, then your assistance is greatly appreciated. Each of you, as an individual member, can help by checking your information, is your name spelled correctly, is your address up to date then please correct whatever may be required. I am most interested in the date you joined the Grange, many of the dates are not listed. Some are listed as Golden Sheaf members (50 years of continuous membership) but do not list the date of joining only “Y” or “YN” in the GS (Golden Sheaf) column. “Y” indicates Golden Sheaf membership before Jan 1, 2001 and the Maine State Grange does not pay dues to National Grange on those members. “YN” indicates Golden Sheaf membership attained after Jan 1, 2001 and the Maine State Grange must pay dues to National Grange on those members.  Most Granges exempt all Golden Sheaf (50 year) members from paying dues to their respective Granges and the Maine State Grange  does not charge dues on any Golden Sheaf member but the Maine State Grange must still pay dues to National on them. 

I’m going to backtrack a little, September is the time of the new Grange year beginnings with installations, making plans for the coming year and setting goals. This is also the time for year-end wrap-ups such as your annual audit, reports to be submitted (to your Grange, Pomona and State), and a time to evaluate last year’s activities, events, and goals, what was successful and what was lacking. There are very few Installation Teams or Installing Officers traveling, so I encourage each Grange to do their own Installation. There is an Alternative Installation Ceremony  (half the words) in the new Manual which can be read with one or two people in charge and working with the members present. It is impressive to have it memorized however many people, like myself, cannot memorize charges any longer. By reading it with appropriate feeling and enunciation, it comes across very nicely. The original ceremony in also still in the manual if you are so inclined. We have manuals at the office for sale.

Congratulations and welcome to all the Officers & Members, new and seasoned, and I wish you all much success for the coming year. 

The National Grange annual session will be November in Niagara Falls, New York hosted by the Northeast Region of States. All are welcome to attend.