Maine State Grange

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 1^st 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 4^th 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 1^st day of State Session is completed, we lower to the 4^th 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!