President’s Perspective – March 2023

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

I participated in the annual informative and helpful State Presidents/Masters Conference via zoom on February 17 and 18. Discussions, Presentations, and Workshops included: Show and Tell– Sharing personal Grange “ephemera“ (memorabilia); National Convention Reimagined—and Better than Ever!; Communications Dept.; It’s Not Your Property; Discover Your Website; Why Can’t We Just Get Along?; Juniors + Youth = Growth; Membership Department and Wrap-up. Much of the information covered can be found on the National Grange website which will require the annual password to access some of the information and much of the information is also provided in the web posts sent from National. I will be sharing some of it from time to time with you.

GOALS.  From time to time, I have mentioned goal setting for your Granges. Here are some of my general goals that should be applied in our Granges as well.

**  Strengthen and improve the Granges we already have, increasing membership and increasing the number of active Granges.  Working to improve its individual members and the good of all.  Including community concerns, family and good ritualistic work for opening and degree.  Working together as one unit showing mutual concern and respect for others. Providing programs and projects that keep in step with our changing world and the interests of our members. 

**  Improve leadership skills of the Leaders and the members.  Provide workshops on what is required as a Grange Leader, goal setting, how and what to plan for activities and programs including but not limited to fun things, on the local and state level. Give basic guidelines and suggestions to our Granges for program planning and development. Provide, print and distribute leadership & resource materials and training for all Grangers. Continue with good ritualistic work. Assist in developing programs, contests and activities specifically needed and designed for their individual  Granges.

**  Identify key individuals to assist with specific activities, programs, projects, rides, and other.  Utilizing key people for their skills and knowledge to assist with training others, in a variety of subjects.  Identifying these key people in a resource list for all to refer to, on local and state levels.

**  More cooperation and people support is needed for the Junior Granger Leaders and Members, so they don’t feel so alone at the meetings and activities. Subordinate members work more closely with Juniors on all activities to make Juniors and Subordinate members more familiar with each other as a group and as individuals which will help make the transition between Junior and Subordinate easier, if they already know each other.  Give mutual respect to each other

Scam Alert–again!

We’ve reported this in the past, but here’s a reminder. Here’s an example of an email sent recently that you should ignore and delete.

Several things should raise your suspicion. One is the need for discretion, and another is the no-calls request.

To put in highly technical perspective, “it just doesn’t sound right.”

Just ignore it; delete it. If you are concerned, contact Sherry directly, not by replying to this bogus email. There’s also a similar message occasionally being sent by text message to cell phones. They are not connected to the website in any way, and there’s very little I can do beyond issuing an occasional reminder that folks need to be “on guard.”

Another increasingly common scam is an email with an overdue invoice included or attached. Again, think before you you act. It’s the price we pay for technology–similar to the junk mail that arrives in our snail mailbox! It too is annoying, but we don’t need to regret lobbying for RFD years ago, right? And I don’t think we’re going to give up our mailboxes!

Life has its woes so be on your toes!

Bernard Kelvin Clive

Grange Month News!

Visit www.nationalgrange.org/grange-month-2023 to access and download graphics, headers, calendars, press release templates, and more for your Granges to use. Note Grange Spirit Week is scheduled from April 16-22–Each day is designated to a specific theme or topic and National Grange has scheduled evening Zoom Events.

Jonesboro Grange Multi-day Yard Sale Scheduled

Roque Bluffs/Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Dept & Jonesboro Grange are sponsoring a HUGE indoor yard sale at Jonesboro Grange. Look for the sign that we’re open, and come find a treasure! The sale will be open for ten days!

Funds split between the Roque Bluffs/Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Dept & Jonesboro Grange #357

Contact LouAnn Cox at 434-2131 or 263-3209 and arrange to drop off item donations. 

Item drop-off times are March 1, 3, & 4. Clothing in good condition with no stains, rips, or holes accepted. Furniture, kitchenware, small appliances, toys in good condition, books, etc., are gladly accepted and appreciated! Contact LouAnn Cox at 434-2131 or 263-3209 and arrange to drop off item donations. 

Notes from National – February 2023

Grange Month 2023

Gleaned from an email written by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director

Visit www.nationalgrange.org/grange-month-2023 to access and download graphics, headers, calendars, press release templates, and more for your Granges to use. We will be celebrating Grange Spirit Week from April 16-22, and I hope you all join in! Who knows, there may be some prizes to come for your participation… There are likely to be more events added, so please stay tuned!

Virtual Fly-in Planned for April

We will be holding the Virtual Legislative “Fly-In” on April 26th. There will be more information and registration for this coming soon.

Canva “Zoom-Torial

Make plans to join the 2022 Communication Fellows and me on March 29 as we dive into “Canva 201.” We will be going a little more in-depth on a few things that Canva can offer. If you missed our first Canva Zoom-torial in January, you can access it here: https://youtu.be/xNGwn8hsR_o. If you have questions or an aspect of Canva you would like us to be sure to hit, please let me know.

March National Grange Events

MARCH 2023 – ALL TIMES EASTERN
March 1: GRANGE FOUNDATION MN-IOOO CLUB 8:30 P.M. (ZOOM )
Connect: bit.lv/FoundationZoom
March 14: MEMBERSHIP MATTERS (ZOOM) 8:30 P.M. Open to all!
Connect: bit.lv/mml867
Contact abrozana@nationalgrange.org for more information.
March 19: JUNIOR JIBBER-JABBER (ZOOM) 9:00 P.M.
Connect: bit.lv/jibberjabberZoom
Join National Junior Grange and Youth Development Director Samantha Wilkins for updates about the National Junior Grange Department. Contact Junior@nationalgrange.org for more information.
March 29: COMMUNICATIONS ZOOM-TORIAL (ZOOM )8:30 P.M.
Connect: bit.ly/GrangeZoom
“Canva 201” – Using some of the more in-depth or technologically challenging areas of canva.com. Questions? Email pvonada@nationalgrange.org

National Grange Heirloom Program

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Ritual and Declaration of Purposes. Please share “success stories” about the use of the program with us or if you come up with other innovative ways to incorporate the Program in your Granges. Information and materials are now available on the National Grange Website.

“Notes from National” is based on a monthly email received from the National Grange Communications Department.

ServSafe® Certification Training

The deadline for registration is February 21, 2023, act fast to attend this one!*

Reprinted from Updates for Maine Agriculture Producers by UMaine Extension

University of Maine Cooperative Extension can help you achieve your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification. This nationally-recognized certification is for anyone working in the food industry, including non-profit organizations. UMaine Extension offers an 8-hour ServSafe® training using the latest 7th Edition with 2017 FDA Food Code Update and exam proctoring.

Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 (March 8th snow date)

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: UMaine Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County, 75 Clearwater Dr., Suite 104, Falmouth

Cost: $140.00 for course and exam, registration deadline February 21st For more information or to register, click here.

*Webmaster’s Note: The more information link includes a list of additional course offerings throughout the year. There’s also a mechanism to request course–should your Grange host one?

Event Reminders

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

March 11, 2023. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You are all invited to attend an Instruction / Information meeting at Norway Grange #45, 15 Whitman St., Norway  (weather permitting). Norway Grange will provide lunch at noon, their Subordinate meeting will be at 1:00, and the Instruction meeting will start at 2:00 pm.  Contact Christine Hebert, Master (207-595-6007 or christinehebert@outlook.com)  to let her know how many will attend the lunch.  Weather cancelation date will be March 18 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  

Everyone is invited to attend. Those attending will be the ones practicing the work, by volunteer, also switching around–it will not just be State Officers and Deputies.  We will cover:

  • Ritualistic Floor Work, opening & closing  (opening the Bible, presenting the flag, introducing honored guests).
  • How to properly make the Salutation.
  • Balloting procedure.
  • Election procedure.
  • How to handle Motions and following through.
  • The State Secretary will cover reporting, records, funds, and ordering certificates.
  • Other suggested Grange business and discussion.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

April 23 Degree Day 1:30 pm at Maine State Grange HQ, 146 State Street Augusta. All 4 degrees will be conferred.  Let Maynard Chapman, Chief Deputy (207-312-9661 or email him at mgcgmc@fairpoint.net) if you have candidates. The candidates should bring their application for membership with them.

Veterans’ Dental Program Extended

Reprinted from an E-newsletter published by Senator Stacey Guerin, District 4

Due to a generous grant from Northeast Delta Dental, the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network (MVDN) will resume its dental services for this year for veterans in Maine who otherwise cannot afford them.

Northeast Delta partnered with the State and a network of participating non-profit dental clinics, dental teaching schools and Federally Qualified Health Centers in Maine to start the program in 2021 with a $35,000 grant. The company extended the program last year with a $100,000 grant and awarded a $200,000 grant this year to continue the partnership.

Any veteran who is a Maine resident and is not 100% service-connected to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); doesn’t have dental insurance; cannot afford to pay for dental care out of pocket; has a DD-214 showing an Honorable or General Under Honorable conditions discharge; has deployed on active duty with the Maine Army National Guard or Air Guard or retired from the National Guard with 20 years of service is eligible to access the grant-funded program.

The program served 232 veterans last year. Veterans who are interested in receiving services this year may apply online. Any questions or requests for re-connection can be submitted via email or by phone at 207-287-6836 if the veteran does not have computer access.

Communication Shorts 2-17-2023

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!

February Bulletin

The February Bulletin is complete and available for download and printing. Remember, you can always find recent issues of the Bulletin on the Program Books and Information Page.

Didja Notice?

We’ve added a “subscribe” menu item–if you aren’t receiving email from us, check it out!

Grange Month Materials

Grange Month Materials are starting to become available on the National Grange Website.

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Ideas for Granges

How about a Puzzle Palooza in which teams will race against each other to finish a 750-piece jigsaw puzzle? The first team to complete the puzzle wins a prize.

Thought for You…

“You will never plough a field if you only turn it over in your mind.””

Irish Proverb

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is, of course, a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

Membership Moments – February 2023

By Rick Grotton,
Membership Committee Director
207 582-5915

Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of the prospective new member. As we look back at the meetings we have all been to, there are times when we might not have wanted to be there or want to leave early. We have attended many meetings but think of the person who is attending their first Grange meeting. We all know that first impressions are very important so if they are observing negative, boring or an unorganized meeting flow, they are more than likely to not come back. Meet in full form at your stations whenever you meet at your hall. Sitting around a table discussing business should not be happening when you have guests, your Deputy, or non-members present. Your Master should conduct an orderly, progressive flow to the meeting. Reports from committees tell the new member what you are doing in your community; lack thereof results in a boring meeting and probably an inactive grange. Why would they want to join if you do nothing? The majority of us want to be involved, to make a difference in our community and for ourselves. We care about others and want to make life better for all. We do positive things without asking for anything in return. We show our love in many ways. That is what a new member wants to achieve. That is what most of us wanted when we joined. We make a difference to many and enjoy working with our Brothers and Sisters for the Good of the Order. When a non-member sees our work, feels our positive energy, and happy workers, of course, most will want to be part of the action. Didn’t you? I did and still do.

In summary, just keep working, keep active, and have fun. Have orderly meetings and always greet and acknowledge guests whether they are members or not. If you follow protocol, then your Grange is ready for the next step which is to keep them coming back.