| JUNE 3, 2010 -- The Board of Directors has been looking at the restructuring the Annual State Grange Session to make it more convenient for members to attend and to add some excitement and enthusiasm to our session. Over the last few years attendance at the pre-session Banquet and the session itself have fallen off. We have also seen less discussion on resolution and enthusiasm during the session.
This year's session will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in East Hartford where it has been held in the past. Room rates are the same as last year and we are working to keep the cost of the Banquet low while still having a sit down meal. As with any meeting there are still some points to be worked out.
At last year's meeting, a proposed revision was distributed for comments and concerns. We heard from many of you and have tried to address many of these concerns. A revised draft schedule is in this month's Granger. Some of the major changes are; the Sunday Morning session has been dropped, the Installation is planned for Saturday afternoon after the Closing of the Annual session and prior to the new Celebration Dinner and Evening of Excellence Saturday Night, the opening Thursday Night will include more reports as well as the Opening in the 6th degree and Committee assignments and which resolutions are assigned to each Committee will be announced in the Granger prior to the session. As stated at last year's session, we are still planning for a registration fee (currently looking at $30- 35 depending on final cost of lunches as well as a lower one day registration) and planned lunches to present awards.
Some Frequently asked Questions:
Q: If I am only coming to take the Sixth Degree will I have to be registered and pay a registration fee?
A: No, those that are taking the degree or participating as part of the degree do not need to register.
Q: If I am only attending the Installation and/ or the Night of excellence will I need to register?
A: No but you will miss out on the important parts of the rest of the session.
Q: Will I have to attend the banquet to see the "Night of Excellence" including the Lecturer's Program?
A: Again no, but seeing that the evening will be set up in a banquet format those attending the banquet will have preferred seating.
Q: What is included in the registration fee?
A: Attendance at all the sessions, tickets to the Luncheons (if one day registration the luncheon that day) and easy access to the meetings.
Q: Is the banquet included in the registration fee?
A: No the banquet is a separate ticket.
Q: Will Junior Grange Members need to register to participate at the Junior Luncheon and Awards?
A: No, we are still working on a possible lower cost for the luncheon and also a kid's lunch for the Saturday Luncheon to make it more attractive to the Junior Members.
Hopefully this helps explain the proposed changes. I know that we are always nervous about changes and how they will go. I am sure there will be some minor issues but with all of us looking at this as a positive move which will bring new life into the session, I am sure that it will be an exciting and memorable time. All the members of the Board are looking forward to seeing you at the session.
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126th Annual Session of the Connecticut State Grange
Thursday, October 21 - Saturday, October 23, 2010
Sheraton Hotel, East Hartford, Connecticut
Thursday Evening
7:00 P.M.
Open in Sixth Degree
at the Sheraton Hotel - East Hartford
Roll Call of Officers
Roll Call of Granges
Introduction of National Representatives
Committee Assignments
Introduction of Business without Debate
8:00 P.M.
State Master's Address
Report of State Secretary
Report of State Treasurer
Report of Exec. Comm./Bd. of Directors
9:00 P.M. Closing
9:15 P.M. Committee Work Begins
Friday
9:00 A.M.
Open & Introductions
Roll Call of Officers
Minutes of Previous Day's Session
9:15 A.M.
Report of Legislative Committee
Report of Agriculture Committee
9:30 A.M. Election of Officers
10:00 A.M.
Report of General Deputy
Report of Pomona Deputies
Report of Camp Berger
Report of Connecticut Granger
Business Session
12:00 P.M.
Luncheon
CWA Presentations & Awards
Membership Awards
Information/Publicity Awards
2:00 P.M. Business Session
5:00 P.M. Closing
8:00 P.M. Sixth Degree Conferral
Saturday
9:00 A.M.
Opening & Introductions
Roll Call of Officers
Minutes from Previous Day's Sessions
9:15 A.M. Memorial Service
10:15 A.M. Business Session
12:00 P.M. Youth/Junior Recognition Luncheon
1:45 P.M. Business Session
3:30 P.M. Installation of Officers
5:00 P.M. Closing
7:00 P.M.
Celebration Banquet
Lecturer's Program
Scholarship
FFA
Agricultural Awards
Community Service
Past Deputy Raffle
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