Membership Moments

Rick Grotton

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Here it is September again, and time for the installation of your officers and close to the beginning of a new Grange year.  Each month, I give you advice and tips on how to gain and keep membership. This year, let’s do something different. I would like to hear from you, the members, tips, and advice to share with our readers. Also, any questions you have for the Membership Committee will be answered and put in each monthly column. This is not a one-time request; it is ongoing because I want us ALL to be involved to help each other. 

Each meeting, address the issue of membership and come up with a list of questions and tips to ASK RICK, and he will answer and share. I have given you all my views over the years, but I am sure you will have more information for me to share. Again, I say that membership should be your top priority and that all of us are responsible for finding new members. Please let me know! 

Coming Soon?

Maybe several things! One that we’re sure of is another resource page for Granges and Grangers. This time, we’ll be introducing an easy-peasy community service that’s already being offered in over 200,000 locations around the world.

The Grange has always emphasized education and literacy. One of our signature programs, Words for Thirds, is an example. Now, in addition to making dictionaries available to third graders, we’re looking at a way to make many books available to everyone through library boxes located at our Grange Halls.

While these libraries do not have to be part of the Little Free Library project, they do offer some great ideas and inspiration.

The resource page we’re building will be available soon. It will include information about several libraries located at Granges in Maine. If your Grange has one or would like, please tell us about it!

Exploring Traditions – September, 2025

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

How intelligent is this?

I’ve departed from my usual format for this column. I asked ChatGPT (an artificial intelligence platform) to write my column, giving it the topic of “Grange Ritual.” We had a short “conversation” to help it come up with an angle. It offered several suggestions.) I kept my input minimal to see how it would do using what it found on the Internet. What you think of AI aside, do you give the result a thumbs up or a thumbs down? Online readers can use the “Leave a comment” link to the left.

The Grange Ritual is more than words spoken at a meeting. It is a journey through the seasons of the year and the stages of life, reminding us that we are part of something larger than ourselves.

In spring, we are called to see life as new and full of promise. Just as the farmer prepares the soil and plants seeds in hope, we too are urged to cultivate faith, optimism, and a willingness to grow.

Summer represents strength and labor. The heat of the sun and the work of the fields remind us that progress is born of effort. It is a season of energy, responsibility, and perseverance—a time to give our best to the tasks before us.

With autumn comes maturity and reflection. The harvest teaches gratitude: what we reap is not only the result of our own labor, but also of the Creator’s gifts, the earth’s abundance, and the fellowship of those who labor with us.

Finally, winter invites rest and renewal. Far from being an end, it symbolizes the promise of continuation—of seeds waiting quietly for another spring. It reminds us to value memory, wisdom, and the quiet strength that sustains community across generations.

Even the simplest tools of the farm carry meaning in the Ritual. The plow, the hoe, the spade—all speak of honesty, patience, and diligence. They remind us that no labor is too humble when done with integrity and purpose.

Above all, the Ritual teaches interdependence. Just as a farm thrives when soil, sun, rain, and labor work together, so does a community flourish when its members share in fellowship, equality, and mutual support.

The Grange Ritual is not a relic of the past, but a living reminder: every season has purpose, every tool has meaning, and every life has value. It encourages us to sow kindness, labor with faith, and harvest hope—trusting that even in winter, spring is always on the way.

By the way, I did not edit this, just copied and pasted it. What do you think?

***

The Kindle Edition of  “Friend of the Farmer” is available from Amazon, currently priced at $2.99.

Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-seventh edition of the 2023 Subordinate Grange Manual or the most recent edition of the Pomona Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Exploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange. Information about the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life” can be found at http://abbotvillagepress.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.

Communications Column – September 2025

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Can we “c” this?

The recent reminders of the Grange’s “non-partisan” policy are timely, as it has become increasingly difficult to comply with for at least two reasons. First, many people have become quite intense over their political affiliation. Second, political issues are increasingly seen as party issues.

Pick a “hot” issue–it almost doesn’t matter what the issue is. Gun control? Education? The environment? Can we discuss it without becoming partisan? The odds are good the discussion will quickly devolve into “choosing sides.” Of itself, that’s not a bad thing until the “side” becomes the issue. Often, labels take the place of the actual issue. It’s tempting to ban political discussions in the interest of maintaining harmony.

Have you noticed that the words “party” (or partisan) and “political” are being used almost interchangeably? If the Grange is non-partisan, must it be non-political? What happens to our legislative interests and efforts? How do we write and then discuss resolutions without stumbling over the line?

Years ago, I worked with a guy who often noted that people like to talk about things, but they rarely talk about HOW they are going to talk about those things. So, if the Grange is to remain “non-partisan” but not abandon our interest (and original purpose!) in legislative matters, how do we do that? (That, in and of itself, is an interesting topic. I am tempted to digress into the point that practice is ultimately policy. What we do communicates our values as an organization far more than what we say.)

In all our discussions and deliberations, we need to “c” some things about the purpose of communication. Here’s a partial list:

  • compassion,
  • cordiality,
  • concern,
  • consideration,
  • cooperation,
  • collaboration,
  • charity.

In essentials, unity; In non-essentials, liberty; In all things, charity.

The Grange Motto

Too often, we communicate to convince. Can we, instead, communicate to explore? Can we, in all sincerity, ask another with whom we might initially disagree, “Help me understand…” It’s a great question. Let’s communicate to understand. Understanding does not have to equate to agreement.

Within the Grange, we aim to reaffirm (and hopefully agree on) the essentials of community building, education, and non-partisan grassroots advocacy. We succeed when we allow personal freedom and respect for diverse opinions that are not crucial to the organization’s core mission. The wisdom of the founders is evident in the fraternal nature of the Grange.

The order of our motto is critical. First and foremost, let’s focus on the essentials. (The Declaration of Purpose is a good place to start.) We allow–maybe even encourage–personal freedom of choice. And we practice the “c’s” in the interest of achieving the essentials.

Let us be quiet, peaceful citizens…”

If things start to get out of hand during a Grange meeting, the master might do well to bang the gavel and declare loudly, “Let us be quiet, peaceful citizens,” not because we’re about to “separate and go our separate ways,” but because one essential thing we’ve agreed to is simply that. We will be quiet (but not silent), peaceful citizens. And we’re going to help each other understand what that means while we explore.

We’re Grangers; we help each other.

► FACT: The Communications Department’s Annual Report has been released and is available on the Program Books and Information Page.

Grange Heirloom — September 2025

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.

Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!

For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.

By the Book —   a message from Chris Hamp, National President

I want to remind each of you and ask that you make it a priority to remind your membership of our long-standing and unwavering non-partisan policy, which has been part of our Order since day one. Our Constitution, Declaration of Purposes, and Bylaws clearly state that the Grange is not, and must never become, a partisan or party organization and this must be reflected in all we do. This applies to every publication at every level, oral reports at Grange meetings, social media posts made in the name of the Grange, and any other communication. I ask that you carefully review and ensure that all communications are free of partisan comments, endorsements, or implications. When we drift into comments about people and parties rather than focusing on issues, we erode the very bonds of unity built by our non-partisan approach. Our strength lies in being a trusted, non-partisan voice for rural America, and it is vital that we preserve that trust through our words and actions. That unity is what makes the Grange one of the few remaining places where civil dialogue across differences can thrive – and it is essential we protect it.

CHAPTER I – CONSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

1.12.1 Denominational religious or partisan political matters shall not be the subject of discussions in the work of the Order, and no religious or political tests for membership shall be applied.

CHAPTER II – DECLARATION OF PURPOSES OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE OF THE ORDER OF PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

2.5.1 We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft-repeated truth taught in our Constitutional Law, that the Grange — National, State, Pomona or Subordinate — is not a partisan or party organization.

CHAPTER X – CODE OF ALL GRANGES 10.1.4 No Grange of the various divisions of the Order shall use or allow to be used any name, insignia or mark of the Order in a manner which could indicate support, approval or opposition of any candidate for political office or any partisan political position.

MSG President Sherry requested that we post and publish this important message!

President’s Perspective – September 2025

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

The full election of officers for the Maine State Grange will take place on Saturday, October 18.

Any Grange member in good standing may be elected to a State Office. Your dues must be paid up to date in your own Subordinate Grange and Pomona Grange.

During the election process, one of the voting delegates must present the name of the prospective person for that particular office. You may not present your own name, and there will be no speeches or campaigning. The voting delegates then vote on their choice, by written ballot, from the names presented, or by writing another name on the ballot; the majority of the ballots cast elects the officer. If your name is presented for an office, you may decline without giving a reason if you choose to.

Who may vote at the Annual State Grange Session?

The Delegates are those members selected by the vote of their Subordinate or Pomona Granges to represent their Grange and vote on issues and elections. The Grange dues must be paid up to date at the time of the State session in order for your delegates to be entitled to vote. Each Grange may send two members as delegates and may select two alternates as well. The names of the two delegates and two alternates must be registered with the State Grange Secretary on a form provided. No other persons may be substituted to vote as delegates if they are not on the registration form. (Emergency changes may be made by phone or email prior to opening of the session.) A member may only represent one Subordinate Grange and/or one Pomona Grange.

Custodial Accounts held by Maine State Grange

We are holding funds for several Granges with our State Grange accounts. Also, several Granges have merged over the past few years, and the NET proceeds from the sale of the closed property are held in a “Custodial Account” on behalf of the consolidated Grange for their use for repairs and upgrades to their present hall and property. To get these funds for use, you must submit written estimates from a contractor, on their letterhead or billing invoice: describing the work to be done, listing materials, estimated hours, and terms of the contract – including deposit amount, payment expectations, and expected work dates, etc. This written estimate and information must be sent to the Maine State Grange office, either by email or standard mail, for my review and acceptance. Then it will be passed on to the State Treasurer for issue of the check(s). The check(s) will be made out to the contractor and mailed to the Secretary of the Grange or other designated person of the Grange. Upon completion of the work, the payment request must go through the Maine State Grange in the same manner. Each time you need more funds for repairs or work to be done, the same process must be followed. If these funds are in a CD, there may be a fee to withdraw funds before the maturity date of the CD.    Net Proceeds: After the sale of property there are charges taken out of the gross or total sale price: Realtor Commission(s) vary according to the contract; State closing costs; Attorney fees for deed transfers and other pertinent paperwork; State Corporation fees; insurance coverage; utilities, if applicable and any other costs associated with the property before and after the final sale. The Maine State Grange does not use your money except as it is associated with the property. Maine State Grange does not charge a custodial fee – even though we could. We are not trying to keep you from your funds, but ensuring they are used as intended and in accordance with the By-Laws of the National and State Granges.

Communication Shorts 9-1-2025

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!

September Bulletin

Deadline for this month’s Bulletin is September 14th. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

An Annual Report?

It’s the end of the Grange Year. Certain State Officers and Directors are expected to file an annual report of their activities and accomplishments. (We’ll be publishing them on the site as they are received.) Have you considered putting one together for your Grange? You can think of your communities as your stockholders. Let them know what you have done this year!

Dates and Deadlines

Fall is coming. Some might say it’s already here. With the start of another Grange Fiscal Year, essential dates and deadlines abound! ODDs Note: Annual Reports and Program Books are due soon!

Annual Purge Continues

We’re removing dated information from the website. This includes documents, posts, and photos. While some things are considered timeless, a general policy is to remove items that are more than two years old.

Think About This!

“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.”

Richard Bach

An Idea for Your Grange

It’s time to start thinking about Words for Thirds! And it’s not too early to think about Holiday Craft Fairs.

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!

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.

Communication Shorts 8-16-2025

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!

August Bulletin

The August Bulletin is finished and will be mailed soon. Recent issues of the Bulletin can be found on the Program Books and Information Page in the communications section.

Having a Raffle?

Raffles (gambling) are heavily regulated, and licensing is required! That’s easy to forget when fundraising because Granges usually fall under some exceptions provided in Maine Law. One exception is raffles where the prizes are less than $2,500. A second exception involves “certain organizations,” including “an agricultural society.” It can get complicated, particularly if the raffle is conducted as an “internet raffle.” While we, MSG, will promote your raffle, we are not assuming responsibility for meeting these legal requirements.

Dates and Deadlines

Fall is coming. Some might say it’s already here. With the start of another Grange Fiscal Year, essential dates and deadlines abound! Just one example is that roster information is now due!

Annual Purge Begins

We’ve already started removing dated information from the website. This includes documents, posts, and photos. While some things are considered timeless, a general policy is to remove items that are more than two years old.

Think About This!

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

William James

An Idea for Your Grange

We are currently drafting a resource and information page about establishing Little Free Libraries at Grange Halls. If you have one or are interested, please let us know!

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!

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 consult these directories often.
  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.

Exploring Traditions – August, 2025

Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life

By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist

Let’s Take a Class

If you’ve been following this column, you know that I’ve been “sort of” reading Charles Gardeners book Friend of the Farmer 1867-1947. I confess that it probably doesn’t qualify as a page turner, but it is a fascinating read.

In the past, I’ve raised a question about how we describe the action of new members and the degrees. Most of the current common language is quite passive. I often hear that new members should “take,” “get,” or “receive” the degrees. Of course, as a writer, I find that it feels incomplete and maybe an opportunity. Could the reader form a mental picture of a new member being handed something labeled “degrees” and then wondering where to put it and what to do with it. Wouldn’t that make a great editorial cartoon for a Grange publication? It might also lead to questions like, “Can I get the degrees online?”

That could lead to yet another discussion around the question of how engaged the candidates should be while “getting” the degrees. Are they available in the Grange Store? I can order my groceries online and pick them up without even getting out of the car. Is that possible with the Grange Degrees?

A few years ago, I made a plea for us to consider celebrating the degrees. They are worthy of celebration. But it seems that the founders (as is often the case) had an even more straightforward and accurate approach. According to Gardner’s book, they referred to the degrees as “classes.”

We could certainly discuss whether the lessons offered in the degrees are taught effectively when we “do” the ritual. One of the reasons for these columns and my resulting book is to increase the effectiveness of the lessons of the degrees. Studying those lessons can be revealing and thought-provoking.

We can also consider the impact of the Grange Heirlooms. Created by the National Grange from the degree work and other sources, these snippets offer bits of wisdom that are no less applicable than they were 150+ years ago. In today’s vocabulary, these might be thought of as “micro learning.” I don’t think it would hurt us if the Grange became known as an organization based on learning and discovery.

It’s an interesting distinction. What would happen if we stopped telling new members, “You should get the degrees?” How about instead, “Just wait until you learn the degrees?”

Yes, there will be a test. Life gives it.

***

The Kindle Edition of  “Friend of the Farmer” is available from Amazon, currently priced at $2.99.

Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-seventh edition of the 2023 Subordinate Grange Manual or the most recent edition of the Pomona Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Exploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange. Information about the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life” can be found at http://abbotvillagepress.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.