| July 5, 2017 -- I have mentioned in previous issues the problems with the Celebration Banquet at State Session. After careful consideration by the Executive Committee and discussion with the Holiday Inn, we have decided on a couple of changes to the schedule.
First, the Celebration Banquet will now be held on Friday evening (Oct. 20) beginning at 7:00 P.M. The Sixth Degree will move to Saturday afternoon following the close of the afternoon business session. It is our hope that these changes will encourage more people to attend the banquet and will make it easier for members wishing to receive the Sixth Degree to get to Norwich on a Saturday afternoon.
An additional problem with the banquet has been the difficulty in getting members to reserve tickets in advance. Many meals are requested during the week of the session, making it difficult to have an accurate count for the hotel and forcing us to give them higher numbers in the hope that members will buy the tickets. So, beginning this year, there will be a cut-off of October 1 for advance purchase of Banquet tickets. After Oct. 1 the price will increase to $40 per person.
A mailing recently went out to all Granges with requests for several things. First, please let us know how many dues receipts are needed for your Grange. Please fill out and return the Officer and Committee form for the State Directory. Please consider donating to the gift for State Lecturer Marge Bernhardt. The gift will be presented to her during Lecturer’s Conference in Vermont. Please complete and return your inspection form to the State Master and consider nominating a member of your Grange for Granger of the Year. That’s a lot of things, but they really don’t take a lot of time to do and your immediate return will make our work at the Central Office so much easier. I thank you in advance!
Room reservations for State Session can be made at any time by calling the hotel at the number listed in the article on page 2 of this issue. The rate continues to be $92 plus tax. Remember to mention the Connecticut State Grange when making your reservations. The Call to State Session will be out by the beginning of August and will contain registration information and delegate cards. Please return one card to the Central Office and present the other to your Delegates to be turned in at State Session.
Summer is always the steady wind-up to State Session and this year is no exception! Please let me know if you have any questions or need assistance. |
