November 8, 2017 -- It’s always a bit of a letdown to spend weeks and months planning an event only to have State Session go by in a blink of an eye! And so it was for the 133rd Session of the Connecticut State Grange. Again, the Holiday Inn was the perfect venue for us with great food, ample space and an attentive staff to care for all of our needs. I hope all members who attended enjoyed the experience and are energized for a new year of Grange work.
Our numbers for this year were up a bit, especially the Celebration Banquet with 107 members and friends in attendance. The change is primarily due to three factors: the change in the day for the banquet, supporters of this year’s Granger of the Year recipient and family members attending to support scholars receiving records awards ($5,000 each).
We all need to work very hard to encourage members (especially non-delegates) to attend State Session even if it is only for one session or event during the convention. It’s vitally important to the future of the State Grange to have new members coming up through the ranks to become deputies, committee members and officers. Leadership development is an important part of what we do in our Granges and is one of the greatest individual benefits of rising through the Community/Subordinate Grange, Pomona Grange, State Grange and National Grange.
At State Session I announced the decision of the Board of Directors to change the way 990N E-Postcards are filed. All 990s will now be filed on the behalf of your Grange by the State Grange due to the difficulties we have had with the IRS and Granges in getting accurate filings completed. In the coming weeks each Grange will receive a form from me asking all of the same questions asked by the IRS on the 990N website. Please, please, PLEASE return these completed forms as soon as possible. One way or another, these filings MUST be completed in a timely manner in early 2018 and your prompt returns to the Central Office will be greatly appreciated.
We again had the Grange Store at State Session and members bought lots of merchandise. Please keep in mind that Grange jewelry, t-shirts, supplies, and promotional items are available throughout the year by contacting me at the Central Office. You don’t have to wait until next year’s State Session. Don’t look now but Christmas is again right around the corner!
Until next time, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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