Tag: Grange Procedure

Communications Column – March 2024

Website Updates = Communication Hygiene

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

“Bad noise crowds out good signal.”

Seth Godin

I left the Seth Godin Quote from last month because, to a large extent, we’ll be continuing the theme of “Communications Hygiene” with some recent accomplishments and ongoing efforts.

I’ve finally completed the review of Subordinate/Pomona Websites, Facebook Pages, and Groups. This annual review aims to ensure we are putting our best face forward and abiding by Grange Policy. It is not one of the most fun things I do, but it is one of the more important.

Overall, the results were positive, but there were a few issues. One website simply wasn’t working. One Facebook Group contained almost entirely spam posts promoting at least questionable work-at-home schemes. I have attempted to contact those Granges with an “FYI” email. In a few cases, I deemed removing the link from the MSG website necessary.

As a reminder, whenever an online presence is created, at least two people should be capable of accessing it and committed to maintaining it. This is especially true of social media pages and groups.

Also, as a reminder, if your Grange does have a social media presence, you should still submit your news and information to the MSG website. Once it’s posted there (usually within 24 hours of receipt), sharing it on social media is easy. The buttons at the bottom of every post make it just a matter of a few mouse clicks or screen taps.

You are undoubtedly aware of the increased applications of AI (artificial intelligence). Part of keeping our best face forward has always been grammar-checking, spell-checking, and minor line editing. We’ve been relying on AI for help with this for some time and will continue to do so. You may find it reassuring that I sometimes win arguments with the AI.

I bet I could make your eyes glaze over if I went into detail about our subscription issue. I will continue to maintain the list and send occasional lists of posted items, but it may be a while before we can automate it again. Stay tuned!

In anticipation of needing to make significant changes to get the subscription feature back online, I continue to purge old information from the site. We’re down below 1,000 posts–at one time, there were over 4,000! As a general rule (there will be some exceptions), information will be limited to the last two years. The data shows that older information is rarely viewed, and a streamlined site will be more efficient and much easier to manage. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

► FACT: During the first weeks of March, our “scholarship information” page has moved to the third position as “most viewed.” It’s that time of year!

Subscribe to The Maine State Grange Website!

The Patrons Chain 3-08-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • Speak LIke a “CHAMP” by Christine Hamp
  • March Heirloom
  • Where can I find? by Philip Vonada
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-in
  • Opinion: Your Grange’s Position by Walter Bommsma
  • Grange Month materials are available
  • Save the Date: Rural Minds and National Grange to present webinar
  • Commentary: Who Benefits from Daylight Savings Time
  • Grange Supply Store: Seven-Sided Patches
  • Grange Member Benefit: Avis

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

President’s Perspective – March 2024

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

HAPPY 150TH ANNIVERSARY. “Six months after the first Subordinate Grange was organized in Maine, twenty men met in Lewiston at the GAR Hall on April 21, 1874, to found the Maine State Grange. Seventeen of the twenty were Masters of Subordinate Granges in Maine; one was a Subordinate Secretary. Also present was the Master of the New Hampshire State Grange, Dudley T. Chase, and a General Deputy of the National Grange, O.D. Hinkley.  Nelson Ham of Lewiston was elected State Master at this session.

In December 1874, the State Grange met for its first Annual Session in Lewiston. By this time, the organization had grown from 18 to 64 Granges with about 2000 members.”

(Excerpt From A Fair Field And No Favor—A Concise History of the Maine State Grange by Stanley Howe)

The first Grange in Maine, Eastern Star #1 in Hampden, was organized October 20, 1873. Six of those 18 early organized Granges are still continuing their positive impact in their communities. 

  • Excelsior #5 in Poland organized 3/5/1874
  • Androscoggin #8 in Greene organized 3/24/1874
  • Harraseeket #9 in Freeport organized 3/24/1874
  • North Jay #10 in North Jay organized 3/27/1874
  • Farmington #11 (N. Farmington) in West Farmington organized 4/3/1874
  • Somerset #18 in Norridgewock organized 4/20/1874

HAPPY 150TH ANNIVERSARY to each of you, we wish you continued success.

The following Degree Days have been set up, and they will be conferring all 4 Degrees on the same day. (The word Degree refers to a level of the Grange, the first Four Degrees brings you into Subordinate or Community membership.)  Degree Days are open to all candidates who must have been voted into membership in a Subordinate Grange to receive the degrees. Please bring the application for membership with you.  If you have already received the Obligation Ceremony or the Welcome Ceremony, you are welcome to come and view these instructive beautiful degrees, or any current members are eligible to attend. Current members will be required to provide the annual password that you are entitled to receive from your Subordinate Master if your dues are up to date.

  • April 14 at North Scarboro Grange; 74 County Rd., Scarborough. Contact Mike Griffin, Master, for information and to let him know how many will be coming. Meeting starting at 1:00pm.
  • April 21 at State Grange HQ, 146 State Street, Augusta. Contact Maynard Chapman, Chief Deputy, for information and to let him know how many will be coming.  Meeting starting at 1:00pm.

While on the subject of membership eligibility. As the prospective candidate/member, you must submit an application with a fee to a Subordinate Grange, the application must be voted on by the membership in a regular meeting with a quorum present, then you must receive the conferral of the 4 Degrees, the Obligation Ceremony or the Welcome Ceremony to become a member.  Only then are you entitled to vote on issues, elections or business in that Grange. You are able to visit a Grange meeting, but to have a vote in the business you must become a member by one of the prescribed methods above found in the Grange Manual.  Maine uses the ballot box with balls and cubes for membership applications.

Communication Shorts 03-01-2024

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!

March Bulletin Coming Soon!

Officers and directors are reminded that columns and posts for the March Bulletin are due March 14, 2024. Remember, the past few Bulletins are available for downloading and printing on the Program Books and Information Page. We also do occasionally accept “guest posts” on topics of interest to Grangers. See the guidelines!

Update on Subscription Feature

This isn’t going to be a quick fix! In the meantime, I’ve instituted a manual workaround and will be creating regular emails to subscribers. These won’t be daily and will be based on posting activity. Communication will not stop! It may be a little slower, though. Thanks for your patience.

Grange Month Resources Available

The traditional resources (proclamation, sample press release, posters, etc.) are now available on the National Grange Website.

Free Publicity

Do you have news to share about your Grange? A summary of a past event? Advertising of a future event? These are exciting and fun ways to attract new members. Submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing! This is not difficult, and you get lots of free publicity!

Ideas for Granges

This one comes from a local library that has set up a FIX-IT Cafe. I could see it being themed-the basic idea is bringing together hobbyists with repair skills and people who need things fixed. There are certainly some challenges, but it’s something to think about. One of the most popular posts in recent history was Mill Stream Grange’s “Tool Library.” Hmmm, makes me think…

Thought for You…

“The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”

Aristotle

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 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!

The Patrons Chain 2-23-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange adopts new Mission Statement 
  • If we could do anything… 
  • Final Day to Order – Grange Strong Fundraiser 
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Grange Month materials available
  • Save the Date: Rural Minds and National Grange to present webinar
  • Grange Supply Store: Vintage Grange Hall Dedication Plaques
  • Grange Member Benefit: American Income Life Insurance 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

Communication Shorts 02-17-2024

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!

February Bulletin Now Available!

The February Bulletin is now available! Remember, the past few Bulletins are available for downloading and printing on the Program Books and Information Page. We also do occasionally accept “guest posts” on topics of interest to Grangers. See the guidelines!

USDA Assistance for Severe Weather

If your farm suffers losses in this severe winter weather, you might qualify for USDA’s disaster assistance programs. Also, a reminder: if you have crop insurance, contact your agency within 72 hours if you suffer losses in this severe winter weather. (Compliments of UMaine Extension)

National Grange Email Addresses

Please note there is no “general” email address for National Grange–you’ll need to decide who to address your concerns and questions to! There is a Directory of National Officers and a Directory of Paid Staff on the National Grange Website.

Don’t Forget This!

Do you have news to share about your Grange? A summary of a past event? Advertising of a future event? These are exciting and fun ways to attract new members. Submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing! This is not difficult, and you get lots of free publicity!

Online Directory of Granges

Yay! The online directory of Granges is updated! This round of updates was based on the most recent Roster. The contact person and information may be the master or the secretary. (It’s a long story.) Please check your Grange’s listing and email the webmaster if anything needs to be changed!

Ideas for Granges

Are you noticing lots of “Chili Challenges?” Maybe it’s the time of year! I noticed today that it won’t get dark at this time of day again until October. It might also be time to start planning your spring schedule.

Thought for You…

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston Churchill

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 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

The Patrons Chain 2-16-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange Leaders’ Conference taking place now!
  • Final Week to Order – Grange Strong Fundraiser
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Advocacy Playbook: Supreme Court Review of Chevron May Shake Up Federal Regulatory Framework
  • Oklahoma School for the Deaf offers free, online American Sign Language course
  • Grange Supply Store: Vintage Grange Hall Dedication Plaques
  • Grange Member Benefit: American Income Life Insurance 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

Communications Column – February 2024

Considering Communications Hygiene

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

“Bad noise crowds out good signal.”

Seth Godin

The concept of “communications hygiene” deserves some attention. Seth Godin is certainly not the first person to introduce it, but as usual, he gets our attention in his opening statement, “Attention is scarce.”(You can read the complete blog post here.)

Just how scarce is attention? I could offer the number of unanswered emails in my sent box. I know a few people who appear to no longer be checking their email. When technology made it easy (and basically free) to send an email, it didn’t take long for a lot of people to take advantage. One result of that is the amount of “bad noise” we get. I intentionally do not count, but I would estimate that I receive 200-300 email messages daily. Most of them are “noise” of little value.

I also don’t count how many times the telephones ring daily. Voice mail handles most of it–or at least the lack of messages filters out the “noise.”

Shall we talk about text messages? They are on the rise–several organizations I’m familiar with are now texting instead of emailing. For most people, texting creates a sense of urgency. Urgency is, however, different than importance.

Hygiene is about maintaining health and often involves cleanliness. Let’s take a look at the health of our communication systems and attempts. We may need to “clean things up.” As communicators (we all are), it’s important to remember that “attention is scarce” and may be getting scarcer.

First, what can we do to get attention? It’s become necessary to think twice about how we communicate. I can tell you with assurance that leaving a message for me on social media (Facebook) is the worst way to get my attention. But I know people who apparently live on social media, and it’s the best or at least fastest way to get their attention! So, it might make sense to consider what platform or media best suits the message you are sending. When initiating communication, it is important to think about the receiver’s preferences.

Second, can we at least not contribute to the “noise?” I have a friend who loves to forward emails. Admittedly, they’re usually relevant to my interests, but I’ve also often already received them from the original sender or someone else. I find myself instinctively clicking “delete” when I see his name in the “from” field. Remember, given the volume of emails I’m receiving, you only have a second or two to get my attention.

Third, we can use technology to our benefit–this could be an entire topic by itself. Most email programs have filters we can use, and we’re starting to see the same with phone calls and text messages. It’s important to realize that we each are dealing with huge volumes of communication and make sure we are prioritizing our attention in return. I have another friend who usually takes a few days to reply to my email. He keeps them as “unread” until he has time to think about his reply. If I have a question that needs a more immediate response, I make that clear in my email–or text him accordingly. This goes back to thinking about the receiver’s preferences.

It wasn’t so long ago that we didn’t have the options and choices that we do today. Instead of debating “good or bad,” that energy should go to choosing how we communicate thoughtfully and wisely.

► FACT: During the first week of February 2024, nearly 90% of website visitors were first-time visitors!

Subscribe to The Maine State Grange Website!

The Patrons Chain 2-9-2024

Don’t miss the fact that two Granges in Maine are featured in this issue! (Granger celebrates 80 years of membership)

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange Building Sold
  • National Lecturer’s Programming Updates
  • NC Grange hosts Southern Farm Show vaccine clinic
  • Grange Strong Fundraiser
  • Happy Chinese New Year! 
  • Grant money still available for raising awareness about ACP
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Granger celebrates 80 years of membership
  • Commentary: Broadband Subsidy Enrollment Ends Today; Millions Are at Risk of Losing Internet
  • Grange Supply Store: Seven-Sided Patch
  • Grange Member Benefit: American Income Life Insurance

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

President’s Perspective – February 2024

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

The password ciphers were sent to the Grange Secretaries when the December Quarterly Report Forms were mailed. The keys to the password will only be mailed to the master’s when all dues are paid up to date, including the December 2023 Quarter. If you have not received your key, check with your secretary or our office to confirm your dues are paid in full. Sharon did tell me recently that not all dues are up to date. 

I must remind everyone of your Obligation to the Grange you took when you joined. It states in part, “ I will not knowingly wrong or defraud a brother or sister of the Order or allow it to be done by another if within my power to prevent it. I will endeavor to be a true and faithful Patron of Husbandry… Should I knowingly or willfully violate this pledge, I will invoke upon myself suspension or expulsion from the Order.”  I have had several calls from members in different areas to complain about the use of profanity during meetings and public events. There is no place in the Grange for the use of foul language, no matter what you feel the circumstances are. Whether in a meeting or around the kitchen, whether guests, new members, or non-members are present or not, it is not acceptable behavior. Maybe you normally talk that way; you feel it is just words, but it is offensive to others.  If you feel the need to talk like that, I would suggest you go to the bar or sporting event where you will fit right in. But even those places have rules and limits, and even those places where that talk is common, you would be asked to leave! I am sorry if you are offended by this message, but it needed to be said. Sadly, those who do the cursing won’t be the ones to acknowledge.    

After four years off, the Northeast Leaders Conference held in January was a big success, with 87 enthusiastic members attending. Introductions by State Masters/Presidents of those attending from their respective states. Maine was represented by Mike Griffin, MSG Overseer; Missy Baldwin, MSG Lecturer; Brenda Dyer, MSG Community Service & Family Health & Hearing Director; Brenda’s husband, Joe Fallo; and me. The Northeast State Masters/Presidents & Overseers/Vice Presidents (the Northeast Connection group) and New England Grange Building Trustees. Everyone attending could sit in on whichever meeting or break-out group they chose. 

The State Lecturers made plans for the Northeast Lecturers Conference, to be held June 21 – 23 at the Holiday Inn in Norwich, CT. This event is for all, not just Lecturers. Let’s support our State Lecturers and plan to attend. Details will be forthcoming.

The State Youth Directors started their plans for the NE Youth Conference hosted in NY July 19 – 21. I will share details when available.

 The NE Chaplains group decided to return to the Regional Church Sunday, similar to the ones in the past. This year, it will be held on July 27 at the VT Grange Camp, with family activities, games, and a potluck lunch. All are invited. Plans will be finalized soon.

The State Junior Directors and interested members met to discuss the craft for display at the Big-E in Sept at the New England Grange Building. The Junior craft for 2024 will be Crayola Model Magic.  The craft for 2025 will be Egg Carton Craft.

The Community Service, Family Activities, Women’s Activities, and others met as a large group, having good discussions on activities for their states and ideas all could try. Agriculture, Membership, Information/IT, and others also met during the weekend.

As the weekend progressed, interesting and helpful workshops were presented to the entire group: Harnessing AI to Our Advantage, Promoting the Grange in all Media, Leadership and Conflict Resolution, and Grant Writing.