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.
