| June 5, 2016 -- June is that time of year when our Granges are electing new offi cers. We look around our halls to see who will take an office or who will move up, or stay the same. I finally see what past President Jody Cameron was preaching during his term. Are we training and teaching for our replacements in the future? As our older members decline and we fail to have people in line to replace them we are all doomed. I see this in my own Grange and Pomona. Who will take the reins and lead us now. This may be the factor that determines the survival our Pomona or Community Granges, so we should all have a discussion on this subject real soon.
This past month my mother passed away and it gives me time to reflect on her and my father’s lives within the Grange. My father joined first to get to know people in town and was told it was a good group for town politics. My mother joined when the older kids were old enough to join with her. My father had 56 years and my mom was at 48 years in the Grange. Both were past Masters of Coventry Grange. My father brought from Grange community service, giving back and hard work. While my mother lived the salutations with Faith, Hope, Charity, Fidelity and Perseverance. She worked and gave to family and strangers because it was the right thing to do.
As I reflect on my 43 years in the Grange and those I have met and knew, I see that we have not filled the shoes of those who left us. I remember saying at a funeral that this person had big shoes to fi ll, but we can use many people to fill those shoes not just one person. Let us have discussion on this topic in our Granges. How are we going to meet the challenge of the future if say our Master doesn’t run or our Secretary wants to retire after 40 years of being Secretary? Who will take the challenge or will we just give up?
June is also a busy time of year for Grange activities. June 11 is entry day for Let’s Celebrate at Cheshire Grange. June 12 is CT Grange Sunday and Let’s Celebrate Day, starting at 10:00 A.M. (Church Service at 11 A.M.). June 26 is New England Grange Sunday at Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, NH. This is a lovely area for an outdoor service, or indoors if it is raining, put on by the New England State Chaplains. It’s also a nice day trip.
I have heard that a generous donation was made to Mountain County Pomona #4 and to Camp Berger from a Granger from Taghhannuck Grange in Sharon. I thank this member for remembering the groups that he was fond of. Were mind members that in your estate planning you can leave a donation to your Grange or Pomona, State Grange, State Grange Foundation or Camp Berger. No amount is too small and it would be greatly appreciated by those members, or groups.
We all have a love of our Grange experience but we all need to expand, broadcast, scream, promote our beloved Grange. For if we don’t we will lose our Grange in Connecticut. As we look into our crystal balls we can see an end to our organization. We must change that sighting and it starts now. |
