Communication Shorts 9-28-2025

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!

October Bulletin

Yes, there will be an October Bulletin, although with the State Session, the mailing of the physical copy may be delayed a bit. The deadline for submission is October 14th. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

National Grange Website Links

Some recent changes to the National Grange Website have resulted in some links not working. If you encounter broken links on the Maine State Grange website, please report them to Walter. If you encounter them on the National Grange website, report them to National Grange.

Dates and Deadlines

With the start of another Grange Fiscal Year, essential dates and deadlines abound!

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. One of the significant challenges this time of year is updating online directories. Please make sure we have your current information!

Think About This!

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

Albert Camus

An Idea for Your Grange

At Valley Grange, we schedule meetings a full year in advance and assign “Grange Bees” – individuals responsible for tasks such as ensuring the hall is open and ready, as well as maintaining a supply of staples for potluck meals. It may not be a one-person job, but we want to be clear on who is responsible!

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.

Family!

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.

Getting the Words Out!

by Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

As of today, there are 371 public schools in Maine (according to The Dictionary Project website). Of those, only 16 have a Dictionary Project Sponsor so far this year. That’s slightly over 4%.

The good news is that it’s still early in the year, and we can do better! If you have been sponsoring in the past, it’s time to start working on this year’s effort.

If you haven’t been a sponsor, this is a good year to start. For a list of unsponsored schools, visit the Dictionary Project Website. Remember, we have many great resources available on our Words for Thirds Resource Page. We’ll even provide you with your Grange’s very own logo!

There are also Rotary, Kiwanis, and Elks Clubs that sponsor schools in Maine. One possibility might be to partner with a local civic organization in your area, particularly if you’re concerned about the cost and effort involved. There are several dictionaries available to choose from. All come in cases of 24 at a cost of around $100 per case, including shipping. Obviously, much depends on school size, but you can start a powerful community service with a minimum investment!

If you doubt the power of this program, check out this short news story about a Valley Grange “Dictionary Day” at Ridgeview Elementary School in Dexter.

If you have questions or would like some help. Let me know! We’re Grangers. We help each other. And let us know about your Words for Thirds Project!

MSG Words for Thirds Resources

National Farm Safety Week

Maine State Grange Communications Logo

This week, the week of 21-27 September, is being observed as National Farm & Ranch Safety and Health Week. This year’s theme is “Safety First. Avoid the Worst.”

There were 1,604 reported agricultural injuries in Maine between 2008 and 2022, according to a recent study. In 2022, Maine recorded one agricultural fatality. 

Note that these statistics may not accurately reflect the total number of incidents, as many small family farms are not required to report injuries. 

One excellent resource to help “avoid the worst” is the University of Maine Cooperative Extension AgrAbility Program. Resources range from a tractor driving video to a list of items to include in a farm first aid kit. Think safety. Always.

Safety First. Avoid the Worst.

Fraud Watch- Steps to Protect Agains ID Theft

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

Identity fraud and scams are a massive and growing problem, but there are things each of us can do to protect against identity fraud, even if our data has been exposed.

One way to help safeguard your personal information is to enable automatic updates on your device’s operating system and antivirus software. These updates often fix known security vulnerabilities that criminals could exploit.[JP1] 

Another way to stay protected is to be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, emails and social media messages. Criminals spoof phone numbers and impersonate trusted sources to appear legitimate. Avoid clicking on links in emails, texts or online ads. Rather, type the web address of the company whose site you want to visit directly into you web browser. Let your voicemail or answering machine handle unfamiliar calls. If the call is important, the person will likely leave a message, and you can verify the number and information before calling back.

Despite the rise of online threats, criminals still rely on traditional methods like dumpster diving to steal personal information. Shred anything containing sensitive information that you don’t need to keep for specific purposes. For example, shred credit card statements, sales receipts, medical statements and credit offers that you no longer need. AARP offers free document shredding and other fraud-related events across the country. To see if one is planned near you, visit aarp.org/local

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.

Ocean View Grange Craft Sale

Where Is the North Star?

A short webatorial by Walter Boomsma

“Work that matters for people who care…”

Seth Godin

In a recent post, Seth Godin suggested we need a north star to provide a sense of direction and purpose, much like the literal North Star guides sailors and travelers. While he was writing about individuals, I was immediately struck by what a great practice this would be for Granges.

I recently asked someone what they knew about the Grange. After stumbling around a bit, they admitted, “practically nothing.” I was stuck with the challenge of deciding how much to share with her.

Perhaps in the future, a good answer would be “The Grange is an organization doing work that matters for people who care.” It’s tempting to edit this to “…for people who matter.” It’s catchy. But that might miss the point because an essential word for Grangers is “stewardship.” Sharing the work that matters gains power when we share it with people who care about it. That’s good stewardship.

Using the Words for Thirds Program as an example, it provides dictionaries to third graders as work that matters. We do so for people who care, and that includes students who want to learn (they care), teachers who enjoy and benefit from (care about) the resource we provide. Shall we go on?

Sometimes, simple works best. If you want to write a 500-word mission statement, go for it. If we’re considering a new project, a North Star will probably suffice. If you’re using this one, you just have to ask, “Are we doing work that matters for people who care?”

If people don’t seem to care about the Grange, we might do well to consider what the Grange cares about. What is our guiding star?

Together!

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- Peer-to-Peer Payment Systems

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

Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App have made sending money between family and friends easier than ever. But consumers beware: while these apps make exchanging money fast and convenient, they also make it quick and seamless for criminals to steal your money through a variety of tactics.

You might get a message that appears to be from a loved one in trouble who needs you to send money quick through a P2P app. Or you may see a “discount” for an online marketplace product if you make the payment through a P2P app, only to discover the seller is a scammer.

Another common scam involves someone “accidentally” sending you money via a P2P service and then asking you to return it. However, their initial payment will later bounce like a bad check, leaving you responsible for any funds you sent back.

It’s best to use P2P apps to send money to friends, family, and other people you know and trust. These apps do not have the same consumer protections as credit cards. Transactions are like paying cash — instantaneous and usually irreversible. If you receive an unexpected payment, don’t accept it and report it to the app provider.

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.

Ocean View Bean Supper