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Maine State Grange Bulletin Maine State Grange

146 State Street Augusta Maine 04330

http://mainestategrange.org

JUNE 2016 ISSUE

The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.

Sydney J. Harris

Note: The views and opinions expressed in contributed articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Grange.

Highlights for Secretaries to Read In this section we’ll try to help secretaries by providing a very short synopsis of each article.

Try just reading just this highlights section during “communications” and offer the Bulletin to those interested in more information.

Master’s Memo— thoughts on Grange Teamwork Agriculture Committee— Winners of Grange Scholarships Communications Column— “Once upon a time…” getting your message listened to Community Service/FHH Corner— Community Service Books will be due soon! CWA Report— Little Wanderers and House in the Woods needs Fundraising Report—T-Shirts and talent Contest Junior Report— Activities during Campout Lecturer’s Corner— Lecturer’s Conference August 1 – 3 Youth Report—bowling and mini golf tournaments Exploring Traditions— What do we stand for?

View from the Farm— Rain on the farm means… But Wait, there’s more! – a sampling of recent website articles and posts Posting and Printing – a review of website and Bulletin Policy For Technical Support – what to do if your website is down

State Conference Dates are October 22, 21, and 22, 2016!

Master’s Memo By Rick Grotton, Master

Your favorite sports team has started another season. The past few seasons things have gone well, a winning record and a couple of championships. This season, however, seems a little

different. They lose their first few games, they don't seem to be playing together. The team decided not to pick up fresh blood and stayed with their aging superstars. These two or three have led the team in the past and you, the fan, is counting on them again this year.

The other players could depend on the two or three to lead them. They wore their championship rings thanks to their workhorses. These past few games, the three have played less due to injuries, slowness, contract disputes or lack of enthusiasm. The winning has slowed, without these two or three running the show, the rest have to contribute much more. The team is in chaos and there is panic among the fans. The other players are lost without their stars. There is no rhythm, only mayhem.

The owner knows they should have taken the young rising stars instead of staying with their aging players. They missed their chance. The team falls apart, free agency occurs, the team folds.

When reading this does thoughts of the Grange flash in your mind? Have we missed our chance in our Granges? Have we depended on two or three to provide the programs, make the decisions, and run the show while we sat back comfortably and watched? Have we accepted that we must change? Have we missed opportunities by not giving new members a chance to have their turn at bat? It is all too familiar within our organization. It is also recognizable by other Grangers and our community (the fans). Many workhorses are tiring. Many do not want to advance into Pomona (two closed recently due to lack of attendance) and State. What have you done for your Grange lately? Or what would you like to do?

Many Granges are doing well mainly because they are a team, they work together, they plan together and they recruit younger players to take their places or teach them the rules. They continuously work at this even though things are going

Published by Maine State Grange

Walter Boomsma, editor Submit articles and info to: Walter@MaineStateGrange.org Additional Contacts:

Master Rick Grotton 582-5915

Lecturer Kathy Lorraine 998-9046

Chaplain Dolores Moore 843-7772

Secretary Sharon Morton 485-6197

Chief Deputy Maynard Chapman 998-5331

Agricultural Directors Agnes & Robert Nelson 568-3479

Communications Director Walter Boomsma 343-1842

Community Service/FHH Director Christine Corliss 457-6265

CWA Director Karen Flagg 225-2328

Junior Director Christine Hebert 743-5277

Legislative Director James Annis 564-0820

Membership Director Kay Khalvati 242-5521

Youth Director Christina Colson 453-4796

Historian Stanley Howe 824-2291

Address for bulletin submissions only:

17 River Road Abbot ME 04406

Deadline is the 15th of the month!

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well with them. That is why we exist after all of these years. We all need to contribute in our Grange. Granted, it is harder to recruit younger members, however it can be done. With this age of technology and the rise of more young farmers, the younger members. are needed to fill the void. We need their technological knowledge and skills to carry us into the 21st century. BUT, that means we need to change; not our traditions and rituals, but in many other areas.

There are many Granges on the rise; some that once were at the brink of elimination. In my travels I have enjoyed conversations with many members as well as some very wonderful community service programs. It has been enjoyable and pleasing to observe the expressions of attendees and feeling the wonderful energy. At one event they got three new members. I am learning from all of you; listening to your ideas and concerns. I enjoy sharing ideas and answering questions.

Now that elections are ending, this is a great time to goto(gether) and create some energy by making some plans for the new season, evaluate where we stand, recognize where changes need to be made and set some goals. There are plenty of agricultural organizations to become familiar with or to share a project. Make it seem like a New Year's Resolution (except stick by it). At least try. It is all for the Good of the Order.

Agriculture Committee By Agnes and Robert Nelson, Co-directors

We finally have most of our garden planted. It is much later than usual for us. The weather being what it has so far we may be alright, hopefully. By the time this bulletin is out we will be in the middle of strawberry picking.

The Ag-Committee has met and picked the winners of the Agriculture Scholarship. There were twenty-five qualifying applicants to judge. The three $500.00 winners were as follows:

1. Grant Hemphill, Presque Isle, Presque Isle High School

2. Skylar Miller, Cornish, Sacopee Valley High School

3. Sadee Mehuren, Searsmont, Belfast High School

The fairs will be well under way by the time this bulletin is out. Grangers looking for information with help making up Grange exhibits should be able to go to the Maine State Grange Website for fair rules, score sheets and guidelines or you can contact Bob and I at 207-568-3479.

Communications Column By Walter Boomsma, Communications Director

When we open a book to read to a child at bedtime, the first words are often “Once upon a time…” Those words make an impression and effectively set up an expectation of what is to follow.

Impressions are important in the media and public relations business. The term is often used to describe an important metric. Thanks to social media, lay people are hearing the term more often. In a broad sense, an impression happens whenever there’s an interaction between an audience member and some content. When you first saw this column, that was an impression.

Returning to the bedtime story, surely your child would object if you read only the words “Once upon a time” and then closed the book. Those four words are important—when encountered we know there’s more to follow—a story. They are magical words, in a sense, that communicate a lot of information. Watch your child settle down and prepare to listen just based on those words.

If we have a message to send, we should consider how to start. Whether we are talking about an article, a poster or flyer, or almost any form of communication, what is that first impression? An important characteristic of that impression is that it is engaging. An impression succeeds when the viewer/reader decides to pay attention and look/read further.

In the public relations business there’s an expectation that the impression and resulting engagement will lead to a third step, conversion. Conversion is about action. Action is about doing something. It might be clicking a link, filling out a form, or making a decision to do something. Or in public relations terms, it might just be changing one’s mind or perception.

Assuming you’ve read this far, you are engaged! Let’s work on conversion.

We have a huge opportunity to get creative and exciting—or at least to consider how we are packaging our messages about the Grange and Grange events. Some techniques to consider:

1. Consider rewards. What will a person receive or how will they benefit by being part of your event or joining your Grange? Should I attend your potluck supper or would I rather experience some “good old Grange cooking?”

2. Consider mystery. “Once upon a time…” suggests a little mystery and arouses curiosity. Could the question “What’s for suppah?” create an impression and engagement? (The implied message is “Don’t worry about it… join us!”)

3. Consider surprise. “All you can eat for $7?!” might generate more interest than “Our Grange is having a supper…”

Having engaged the reader or listener the last step is conversion where he or she takes some action as a result of hearing or seeing the message. It’s the tangible thing he does that has an impact. Using the supper example, conversion takes place when he purchases a ticket. Another example might be when she asks for a membership application.

Repetition is an important part of the process. The odds that a person will respond after seeing our message once are small—one reason the ads we see on television repeat over and over. We hang up flyers for our suppers in different places not only so different people will them. We do it so the same people will see the message repeatedly.

The last words in many of the books we read to a child at bedtime are, “And they all lived happily ever after.” It’s a formula for fairy tales that adapts well to communication. Make an impression and engage the listener, create action (action can take many different forms), and follow up. A way of following up on Grange suppers might be a simple form for diners to fill out asking for their opinions and whether or not they’d be interested in being contacted with information about the Grange.

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Community Service/FHH Corner By Christine Corliss, Community Service and FHH Director

Community Service Corner

Hello All! Hope everyone is enjoying the weather. June is half over and August is fast approaching. I hope everyone is working on their Activity Sheets and Community Service Books. Remember we still need 25% of all Granges to participate. So please make sure to get them into me by August 15th. Please mail them directly to me at Christine Corliss 162 Center Road Lebanon, ME 04027. I also have not received any nominations for Police Officer/Firefighter/Educator of the Year. This is important recognition program and a wonderful way to recognize individuals who put their personal life 2nd to helping others. Let’s start sending in those nominations to me. (Note that the activity report and nomination forms are available in the Community Service Book.)

Family, Health & Hearing

August is National Water Quality Month, National Goat Cheese Month, Neurosurgery Outreach Month and Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month. Maybe with all the wonderful cooks you have in your Grange you can have a Goat Cheese Recipe taste testing night. Not only do you celebrate National Goat Cheese Month, you get to enjoy each other’s great and unique cooking. Just remember to have fun!!

REMINDER: FH & H Contest is still running. Fill out the form and mail it directly to me, for a chance for your Grange to win $50.00.

Maine State Grange Community Service making a difference “ONE” project at a time!

CWA Report By Karen Flagg, Director

This month I would like to remind everyone about donations of handicraft to the Big E. Would any of you knitters, crocheters, etc. be interested in making mittens again this year for the Little Wanders as there is always a need for them in all sizes from baby to teen?

Another need for House in the Woods once they are finally open is for a variety of sizes and colors in shawls and lap robes, they can be brought to State Session as I would like to take pictures with the donors for an album for "House" so that whenever the new or old Veterans visit they can read and see how very generous and talented all of you are as I personally proud of each and every one of you which makes me a very proud Granger.

I have been sending out the Certificates from Granges the day after receiving them and am very grateful for everyone that donates. Until next month take care.

Fundraising Committee Report By Steven Haycock, Chairman

As I write this column the Craft Fair & Yard Sale is only week and a half away, I’m hoping it’s going to be a great success. I want to thank Maynard & Gladys Chapman and Norm Smith of Danville Jct. Grange who are handling the light lunch that will be available, CWA Director Karen Flagg for running and organizing the bake sale, and Agricultural Directors Bob & Agnes Nelson who are going to sell our Agricultural Pride t-shirts.

We have designed an Agricultural Pride t-shirt which as I mentioned before. These fun t-shirts will make their debut at the Yard Sale with a limited quantity, and we will take orders after that.

The original cookbook deadline of May 15 has come and gone. We didn’t get enough recipes to create the four separate cookbooks I wanted to do, so we’ve extended the deadline until July 31. Please take the time as soon as you read this article to write down some recipes and send them to State Grange HQ.

DO YOU HAVE TALENT??? On September 24 at 7pm at Topsham Grange we will host a Variety Show. There will also be a silent auction and refreshments as well. I’m pleased to say that Mitch Thomas, Executive Director of the Franco-American Center will be our featured entertainment. Those of you who attended the North East Lecturers Conference last year will remember Mitch as he was the entertainment on Spirit Night. We are looking for acts to perform in the show. They don’t need to be Grange members, but need to be appropriate for all ages. This should a fun and wonderful evening, I hope that many of you will be able to attend and or preform. If you would like to be in the show, please contact me a soon as possible at 998-2586 or Granger04071@aol.com.

Note: Did you the Maine State Grange has a Facebook page? I’m the administrator, it contains mostly posts that can be found on the State Grange website with some posts from National Grange and other Granges around the country. I also throw in some fun and facts as well. Find us and like us on Facebook by searching Maine State Grange.

Junior Report By Christine Herbert, Director

Wow, July already! We will be having the judging for the Junior Grange Contests Saturday July 16 at the Family Campout Weekend, along with a Chinese auction that will be run by Norma, let’s remember to bring some donated items for this event. See you there.

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Lecturer’s Column By Kathy Lorrain, Lecturer

Not much to write this month. I am training for a new job so I have not had much time to write my column. Not much to write about this month other than the dates for the lecturers’ conference in August. The dates are August 1-3 2016 at Bridgewater State University Bridgewater MA. hosted by Rhode Island state grange. I am not going to be able to be there but I will have someone fill in for me. The information on the conference is going out this week I know it is late I apologize. I received it late. You can call me with any questions at 207-998-9046 I am home after 6:00. Have a happy and safe summer!

Youth Report By Christina Colson, Director

Just a little update on some things. The youth will still be doing the bowling and mini golf tournaments. The mini golf is going through the months of May and June please have your scores for mini golf sent to me with the player's name what Grange they are from. The bowling will go through the months of July and August please have the same info for this as well. Wii bowling counts as well.

I am also looking for any youth members who would be willing to participate in a drill team for our state Grange session in October. Please let me know if you would like to participate. My contact info is on the directory.

Exploring Traditions--Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life By Walter Boomsma

What does the Grange stand for? Or perhaps a more interesting question would be "What do people think the Grange stands for?"

Of course we can refer to our Declaration of Principles for an answer. While this is a noble task (and might be the basis for a lecturer's program), we'll get an official but somewhat conceptual understanding. I wanted something more basic and down to earth. Therefore, I decided to step outside the Grange Circle.

One perception I encountered seemed simplistic and to the point. It suggested that the Grange is "a fraternal organization... that encourages families to band together to promote the economic and political well-being of the community and agriculture." There's a lot to like in that definition.

As with any organization that has a long history, there's the opportunity for some blending of the past and present. Another description I encountered focused more on the historical outlook suggesting the Grange was founded "to advance methods of agriculture, as well as to promote the social and economic needs of farmers."

Turning again to an official source, the preamble to the National Grange Constitution explains, "The ultimate object of this organization is for mutual instruction and protection, to lighten labor by diffusing a knowledge of its aims and purposes, to expand the mind by tracing the beautiful laws the Great Creator has established in the Universe, and to enlarge our views of creative wisdom and power."

I'll never forget one call I got from a client during my consulting career. He'd been to a conference over the weekend on the topic of creating organizational excellence. He called me Monday morning and said, "I'm really fired up and motivated. I want to make this organization into something great. But I'm sitting here at my desk and I don't know what to do or where to start!"

So the pressing question might be how we take these somewhat lofty purposes and give them meaning in our daily lives. If we can't translate those purposes into practice, we may find ourselves no longer relevant. It's practice that gives purpose meaning.

To use an agricultural metaphor, we also have to be careful that we aren't getting the cart ahead of the horse. In my brief research I did not encounter anything suggesting that the Grange stands for membership growth. I'm not, certainly, saying membership growth is not important. But it's a cart that should naturally follow purpose. There are a few lines in the Declaration of Purposes that do include a subtle reference to membership growth.

"We propose meeting together, talking together, working together, and in general, acting together for our mutual protection and advancement. We shall constantly strive to secure harmony, good will, and brotherhood, and to make our Order perpetual. We shall earnestly endeavor to suppress personal, local, sectional, and national prejudices, all unhealthy rivalry and all selfish ambition. Faithful adherence to these principles will insure our mental, moral, social and material advancement."

If we do those things outlined (meeting together, working together...), we "make our Order perpetual" by attracting like-minded and like-purposed folks.

If we did have a clearly defined purpose--one that can have different emphasis locally; that's one of the beauties of a grassroots organization--and we were working within those principles... could we see that last sentence in declaration of principles being rewritten to read, "Faithful adherence to these principles will insure our mental, moral, social and material advancement as well as membership growth."

Groucho Marx is often credited with saying he wouldn't join an organization that would have him as a member. It's a funny thought but it makes the point that one factor in people's choices around affiliation and joining is about shared values. The early

Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there’s footprints on the moon.

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days of the Grange were quite heady and, most would agree, the explosive growth of the Grange was phenomenal. Certainly part of it was due to the passion of the founders and early leaders. But ultimately, people joined because of common purpose and values. And what Grangers did in practice reflected those values. They looked at what the Grange was trying to do and said, "Hey, I want to be part of that because I believe in it!"

If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Any ritual quotations are from the forty-sixth edition of the 2013 Subordinate 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.

View from the Farm By Heather Retberg

The long awaited, much needed rain has arrived, and how it soothes anxious minds, dusty gardens, thirsty pastures. The trees have slurped up all the slight moisture of the last week to set their leaves for the season making all the world so very green again, yet the draining pond and the dusty soils belie the necessity for this rainy relief.

We've been working toward Change with a capital 'C' this season of reclaiming at Quill's End. We're taking some financial risks toward greater eventual resilience. The rain marks a release from the thoughts we were holding about a repeat of last year's drought. We're replacing fencing that has long since needed to go, no longer able to reliably conduct an electrical charge. And, a bittersweet piece of machinery arrived this week, just like the rain, long-awaited and much needed, though, perhaps, not so strongly desired. The first step we identified some years ago toward increased flexibility in our small labor pool (our family), toward better care and maintenance of our primary farmer, Phil; and toward freeing up more work hours for farm care instead of milking chores, is a milking machine. This step could not be taken without a bit of 'rural electrification.’ The barn will need electricity. A farm generator will become necessary. These have not been steps easy to take, though it might seem ridiculously simple and much more efficient. But, it is time. The milking machine arrived on Friday. We unloaded it from the truck bed and wheeled it into the barn. Even I was quiet. Neither of us quite had words. A new era for Quill's End will begin soon. The machine is here; barn electrification will happen in the next few weeks. The farm's woods and fields will benefit from the additional attention they will soon be more able to receive. The second kitchen and storage area will soon be underway. We pray it will all be worth the costs, and the risks taken.

We have faith it will be.

As the rain falls, releasing tightly held expectation, it soothes the farm, relieves pressure and... comforts, even. I am reminded of the Irish blessing my mother and I like so well and it helps soothe the other frayed thoughts over dreams and fruition and hopes and the unknown. It is my benediction to you all, too:

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

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Heather and Phil Retberg together with their three children run Quill's End Farm, a 105-acre property in Penobscot that they bought in 2004. They use rotational grazing on their fifteen open acres and are renovating thirty more acres from woods to pasture to increase grazing for their pigs, grass-fed cattle, lambs, laying hens, and goats. Heather is Master of Halcyon Grange #345 and writes a newsletter for their farm's buying clubs for farmers in her area and has generously given us permission to share some of her columns with Grangers throughout the state.

But wait, there’s more! A sampling of articles posted on the website:

Outreach, Charity the Heart of Grange—an article from the National Grange Thank You, Valley Grange—kids thank Valley Grange for the ninth year of “bookworming.” Millstream Grange Awards Scholarship--Third Annual Dorothy L. Waugh Memorial Scholarship presented to

Autumn Clair Enterprise Grange Presents Dictionaries—the gift that keeps on giving Excelsior Grange Hall Placed on National Historic Register Developer Shows Interest in Presque Isle Grange Hall Membership Retention, the forgotten factor—an article from the National Grange Grange Policy Begins with Local Members—an article from the National Grange

Remember, the MSG website is your “goto” place for news and information as it becomes available.

“In Search of…” a new service of the Maine State Grange Website

We occasionally receive inquiries from individuals regarding the Grange in Maine. Sometimes these inquiries are historical in nature and take the form of questions such as “Whatever happened to…?” Occasionally we receive inquiries regarding past events or individuals who perhaps played a significant role in Grange History. While we do not have the resources to conduct research, as a courtesy, we’ll share the question and try to be helpful.

“In search of…” is an experiment–a free service of the Maine State Grange website, available to all who are seeking information concerning the Grange and Grangers, Grange Halls, etc. — past and present — in Maine. We

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make no guarantees, but offer this opportunity for you to post a brief description of any Grange-related information you are seeking. All inquiries are subject to review and editing and we reserve the right to reject any requests deemed inappropriate. Please note that you must include contact information in the form of an email address and/or telephone number. Submit your request online.

Requests will be published in the order received–most recent at the top. If you can help, please contact the individual who is seeking the information directly.

Printing and Posting… (Since we have a little extra space this month)

Since we have a little extra space this month, let me insert our official policy regarding posting information to the Maine State Grange website. Since the Bulletin and website go “hand-in-hand” it applies to both.

The Maine State Grange website serves two primary purposes. First, it will serve as a communication mechanism that will facilitate sharing information among members. Second, as a “public face” that allows non-members an introduction to the Grange and the ability to find information regarding programs. These two purposes are complementary but require a balance in terms of the types of information posted. The two primary guidelines we will use in posting are:

Does the information submitted have general interest statewide?

Does the information portray the Grange in a positive light and reflect basic Grange values?

We will not, therefore, post Fraternal Concerns regarding sickness and death. Exceptions may be made when concern involves a current or past state officer or other person well-known throughout the state. This policy also avoids potential privacy issues. We will also not post events that are not directly Grange related or sponsored. If, for example, a marathon is being held in the area to benefit a charity, it would not qualify for posting unless it is sponsored by the local Grange or the Grange membership is participating as a group.

We will attempt to keep information regarding State Grange activities and policies current, but it must be noted that directors and officers are responsible for providing current information.

We reserve the right to refuse to post information submitted.

We will use extreme caution when posting photos that include children and expect the submitter to be absolutely certain that parental/guardian permission is secured before submitting photos for posting. Please bear in mind that many Grange Meetings and events do not qualify as “public events” and attendees would likely have a reasonable right to an expectation of privacy.

We will also follow the “Grange Website and Electronic Social Media Code of Conduct” adopted February 25, 2011 by the National Grange Executive Committee.

For Technical Support If your Grange has a website…

Several Subordinate Granges in Maine are using the websites available from National Grange. At the risk of creating MEGO (“My Eyes Glaze Over”) in the non-technical, I’ll explain that these sites are actually set up as sub-domains of the National Grange website. You can recognize that because the URL begins with the National Grange URL and looks like this: NationalGrange.org/local name#.

These sites use the same software (WordPress) as the Maine State Grange site. (The Maine State Grange site is not part of the National Grange system–it is self-hosted.) That means I can occasionally help with “how to” questions, but ultimately, National Grange controls these sites.

Apparently, for some period of time recently, these local Grange sites were “down” and visitors received an error message. I was contacted, but because of my teaching schedule, I was unable to respond for 24 hours. Fortunately, in the interim, the problem was apparently resolved as the site in question was “up” this morning.

While I’m always willing to help and support, when these sites go down the only thing I can do is the same thing you can do if your site goes down: contact Stephanie Wilkins at National Grange (swilkins@nationalgrange.org). Please copy me so I know the problem has been reported–if your site is affected it’s very likely others are as well.

By the way, if your Grange is maintaining a site or an official Facebook Page, please send me the link/address. There is a section on the Maine State Grange website where these are listed–but only if you are keeping your site or page current and updated. An out-of-date site or page is worse than not having any–it’s the equivalent of announcing you’re out of business!

Officers and directors, please remember that meeting and conference information must be submitted at least two months ahead to be printed in the Bulletin. (For example, the Bulletin published in January will include events taking place in March.) Please also remember to send us copies of new program books, contest rules, and applications, etc. as they are developed or revised.

PLEASE POST A COPY OF THE BULLETIN TO YOUR GRANGE’S BULLETIN BOARD!

All articles and information must be submitted by the fifteenth of the month. Our goal is then to have the issue assembled, printed and mailed by the end of that month. (Articles will be posted to the web site as received unless otherwise requested.)

All letters or articles submitted for publication must have contents relating to the Grange and may be edited for length and grammar. When submitting future events, please allow lead adequate lead time and include all the details such as date, time, Grange (and location) and a contact for more information. The complete policy is available on the Maine State Grange website.