| February 1, 2021 -- It seems that I’m on a bit of a Postal Service “tirade” this month. I apologize, but my frustrations with the USPS mount by the day. In early January I mailed certified letters to all Granges who currently own Grange halls. The Board of Directors initiated a loan/grant program of $1,000 to any Grange requesting the money from the State Grange. It was determined to be a better way of getting money to those Granges that actually need it. If COVID restrictions in the state remain in place beyond July 1, the Board may reclassify these loans as Grants. These notices were sent certified so we could be assured that all Granges received the information. We did not want to risk missing a Grange that may be in dire need of assistance.
Unfortunately, I am now receiving calls from Granges who have received their letters in their mailboxes with the certified postcards still attached. As a result, we are not receiving the notification of receipt for which we have paid a hefty price to the USPS. I will attempt to file complaints with the Postmasters in towns where I know this has occurred.
It would be greatly appreciated if any Granges who have received these letters in their mailboxes without having to sign for them and with the green return postcards still attached to contact me. First, I would like to know that you received this information from us. Second, I need to know how many were delivered this way. End of rant! (Well, in this article.... more on the Postal Service below!!)
Many thanks to all of the Granges who have returned their Bonding payments. There are still a few outstanding and I would appreciate being able to wrap this up and send it off to National Grange soon.
The grace period for the fourth quarter of 2020 has now passed and there are a number of Granges who have not submitted their reports. Please get them in to me as soon as possible. Once receive, you will receive the annual word for 2021, which should be communicated to your members beginning in February.
While many of us may not be seeing each other in person, members are still achieving membership milestones. Secretaries, please check your records and order the certified seals and certificates your members have earned. Fresh batches of forms will be sent to all Granges soon.
The 2021 State Directory has been completed. The 2021 Legislative Policy Book has been completed. The Blue Book for this year is nearing completion and all will be sent out to Granges in one packet very soon. The Blue Book will return to book form as we found the packet form used in the previous two years did not work well as the information wasn’t well distributed to the committees needing it.
With February comes 990N e-Postcard season. As has been the practice for the last several years, I will be filing e-postcards on behalf of all Granges in Connecticut. Receipt of the filing will be sent to each Grange when completed. PLEASE save that receipt for your records. Frequently Granges contact me to find out what their EIN # is. While I don’t mind providing the information, it is listed on the e-postcard receipt as well.
With the new year also comes time to renew our incorporations with the Connecticut Secretary of State. A new “feature” to the annual filing is a classification pull down menu referred to as a “NAICS Code”. When you see them on the page there will be a pull down on the left and one on the right. Granges should select “Other Services (except Public Administration (81)” on the left and then select “Civic & Social Organizations (813410)” on the right pull down menu. This has confused some secretaries because all of the choices on the first pull down have absolutely nothing in common with the Grange. Let me know if you have any questions. Keeping your incorporation up to date on an annual basis is incredibly important so please make a note to do this.
As the vaccinations continue, I certainly hope each one brings us closer to the day when our Granges can return to some semblance of normalcy with in-person meetings and activities. It’s been a long year but it seems like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Until next time, please let me know if you need anything from the State Office and stay warm!
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