| July 1, 2020 -- As the State Master has mentioned in his column, we are working on plans that will enable us to have either an in-person or virtual State Session. COVID-19 makes our traditional procedure for conducting elections problematic as it causes members to be in close contact while casting ballots. To keep everyone safe, this year’s election will be conducted through the mail.
SELECT YOUR DELEGATES NOW
All Granges should have received forms for the selection of their delegates for State Session. It is imperative that delegates are chosen now. Due to COVID-19, there are things that have to be done well before State Session. The first mailing for State Session will go out directly to your Delegates after August first. If your Grange has not been meeting virtually, you will need to figure out how you will meet and select your delegates. Contact the Membership Director if you would like to set-up a virtual meeting on Zoom. Otherwise, in- person meetings (25 members or less) are now permitted provided all social distancing and sanitation recommendations are observed.
SUGGESTIONS
After August 1 (when the Delegate forms are due back to the State Grange Office), a mailing will be sent to each registered delegate containing a suggestion form and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The delegate will fill in any suggestions for State Officers they may have and mail the envelope back to the State Grange.
BALLOTING
Once the suggestions are received, the State Secretary will prepare a ballot that will be mailed out to the delegates with a similar envelope addressed to the chairperson of a three person committee who will tabulate the votes and prepare an election report to be presented at State Session. Both the suggestion form and the ballot will be printed on tamper resistant paper. Only the original ballot form will be accepted as a proper vote. Photocopies, computer generated or hand-written ballots other than the formal ballot form provided to delegates will be discarded.
DON’T LOSE YOUR VOTE
It has been a longstanding policy of the State Grange to only seat delegates from Granges whose dues are paid up to the second quarter preceding State Session. This is also the case this year. The second quarter of this year is just closing (June 30). Granges have until July 31, 2020 to pay dues for the second quarter (and any outstanding prior quarters) to avoid a late fee and to participate in the suggestions and balloting for the election. If dues remain unpaid at the time of State Session, your Grange’s delegates will not be seated and will not be allowed to vote at the Session. If dues are paid after August 1, delegates will be allowed to participate in any activities whose deadlines have not passed and will be credentialed to be seated at State Session.
CO VID-19 has taken us considerably outside of our normal “comfort zones.” We have to re- think everything we do as Grangers to ensure all members are kept reasonably safe. While we may have some missteps along the way, we are doing our very best to keep the Connecticut State Grange moving forward… and beyond the pandemic.
Please let me or the State Master if you have any questions or concerns. |
