Tag: Grange Advocacy

Notes from National – August 2022

Gleaned from an email written by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director

Rural Minds Partnership

Rural Minds is a non-profit focused on increasing awareness and reducing the stigma of mental health issues in rural America. Coming up in September is a webinar that is co-produced by Rural Minds and the National Grange on Rural Suicide Awareness & Prevention. (Information about the webinar will be posted and is available on the MSG Conferences and Dates Page.)

Good Day! Magazine

The latest issue of Good Day! has been sent to print and should be reaching mailboxes soon. Please consider subscribing or purchasing a subscription for their Grange or local schools or libraries. There’s also the option to subscribe to a virtual copy for readers who don’t want a physical magazine.

Grange Fairs Across the Nation

Phil Vonado, National Grange Communications Director, would love to know of any Granges in your state that run or are heavily involved in the organization of community/county/state fairs. He hopes to make this the feature of the October Good Day! magazine and connect with these Granges – especially smaller ones!

A Quarter’s Worth

The next deadline for A Quarter’s Worth submissions is November 1st. Please send these to Ann Bercher (lecturer@nationalgrange.org). (A Quarter’s Worth is the National Grange Lecturer’s Newsletter.)

Phil’s Challenge for August

Words have power behind them, and the words and phrases that we choose to use are very important! Negative words and language can lead to negative energy within yourself and within the Grange as a whole. But how often have you said, “We used to do…” or “We don’t have the people for…”? 

Using negative/negating language can be a hard habit to break. I know I’m guilty of it myself. I encourage you to find a positive spin – “We could try…” or “We’re up to the challenge of…” are good places to start. Allow new members to bring new energy into the organization; give things a try, and encourage new members (and long-time members) to try something new.

When you hear yourself (or anybody else in your Grange) saying things that either take ownership away from a person or an idea, try flipping the language into something affirming. Building people up and encouraging new things is going to help grow the organization.

Please consider this when writing up your reports for this year. Despite challenges or setbacks, let’s look for the positives – and I know every state has done some incredible things this year!

National Grange Convention

156th National Grange Convention will be held at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, from November 15-19, 2022. Visit the National Grange Website for information and to register. Early bird registrations are open until September 9, 2022.

National Grange Heirloom Program

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us, or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.

New Member Recognition in Good Day Magazine

Want to see your new members recognized in Good Day Magazine? Anyone who has not been recognized as a new member in the past year can be included. Use this link to share the news. The deadlines for each issue are:

  • November 30, 2022

“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.

156th National Grange Session is scheduled for November 15-19, 2022 in Sparks, NV

Janice loves the Grange!

A fellow Granger is never a stranger. There is an immediate bond between Grangers. We are part of a long and honorable tradition. Through Grange Programs, I can serve my community in ways I cannot do alone.

Janice, Valley Grange #144

CWA Report — August 2022

By Margaret Henderson, Director
Committee on Women’s Activities
207 948-2762

Committee on Women’s Activities

WOW!!!!!   My goodness, how about that heat and humidity?  I am thankful I am not in the southern states.

We have been enjoying fresh corn on the cob, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Nothing better than fresh produce from the garden.

With lots of help from Sister Sherry and Brother Richard, everything is all set for the conference on the 20th. They helped set up the auditorium and Sister Sherry typed up and printed out the new booklets. Many thanks to both of you for all of your help. It is greatly appreciated.

Next month I will post a list of all the contest winners.

Communications Column — August 2022

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Give us a bite!

Well, what I mean is “give us a sound bite,” except that’s not exactly correct, either. “A sound bite is a short, catchy piece of video, audio, or speech chosen to give the essence of what you are saying and arouse interest…” While we’d love a video, we’ll take a written snippet (a small piece or short extract.) Let me explain.

We did something like this when the website was first launched, listing them as Member Benefits. Since the site was launched over ten years ago, it’s time to update and expand what people love about the Grange. We can’t do this without you.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare would likely be able to work effectively with the media today–he understood the value of “short and sweet.” It’s important to remember that you are trying to capture interest, not cover “everything you need to know.” In my work with the media, I’m always amazed when a reporter covers an event and shoots over an hour of video. After editing, the story is told in 2-3 minutes. As someone prone to rambling, I have to remind myself to stay focused when being interviewed. In journalism, we are reminded to “write tight.”

Why do you love the Grange? We need your answer in a short, catchy way. I know, there’s lots to love. Think of your contribution as a “teaser” or testimonial designed to make people curious about the Grange. Another prompt might be, “What’s the one greatest benefit you receive from your Grange membership?“

We’ll take your answer in writing. Don’t worry about grammar and spelling–I’ll edit and correct (with your permission) if necessary. I’m making it as easy as possible by creating a short form you can fill out. This also makes it easy for me because filling out the form ensures that I’ll have all the information I need.

Visit the “I love the Grange” post for the form. (For those reading this in the printed Bulletin, there will be a form at the end of the Bulletin you can complete and mail.) And, yes, you can submit more than one.

It’s not just Grange members using the website. Let’s tell website visitors what’s great about the Grange. While I will be updating the Member Benefits page, I also hope to be using your answers in several other ways. Stay tuned!

► FACT: 530 people visited the Maine State Grange Website in July.

Tell us why you love the Grange!

Highland Lake Grange “After Action” Report

Highland Lake Grange is pleased to report a very successful night of World War II local history! 42 attendees and Grange members enjoyed Ken Moody’s wonderful program on four US Army Air Corps flyers from Duck Pond Road:  Wesley Dearborn, Harold Lewis, Frederick Gowen, and Leonard Emery. We are very excited about raising $400 for the Westbrook Veterans Relief Fund. 

Thanks to everyone who attended, and a big thank you to Ken for all of his research and work over many years. Thanks to Ken, the devotion of these men to their country during World War II will not be forgotten.

Mike Sanphy, President of Westbrook Historical Society and member of the Grange, stated that the Society does have plans to record this program so it can be viewed more widely.

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Farmers’ Market Week

This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Davis, State Representative for District 4.

More than a hundred farmers’ markets across the state offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats directly from Maine farms to residents and tourists alike. The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM), the statewide organization that helps sustain Maine farms, is reminding Maine residents that Maine Farmers’ Market Week will be celebrated Aug. 7-13 this year in conjunction with National Farmers’ Market Week.

The week will be marked by special events, live music, tastings, children’s activities, gifts for market shoppers, and a statewide photo contest. The contest is a chance for shoppers to post photos of their favorite foods and farmers. Prizes include market gift certificates and tickets to the Common Ground Country Fair in September.

Some of the markets also accept SNAP and WIC benefits. To see the complete list of farmers’ markets across the state as well as those that accept SNAP and WIC, visit the Federation’s website.

President’s Perspective — August 2022

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

RESOLUTIONS are due in the office on August 15, 2022, either email to mainestategrange@myfairpoint.net or standard mail to 146 State St., Augusta 04330. Submit both ways to ensure we receive them. Each Resolution is required to have a title when it is submitted to the office, I cannot give them a title your Grange must come up with one. If you want to make changes to State Grange by-laws, the Title, Article, Section, and sub-section numbers must be included in the resolution with the current wording printed and the suggested change completely written out.  The resolution must be voted on by the Grange submitting the resolution. After August 15th, we then have to print everything and mail all resolutions back to each Grange. This all takes time.  

Just like elections, Granges are required to install their officers usually in September or as soon as practicable after elections. There are not many installation teams traveling the state to perform the ceremony. The Installation Ceremony may be handled by each Grange on its own. There is an official alternative Installation of Officers printed in the new manual that can easily be followed by your members with one person taking charge, all participating, or just a few. This alternative ceremony contains half the words as the original one, which is also in the manual.  

Grange Committees are appointed by the Master and are responsible for organizing and implementing their programs in Subordinate, Pomona, and State Granges. Each level has more responsibilities and activities for the membership. If you would like to serve on a committee, please contact the Master. The State level is also looking for members to get involved with Committees and be Deputies.

  • Legislative Committee educates Granges about public policy issues of concern to members and encourages them to take action. 
  • Agricultural Committee brings to the Grange’s attention issues affecting agriculture. 
  • Lecturer’s Committee assists the Lecturer in the preparation and implementation of programs. 
  • Women’s Activities (CWA) conducts projects and contests which encourage the development and use of the member’s skills and talents.
  • Youth Committee develops programs and workshops to inform and discuss everyday concerns. 
  • Membership Committee is responsible for making sure that recruiting new members is part of all Grange programs and activities.
  • Publicity Committee reports information about the Grange’s activities and efforts to the news media.
  • Community Service Committee develops projects which improve the quality of life and the community.
  • Family Health  & Hearing Committee promotes the Grange health program of deaf awareness and other wellness issues through community outreach and education. 
  • Junior Committee provides activities for children in their community that are fun and teaches them the principles and Grange values. 
  • Special Committees are appointed for limited periods of time to manage and control special projects.    

This is a good time to remind you that your Grange Secretary’s and Treasurer’s books are to be audited at least once a year, and carrying that out close to installation is the perfect time to get it done. The Executive Committee and/or the Finance Committee of your Grange are the ones to carry out the audit.  Written records should be kept for all accounts in the Grange, receipts, and expenditures. 

Maine State Grange By-Laws:  Article XXI – Subordinate Officers and Their Duties

Section 8.1  It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee of each Subordinate Grange to see that the books of the Secretary and Treasurer and any other funds of the Grange are audited at the end of the fiscal year.      

You will need the  Secretary’s Records and Secretary’s Order Book.  This is the 5×7 book the Secretary writes what bills have come into the Grange and need to be paid with an amount listed. This record book also includes donations made to whom, etc. You will need the Treasurer’s books, checkbook, bank statements, savings book, etc., and receipt book (for funds received from the Secretary).  You compare the Secretary’s minutes and Order Book with the Treasurer’s checkbook and statements for receipts and expenditures.  All items should match between the Secretary and the Treasurer. All Committees of the Grange that handle funds, such as CWA, Lecturer, Chaplain, Bingo, Dinner, Fund Raising, etc., should also keep written records of receipts and expenditures to have audited at the end of the Grange year.

Another reminder, just under half of you have provided your 2023 Roster information.  Even if there were no changes, a report needs to be sent, either the printed form or typed in an email.  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 request for information. You may not have every committee in your Grange, but we still need the information you have, especially the meeting day & time, the address of your meeting hall, the Master and Secretary’s names, addresses, and phone numbers. Something I did notice on the ones I have received, several of the Granges have changed their meeting day and/or time. That is a by-law change and there is a proper procedure to make those changes correctly. The changes must be submitted for approval by MSG.  The article, section, and sub-section numbers/letters must be stated in the by-law change request, the current information is completely written out, then the requested change completely written out. All your members must receive a copy of the proposed change(s), and it will be voted on as a motion at a subsequent meeting from when it is first introduced.  After the affirmative vote of the Grange, the same printed information is sent to the State Master for approval.

 

Grange Heirloom — August 2022

Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the responses link at the top right and share your comment with us!

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.

For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.