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| Annual Session - Resolutions and Results |
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Resolutions are available for download in PDF form on the downloads page. |
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| 1. |
RE: MERGING NORTH CENTRAL POMONA #13 WITH EAST CENTRAL POMONA #3
WHEREAS the membership of North Central Pomona #13 consisting of Stafford Grange #1, Tolland Grange #51, Vernon Grange #52 and Enfield Grange #151, has fallen substantially, and
WHEREAS one of the major reasons for creating North Central Pomona #13 was the overcrowding at meetings, and
WHEREAS attendance to meetings at North Central Pomona #13 has fallen in numbers, and
WHEREAS some of the Subordinate Granges in North Central Pomona #13 have difficulty arranging time and places for North Central Pomona #13 to meet, and
WHEREAS having petitioned and gained the approval of the members of East Central Pomona #3 to merge with them,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that North Central Pomona #13 and East Central Pomona #3 shall merge, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this shall be in effect immediately following the 2011 Session of the Connecticut State Grange.
N. Central Pomona #13 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 2. |
RE: SPECIAL NEEDS YOUTH AT REGIONAL AND NATIONAL GRANGE YOUTH ACTIVITIES
WHEREAS the Grange welcomes all into its membersip, and
WHEREAS the Grange has always promoted helping those in need, and
WHEREAS the Grange is proud to have special needs members.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that youth attending regional or National Grange youth activities, having special needs,
have a mentor assigned to assist them throughout all activities, and that this mentor be from the Community or
Pomona Grange of the state of the youth member and acquainted with him/her and with his/her special needs.
Ekonk Grange #89; Quinebaug Pomona #2 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 3. |
RE: YOUTH AT REGIONAL AND NATIONAL GRANGE ACTIVITIES
WHEREAS youth are a vital part of Grange membership at all levels, and
WHEREAS these young people excel in many areas in Grange, school and community before being selected to represent
their state at regional and national activities, and
WHEREAS the states are proud of the youth that they send to represent them, yet are responsible and need to know
that these young people are properly supervised throughout all activities.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that responsible adults be assigned monitoring/chaperoning duties throughout all youth activities, including nights to ensure the safety and moral well being of our young people.
Ekonk Grange #89; Quinebaug Pomona #2 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 4. |
RE: MEMBERSHIP RECOGNITION
WHEREAS there is a membership recognition program for Grange members starting with twenty-five years, and
WHEREAS both the Silver Star and Golden Sheaf Certificates clearly state that the certificate recognizes "Continuous Membership in the Grange," and
WHEREAS presently the Junior Grange years cannot be counted, although these Junior Grange members have been indeed members of the Grange, and
WHEREAS Golden Sheaf members continue to pay dues so adding these would not be a hardship.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that membership in the Junior Grange be recognized as being a continuous Grange membership when tallying the years for the recognitions, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution, when passed be forwarded to the next session of the National Grange.
Lyme Grange #147; New London County Pomona #6 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 5. |
RE: STATE LEGISLATORS
WHEREAS most employed persons are expected to work eight hours a day, and may be given a break to relieve tension
and/or stress, and
WHEREAS most persons work their best when fresh and alert, and
WHEREAS our State Legislators are putting in many hours regarding the duties of the State, often putting in more than eight hours a day working on the budget and other matters concerning the general public, and
WHEREAS our legislators are working hard, and are tired and want to go home after eight hours, and some think if
they work until 11 P.M. or 1 A.M. they will get the desired legislation passed when all are no longer alert.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge our legislators to work reasonable hours and not
push for voting on important issues at unreasonable hours, when all are tired and not fresh and alert.
Manchester Grange #31; E. Central Pomona #3 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 6. |
RE: RECALL OF ELECTED STATE OFFICIALS
WHEREAS elected officials in the State of Connecticut are not now subject to recall by the citizens of the state until the end of their elected term, and
WHEREAS the governors, state senators, and state representatives and other state officials, elected to their positions, may commit crimes, abuse the power of their office, or display incompetence in the performance of their duties.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge that the State Legislature enact a recall bill whereby a petition of one quarter of the voters that voted, would remove the offending officials from their office, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the vacated office be filled by special election within sixty days of removal.
Beacon Valley Grange #103; Excelsior Pomona #7 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 7. |
RE: REST AREAS
WHEREAS Connecticut has rest stops in Willington, Danbury, Middletown, North Stonington, Southington and Wallingford, and
WHEREAS truckers and motorists use the rest areas to take a break and/or sleep, and
WHEREAS truckers are required by law to rest after a certain number of hours on the road, and
WHEREAS the State of Connecticut DOT in an effort to reduce spending has decided to close the Willington rest stop as of July 1, 2011 expecting to save $400,000 yearly, and other rest areas will be closed to save the state $1.3 million yearly, and
WHEREAS the closing of rest stops will add to driver's concerns for safety and well being.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the State of Connecticut and DOT to keep these rest stops open in order that drivers will have a place to rest and/or sleep before continuing their journey.
E. Central Pomona #3 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 8. |
RE: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
WHEREAS protection of personal information from identity thieves continues to be a major concern for all Americans, and
WHEREAS the Social Security Administration warns all citizens against carrying their Social Security cards on their persons and using them as a form of identification, and
WHEREAS the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requests taxpayers write their Social Security numbers on checks and payments sent in to the IRS, and
WHEREAS the State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services models its tax forms and procedures on those used by the IRS and also asks taxpayers to write their Social Security number on all tax payments to the State of Connecticut, and
WHEREAS the IRS openly admits disclosure of Social Security numbers on payments is not required but is strongly recommended.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Grange encourage the Federal government and the IRS to discontinue use of Social Security numbers as taxpayer identification and to develop an alternative identification system to keep taxpayer’s private information more secure, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the IRS discontinue the practice of requesting Social Security numbers to be written on payments submitted to that agency, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange encourage the General Assembly to pass legislation to develop an alternative taxpayer identification system and also abandon the practice of requesting disclosure of Social Security numbers on tax payments.
Winchester Grange #74; Mountain County Pomona #4 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 9. |
RE: DEPUTY BY-LAWS CHANGE
WHEREAS Article X, Section 2 of the CT State Grange By-Laws dealing with Deputies provides, "for such service shall receive five dollars and mileage expenses for each regular Grange visit for inspection, provided a satisfactory report is made to the State Master before July first," and
WHEREAS this provision does not allow for Deputies to be reimbursed for official visits beyond one inspection per year, and
WHEREAS the Deputies are currently required to make at least three visits per Grange, per year for Schools of
Instruction and two inspection dates, and
WHEREAS most Deputies do not even submit for the five dollar per diem allowance.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article X, Section 2 of the Connecticut State Grange By-Laws be changed to read: "for
such service shall receive mileage expenses for all official Grange visits as determined by the State Master, provided a satisfactory report is made to the State Master."
Winchester Grange #74; Mt. County Pomona #4 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 10. |
RE: ALTERNATE DELEGATES TO STATE SESSION
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange has an Annual Meeting, and
WHEREAS every Subordinate Grange elects two (2) delegates to represent their Grange at the Connecticut State Grange
annual meeting, and
WHEREAS every individual becomes ill or faces an emergency at one time or another and should this illness happen on
the day of the Connecticut State Grange meeting the Subordinate Grange they represent is denied their rights at the Connecticut State Grange meeting, and
WHEREAS Article IV of the Connecticut State Grange Constitution and By-Laws pertains to the election of the delegates representing the Subordinate Grange, and
WHEREAS other organizations that have individuals representing them at special meetings have alternates in case that individual could not attend it is suggested that Connecticut State Grange consider the same.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article IV Section 8 be added to the Connecticut State Grange Constitution and By-
Laws that states that the Subordinate Grange will elect two (2) delegates and two (2) alternates to represent their Grange at the Connecticut State Grange meeting, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that should one or both delegates become incapacitated the alternates would represent said
Grange at the Connecticut State Grange meeting.
Whigville Grange #48; Mountain County Pomona #4 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 11. |
RE: ALTERNATE MEETING DATE
WHEREAS during the past winter months many of the Granges in Connecticut had to cancel their meeting due to
inclement weather, and
WHEREAS nearly half of the Granges in Connecticut have scheduled only one meeting a month, and
WHEREAS Article 6.12.1 of the By-Laws of the National Grange states that "A Subordinate Grange must meet regularly once a month and may provide for additional meeting in its By-Laws."
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all Granges that meet only once a month add an alternate date to their monthly
meeting schedule.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be submitted to the Connecticut State Grange for further action.
Cheshire Grange #23; New Haven County Pomona #5 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 12. |
RE: FINDING MORE ECONOMICAL WAYS TO PRODUCE ENERGY
WHEREAS the cost of energy is steadily increasing making it harder and harder for the low income families and those
on fixed incomes to afford using electricity, gasoline, etc.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Energy Council be strongly urged to explore and find ways of producing "Clean Energy" as soon as possible, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each member of the Grange urge their Congressional representatives to encourage this
search and use of more economical energy, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee on behalf of all its Grange members
also urge Congress to find more economical ways to produce energy.
Prospect Grange #144 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 13. |
RE: MILITARY PAY
WHEREAS all military personnel should be paid regardless of an approved national budget, and
WHEREAS military personnel should automatically receive pay checks without interruptions.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Grange recommend to Congress to pass a bill to make military pay
unconditional and the obligation of the government, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the National Grange to pass this resolution and lobby
Congress to pass this bill.
Watertown Grange #122; Excelsior Pomona #7 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 14. |
RE: HANDICAP PARKING AREAS
WHEREAS under the provisions of the Department of Justice, 28 CFR Part 36, "ADA Standards for Accessible Design", all
buildings accessible to the general public are to have designated handicapped parking spaces, and
WHEREAS during the past winter months many of these designated parking spaces were used to pile the snow that
was scraped up in the parking lots making them useless, and
WHEREAS many of the designated parking spaces were used to park or store construction equipment used by contractors working on the building, and
WHEREAS many non-handicapped individuals have also used these designated parking spaces in violation of the
provisions of the Accessibility Code.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Building Officials, Police Officers, and Security Personnel should monitor for these
violations and ticket and fine all the violators, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be submitted to the Connecticut State Grange for further action.
Cheshire Grange #23; New Haven County Pomona #5 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 15. |
RE: SAVE THE ROCKY HILL / GLASTONBURY FERRY
WHEREAS the Rocky Hill/Glastonbury Ferry is known as the nation's oldest continuously operating ferry in the nation, and
WHEREAS it has been operating since 1655 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and
WHEREAS it is a place of interest, enjoyment and history. A place for visitors to Connecticut to experience by taking a ride on our historic ferry and therefore a good reason to preserve it.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the State of Connecticut be encouraged to find the means to keep our historic ferry
operating for generations to come, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED a copy of this resolution be forwarded to East Central Pomona Grange #3 and the
Connecticut State Grange for their support and action. nd that it then be forwarded to the Connecticut State Legislature for their support and action.
Glastonbury Grange #26 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 16. |
RE: SESSION COMMITTEE BY-LAW CHANGE
WHEREAS Article IX, Section 13 of the Constitution & By-Laws of the Connecticut State Grange reads: "On or before the first day of the Annual Session in each year, the Master shall appoint the following Session Committees and to these Committees shall be referred such business as will naturally be appropriate for them to consider, and their reports shall be made as promptly as possible:
Agriculture/Conservation; Constitution & By-Laws; Credentials/Master's Address;
Consumer Safety & Ecology/Education;
Good of the Order;
Junior;
Legislative;
Resolutions/Insurance;
Membership;
Committee on Women's Activities;
Camp Berger;
Connecticut Granger/Information/Publicity”,
and
WHEREAS twelve sessions committees are now unnecessary given the number of Granges in the State of Connecticut, and
WHEREAS the listing of specific committees in the Constitution and By-Laws requires the State Master to appoint all of the committees or to create combined committees with extremely long and confusing names to satisfy the requirement, and
WHEREAS a revision of the Constitution and By-Laws eliminating specific committees would give the State Master the freedom to create the committees that reflect the current needs of the Connecticut State Grange.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED Article IX, Section 13 of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Connecticut State Grange be changed to read:
"On or before the first day of the Annual Session in each year, the Master shall appoint Sessions Committees and
to these Committees shall be referred such business as will naturally be appropriate for them to consider, and their reports shall be made as promptly as possible."
Winchester Grange #74 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 17. |
RE: CROSSWALKS
WHEREAS the majority of pedestrian crosswalks on Connecticut State highways and state roads and most main roads within our towns and cities are equipped with crosswalk signals activated by a push button, and
WHEREAS there is no standard for the timing of the light, type of visual image, audible sounds nor decibel level of sound associated with these crosswalks, and
WHEREAS, not all pedestrians are able to cross quickly because of infirmity, mobility impairments, or are accompanying children in strollers or on bicycles, and
WHEREAS there is danger to pedestrians still in a crosswalk when the signal changes to permit movement of motor vehicles.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a standard minimum time with an accompanying sound of a sufficient level of loudness be adopted for all crosswalks in Connecticut, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange request the Connecticut Department of Transportation and
the Federal Highway Administration to establish and promulgate standards for the minimum walk light time, type
of visual image and audible sound level for all crosswalks, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the next session of the National Grange together with a
recommendation that the National Grange request the Federal Highway Administration to establish and promulgate
standards for the minimum walk light time, type of visual image and audible sound level for crosswalks throughout the United States.
Enfield Grange #151; N. Central Pomona #13 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 18. |
RE: SALE OF PLANTS CLASSIFIED AS INVASIVE SPECIES
WHEREAS many plants once considered as attractive ornamentals are now classified as invasive species which should not be sold or planted in Connecticut, and
WHEREAS various parts of invasive species including seeds can travel considerable distances and then establish themselves as plants without any cultivation, and
WHEREAS responsible nursery farmers recognize the importance of controlling and eradicating invasive species and cooperate in the public and private activities to control the spread of invasive species, and
WHEREAS the list of invasive species varies from state to state, and
WHEREAS bittersweet is now classified as an invasive species in Connecticut, and
WHEREAS bittersweet has been offered for sale at one well-known discount chain in Connecticut during the past year, and
WHEREAS the management of discount chain stores may not be aware of the listing of various invasive species in
Connecticut.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the passage of legislation that would require all
businesses offering or planning to offer seeds and/or live plants for sale in Connecticut to obtain a permit listing the species which the businesses may offer or sell before offering seeds and/or live plants for sale in Connecticut, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge such legislation to include a cash penalty for failure to apply for such permit at a level that will offset the cost to the State of Connecticut of enforcing the legislation proposed in this resolution.
Vernon Grange #52; N. Central Pomona #13 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 19. |
RE: POWER PRIORITIES
WHEREAS a spokesman for CL&P was quoted in The Westerly Sun (Thursday, September 1, pg. 7) as saying, "priorities
are based partly on infrastructure and partly on recommendations from state and local officials" and “in towns west of the Connecticut River, which had fewer power outages, CL&P has been working to get the electricity squared away quickly. When that's completed, all of these crews will shift to Eastern CT where more downed trees struck wires, and about 1,000 roads were blocked," and
WHEREAS this statement suggests that priorities for assigning repair crews were set by geography and influence rather than the extent of damage sustained, and
WHEREAS several areas in Eastern CT did not get their power restored until the 7th day following the storm, and as a result, emergency services were severely limited or non-existent, and
WHEREAS blocked roads cannot be cleared until electric wires and poles are secured, making travel to jobs and/or
emergency shelters impossible, and
WHEREAS for towns which do not have access to city water, loss of electricity also means the loss of water for drinking, cooking, washing and flushing, and
WHEREAS this creates health risks.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange advocates the development and enforcement of a published list of qualifications to assign priorities in the event of a state-wide power outage, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the qualifications include measurable indicators such as access to emergency service
facilities, the availability of city water, the extent and severity of the power loss, and the concentration of senior citizens in a given area, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the Connecticut General Assembly for action thereon.
N. Stonington Grange #138 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 20. |
RE: CT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
WHEREAS the CT Agricultural Experiment Station was the first Agricultural Experiment Station in the United States, founded in 1875, and
WHEREAS the station is the home of many agricultural discoveries including hybrid sweet corn, the isolation of lyme disease, improvements to strawberry plants to prevent fungal disease, improving broadleaf and shade grown
tobacco product. And many others, and
WHEREAS the station continues to carry on vital research and testing for the citizens of the State of Connecticut
including soil sample testing, food born illness sample testing and testing mosquitoes for infectious disease such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and
WHEREAS the station is a federally recognized food safety inspection site, and
WHEREAS the station is controlled by an independent Board of Control and is eligible for federal and private donations as well as overseeing several trust funds which the State would lose if the station is closed, and
WHEREAS during the last budget crisis consideration was given to closing the stations and even though they remain open it received major cuts to its operating budget above the average 14% received by other agencies, and
WHEREAS the Grange has always supported the station and had a successful working relationship with it.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange continue its support of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station as a stand alone state agency, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Grange also support adequate state funding for the Station.
Riverton Grange #169 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 21. |
RE: CT TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
WHEREAS the CT Technical High School program has been a state run operation with funding from the state, and
WHEREAS there has been consideration of changing that and turning the oversight of individual schools over to local
school districts, and
WHEREAS the schools are currently available to students who may not reside in that local school district and could be excluded from the schools in the future.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange support the continuation of the state run Technical High School system as it currently exists.
Riverton Grange #169 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 22. |
RE: CT-SCAN LEVEL OF RADIATION
WHEREAS CAT-Scans are being used more frequently by physicians, especially on children, and
WHEREAS the radiation accumulates to a dangerous level with overuse, causing cancer.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our Legislators to compel CAT-Scan users to release to the patient or the patient's parents, the level of radiation used for that patient's permanent record.
Granby Grange #5 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 23. |
RE: GRANGE E-MEMBERSHIP AND GRANGE MONEY TRANSFERS
WHEREAS the Fraternal Order of Patrons of Husbandry has the shorthand name of Grange, and
WHEREAS the term grange in England refers to a complete farm which in the early times was able to take care of all
recognized human needs at the time, and
WHEREAS a human need of today in the United States, a Representative Republic, is to be aware of the activities of the governing body in Washington, D.C., and
WHEREAS the National Grange has seen fit to report on these activities in a non-partisan way through the internet, as well as providing other economic benefits, by setting up a Grange e-Membership class of Grange membership, and
WHEREAS Membership is paid for by the use of the internet method of money transfer known as PayPal, and
WHEREAS PayPal is a secure method of transferring funds on the internet through the use of credit cards.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Grange body support the e-Membership for all internet users, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Grange body seek utilize PayPal for the transfer of funds between all Grange bodies, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Grange body supports the idea of the National Grange developing and recommending to Grange bodies computer software that will allow each Grange level to easily keep track of money transfers in compliance with the money handling principles described in the National Grange Digest.
Granby Grange #5 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 24. |
RE: FAMILY MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
WHEREAS the fraternal Order of Patrons of Husbandry has the shorthand name of Grange and also known as the Family Fraternity, and
WHEREAS the term grange in England refers to a complete farm which in the early times was able to take care of all
recognized human needs at the time, and
WHEREAS a human need of today is to develop a love for music in the family, and
WHEREAS there has been developed in modern times an electronic musical sound generator which will:
• Help young family members learn musical key board skills through a follow the lights method
• Provide home music through more than 10 internet channels
• Allow musicians to record multiply MIDI channels of a song
• Play music encoded in MIDI format
• Duplicate sound of many individual musical sound generating instruments
• Produce words and music for sing alongs on a large screen
• Provide many drum beat sounds and rhythms
• Fill in additional background sounds to one person playing the keyboard
• Has a variable rhythm beat rate
• Needs no annual tuning because the pitch is electronically time determined
And more, and
WHEREAS one of these instruments has the trade name of Clavinova.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Granges who own a hall work with local dealers to become known as a place to
go to hear and see the family music generator, the Clavinova, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED members of that Grange body, who are interested, be instructed in the use of the Clavinova, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Grange body owning the demonstration facility gain some financial advantage
through any sales on Clavinovas resulting form demonstration at Grange buildings.
Granby Grange #5 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 25. |
RE: RETENTION OF GRANGERS WHO ARE STUDENTS
WHEREAS having students in high school and/or college often creates a financial hardship for families, and
WHEREAS not all members who are students are eligible to participate in the Family Membership Program, and
WHEREAS a reduction in dues might help retain Grangers who are students, and
WHEREAS a dues reduction program would be most effective if implemented by Granges at all levels: Subordinate,
Pomona, State and National.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Grange reduce the dues for members aged 14-23 (the age group defined
as dependents in the National Grange Family Membership Brochure), who are not eligible for a family dues plan, by 50%.
N. Stonington Community Grange #138; New London County Pomona #6 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 26. |
RE: REMOVAL OF OIL AS A COMMODITY ON THE FUTURES MARKET
WHEREAS crude oil is traded on the world futures market like agricultural products such as wheat and corn and
precious metals such as silver and gold, and
WHEREAS the price of oil changes daily as commodity traders forecast its value into the future, and
WHEREAS speculators, anticipating a rise in price, purchase large supplies at lower prices, and
WHEREAS this, under the principle of supply and demand reduces the amount of oil available and pushes up the price, and
WHEREAS the price of oil has an impact on all goods and services produced in the United States economy.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange recommends removing oil as a commodity on the futures market, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the National Grange for action thereon.
N. Stonington Comm. Grange #138; New London Cty. Pomona #6 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 27. |
RE: OBLIGATION CEREMONY
WHEREAS Growth in membership is a prime goal of the CT State Grange, and
WHEREAS quick or immediate initiation is vital to retention of new members, and
WHEREAS while all Subordinate Granges have authority to confer the first four degrees, few do this on a regular basis, or at all, and
WHEREAS while the Obligation Ceremony was approved by the National Grange many years ago, its use in CT is limited
to only four approved teams.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the use of the official Obligation Ceremony be approved for all Subordinate Granges in Connecticut.
Stonington Grange #168; New London Cty. Pomona #6 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 28. |
RE: HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE MEDICAL BUILDINGS, HOTELS AND INNS
WHEREAS Hotels and Inns state that they are handicapped accessible, and this accessibility should begin at the front doors, and
WHEREAS those that are listed as handicapped accessible should have a button accessible at all doorways of the
building, and
WHEREAS the bathroom doors in the rooms also need to be wheelchair accessible, yet they do not always conform to
the size of most wheelchairs, and
WHEREAS oftentimes back entryways to medical buildings with handicapped buttons are not accessible as laboratory containers and other items are often left right in front of the button so those wheelchair-bound cannot reach the button to open the door, and
WHEREAS all medical buildings, hotels and inns are supposed to have handicapped accessible equipment in place, yet so many of them do not conform.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee urge the passage of legislation
that enforces all facilities listed as handicapped accessible CONFORM TO THE RULES.
Old Lyme Grange #162; New Haven Cty. Pomona #5 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 29. |
RE: DELIVERY OF MAIL
WHEREAS the volume of mail handled by the United States Postal Service is decreasing, primarily due to modern
electronic forms of communication, and
WHEREAS the reduced volume of mail is causing the United States Postal Service to operate at a deficit, and
WHEREAS the United States Congress is currently studying various methods of reducing or eliminating the United
States Postal Service deficit, and
WHEREAS one of the proposals under consideration is the elimination of mail delivery on Saturdays, and
WHEREAS reducing the number of days on which mail is delivered will result in inconvenience and delays to many
residents throughout the United States.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange opposes any reduction in the frequency of delivering
mail to residences, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange recommends the United States Congress study the feasibility of eliminating mail delivery to offices, businesses, factories and other nonresidential addresses on days when those facilities are not in normal operation, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the National Grange together with a recommendation for
favorable action therein.
State Grange Legislative Committee |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 30. |
RE: REAFFIRMATION OF SUPPORT FOR THE CT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
WHEREAS the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) was founded in 1875 and is the oldest Experiment
Station in the United States, and
WHEREAS one of the recent state budget proposals would have zeroed their budget and threatened CAES’s existence, and
WHEREAS CAES provides a variety of services that are essential to the agricultural industry in Connecticut such as:
• monitoring seeds to make sure inferior seeds are not sold in the state and inspecting plants that are sent out of Connecticut,
• monitoring our forests for invasive species such as the Asian Longhorn Beetle which are damaging our hardwoods,
• monitoring our waterways for invasive aquatic plants and invertebrates,
• overseeing and monitoring plant blights and diseases as well as assisting in the identification of plans and diagnosing plant health, and
WHEREAS CAES monitors and assists in controlling insects such as mosquitoes to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus, the tick population for the spread of Lyme Disease and recently the infestation of bed bugs which are all serious public health issues, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange has been a strong supporter of CAES in the past.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange reaffirm its support for the Connecticut Agricultural
Experiment Station and that the Grange continue to oppose severe budget cuts proposed that may threaten the existence of the CAES.
State Grange Legislative Committee |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 31. |
RE: USDOT DECISION TO UPHOLD STATES RIGHTS TO REGULATE FARM OPERATORS
WHEREAS in the May 31, 2011 Federal Register the USDOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
requested public comment on several issues, one of which was whether farm equipment operators should be required to obtain commercial drivers licenses (CDLs) if they use public roads, and
WHEREAS the public comments from the agricultural community was overwhelming in objection to this
recommendation, and
WHEREAS at this time operators are currently exempt from the USDOT policies and are efficiently regulated by the
individual State’s departments of transportation, and
WHEREAS due to the strong opposition by the agricultural community the USDOT released a statement that their office
had 'no intention of instituting onerous regulations on hardworking farmers' citing that most States have already
adopted common sense enforcement practices allowing farmers to safely move equipment and products.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange applauds the decision to uphold the States rights to
regulate the farmers transporting of equipment and crops and to not add additional regulations, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if in the future the USDOT or the individual States propose regulations similar to those
appearing in the May 31, 2011 register that the Grange oppose such recommendations which would put undue strain on the agricultural community, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Grange opposes any legislation or regulations which would require farmers to obtain commercial drivers licenses to operate farm equipment, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED a copy of this resolution be sent to the National Grange for their approval.
State Grange Legislative Committee |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 32. |
RE: OBLIGATION CEREMONY (USE OF)
WHEREAS the National Grange, at the 1990 Annual session, authorized the use of an Obligation Ceremony to initiate
members into our Order, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange, the following year, also authorized its use but only by teams approved by the
State Master, and
WHEREAS there were then three teams approved to use the Obligation Ceremony, and
WHEREAS none of these teams have been active for several years and may not now be intact to perform the Obligation
Ceremony, and
WHEREAS the Obligation Ceremony is a useful tool to initiate members into our Order.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange, by vote of the delegate body, remove the restriction of Obligation Ceremony teams and allow all Community Granges within their jurisdiction to use the Official Obligation Ceremony to initiate members into our Order.
Redding Grange #15; Fairfield County Pomona #9 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 33. |
RE: LOW INTEREST LOANS TO GRANGES
WHEREAS many Granges in Connecticut are old buildings with many needing repair and upgrading, and
WHEREAS many Granges do not have the funds available to repair and or upgrade their buildings for compliance with
many health codes, safety issues, and handicap access, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut Granges are community centered with a long history of serving their communities, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange loans money to Granges with a monthly interest rate of 3%. A cost that many Granges cannot afford when their budgets are already stressed by high energy cost, reduced membership, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange has over a million dollars invested in corporation and savings accounts that
yield small return on their investments, and
WHEREAS many Granges are on the border of closing due to lack of funds for their repairs.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange should invest in the Granges of Connecticut by loaning
money to them for repairs and upgrades to their buildings. The interest rate of the loans shall be forgiven if the Grange does at least one public event per month with no less than 10 a year. This forgiven of the loan should only be for a time period set by the State Grange with 2 years being the minimum period.
Hillstown Grange #87 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 34. |
RE: USAGE OF THE GRANGE SEAL ON GRANGE COMMUNICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS
WHEREAS the Grange Seal represents the highest ideals and mission of the Grange as an organization and is, therefore, used on all formal and official documents executed both internally and externally as put forth by the National Grange; and
WHEREAS the Grange Seal is also used to recognize excellence within the organization, such as on certificates and ribbons to honor a specialization or in recognition, and
WHEREAS the manner in which we present ourselves and how we communicate to our audience is very important in the public’s perception of the Grange’s integrity on all levels of the organization: National, State, County-wide and in each Community; and
WHEREAS Granges across Connecticut have a responsibility to apply this organizational identity via the Grange Seal in a consistent and accurate way across all documents and communications, both internally and externally, and
WHEREAS the National Grange has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that proper and legal usage of the Grange Name and Seal are guaranteed under Intellectual Property laws and Trademark registrations; and
WHEREAS the booklet "Connecticut State Grange Communications Guidelines and Procedures" explains in detail proper usage of the Grange Seal as well as the Intellectual Property laws and Trademark registrations; and
WHEREAS all Connecticut State Grange Officers, Committees, Pomona, Junior and Community Granges were given a copy of the "Connecticut State Grange Communications Guidelines and Procedures" booklet as well as a disc as part of the Connecticut State Grange Public Relations packet at the 2010 Connecticut State Grange Annual Session; and
WHEREAS all Connecticut State Grange Officers, Committees, Pomona, Junior and Community Granges were given a disc as part of the Connecticut State Grange Public Relations packet at the 2010 Connecticut State Grange Annual Session; and
WHEREAS this disc contains Grange Seals properly trademarked and authorized, in both black and white and full color applications, and in a number of sizes and formats for easy usage; and
WHEREAS this disc also contains usable documents and templates of official Grange letterhead; and
WHEREAS a number of correspondence and communications pieces and documents were distributed both internally
and externally during this last Grange year that: did not contain the Grange Seal at all, were not printed on official Grange letterhead, or contained an un-authorized version of the seal; and
WHEREAS additional copies of this disc, as well as customized letterhead templates and graphic design services are available from the Connecticut State Grange Public Relations Committee upon request;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge all Connecticut State Grange Officers and Committees, Pomona and Junior Granges, and Community Granges to use the properly trademarked and authorized Grange Seal in some capacity on all pieces of printable correspondence, documents and communications, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the Officers, Committees, Pomona and Junior Granges, and Community Granges need help in executing these efforts, they are to contact the Connecticut State Grange Public Relations Committee for assistance.
Connecticut State Grange Public Relations Committee; Winchester Grange No. 74 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 35. |
RE: EMAIL ADDRESS USAGE FOR EACH COMMUNITY GRANGE
WHEREAS branding of the Grange in Connecticut is taken very seriously, and as such the Connecticut State Grange has established a number of procedures and guidelines accordingly; and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange began a new initiative in 2010 to protect the privacy of each individual involved in our organization; and
WHEREAS it is in the best interest with e-mail communications of the State Grange and Community Granges to handle e-mail in a professional manner like businesses and corporations; and
WHEREAS using an e-mail address that ends in @CTStateGrange.org, or other Connecticut State Grange approved e-mail address, not only looks professional but supports the branding and identity of the Grange through name reinforcement; and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange has established a Grange website program which includes a Connecticut State
Grange approved e-mail address; and
WHEREAS each Community Grange has been assigned a unique e-mail address which utilizes the specific Grange Name and ends in @CTStateGrange.org; and
WHEREAS instructions for access and use of these unique e-mail addresses were distributed to each Community Grange
at the 2010 Connecticut State Grange annual session, as part of the Public Relations packet; and
WHEREAS an instructional booklet is also available for download on the Connecticut State Grange website;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge Community Granges to use their assigned @CTStateGrange.org or other Connecticut State Grange approved e-mail address for all Grange communications,
business, advertising and publicity purposes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these e-mail addresses must be used where the Community Grange e-mail address will be viewable by the general public.
Connecticut State Grange Public Relations Committee; Winchester Grange No. 74 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 36. |
RE: COMMUNITY GRANGES ON FACEBOOK
WHEREAS Facebook is a social media networking website that was launched in 2004, which currently has more than 500 million active users daily; and
WHEREAS Facebook offers "Fan Pages" specifically for business and organizational usage as well as a "Personal Profile" for personal usage; and
WHEREAS the specific features offered are different for "Fan Pages" versus "Personal Profiles" as they are tailored to enhance the user's experience; and
WHEREAS Community Granges in Connecticut are encouraged to set-up Facebook "Fan Pages" to help promote the activities, meetings, events and projects of each Grange to the public; and
WHEREAS it is a Terms of Service violation for a business or organization to set-up a "Personal Profile" in the name of their business/organization; and
WHEREAS a number of Connecticut Community Granges are in violation of Facebook's Terms of Service where they have set-up a "Personal Profile" in the name of their Grange instead of setting up the proper Facebook "Fan Page;" and
WHEREAS Facebook at anytime has the right to disable "Personal Profiles" of not only the account in violation, but of the person who created the account; and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange issued two booklets - "Connecticut State Grange Communications Guidelines and Procedures" and the "Connecticut State Grange Social Media Reference Guide" - to every Community Grange as part of the Public Relations packet at the 2010 Connecticut State Grange Annual Session in which the proper procedure for setting-up Facebook "Fan Pages" and the differences between account types are explained in detail; and
WHEREAS these booklets are also available as downloadable PDF files from the Connecticut State Grange website; and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange Public Relations Committee wrote a lengthy article explaining the differences of account types and proper procedures in the June 2011 Connecticut Granger newspaper;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Community Granges follow the Social Media guidelines as found in the Connecticut State Grange Communications Guidelines and Procedures booklet and the Connecticut State Grange Social Media Reference Guide booklet that were issued to all Community Granges; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Community Granges, not in compliance with Facebook's Terms of Service and the proper
procedures set forth by the Connecticut State Grange, make the appropriate changes to be in total compliance as soon as possible; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that Community Granges on Facebook notify the Connecticut State Grange Public Relations Committee at such time that total compliance is reached.
Connecticut State Grange Public Relations Committee; Winchester Grange No. 74 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 37. |
RE: INCREASING THE DUES TO THE CONNECTICUT STATE GRANGE
WHEREAS the cost of goods and services purchased by the Connecticut State Grange continues to rise, and
WHEREAS the income derived by the Connecticut State Grange from its various investments has decreased due to lowered stock dividends and lower interest rates on funds in the various banks, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange does not want to diminish the services it provides to the Pomona and
Community Granges as well as the individual Patrons.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article XIII, Secton 1, Division 2 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Division 2. Subordinate and Community Granges shall report promptly to the Secretary of the State Grange at the beginning of each quarter, using blank forms provided by the Secretary of the State Grange, and remit dues to the State Grange as follows: $5.75 for each member that has been a member for the full preceding quarter, including all who have taken or been obligated in the first degree, and $2.50 for each person initiated or obligated during the quarter. In the event the dues to the National Grange are increased by vote of the delegate
body, subordinate dues to the State Grange shall increase the same amount automatically, to take effect upon the change by National Grange.
State Grange Board of Directors |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 38. |
RE: ESTABLISHING PENMANSHIP INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WHEREAS some public school districts have discontinued the teaching of penmanship rendering those students affected unable to read and write in cursive script, and
WHEREAS most legal documents are completed and validated by a cursive signature, and
WHEREAS many adults express themselves in cursive writing, rendering those unable to read this script less functionally literate.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee adopt a policy favoring the re-introduction of penmanship classes where they have been dropped, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this policy on penmanship instruction be forwarded to the Connecticut State Commissioner of Education in the hope that it will encourage him to add penmanship classes to the basic curriculum that all the local school districts utilize.
Bethlehem Grange #121; Excelsior Pomona No. 7 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
|
| 39. |
RE: CREATION OF VO-AG PROGRAMS IN ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES
WHEREAS the decline in the number of people who make a living from agriculture relative to the total population of the U.S. has contributed to lessened understanding of the sources of our food supply, and
WHEREAS current Vo-Ag programs for grades 9-12 have been valuable in giving our students insights into our production of food in the U.S. but are limited to these later school grades.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange support the establishment of Vo-Ag programs regarding the agricultural production of plant and animal foods to be aimed at the elementary and middle school grades, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these programs which might consist of classes and field trips which could be incorporated into existing elementary and middle school curricula which would not necessitate adding the earlier grades into the existing Vo-Ag high schools.
Oxford Grange No. 194; Excelsior Pomona No. 7 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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