By Margaret Morse, Maine State Grange Lecturer
207 439-0413
Download a copy of the Lecturers’ Newsletter containing lots of program helps!
Lecturer’s Newsletter – Summer 2023
Tag: Grange Activities
Communication Shorts 6-17-2023
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!
June Bulletin
The June Bulletin is now available for downloading and printing! Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.
Monroe Classic Grange Store
As a reminder, the Monroe Classic Grange Store is still open as an officially licensed Grange Store. They carry a wide assortment of Grange-related and branded items such as jewelry, flags, signs, awards, fundraising and promotional items, apparel, signs, and name tags.
Grange Supplies
Also, as a reminder, the National Grange Store is the place to find the supplies you use, such as treasurer’s receipts, membership cards, etc.
Open Mic at East Madison Grange
Bring your talent and friends to the East Madison Grange for an Open Mic night on the first Friday of every month at 7 PM. Refreshments are available, free to the public, but donations are appreciated. Contact hideandgopeep@gmail.com or 207 716-6441.
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!
Ideas for Granges
How about an engaging gathering for individuals with memory loss and their care partners? Potential participants are invited to enjoy an afternoon of conversation with some new and old friends and take in some music, play a game, or enjoy a different form of entertainment… lunch could be offered.
Thought for You…
“When everyone’s thinking alike, someone’s not thinking.”
General George Pattaon
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!
Junior Report – June 2023
By Marilyn Stinson
207 786-2120
MSG Committee Member
Has your Grange taken in any 1+ Junior Grangers? The 1+ program from National Grange seems to be working from what we can see on Facebook and Bulletin posts, but the Community Granges aren’t sending the MSG Junior Department the information we need, and we don’t know who has joined.
We need the junior’s name, birthdate, and date joined. Also, the parent(s) or guardian(s) names, address, email, phone number, and home Grange. A statement giving permission (or not) to share photos of the child(ren) be shared on social media.
I have remained on the Junior Committee and will accept this information and forward it to our director. Please let us know so we can put the kids on our rolls and include them with information about junior activities. You can also send the information to director Betty Young.
We have exhibited Junior information at three fairs in the last few years – Pittston, Windsor, and Litchfield – earning money for the Juniors’ activities and programs. Betty is willing to share info about Juniors that others can use in their areas. Have your local kids do some crafts, show them off, and encourage others to join! Contact your local fairs, print out the information, put the pages on poster boards, and share space with the crafts, photos, paintings, etc., that the kids have done. MSG Junior Grange #17 is on Facebook, where you can see pictures of what has been exhibited.
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Exploring Traditions – June 2023
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National Grange Membership Matters Zoom Meeting
On Tuesday, June 13, at 8:30 PM Eastern/5:30 PM Pacific, join Grange members from around the country on Zoom for the monthly Membership Matters meeting on Zoom. This month, Membership/Leadership Development Director Amanda Brozana Rios will lead a conversation about reaching out to local leaders and other entities in our communities, including tips and tools that can help build awareness, trust, and partnerships.
| Join from PC/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android: | CLICK HERE |
| Meeting ID | 525 965 930 |
| Passcode | 981892 |
| Join from Telephone: | +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 867 9923 US (New York) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) |
Membership Moments – June 2023
By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915
How did your elections go? Did you acknowledge new members as officers? Were they willing to accept the office? Election time is a big deal for Granges everywhere. It signifies a time of change where fresh ideas and new leadership are incorporated. Enthusiasm is heightened as we are looking toward the new Grange year. It is important that these changes occur. It represents a new cycle of leadership and, many times, a jolt to a once lethargic group. As we all know, a thing called “burnout” happens; many of us have felt it and decided to pass the leadership duties to others in the hope (and trust) that the Grange prospers. Change is a good thing most of the time. It just depends on how you apply those changes. The former leaders must pass their knowledge to their successors and be a good mentors to encourage good changes in our Granges. To the former leaders; “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Just as the seasons change are welcomed by most of us geographically, change in leadership is just as welcome in our Granges. After a few days of rain, we are looking forward to the sun shining again and welcoming that change, just as we welcome rain after a stretch of sunny days. Change brings out fresh perspectives and keeps us encouraged with new ideas. Do not let your Grange get into a rut, make changes and take a different path. Otherwise, the results could be less than good. Open the windows and let the fresh air in; reflect on how that change of air feels. The same applies to leadership. Everyone deserves to have a chance to show their leadership skills, especially for the GOTO (Good of the Order). I haven’t used that acronym in ages, but it seems appropriate for this column.
The important thing is to introduce your new members to leadership positions or committees. Maybe they are not ready, that’s fine. Do not force them but DO NOT overlook them! Membership is our lifeblood, and every now and then, a “transfusion” is required and necessary. Most of you know what I am talking about. When things start to get “stale,” liven it up, try new things, and welcome the changes. Think outside the box. Any change, no matter how small or large will do wonders a majority of the time. If each of us introduces new ways and new ideas, be ready to explain how these changes are good for the Grange and not for the individual. We are a family, and these changes affect all of us. The family that changes together grows together. Happy changes to all!!!
CWA Report – June 2023
By Margaret Henderson, Director
Committee on Women’s Activities
207 948-2762
Another busy month. Helped with the Grange yard sale and food sale last weekend. There were lots of people who stopped by and supported us.
Got the tomatoes planted last week in between the raindrops. Hopefully, we will see the sun soon.
Just a reminder that entries for the contests are due at Headquarters on August 14th. I will be there at 9 am to accept them. If you can not make it that day, call me or the office to set up a time so that someone will be there to check your items in so that they can be judged.
Judging will be done on Friday the 18th, and the conference will be on Saturday the 19th at 9 am. Baking entries will be accepted Saturday morning at 8:30.
Hope everyone is doing well.
President’s Perspective – June 2023
By Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange President/Master
207 490-1029
I’m very pleased to announce we cleared over $1,000 at our recent yard sale and fundraiser event on June 3rd, selling lasagna & 3 kinds of baked beans, apple crisp & brownies and Visa gift card raffles. THANK YOU to the many, many helpers, Granges, and individuals who worked diligently cooking, baking, selling tickets, and making donations of food and funds for supplies to help make this a successful day. Thank you very, very much to Norma & Sharon, who helped me with the cooking, and Margaret, Maynard & Gladys, for making the apple crisp. One of the $100 gift cards was won by someone from BIW, and the other $100 card went to a Grange member from Bingham.
June is the time for the election of officers. As soon as the election has been held, the elected Master/President selects the Committee Chairs and committee members for their Grange. This should be done right away; no need to wait for the Installation of Officers to get your committees set up. Some of the most common Committees in our Granges are Legislative-Agriculture; Women’s Activities; Youth; Junior; Community Service; Family, Health & Hearing; Membership, and Others. Other Committees may be named as needed that may be specific to your Grange. Special Committees are set up as required for a special event or activity. Please tell your secretary who will be the chairmen, so she/he can report the roster information to the office.
We will be looking for the following information to be provided to us for each Grange:
- Grange Name and Number; Street Address and Town of Grange Hall;
- Meeting Day(s) and Time; Supper or Refreshments and Time. (Maine State Grange By-Laws: ARTICLE XXII – MEETINGS Section 1. The Bylaws of each Subordinate Grange should definitely fix the day and hour of all regular meetings.)
Plus the following information for Officers and chairman.
- Master/President: Name; Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
- Lecturer: Name: Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
- Secretary: Name: Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
- CWA Chairman: Name; Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
We will be sending the 2024 Roster information forms to the Grange Secretaries next week. Please fill them out legibly and return them as soon as possible to the office. If you want to type the information out separately and mail or email it to us, that would be fine also. I know I am repeating myself again, but remember Resolutions are due in the office by August 15th. Every resolution must have a title already named by the presenting Grange. Any resolutions to make changes to State or National Grange By-Laws must refer to the Article number; Section number; and sub-section number(s) and be written out in full as it currently appears in the State or National By-laws, then the new change written out in full with the change(s) to be made.
Communication Shorts 6-1-2023
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!
June Bulletin Deadline
Columns and articles for the June Bulletin must be received before June 15th. Earlier is good! Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.
Monroe Classic Grange Store
As a reminder, the Monroe Classic Grange Store is still open as an officially licensed Grange Store. They carry a wide assortment of Grange-related and branded items such as jewelry, flags, signs, awards, fundraising and promotional items, apparel, signs, and name tags.
Cumberland Grange Information
We’ve had a request for information regarding “Cumberland Grange” from Judy Gagnon of the Cumberland Historical Society. Apparently, there were actually two: Cumberland #69 and Cumberland #500. If you can help Judy and the Society, please add a comment or let us know and we’ll put you in touch with her! Thanks!
Open Mic at East Madison Grange
Bring your talent and friends to the East Madison Grange for an Open Mic night on the first Friday of every month at 7 PM. Refreshments are available, free to the public, but donations are appreciated. Contact hideandgopeep@gmail.com or 207 716-6441.
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!
Ideas for Granges
How about a collaboration with your local Commission on Aging or another Senior Group to create a Grange Cares Day, a day when people are able to give back and help the senior citizens in their community?
Thought for You…
“When everyone’s thinking alike, someone’s not thinking.”
General George Pattaon
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!
Ag Committee Report — June 2023
By Wilma Grenier, MSG Ag Director
(207) 437-2099
On Thursday, May 4th, the Agriculture Committee of the Maine State Grange met at headquarters with eight members present.
The scholarship fund is currently at $5,980.42 due to fundraising and donations from the Grange Store at Fryeburg Fair, Maine Agriculture in the Classroom, and the raffle at the State Conference. Two of the three winners from 2022 have been paid. Sharon will contact the remaining student, Chantal Cyr, to see if she is eligible for her scholarship after the fall 2022 semester.
The group voted to fund five exceptional applications for 2023. 2023 Winners are:
- Lily Mae Jaffray from Blue Hill to study Pre-Veterinary Science.
- Emma L. Alexander from Dexter to study Forestry,
- Zachary Dean Skidgel from Newport to study Sustainable Agriculture,
- Grace Cassandra VanBuskirk from Thomaston to study Pre-Veterinary Science,
- Ashley Nicole Stubbs from Addison to study Animal & Veterinary Science.
The committee discussed fundraising to continue the scholarship program into
the future and will conduct a raffle with the drawing at State Grange Session in October. Granges wishing to support the scholarship program should send funds to State Grange labeled AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
2023 Fairs and events calendar was mailed by the State master to existing judges. Some fair dates may have changed. The Fryeburg Grange Ag Store moved last year and had a much better location. Volunteers are needed to work during the week of October 1 – 8. Let Sharon know if you would like to volunteer.
The group discussed the 2023 State Conference on October 20 & 21 (Friday &
Saturday this year) at the Auburn Masonic Hall, which is behind the Auburn Mall. It will start on Friday after lunch and include a Friday dinner banquet and Saturday lunch. The dining room made it difficult to hear a speaker last year, so the group decided instead to just draw the raffle winners and have some Maine Ag in the Classroom bookmarks and other information to hand out at the luncheon. It will be a very busy session this year!
MAITC supplied over 800 books for both virtual and in-person readings this year. The book was “Honeybee” and was very well received by everyone.
The committee will meet again at state headquarters in August to review Grange Enterprise applications, go over fall plans, and any other business. Please submit applications! They are due August 1, 2023. Be well, everyone! Spring is here, the rain has finally stopped, and the sun is shining!