| OCTOBER 20, 2014 -- The 2014 Session of the Connecticut State Grange featured many highlights, including a transition in Presidents, awards and recognitions, donations, and a dedication and commitment to Grange growth.
With delegates, members, honored guests and visitors in attendance, outgoing Connecticut State Grange President Jody Cameron opened the 130th Annual Session of the Connecticut State Grange, held from October 16 through October 18, at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill. Scott & Marie Nicholson served as the National Grange Representatives to the 130th State Session. Marie currently serves as National Flora and Scott is Master of the Montana State Grange.
Speaking to Grange members from across the state in his address as outgoing State Grange President, Cameron touched on a wide range of subjects including the membership retention, fiscal responsibility and community service.
"In the past four years we have seen the greatest interest in the Grange that we have seen in decades. We organized our first new Grange in over 60 years; and have successfully revitalized two Granges," Cameron said. “True growth takes work, not only in planning and recruiting, but making newer members an intricate part of the group, thus making them feel welcome and included.”
Election of Officers was held on day two of the session, where delegates from over 50 communities across Connecticut elected Noel Miller from Coventry as the new Connecticut State Grange President. Miller replaces Cameron, who had served as the President of the Connecticut State Grange for the past four years.
Over half of the State Grange officers changed - either by moving up the ranks or with the addition of new faces. Miller introduced his new directors, committees and deputy force after the installation of officers on day three of the Session.
Delegates and Session Committees addressed over 35 resolutions during the Session, on such topics as handicapped accessibility, traffic safety and the school milk program. Details and results of these resolutions are available on the Connecticut State Grange website, and will also be available in the Connecticut State Grange Journal of Proceedings, to be published this winter.
Awards and recognitions played a large role throughout the session, during both the Awards luncheon and the Youth/Junior luncheon, as well as the Celebration Banquet. Scholarships were awarded to James Percoski, Meredith Milligan, Asia Avery and Christian Sherman.
Granger of the Year was awarded to Link Cooper of Ekonk Community Grange and Ann Duval of Killingly Grange. Pomona (county) Grange of the Year was awarded to East Central Pomona No. 3. Community Service awards went to Prospect Grange (Granges with 50 or fewer members) and Ekonk Community Grange (Granges with 50 or more members).
The Celebration Banquet was filled with fun and recognition, as the Lecturer's program spotlighted old-fashioned country music with a performance by the Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers, and numerous additional award winners were announced. Ekonk Community Grange was the winner of the Complete Program contest, and Cindy Legg from Beacon Valley Grange in Naugatuck was the winner of the Grange essay contest.
The Agriculture Committee presented awards for the Outstanding Agriculture Professional Award to Erika Marczak, and the Outstanding Young Agriculture Professional Award to both Graham Baldwin and Riva Martin from Sullivan Farms. The Banquet concluded with the Past Deputies Raffle.
The 131st Annual Session of the Connecticut State Grange will be held October 15 - 17, 2015, with the Celebration Banquet on October 17. The location of the next Session will once again be the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill.
About the Connecticut State Grange: The Connecticut State Grange has been an integral part of rural and non-rural communities across the state for 130 years, with currently more than 50 local Grange chapters in Connecticut. Local Granges are committed to bettering their communities through service projects and family orientated activities.
For more information on the Connecticut State Grange please visit www.CTStateGrange.org. |
