Tag: Grange Communication

President’s Perspective – August 2026

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

STATE GRANGE SESSION

The banquet buffet is scheduled for State session on Friday evening, October 30, at the Black Bear Inn. They will be serving beef tips, chicken cordon bleu, red potatoes, rice pilaf, green beans & baby carrots, stir fry vegetables, salad, rolls, and dessert. Tickets $40 each, purchased in advance, October 1st deadline. Lunches will be on your own. Session info has been mailed to Secretaries and Masters/Presidents of each Grange.

I am very pleased to announce our National Representative at State Session will be Barbara Foster, Pomona of the National Grange and Master/President of the West Virginia State Grange. I know you will give her a warm welcome.

Once again, anyone may attend the State Grange Session, as long as you are a 4th Degree (Subordinate/Community level) Grange member and have the passwords for the gate. (To receive the passwords from your Grange, your dues must be paid.) After the opening on the 1st day of State Session is completed, we lower to the 4th Degree and all work is conducted in the fourth degree, like your regular Grange meeting you are welcome to sit in at the meeting and listen. Only registered delegate(s), may vote on the issues and elections, but this does not exclude you from attending.

OFFICER and DEPARTMENT REPORTS

These are due in the office no later than September 15th. (written or emailed to my email SHarriman@twc.com and to the office). I prefer emailed reports. These dates may seem early, but getting everything put together for the session takes time, especially when we have to keep adding on the procrastinators.

MASTERS/PRESIDENTS and SECRETARIES

Of the 71 Subordinate/Community and 12 Pomona Granges, we have received 42 total roster forms. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE PROVIDED THEM! Another strong reminder to the rest of you: WE NEED YOUR CORRECT ROSTER INFORMATION– Which day or days and time is your meeting, (example 1st & 3rd Tues at 7 pm) Name, address, phone, cell phone and email address for each –Master/President, Lecturer, Secretary and CWA Chairman are due. Please type or print clearly. If you don’t have a form, send the information we requested anyway. During the meeting, when the Master asks, “Have the reports to State Grange and Pomona been made?” This question includes any information requested from your Grange. Even if there are no changes, please drop us an email or note to let us know that.

While on this subject of roster information I have received, several of you have changed the day or days and/or time of your meetings to something different. This is a bylaw change and does need a vote of the Grange and State Grange approval. So get those by-laws typed up and sent to me. If you have changed your dues fee, that is also a by-law change, if your bylaws say $3.00 that’s what you charge, so adjustments must be made to your bylaws to accommodate the change. When you make the changes, the word “minimum” may be added to cover future adjustments.

ANNUAL AUDIT OF GRANGE ACCOUNTS

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 be keeping written records of receipts and expenditures to have audited at the end of the Grange year.

GRANGE COMMITTEES

Committees are appointed by the Master and the Overseer 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/President.

  • 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.
  • Committee for Women’s Activities conducts projects and contests, which encourage the development and use of the members’ 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 Grange 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 — appointed for limited periods of time to manage and control special projects.   

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

 We have just installed a new metal roof; it affects and/or blocks my cell phone and internet service, so be patient, I’ll do my best to answer calls and emails. Happy Summer!   

Fraud Watch- Tech Support Scams

Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

A new surge of tech support scams is threatening consumers. Criminals use scary warning pop-up messages, or cold calls pretending to be a major software company to gain access to your device.

Many modern tech support alerts closely resemble real system warnings, making them difficult to detect at first glance. Vulnerable targets include standalone home computers, tablets used for online banking, and personal laptops used in busy public Wi-Fi areas.

If your screen freezes or a strange alert pops up, pause before reacting. Reflect on what you might have heard (or read) about scams that start out like this. To clear the warnings, you may have to shut down your device to get rid of them.

To help stay safe, keep your operating system and antivirus software up to date. If you are concerned that your device may be compromised, get it checked out at a repair shop you trust.

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.

Share this news!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Communication Shorts 08-2-2026

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!

The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330.
 mainestategrange@gmail.com. For website matters, email webmaster@mainestategrange.org.

August Bulletin

Don’t forget! August 14 is the deadline for the Bulletin! Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Monroe Grange Store–National Grange Statement

The National Grange decided not to renew its licensing Agreement with Monroe Classic, Inc. upon its expiration on August 26, 2026. Monroe Classic, Inc. has since requested that we “cancel our license agreement now and not after expiration” as we proposed. This request has been accepted. Therefore, effective immediately, Monroe Classic, Inc. cannot represent that it is a licensed or authorized vendor of Grange merchandise. As before, any Grange may work with any vendor of their choosing (including Monroe Classic, Inc.) to create merchandise with Grange trademarks, names, logos, or other protected marks. If your vendor requires a letter of authorization to use our trademark, please contact the Communications Department.

Deadlines

Roster information is due NOW- actually, it’s overdue. Resolutions are due August 15, 2026.

Words for Thirds – Book Exchange Boxes

Are you getting ready for this year’s distribution? Are your BEBs and Little Free Libraries stocked for fall? It may be the end of summer, but it’s the beginning of the school year and learning.

What’s Going On?

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! We’ll soon be adding more months to the online event calendar. You’re planning ahead, right?

To Ponder…

“The tans will fade but the memories will last forever.”

Anonymous

An Idea for Your Grange

If you follow the Grange Fiscal Year and practice, this is a good time to dedicate a meeting to reviewing your accomplishments and planning your future.

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 and Grange friends!

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. Updated January 16, 2026.

Fraud Watch- Jury Duty Scams

Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Scammers often use fear and intimidation to convince people of their scheme. In jury duty scams, criminals call or message posing as court officials, US marshals, or sheriff’s deputies. They falsely claim that you missed a jury summons and threaten you with immediate arrest unless you pay right away.

To heighten the panic, criminals often spoof caller ID screens to display a local courthouse or police department number. They aggressively demand that you stay on the phone while you purchase gift cards, send a wire transfer, or deposit money into a cryptocurrency account. In other instances, they may ask for your Social Security number under the guise of checking records.

Real courts will never contact you out of the blue to demand immediate payment or sensitive information over the phone, nor do they threaten jail time for a missed jury summons. Official court business regarding jury service is managed exclusively through the mail. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and verify the claim by calling your local courthouse directly.

Learn how to spot and avoid scams with AARP Fraud Watch Network™. Suspect a scam? Call our free helpline at 877-908-3360 and talk to one of our fraud specialists about what to do next.

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out our online form or send an email to me@aarp.org.

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.

Share this news!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

August Grange Events

This is not all-inclusive, just what has been submitted. Remember that many national and state contest deadlines happen in August.

First and Third Monday, 8 am – 10 am, Coffee Open House at Manchester Grange.
Every Monday, 6 pm – 8 pm, Winthrop Grange offers free sewing classes.
Every Monday, at 7 PM, St George Grange hosts Music Night. Enjoy live music, bring a musical instrument and play, or get up and sing.
Every Monday, 10:30 am- 12:30 pm, Vassalboro Grange hosts Movement Mondays, a kid-friendly dance event. Email FMI
Every Tuesday, 8:30 AM- 10:00 AM, Vassalboro Grange hosts Coffee on the Porch. Email FMI
Every Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM, Kennebec Valley Grange hosts a flea market that fills two floors. Details here or call Diane Pinkham at 207 314-5135 FMI.

  • August 2, 2026, Pancake Breakfast at Vassalboro Grange,
  • August 7, 2026 East Madison Grange Open Mic Night at 7 pm. All musicians, poets and other performers are invited to perform.
  • August 8, 2026, Chewonki Owls of Maine at Vassalboro Grange, 8:00 am – 10:00 am.
  • August 8, 2026, Vassalboro Grange Estatic Dance, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Email FMI
  • August 8, 2026, Winthrop Grange Public Bean Supper, 4 pm- 6 pm. Take-out available.
  • August 8, 2026, St George Grange Public Supper, 5 pm. FMI
  • August 8, 2026, Work Day at the New England Grange Building in West Springfield, MA.
  • August 9, 2026, Vassalboro Grange Philosophy Table Potluck, 5:00 pm Email FMI
  • August 12, 2026, Fairview Grange Hunter Safety Class
  • August 14, 2026, MSG Bulletin Deadline
  • August 15, 2026, Resolutions are due at the state office.
  • August 15, 2026, Open Mic and Coffee House at Vassalboro Grange, 6 pm – 8 pm Email FMI
  • August 21, 2026, CWA Deadline for contest entries (except baking) to arrive at Manchester Grange. FMI
  • August 21, 2026, Victor Grange in Fairfield hosts a free senior lunch, 11 AM – 1 PM.
  • August 22, 2026, CWA Conference at Manchester Grange starting at 9:30 am. Subordinate and Pomona Reports are due to the state director.
  • August 22, 2026, Fairview Grange Hunter Safety Class
  • August 29, 2026, Contra Dance at Vassalboro Grange
  • August 31, 2026, Community Service Reports are due, including nominations, FHH Activity, etc. See Program Book FMI.

Grange Today! 7-24-2026

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • Raising the Flag, Honoring the Future: Sammamish Valley Grange celebrates America250 with Flag Day Event
  • NREA Partners with National Grange to Expand Collaboration Across Rural America
  • Is Your Grange Ready to Make a Difference?
  • Pave the “Route to the Future” at the 160th Annual National Grange Convention
  • Statement from National Grange Regarding Monroe Classic, Inc.
  • View from the Hill
  • The Countdown is On: One Year Until Grange Revival 2027!
  • Request Alzheimer’s materials for your local fairs
  • Reports and Contests Due Soon
  • Encouraging Creativity in the Age of AI
  • Recipes from the Heartland
  • Grange Member Benefit: Clouse Insurance
  • Grange Store: Good Day! July 2026

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!

Read the Current Issue

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.

Fraud Watch- QR Code Scams

Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

QR codes have become a convenient part of our daily lives, from viewing restaurant menus to paying for parking meters. However, scammers are increasingly taking advantage of this technology to steal your personal information and money through a tactic known as “squishing.” By physically pasting fraudulent stickers over legitimate ones, or sending fake codes via email or text, criminals can redirect you to malicious websites meant to mimic trusted businesses.

 In public settings, you might unknowingly scan a tampered code on a flyer or parking meter, sending your payment directly into a scammer’s account.

Protecting yourself requires extra caution. When scanning a physical QR code, ensure it’s not a sticker layered over the original. When in doubt, avoid the QR code entirely, and use your phone’s web browser and type in the official web address yourself.  Additionally, keeping your devices’ operating systems updated and using antivirus protection can offer an important second line of defense.

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.

Share this news!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

You’ll Miss Us!

a “webatorial” by MSG Communications Director
Walter Boomsma

Seth Godin wrote an interesting post suggesting that when people move away, cards and cake should read, “You’ll miss us” instead of “We’ll miss you.” He points out that the community remains.

One of the more powerful sentences in the short post was, “When a marketer serves a community, they create the conditions where they’d be missed–because the ideas or products or services they bring are important, not simply tolerated.“

With apologies to Seth, I changed a word or two. “When a Grange serves a community, they create the conditions where they’d be missed–because the ideas or services they bring are important, not simply tolerated.“

My revision raises a question for Granges. Would your communities miss you if you were gone? Would they even notice? Are you important or simply tolerated?

One of the challenges we face as an organization is relevance in communities that are loosely defined and increasingly diverse. If our vision is narrow and our goals are limited, we will be missed by an ever-diminishing number of people. For example, not everyone likes potluck suppers.

Seth’s short message is that marketers should see a worthwhile goal of creating ideas, products, or services that the community would miss.

Maybe it’s time for Granges to figure out what they can create and offer that their communities would miss.

Fraud Watch- Utility Scams

Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

As rising summer temperatures cause energy demands to increase, criminals exploit fears of losing power and air conditioning by posing as local utility companies.

Scammers place threatening phone calls, phishing emails, or urgent text messages aimed at convincing consumers to supply personal data or to click on unverified links to resolve a past-due balance. Oftentimes these schemes are accompanied by a push to receive instant payment through unconventional payment methods like gift cards, or cryptocurrency.  

If you receive an unexpected threat to terminate your service, take an active pause and contact the utility company’s customer service department using the number from your physical bill or the company’s website (don’t search – go directly to the site) to check your account status. Chances are it’s a scam.

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.

Share this news!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

St George Grange Chair-ity Auction

Recycling at it’s best!

Members of the St. George Grange came up with the whimsical idea of having 17 local artists paint some of their vintage wooden chairs and chose Zero to School as the recipient of this CHAIR-ITY fundraiser auction.  These ONE-OF-A-KIND works of art represent both the talent and generosity of these artists.

Check out the amazing chairs and the auction, and learn more about Zero to School! Bidding closes on July 19, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

Check ouT the Chairs!