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| The
Structure of the Grange |
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Many
subordinate Granges sponsor a Junior Grange. Children
ages 5 through 14 are eligible to belong to the
Junior Grange whether or not they come from a
Grange family. In the State of Connecticut, there
are currently two active Junior Granges.
Junior
members conduct their own meetings, have their
own ritualistic work and through this experience
they learn leadership, initiative and good citizenship
skills.
The
Junior Grange programs are created to develop
and hone individual talents, build self-confidence,
increase participation in Grange activities
and provide leadership training. Members between
five and 14 years old have fun while learning
responsibilities and concern for their communities
in activities that stress family values.
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The
Subordinate Grange is the "Local" Grange.
This unit of the organization is built around
the community. Men, women and youth are admitted
on equal terms. Those who are a minimum of 14
years of age are eligible for full membership.
Each member has one vote. The local Grange elects
its own officers and controls its own affairs
in community matters. It confers the first four
ritualistic Degrees. Although regular business
Grange meetings are for members only, the educational
and literary programs are frequently open to the
public, as are the numerous community activities
the local Granges provide. All Grange activities
are for the purpose of developing leadership,
improving community life, and expanding opportunities
for all people.
Approximately
300,000 people are members of the Grange in
3,600 communities nationwide. In the State of
Connecticut, there are over 60 communites with
a Subordinate Grange.
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The
Pomona Grange is the equivalent of the County-wide/Regional
Grange. Subordinate Granges within a given district
are grouped together on a county or regional basis
into Pomona Granges that meet monthly or quarterly.
The Pomona Grange offers the Fifth Degree of the
order, thus extending the lessons and opportunities
of the Subordinate Grange. The Pomona Grange provides
the leadership for educational, legislative, and
business interests of the Subordinate Granges
in its jurisdiction. In the State of Connecticut,
there are currently 10 Pomona Granges. |
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The
State Grange is a delegate body representing Subordinate
and Pomona Granges. At their annual conventions,
State Granges consider many important matters
relating to legislation and public policy, with
particular reference to agriculture, other matters
of concern to rural and urban America and the
general welfare of the state as a whole. Inasmuch
as State Grange policies originate in the Subordinate
and Pomona units of the Order and are conveyed
through their delegates, this branch is, in a
special sense, expressive of Grange thought and
sentiment throughout the entire state.
Voting
authority is vested in the delegate body, which
in most instances, is composed of the Masters
(Presidents) of Subordinate and Pomona Granges
and their spouses (or other elected delegates),
each having one vote. The Sixth Degree of the
Order is conferred at these conventions.
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The
National Grange is the parent branch of the Order
which speaks with authority and understanding
for the major branches of agriculture and Rural
America. All business sessions of the National
Grange are open to any Subordinate Grange member
in good standing. As spectators, they have no
vote in the deliberations, but they do have ample
opportunity to appear before committees and to
testify. As the supreme legislative body of the
Order, policies are developed through the channels
of Subordinate, Pomona and State units, and consequently
embody the seasoned judgment of the membership.
Delegates from each State (the State Master and
Spouse) comprise the voting body. At the annual
convention of the National Grange, one day is
devoted to the conferral of the Seventh Degree,
the highest degree of Order. Degree candidates
and members gather from all parts of the Nation
for this annual ritualistic event. |
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