Tag: Grange Procedure

Communication Shorts 04-16-2026

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.

April Bulletin

The April Bulletin is now available for downloading and printing. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Degree Day Reminders

The  Androscoggin Pomona Grange Degree Day at Manchester Grange is fast approaching! (This is for the Four Degrees.) If you have candidates attending, please let Norma Meserve know! Also, remember that candidates should bring a completed application. The Sagadahoc Fifth Degree Work has been canceled, although the meeting will be held.

Website Outages

The situation appears to have improved! I will continue to monitor outages. Some fundamental issues with our current provider remain. For the long term, it may be best to move the site to a different server. Stay tuned!

Grange Visiting

We’ve been getting questions from folks interested in visiting Granges other than their own. It’s a great idea! Check out this post for some resources that will help you plan that!

Resource (Secretary’s Form for Minutes)

In a very roundabout way, I recently received the form for recording meeting minutes as a pdf. It’s now available as a resource on our website in the Secretary’s Section. There are actually two versions available. Choose wisely! (I don’t believe either are required-just offered to be helpful.)

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! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened. What’s your meeting magic?

To Ponder…

“Over the years of grassroots advocacy, I have learned: People want help, but they don’t want structure. People want leadership, but they resent authority.

June Stoyer

An Idea for Your Grange

Mystery rides are surprise outings or trips in which the destination and itinerary are kept hidden from participants until the last moment. See the Grange Visiting short. You could stop for ice cream on the way back!

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.

Visiting Other Granges Fun

By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director

We’ve had several requests for information about visiting other Granges, so we’re reviewing some of the resources available. Part of the challenge is that there are multiple databases and sources that do not always connect.

Plans and people change. If you plan to visit another Grange event or meeting, a best practice is to contact that Grange beforehand. The online Directory of Granges is a good source of contact information. If you have difficulty reaching someone, I’ll try to help!

The Website Event Calendar lists Grange events (not regular meetings) that we know about. We’re totally dependent on Granges submitting their information and many don’t. (Click the blue link to it on the website.)

The online Directory of Granges is recently updated. It does not list meeting dates, but has contact information. I’d strongly suggest using this to confirm any meetings or events you are planning to attend. (Click the blue link to it on the website.)

The Printed Roster Book should be available from your Grange Secretary. It has by far the most information, but it may be outdated as plans and people change.

Subordinate/Community Grange Links are listed in a sidebar on the MSG website.

A Website Subscription will help you stay informed about the events we are told about as we learn of them.  (Click the blue link to sign up on the website.)

Remember, the Grange is a fraternal organization! If the word didn’t have any conotation, I’d say, “Let’s fraternize!”

Communications Column – April 2026

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

AI-generated image

Magic Meetings

I recently consulted with a group (not Grange-related) that is setting up a new type of meeting. It was an interesting, if not frustrating, experience.

They had a unique opportunity to create something extraordinary and engaging. Yet they seemed determined to keep things as ordinary as possible.

The group focused on safety in the planning process. Much of the discussion centered on what the group didn’t want to do. It was as if they were determined to focus on the limitations. However unintentionally, they committed to creating and promoting boredom.

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of frustration from Granges (including my own) that are struggling to reach a quorum of seven members at meetings. It’s an undeniable reality that there is a lot of competition for members’ attention.

Perhaps we’re missing the magic. If we want something to be exciting, why aren’t we excited about planning it? Much of Grange’s policy and practice encourages tradition, and that’s important and valuable. But we need to acknowledge that tradition can become boring, especially for people who thrive on excitement.

In plain language, would someone rather watch their grandchild’s baseball game or come to the Grange hall to complete the ritual?

There’s some irony in this. I am usually elected moderator of our town’s meetings. I always invite people to join in the Pledge of Allegiance as we begin. This year, I was thanked both privately and publicly for doing so. I didn’t expect people to be excited over reciting the pledge! I also am quite sure people don’t come to town meetings just for that. In fact, this year our attendance was double the usual because of competition for one particular office. Attendance also improves when there’s something to “fight” about.

I’m not suggesting Grange meetings should be based on fighting, but we’d better find some ways to create some magic and engagement. Our meetings should not just focus on an obligation to attend. We need to make some magic!

FACT: In the past twelve months, site views have increased 7%, and post/page views have increased 16%!

Grange Today! 4-10-2026

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • The Grange as a Third Space: Reclaiming Community, Learning, and Sustenance
  • Statement from the National Grange on Altered Logos, Including AI-Generated Logos
  • Celebrating a 90-year member!
  • Grange Heirloom for April
  • Support the Grange Foundation through the Common Routes Challenge
  • What you need to know about AI scams
  • Hamp Watch: Where is our National Grange President?
  • Join us in Broken Arrow
  • Grange Store Notice
  • Recipes from the Heartland
  • Grange Member Benefit: MemberDeals
  • Grange Store: 50-year Golden Sheaf Pins

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.

Degree Day Reminder!

The  Androscoggin Pomona Grange Degree Day at Manchester Grange is fast approaching! If you have candidates attending, please let Norma Meserve know!

Also, remember that candidates should bring a completed application.

Manchester Grange is located at 953 Western Avenue in Manchester, Maine

Fifth Degree Day Change

By Marilyn Stinson
207 380-3901

Enterprise Grange is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road in Richmond, Maine.

Sagadahoc Pomona will NOT be doing the Fifth Degree at Enterprise in Richmond on April 29, 2026.

There will be a regular meeting, and other Grangers are welcome. We will be able to do the New Alternative Welcome Ceremony.

Potluck supper at 6:00, meeting at 7:00.

President’s Perspective – April 2026

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

Among the brown leaves I saw several bunches of daffodil and jonquil shoots up about 4 inches, the forsythia is budded, and even little spots of green are showing up more and more — that’s progress for “spring” to be upon us.   

CELEBRATING GRANGE MONTH

As we get back into our halls for meetings, I remind you again that specific actions must take place for all meetings.  Opening the Grange & Alternative Opening  to open in “full form or due form” means to follow the prescribed Ritual/instructions in the Grange manual, which includes opening the Bible, taking the passwords & reporting, opening the implement case, the salutation given (prescribed hand salute), Salute to the Flag, and the Charter displayed in the hall. The Grange MUST be opened in full form for Conferral of Degrees, Obligation or Welcome Ceremony, even at a special meeting where this is all you are doing, at your own meeting or someplace else. Alternative Opening is a little shorter version of the full form.

The Annual Password: may only be given by the Master/President of your Grange to members who have paid their dues up to date including the current year. If you are taking candidates to Degree Day(s) please let your Secretary know the member has received the Degrees.

Signs and Salutations:  The Code Book or Secret Work describes how to make the signs of each of the degrees (levels) and the Salutation is made by giving the signs of all the degrees consecutively and is accompanied with specific wording during the opening and closing ceremonies. The Master/President says the words and the members silently and simultaneously make the salutation. 

Business of the Grange: including motions may only be conducted or carried out when the Grange is opened and working in full form with a quorum present (7 members of your Grange). Opening in full form means following the prescribed manual format for either traditional or alternative opening. Both include opening the Bible, opening the implement case, giving the salutation (the hand signals) and salute to the flag. Business cannot be conducted outside the meeting then announced to the rest of the membership. All must have the opportunity to discuss and vote on all issues. 

Making Motions:  Any member of that Grange may make a motion and it MUST be seconded by a different member of your Grange. If the motion is not seconded, discussion cannot take place and the motion is lost.  Simple majority carries or loses the motion. The Master may not make a motion, however they may ask the membership if someone wants to make a motion.

Subordinate and Pomona By-Laws: Granges are to keep By-Laws up to date and provide a copy for the office.  Changes may be made by vote of 2/3 of members present and voting at a subsequent meeting after the suggested change has been submitted in writing to all members.

Vacancies in Office: May be filled by election at the next regular meeting of the various Granges of the divisions of the Order. Or not later than the 2nd meeting after the vacancy.

Membership: Fraternal Individual Membership (standard) and Affiliate Membership are the two types of membership we have in Maine. Both are attained by application into a Grange, fee paid, voted into membership and receive degrees or obligation ceremony. Affiliate membership may be held in one additional Grange at the same time as the standard membership, affiliate members have the right to vote and hold office in the additional Grange.

Election of Officers:  Full elections are required in each Grange and yes, we use paper ballots for each officer.  After election the reelected or newly elected Master will appoint and give the names of the committee chairmen to the Secretary asap after election, so the Subordinate or Pomona Secretary can provide the info to the office.

Reimbursement Grant Program:  The 2026 Reimbursement Grants for Community Service Program we do have is to reimburse half of the expenses up to $250, for Community Service work done by your Grange such as the Dictionary Project, Cemetery cleanup, or Christmas party for area families. Your secretary will receive the paperwork for the program or contact the office for the form. The Maine State Grange does not give Grants for building repairs, improvements or property upgrades, etc.  One reimbursement per Grange per year. Forms sent to the Secretary in a mailing earlier this year.   The project must be completed and the receipts for materials only, sent to the Maine State Grange by September 1. 

  

Communication Shorts 03-28-2026

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.

April Bulletin

Items for the printed April Bulletin must be submitted by the end of the day, April 14. Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

2026 State Session

You may want to note that the State Session is scheduled for October 30-31 at the Black Bear Inn, Orono! Mark your calendar!

Website Outages

Hopefully, the worst is over! Supposedly, the site has been moved to new servers, but we did have another 20-minute outage on Thursday. We’re continuing to monitor and will keep everyone posted. If improvements don’t happen soon, I will initiate the process of finding a new provider. It’s a big job that I’m hoping to avoid!

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! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine. We also love photos and reports of events that have happened.

To Ponder…

“April is a promise that May is bound to keep.”

Hal Borland

An Idea for Your Grange

Cribbage seems to be catching on! Could your Grange sponsor a Cribbage Club? It could be a regular informal gathering, or maybe even include a tournament.

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.

Grange Today! 3-27-2026

The Newsletter of the National Grange

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange Awards $40,000 to make Direct Community Impact
  • Addressing the Rising Alzheimer’s Crisis in Rural America
  • Congratulations to our winners!
  • View from the Hill
  • Opinion: Women’s Health Progress Must Reach Rural America
  • Grange Month is Around the Corner
  • Rural Minds Launches New Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program
  • Grange Store Notice
  • Walk More to Stress Less: Get Moving to Improve Well-Being
  • Recipes from the Heartland
  • Member Benefit: Choice Hotels
  • Grange Store: Membership Pins

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.

Communication Shorts 03-16-2026

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.

March Bulletin

The March Bulletin is now available! Recent issues of the Bulletin are available on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Grangers Helping Grangers

As you help us by submitting your news and events, the energy grows! Grange members are contacting other members with questions and suggestions. That’s one of the objectives we have for the MSG website. “We’re Grangers. We help each other.”

Seeking Someone?

Do you, your child, or your grandchild have some knowledge of WordPress? (For those unfamiliar, WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, manage, and customize websites without needing advanced coding knowledge. The Maine State Grange Website uses it.) If so, let’s connect and explore some opportunities. I could use a few hours of volunteer help occasionally.

Rapid Resource

We’re always seeking resources of potential interest to Grangers and Friends that are not necessarily specific to the Grange. These will be short and easy to digest. As an example, the first concerns finding and tracking scholarships. You can help! Let me know what you think and, by all means, submit ideas and suggestions.

What’s Going On?

Last call for Grange Month Events!

Don’t forget to submit your special events and programs for our event calendar! We want people to know the Grange is thriving! Surely, there are lots of Grange things happening in Maine.

To Ponder…

“You help people when they need help, not when you are ready to help them.”

James Clear

An Idea for Your Grange

How about a clothing swap offering children’s clothing, work attire, sports wear, seasonal wear, and gently worn shoes? Offer participants a sustainable way to repurpose their clothing within the community.

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.