| September 11, 2018 -- The weather feels like summer but you would swear it was fall around the Central Office with all of the planning going on for our Annual Session, October 18-20 at the Holiday Inn, Norwich. We are happy to welcome Sister Amanda Leigh Brozana Rios to Connecticut as our National Representative. Room reservations appear to be coming in at a reasonable rate and we haven’t heard of any issues with the room rate since early July. I do know the hotel is now out of king rooms and, like last year, will likely begin running short on all rooms before long. If you haven’t made your reservation, PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATION SOON. We were caught off guard last year and made an emergency arrangement to have rooms available at the Hampton Inn. No arrangement has been made this year as there has been ample notice to all of your for the need to reserve early.
We hope that all Granges send delegates to Session this year. It’s an important year as the term of Master Noel Miller concludes and the term for a new State Master and his officers and committees begins. Installation of Officers will be held on Saturday afternoon this year following the Sixth Degree Conferral. We hope all members will try to attend and support them. It is also important to encourage members who may not be delegates to visit Session and see what it’s all about. The future of the State Grange depends on inspiring new generations of members to participate on this level of the Grange.
We have a number of Granges at this point who have not paid their second quarter dues to the State Grange. I must remind you that Granges cannot have their delegates seated at State Session if the dues of that Grange for the second quarter (and all previous quarters) have not been paid in full. Notices have been sent to all Granges in this category and additional notice will be given if payment has not been received by the time delegate cards are returned to the Central Office.
State Session is also the time when we are able to “roll out” the full Grange Store for all members to shop to their heart’s content. We have t-shirts, jewelry, pins, lanyards, key chains, silk ties, Grange publications and supplies and so much more available. It’s reason enough to visit all or part of Session.
I am aware that at least one Pomona is still having difficulty setting up a bank account. Unfortunately, it’s the “luck of the draw” when choosing a bank these days. On the one hand, it’s good to know they are taking security seriously but on the other hand it is extremely difficult for everyone else who legitimately wants to open a bank account. Not all banks require the extensive background documentation that some are requesting.
As I have reported in past issues, the Connecticut State Grange has retained a non-profit lawyer who specializes in tax and corporate fi lings. The initial Corporate paperwork is nearing completion and should be ready for fi ling by the time you are reading this. The initial State and IRS tax documents will be filed shortly thereafter. I’m sure it was a much easier process 50 years ago when the more recent wave of Granges were organized in this state. Not so today. The most important thing to remember is that when completed, our Pomona Granges will be filed properly with both the State and Federal governments and should not have any issues going forward. It just takes additional time to get there. Thank you to all of our Pomona secretaries and officers for being so patient as we navigate through these oceans of paperwork. It’s worth it in the end.
Also by the time you are reading this, the annual mailing of Dues Receipts will have been sent out to Granges who have ordered them. We only ask that Granges promptly pay for these as soon after receiving them as possible. We have actually received payments six, seven, and eight months after the beginning of the Grange year.
Do you need to take the Sixth Degree? Do you have members in your Grange who want to take the Seventh Degree in Vermont this year? If so, then the conferral of the Sixth Degree at State Session will be on Saturday, October 20 beginning at 3:00 P.M. Tickets for the degree may be purchased from me anytime before or during Session and can also be purchased at the door. We ask that all candidates for the Degree be at the hotel and ready to go at 2:30 P.M. Please contact me if you need further information.
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