| April 2, 2022 -- It’s finally spring and the temperatures are starting to match the season. Hopefully that means Granges will be meeting more frequently and holding more public events.
Early in March a couple of mailings went out to all Granges with important forms and information.
Each should have received a copy of the receipt from their 990N E-Postcard filing for the most recent tax year. Please place these receipts in a safe place as it is your Grange’s proof of tax filing. You may also need to produce this paperwork when proving your tax- free status with your municipality or transacting business with banks. Please let me know if you did not receive your copy.
Copies of official forms for Suspension of membership and application for reinstatement have also been provided. There is a common misconception that Granges can “drop” members for non-payment. This is actually not true. By majority vote at a regular meeting, a Grange may suspend a member who is delinquent in the payment of dues for one quarter or more. Before this vote, the member has to be contacted at least twice, with one being in writing. Until this vote, the member is still counted on the Quarterly Report to the State Grange. After the vote, the member should be notified using the forms provided.
Another misconception is that a suspended member does not retain continuous membership upon reinstatement. If the member applies for and is granted reinstatement and pays all dues required (past due and current) within one year, they are able to retain their continuous membership status. The Grange is also required to pay to the State Grange all dues paid for the period from suspension to reinstatement. If a member is reinstated after one year, continuous membership cannot be restored.
An important thing to remember -- all of these rules are available to all members in the National Grange Digest and the Connecticut State Grange By-Laws. All Granges received a copy of the most recent update of the State Grange By-Laws and the National Digest is available online through the National Grange website. Hard copies are available for purchase through the National website as well. You can also contact me, and I will make sure you get a copy. All Granges should have copies of the Digest and By-Laws available.
If there are questions after reviewing the Digest, please contact me (if it pertains to the Secretary’s office) or contact the State President. We are happy to work with you... it’s our job!
Next month I will have more information on a revised version of the Resolution of Respect issued by many Granges when a member passes. These forms were sorely in need of an update. The new resolutions are fold-over cards with mailing envelopes. More next time.
Until next month... enjoy the coming spring!
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