I just returned last night from a very successful 158th National Grange Convent ion on the Mississippi River in Bettendorf, Iowa. The Grange Strong theme was much in evidence at the event. I hope you all keep trying your best to leave your Granges better tomorrow than they are today. The Seventh Degree motto is Esto Perpetua, or “may it be eternal,” which those of you who have taken the degree may remember. Certainly a worthy goal for which to aim.

President Hamp’s most recent “Speak like a Champ” phrase is Proactive Approach. This implies the need for a bit of forethought in regards to planning Grange activities so that you may maximize the positive outcome as a result of those programs and events. To help in running your Granges more efficiently and instruct our newer members in proper Grange procedures, we will be planning to hold as many as three Schools of Instruction. Brother Gelineau will be announcing the schedule.

Now, back to the 158th Convention. High Priest of Demeter Roger Bostwick asked me at our State Session to take the part of the Second Mystagogue in the Seventh Degree. We had a lot of fun at our two rehearsals and the cast is a great bunch under direction of Gene and Maria Edelen of Iowa. My part required memorization of two paragraphs in about three weeks.  Being a part of the degree gives one a different vantage point than that of an outside observer. It was a valuable experience and made the degree come full circle for me. A professionally produced video of the Seventh Degree is planned to be filmed and then shown at the 159th Convention on the Carnival Horizon. This video by decision of the delegate body will not be released to State Granges to be shown otherwise within the states.  VP Ted Powell’s fiancée Stephanie took the degree. Congratulations, Stephanie!

I want to update you with a recap of the highlights of the 140 or so resolutions all of which were brought to the floor in one fashion of another. Our Connecticut State Grange resolution on honoring 80 year members was withdrawn as the issue has been addressed with the printing of a new and very attractive certificate to accompany the traditional letter from the National Grange President. The resolution on college interest rates was adopted. On the agricultural subject, the National Grange remains opposed to regulatory overreach which can negatively affect our farmers, foreign acquisition of American farmland, labeling lab created meat product as “meat,” and favors legal definition of cannabis as a crop for insurance purposes. Conservation policy aims in the same direction so far as to aid farmers without hindering them.

A study committee will be put together to consider options for location of the National Grange headquarters once our three year lease is up at 1616 H Street.

In the Health and Education area a resolution on medications and procedures related to family planning was adopted after quite a little debate on this contentious issue. The Grange continues to support insurance coverage for cancer testing and adopted a resolution covering those in high risk occupations.

Under Grange Growth, resolution requiring use of the electronic payment system BILL for payments made to National was rejected. Also rejected was a resolution making dues collection a top down process instead of bottom up as it is now.

Several resolutions concerning the location of the National Grange Convention at sea as opposed to on land were rejected, and so the next convention will be held at sea on the Carnival Horizon for a change.

Most important was the adopted resolution from Texas concerning a National Grange dues increase. They will now be $20 per year for Subordinate members and $40 for a family.    This is a needed change considering our membership statistics and the only way to reverse it is if we INCREASE membership.

Another resolution debated at length was one on delegate representation from large versus small Grange states. Decreasing the number of delegates from small Grange states tends to make them feel left out of the conversation at convention. This issue was referred to a committee for study.

Brothers and Sisters, the Subordinate member participation in Zoom programs by Amanda Brozana for Membership/Leadership and Phil Vonada for Communications remain at an all-time low. These programs are well planned, presented by knowledgeable folks, and are fun to attend. You can meet Grangers from the other Grange regions. Because they involve people from around the country, I believe you would find them to be very helpful in planning your work and getting new ideas. Phil and Amanda are very willing to help you all in any way they can. The National Grange does offer you a lot.

There was also discussion on the subject of meeting style as it connects to out IRS tax exemption as a fraternal organization. Some of us meet traditionally with the opening and closing ritual, along with the display of the American flag and book of scripture on the altar, while other “meet around the kitchen table.” Legally to maintain the validity of the IRS exemption, the ritualistic aspects of Grange are a required element and their absence COULD technically lead to a loss of your exemption. Timed out, the rituals take about five to six minutes of meeting time, so it is not a large time requirement. They are not that onerous either! This is really what makes a Grange a GRANGE.

Connecticut State Grange is once again an Honor Grange for 2023-2024. Granges in Action included Wallingford #33, Vernon #52, Ekonk Community Junior #101, and Riverton #169.

In National Grange Lecturer Department contests, State Lecturer Dave Roberts won first place in the Design a Program/Adult/External, second place in the State/County/ Community Fair photo contest and honorable mention for monument category in photos. I took second place in the Weather Watcher Challenge contest… though there were only two entries! Oh, well.

In January, we have Northeast Leaders’ Conference coming up to be held in Danvers, Massachusetts. MSG President Corey Spence has a great event planned with a tour of a local vocational agricultural school. It looks like National Leaders Conference this year will be held in the Sonoma Valley of California. These are always interesting.