| AUGUST 3, 2026 -- Do you ever sense that your members are at or reaching burnout stage in your Granges. If not, great! As that means you’re likely doing fulfilling projects and keeping members active in productive ways. If so, maybe your members are in the same positions for too long and it’s time to cultivate new leadership among newer members. Or maybe it’s time to pull the chute on the old and institute some new ideas and programs to liven things up. Remember too that people like to receive recognition for their efforts on behalf of the Grange. Traditionally, members were recognized for years of service starting at 25 years, then nothing until 50, and afterwards in increments of five years. Todd Gelineau has introduced and made available certificates for 30, 35, 40 & 45 years. Consider awarding your members these extra recognitions to say that you appreciate what they are doing. A kind word (and action) in season goes a long way.
Editor’s (State Secretary) Note: Awards for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years were proposed a few years ago and Secretaries were not interested. If you are interested in recognizing members for these years of service, please contact the State Secretary as awards are available from National Grange for these accomplishments. We may even create Connecticut specific awards if the demand warrants.
From the Heirloom Program comes this: “We recognize the necessity of experimentation to develop and better methods of education, but we caution against the widespread adoption of these innovative and experimental methods until they have been proven effective.” One thing in our local (Connecticut) educational systems that seems to have proven ineffective is how we go about funding our schools town by town with property taxes. Wealthier towns have typically had better funded schools while poorer areas were forced to make up shortfalls with Education Cost Sharing grants. Amount spend per pupil is being shown not to explain everything about poorer performing schools as various socioeconomic factors such as lack of adequate parenting are being recognized as contributing to poor pupil performance. the Grange stands in favor of studying the ECS system to make it work better as every child deserves access to the same quality education.
From the Speak Like a Champ series from National President Christine Hamp, the phrase for the month is Future Proofing. This indicates intentional preparation for long term success. To do this, we must anticipate future trends, challenges and opportunities and then build capacity, infrastructure, and leadership to navigate these successfully. We must remain resilient as adaptability and forward thinking for decision making should be top priorities. The development of programs, leaders, operational systems for the future are to be prioritized as well.
The Call to Session has gone out to all Granges. Resolutions are already coming in and I have 13 to assign so far. Get in your resolutions on subjects of your choice that concern you. This is your chance to have a voice in CSG and National Grange policy. Granges should be thinking about delegates and I hope folks other than delegates will consider attending as well.
Is your Grange one where the leadership is in sync with the members and vice versa? Are there hidden agendas? Do your members get along and work together and see value in getting along as opposed to infighting? We have a Digest of Laws and it lays out the rules
of how we operate. Like elections; there are no slates of officers allowed to be elected by a vote cast by the secretary. Offices are voted on one by one by paper ballot on suggestions, not nominations. Everyone has a chance to run if wanted. Monetary expenditures should be voted into action by majority vote. No one member or small group of such should be forcing unwanted actions and spending on their Grange in a dictatorial way. Let’s try to get along as best we can and in Granges where these problems arise, please take heed.
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