Tag: Grange Events

Membership Moments – July 2025

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Most of us have heard of a subliminal message and its purpose.  For a refresher, a subliminal message is one that is intended to be embedded in our subconscious mind without our conscious knowledge of what is happening. These messages are commonly used by television commercials and ads, which contain “trigger” words and continuous use of phrases undetectable to the conscious mind in order to influence us to buy their products. In this column, I will use the phrase “increase membership” at various times and embed the phrase in the topic we are discussing. Although it isn’t really the same as I described, it gives the reader a sense of what I am talking about.

We all know that our member numbers have decreased and at times (increase membership) many Granges do not have enough members present to hold a meeting. It disrupts the flow when a meeting is canceled (increase membership) and people begin to lose interest when this happens on a regular basis.  Even to the most dedicated Granger, this is quite annoying and sometimes makes us question why do we bother. Our love and dedication to the (increase membership) order keep us chugging along. We don’t give up easily and our high energies motivate all our members. However, how long (increase membership) can this last? Even the Sun will run out of energy at some time. To avoid burnout, we need to make membership a top priority at every meeting. All members of our Granges are responsible (increase membership) to bring in new members; not a select few or only the State Membership Committee. It is up to YOU (increase membership) to be a part of the membership drive!

Read this message over a few times and let me know how effective this subliminal message has been or even better, read this message often and let the hidden message do its work.

Ocean View Grange Rummage Sale

Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9, 2025

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Communications Column – June 2025

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Did I Lie or Miscommunicate?

Our Memorial Day Program here in Maine’s #1 Town (alphabetically) includes an opportunity to chat with friends and neighbors—one of the joys of rural living. After the small crowd had mainly disappeared, I noticed two of those friends chatting intensely—one I hadn’t seen for some time. As I approached, I said, “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I must say ‘Hi’ to…” Of course, I said more than that as we needed to briefly “catch up” on each other’s health and doings.

Later, as I strolled to my vehicle, it occurred to me that I had lied. I had, in fact, fully intended to interrupt their conversation. I know both well, so I felt comfortable interrupting. I also trusted both would honestly have said “This is not a good time…” if that were the case. So why did I lie, even if it was unintentional?

As I consider that question, I am reminded of the conversation between Caesar and Mark Antony in Act 1, Scene 2.

“Let me have men about me that are fat, Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o’nights. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look, He thinks too much; such men are dangerous.”

While I’m not sure I am sleek-headed or have a lean and hungry look, I am occasionally accused of thinking too much. For Shakespeare Fans, we could think too much about the context of the quote. The digression is enticing, but to pursue it might make the point. “He thinks too much.”

Spontaneous communication means we are not thinking much. Had I been thinking more critically as I approached these friends, I might have said, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I must say ‘Hi’ to…” If a similar situation develops, that would be a more likely line now that I’ve had time to think about it. I’m not sure that’s overthinking.

While the characters in Julius Caesar are speaking, it’s important to remember that they are not speaking spontaneously. They are speaking words that were written carefully. A writer has an opportunity to think and edit what will be “said.” Thanks to technology, we now have AI that helps with the written word. Even as I’ve written this, a great deal of thought has been given and many changes have been made. I can even ask the computer to read it aloud and listen to how it sounds. This might be another digression.

All this thinking ultimately aims at the continuous improvement of our communication. It’s admittedly easier when communication is written, but the patterns are similar. Over forty years ago, I taught an interpersonal skills course that primarily focused on communication when speaking and listening. “When your initial response is to reject or ignore, clarify and confirm what the speaker is saying.” The idea behind it was to ensure you understood what the speaker was saying and why they were saying it. Students who “got it,” realized that it was equally important to understand that when they were speaking, they should be clear on what they were saying and why they were saying it.

Communication should be about understanding. During my days as a real estate instructor, I will never forget an instructor’s meeting during which a colleague said, “I want to be sure we are all saying (teaching) the same thing.” I couldn’t resist responding that I hoped our students would all hear the same thing, but doubted it. Let’s not forget that while we think words have meaning, ultimately, people give meaning to those words. It’s not an exact science and never will be.

Social media offers endless opportunities for miscommunication. A recent post reported the death of three children, allegedly at the hands of their father. One commenter wrote, in part, “I am angry at those poor babies who were murdered by their father…” If we think before reacting, we can conclude she probably wasn’t angry at the babies. She was probably angry at the situation. If she were a politician, there would soon be a news story announcing that she was angry at the murdered children, perhaps even speculating that they were somehow responsible for their own deaths. It wouldn’t take much effort to turn her miscommunication into a lie.

Speakers and writers should attempt to communicate accurately. Listeners and readers should attempt to hear and read accurately. That involves some discipline and thinking. Of course, skill helps, but the focus needs to move beyond communicating to understanding.

This article was initially posted on the Brain Leaks and Musings Site by Mr. Boomsma, educator and author.

► FACT: Your website was viewed nearly 1,400 times by over 500 people in the month of May!

Communications Column – May 2025

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Doing is communicating…

As I worked on the program for Valley Grange’s Community Celebration, I was reminded of the old platitude that, “what you’re doing shouts so loud, I can’t hear what you’re saying.” Often attributed to kids when we think they’re not listening, it reminds us that perhaps they are listening to what we are doing and perhaps what we are doing (or not doing) is more telling than what we’re saying.

Like many Granges this time of year, we’ll honor a local “Citizen of the Year” for her “boots on the ground” efforts to build strength in our communities. As is often the case, I learned more about what she does after we’d selected her. I knew we’d made a good choice when people stopped me in the grocery store to ask about her honor and our Community Night Celebration.

Another aspect of that celebration is a short two-part presentation entitled “Just Five Minutes.” It looks at the value of volunteering with photo examples and some basic math showing the dollar value of those efforts. (Both will ultimately be available on the MSG website and YouTube Channel.)

As I worked on the photo examples portion, a light bulb went off. Historically, the photo examples have been from our Grange Programs like Words for Thirds, Blanketeering, and the Blistered Finger Knitters. These programs are well-known in our area because we say (publicize) them well. It is common for them to be covered by local television stations and newspapers. I like to think of it as a marriage between saying and doing. You might even hear me say, “It’s easier to make news than it is to write press releases.”

But there’s more, and I was inspired by the number of different things our Community Citizen is involved in and does. It started me thinking about individual Grangers and the possibility that we aren’t saying enough about their actions.

After a discussion with Valley Grange’s community service chair, we agreed that we aren’t “saying” enough about the individual members’ efforts that aren’t necessarily directly connected or part of a formal Grange program. Those efforts and that time count, and they do represent Grange values. Examples are endless—many times we don’t even know about them. One of our members has served as president of her community’s historical society for years. Another member supports her local volunteer fire department in several ways. I volunteer with 4-H and FFA and participate in a group cleaning headstones in our local cemetery. Valley Grange is anything but unique. I recently added an event to the MSG website calendar. Members of Ocean View Grange will be joining their local Legionnaires to help place flags on veterans’ graves. If you can stand another platitude, “You’re known by the company you keep.”

But someone who keeps an eye on a neighbor serves their community equally well. I live on a dead-end gravel road, and we joke that we have an informal road association that keeps us tuned into what is happening with each other. We never have meetings.

Community service is not just a program. And it goes beyond “doing” to a state of mind. We may not always make the connection consciously, but we often say a patron “has faith in God, nurtures hope, dispenses charity, and is noted for fidelity.” We’re about a lot more than ritual and meetings. The Grange is people. We shout it by the way we live. We come together to strengthen our efforts and find support for the things we do.

► FACT: Year to date, the Directory of Granges is the most viewed page on the website. People are looking for you!

Membership Moments – May 2025

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

I attended the recent Degree Day in Augusta in which 24 new members saw the first four degrees. A big thanks to the members of Androscoggin Pomona for organizing this yearly event. It was great to meet new Grangers and to see present Grange friends from all over the State of Maine. Congratulations to the new members. Hopefully, those who didn’t get a chance to see the degrees this year will attend the next one. There are still many obligated members who should be learning the lessons of the Grange first-hand. In the meantime, keep attracting those new members! 

June is coming, and with that month comes, yes, elections! Elections, believe it or not, are very important for the progress of your Grange. Please consider your new membership when electing officers (if they are interested) to keep them involved. Teach them the floorwork; we all could use a refresher course from time to time. Keep your Grange meetings running smoothly and listen to all ideas, especially from your new members. They do have their reasons for joining. 

Forming committees is also important to the well-being of your Grange. Too many times, there are no reports given on the selected committees or no active committees to report. A membership committee is recommended in each Grange. The membership committee can be a select few or the whole of your current membership. Please report on this committee at each meeting. Some discussions about membership planning and ideas should be shared at all meetings.  

Kudos to all Granges who have a full calendar of events this year. I wish them the best in their accomplishments, and may they continue to prosper and grow!  

Degree Day Celebration April 2025

Several dozen candidates completed the Four Degrees at MSG Headquarters. Candidates came from Vassalboro, Union Harvest, Manchester, Androscoggin, Victor, Danville Junction, Lamoine, Winthrop, and Huntoon Hill Granges. In addition, Excelsior, Hollis, Chelsea, Willow, East Madison, Valley, Alexander and Halcyon Granges were represented, more than doubling the total attendance!

Lots of new members! As you might suspect, the altar circle was a challenge! Welcome to our Order!
Photo by David Colby Young.
Serving as Degree Masters were Bridget McKeen, Roberta Meserve, and Lynne Pomerleau.
Photo by David Colby Young.

The day was organized by Maynard Chapman and members of Androscoggin Pomona with assistance from other Granges around the state. It was great to see so many Grangers in one place–and many young faces. Thanks go to the many people who made this day possible.

Harvest Marchers are ready to go!
Photo by David Colby Young.

Special thanks go to Norma Meserve and Steve Verrill for their assistance gathering information for this post!

Communications Column – April 2025

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Whazup?

Ironically, our Grange fiscal year starts in the fall but for many Granges, their program year starts in the spring! If you attend this year’s Degree Day, you’ll also discover that conferring the First Degree takes place on a farm in the springtime. April is traditionally celebrated as Grange Month. So maybe it does all start here.

One way we find out is by answering the question “Whazup?” For those uninitiated in contemporary contractions and lingo, the question facing us is “What’s up in your Grange?” We could further complicate it by creating a series of questions:

  • What has happened (projects, programs, celebrations) in your Grange recently?
  • What is going to happen (projects, programs, celebrations) in your Grange in the future?

“Inquiring minds want to know…” is a phrase attributed to the tabloid newspaper “The National Enquirer” in the 1970s. In its original form, it was spelled enquiring, making it a catchy slogan that reflects the value of a curious mind that wants to know as much as possible.

Some of you will remember when the Maine State Grange published a bit of a print tabloid newspaper. Most Granges had a correspondent who submitted a version of whazup in their Grange. Sometimes the results were a bit “gossipy” but generally included short summaries of recent meetings and activities. It worked because it was informal and simple. It worked because it kept members around the state feeling connected.

As we spring into a new year, it’s tempting to suggest every Grange needs a correspondent—someone who is at least informally interested in proactively answering those whazup questions. The MSG Website is committed to serving, sharing, and connecting local Granges. That also means local Granges need to connect with us! Inquiring minds DO want to know (including mine!). We don’t need to formalize a program, we just need a few people who are willing to share whazup in our Granges.

There are many ways to do this. You can, for example, submit basic information about your events using the submit tab on the website. The advantage of this route is that the form will ensure you provide all the required information. (How many times have I seen events listed on social media with no location given?) Submitting to the site accomplishes a lot of things! If the event is in the future, it gets listed on the MSG Events Calendar. We’ll also create a post for you. Those posts stay on the site, get emailed to our website subscribers, and are easily shared on social media by anyone who subscribes to or visits the site. If you have a flyer for your event, attach it to an email and send it to webmaster@mainestategrange.org. We’ll take it from there!

If you volunteer to do this for your Grange, you might find the MSG Communications Handbook helpful! That handbook includes information that will help you communicate, publicize, and advertise your Grange. There are tips submitted by Granges and lists of major and weekly newspapers. Lots of helpful information!

We still have close to one hundred Granges in Maine. There should be (and probably are) more events than those listed on the calendar. That’s a great place to start—easy peasy! At least send the basics! We don’t list “regular” meetings—with the exception of Pomona Meetings—but if your regular meeting includes a special program, that qualifies! When in doubt, share it! The more advanced notice you give, the more we can help.

Inquiring minds do want to know. When we recently promoted Valley Grange’s Blanketeering event, we had people come from miles away and produce a record number of blankets. It works. Help us prove it by sharing whazup at your Grange.

The News Is Where You Find It. If you wonder how the Amish (who tend to shun technology and the Internet) stay connected around the country, check out this article.

► FACT: Did you know that the MSG Communications Handbook includes a list of daily and weekly newspapers in Maine with contact information?

Membership Moments – April 2025

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

This is a busy month for all Granges. April is Grange month, so there will be many activities going on at various times throughout the State of Maine. Open houses, giving membership certificates for longevity and degree days are happening. As you may have heard, there will be a degree day at 1 pm on Sunday, April 27, at State Grange Headquarters in Augusta performed by Androscoggin Pomona. If you have any candidates (including those who have been obligated but have not viewed the degrees), please bring them. This may be the only degree day scheduled. Last year was a success, so let’s attend and meet seasoned and new friends. I am pleased to hear positive things concerning Granges having taken in new members recently. Is your Grange one of those?

I will remind all Granges to please read the membership columns at your meetings. Please assign or volunteer a member to do that task. It is important that the information contained in the columns reach all members so that all of us know what is happening. Pomona Masters/Presidents, since all of you are part of the State Membership Committee, I would like you to place a bigger emphasis on increasing membership for Subordinate/Community and Pomona Granges. The more we all emphasize increasing membership as a priority in our Granges, the more likely it is to happen. There are many who would join if we just asked or shared information with them. Members of all ages are
welcomed with younger members especially needed. Who is going to take over when we have passed? Do you have youth in your Grange? I am not talking about young at heart, seasoned members, but those who are 14 to 35 years old. Not many of us do, which is scary. However, we CAN attract members if we put our minds to it. I have proposed to my own Grange a membership competition, the winner to receive a cash prize. What are your ideas? Please share them!!! Let’s all work together to rebuild our membership base.

Membership Moments – March 2025

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Grange month is here again which is a perfect time to boost your membership drives. Many events are happening all over the state; don’t be left behind!!! What are your plans to boost membership? Is everyone on board in your Grange on how to increase membership? Make it a contest. Challenge each member of your Grange to bring in one new member! Last year, there were a number of Granges who ended the membership year with a net gain (meaning the new members less death and demits). Let’s strive to beat the record of last year. It isn’t hard to do. Use your Grange projects to attract new members. Ask your community and various other organizations to help with the projects you have planned. For example, we advertised on social media to have the community children help make May baskets in the past, and some did show up and had a great time. We even got a few new members from our projects.

Community, cooperation and communication are the three C’s we should follow. Community is important for us to carry out our duties as Grangers. If there is no community, who will attend our suppers, craft fairs, farmers markets, etc. Then what would be our purpose? Cooperation makes the projects go smoothly and makes our Grange meetings run smoothly. We need cooperation to carry on the projects, to fill our Grange offices, to spawn ideas for future projects. Every member is unique and has their own ideas and thoughts. Every member is important, regardless of title or office. Let us all help one another and be there when needed. Not only your own Grange, but others, which is the purpose of the idea of a “sister” Grange. We would open up a new world of cooperation and learn from others as they will learn from us. Fresh ideas and new faces will give us a new perspective on how we view things on the outside and a new routine. Communication is a big deal. Everyone should be on the same page and all members be notified of events, projects, and meetings. Granges are not “social clubs” and must follow the rules of being a Grange. The social clubs are only interested in using a hall for their events and ruin the reputation of the Grange. They are subject to be shut down. Advertising is big because who will attend our events if no one knows about them. Miscommunication or no communication brings confusion, misunderstandings and bad blood. It has destroyed many Granges over the years and still does today. No one person “owns ” their Grange or is entitled to “own” a specific project. So many times we have heard or seen this happen. No good comes from it. Selfishness has no place in our Granges. We are there for a purpose. What is yours?

On April 27 at the State Grange Headquarters, a Degree Day will be held beginning at 1 pm. The first four degrees will be performed so anyone who has new members who have not seen the degrees are encouraged to attend.

Membership Moments – February 2025

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

We will talk this month about helping gain membership from within, not just within our Granges but within ourselves. I become inspired at times when I hear something on television or something that someone said. I was wondering what I was going to write about this month until I watched a segment on getting rid of negativity and being good to your enemies. Then it hit me; there is much most of us can do to change our thoughts to not only make us feel good but mainly also others so that we can emit those positive energies to others to bring forth positive, happy results. How often have we known a brother or sister who churns up bad feelings and energies by being selfish, vindictive, and threatening to quit if they don’t get their own way or cannot get along with others? Over the years, we all have seen this, and it destroys our goals. Outsiders (potential members) notice this, and they remember.

Who wants to be a member of any organization where negativity thrives or is constant? I have, in the past, transferred to other Granges for that reason because I did not want to be a part of this negativity, and it was affecting me because I allowed it to consume me. I then began feeling down. Leaving was the only solution, as those Granges did not survive (those Granges are not around today).

Every once in a while, I get a feeling of “Why do I write these columns since I rarely get a response or feel that nobody is reading them.” This is a negative feeling that is quickly discarded. But then, I think it is my duty as a membership director to write these columns for the Good of the Order. It isn’t about me. It’s about the Grange and my brothers and sisters. It makes me feel good to be able to share helpful information with others and to see it work. I am contributing to the growth of the organization that has done so much for me and my growth and that is always a great feeling. If nobody reads the columns or answers my requests, I still feel positive feelings because there is potential, and I am happy to contribute positive thoughts, suggestions, and actions. To be an active participant in the growth of the Grange makes me feel rewarded and good, and it is my duty to pass these feelings on to others and to guide them.

The road is long but is filled with good lessons and results. Stop and smell the roses; don’t trample on them. Enjoy the walk down that long road; take in the beauty and learn about yourself as well as others. You and the Grange will reap many rewards once you reach your destinations. Imagine if we were all on the same page. Wow!!!

It isn’t difficult to get rid of these negative feelings if we remain in control and really think. We all want to be happy and we can be by following a few simple steps. First, don’t hang on to negativity. Don’t worry if someone doesn’t like us. Don’t worry about anything at all. Find a solution. Ignore the hurtful comments of others; they are hurting themselves, so don’t let it hurt you. It will make you stronger and more confident. Don’t think of getting back at them or trying to hurt them because nothing is gained, and much is lost. There is no winner here. Treat your “enemies” with kindness; They will soon get tired of harassing you because you aren’t playing their game. As the saying goes, “Kill them with kindness.” Listen to others. Instead of a negative response or action, tell them, “I didn’t think of it that way,” or respond in a manner that won’t cause hurt feelings. If you don’t agree, then ask, “Did you ever think of doing it this way?” or give them something to think about. Don’t call them stupid or laugh at their idea or respond negatively.

Second, don’t try to dominate or pout or threaten to quit if you don’t get your own way. You aren’t doing anyone or the Grange any good by acting this way. You might as well not be a member because you are doing much more harm than good. Work on the suggestions of others. Try to absorb what they are saying and be a part of it. “That won’t work” or “That’s a dumb idea” should never be said. How do you know it won’t work? Because it wasn’t your idea? Because you have had conflicts with the person in the past and want revenge? Do a turnaround in a positive light, show excitement and encouragement and support. Even if the project doesn’t work out to your expectations, then dwell on what went right and make improvements. Work together for the Good of the Order. I have seen this great turnabout happen in my own Grange. We listen to each other, we respect each other, we support each other, we work together. In a few short years, we have gained so much: a new well and septic, acceptance and being noticed in the community, and a great core of friends. It is a pleasure to go to meetings and everyone is excited about our next projects. We plan ahead and everyone’s say is welcome and incorporated into the plans. It is a great pleasure to see more community members, the school and the town officers support our projects. Do they also feel the positive vibes we emit when we talk Grange or when we are in their midst?

Third, the two most powerful words are THANK YOU. Always thank others for their help, whether it be members or the community. Be grateful for what you have and what you all have done. Make others feel good by sharing your good feelings. If you have a productive Grange meeting, thank others for the great meeting. Whether you are the leader or not, still say thank you to your brothers and sisters for being a part of that Grange, for their friendship and devotion, for the reasons you are feeling good. Share your good thoughts with them and make it a “win/win” situation every time. You and your Grange cannot fail from this. Remember, the more positive we think, the more positive energy we attract, then the results will be positive. The same goes for the opposite. Just stop and think. You know which of the above you want, so work toward it and make the world a better place. It will take some work, but it can be done.