MARY ANN ROCCO
145 Beadle Lake Drive
Battle Creek, MI 49014

​​Tel: 269-209-6640

​​Email: roccomaryann@yahoo.com
​
THE DICTIONARY PROJECT

"The Dictionary Project" started in South Carolina. The purpose of the project is to put dictionaries into the hands of third graders. These dictionaries are theirs to keep. The organizers of this project are well organized, and have structured the project to make it a success with a minimum of effort. The website includes sample letters, suggestions for labeling the dictionaries, press releases... in short they have thought of everything you need to make the project a success. You may even send for samples of the dictionaries that are offered for sale. Since the current school year is at an end you will have plenty of time to collect information on you school, ordering the dictionaries and make presentation to the school.

There are four things to recommend this project:

GOOD PURPOSE — The Grange has always supported the advancement of education

MEDIUM EXPENSE — The dictionaries are available at a reasonable cost. The books are sold in case lots.

MINIMUM EFFORT — The instructions are very complete. All the thinking work has been done for you. And it would take very few people to finish the project. A small committee could handle it easily.

GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS — This project would make a very newsworthy story for print or radio.

Please consider this project. If you are interested please contact:

http://www.dictionaryproject.org  or

Mary L. French
P.O. Box #1845
Charleston SC 29402
COMMUNITY SERVICE
MAY/JUNE 2024 GRANGE NEWS

HELLO SPRING!!!!! Hopefully sunshine and warmer temperatures are coming soon. Summer is knocking on our door

April was Grange month and on April 20th we had a Day Of Learning workshop for all Grange members. Lots good information was shared.
​
One of the things I shared was for Granges to develop a Facebook page. It is a wonderful way to inform other Granges and your community of activities and projects your Grange is doing.
Please let me know if your Grange has a Facebook page. I enjoy reading what our Granges are doing. 

Know your Community their needs and give them a helping hand. Our Community Services are a way to help each other and to help in our community.

Have you thought of doing any of these community services? 
  • Partner with an organization to help with projects.
  • Teach a group to sew, knit or crochet.
  • Tutor people learning English as their second language
  • Put together first aid kits s for homeless shelters

Remember when putting your community service report together the focus of all Community Service Reports is on the Community Service your Grange has done this year. 
The National Grange website has information on the Do’s and Don’ts for your Community Service Report. 

This issue is looking at the awards your Grange can receive for Community Service.

GRANGE AWARDS 
Lets review the awards that are available to our Granges We would like to encourage Granges to nominate a person in their community for the Dedicated Worker Award, a Grange member for the VIP (Very Important Patron) and The National Grange Firefighter/EMT, Law Enforcement Officer and Teacher of the Year Awards.

DEDICATED WORKER AWARD 
This award has its importance to the granges presenting the award. This award will no longer be judged at the state level. All nominates will be sent to National for judging. We hope that Granges will continue to present this award to people in their community.

The purpose of the Dedicated Worker Award is to honor someone in your community that has made a difference. Giving public recognition to those who have given outstanding effort is important. This recognition is our way of saying “Thank You” for a job well done.

VIP –VERY IMPORTANT PERSON
The purpose of the VIP Award is for each Grange to honor a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the Grange.

Submission: 
Only one entry from a Grange may be submitted to the State Grange per year. Submit a biography and a summary of the contribution the VIP nominee has made to the Grange. If possible also submit a photograph of your VIP. The submission shall be sent to the State Community Service Director postmarked by September 10th,2024

​National Grange Firefighter/EMT, Law Enforcement Officer and Teacher of the Year Award
​
This is a wonderful way to thank people in your community. I hope more Granges try to award this to deserving people in their community.

The purpose in nominating an individual, in one of these categories, gives public recognition to those who have made an outstanding effort, is important in your various community service projects, that include honoring these hometown hero’s. National Grange encourages your Grange to honor these well deserving individuals. 

Submission:
Each State Grange may submit one nominee for each category. Submit your nomination form, and any other supporting paper work, for possible National Grange recognition, to the State Community Director, the same time, as your Community Service report is due.

​
Your Community Service Report and Award nominations are due on September 10th, 2024.  

MARCH/APRIL 2024 GRANGE NEWS

Wishing everyone a Happy Saint Patrick Day! And a Blessed Easter.

Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow so,
Spring should be right around the corner. Lets hope Michigan doesn’t play any tricks on us. 

In reviewing your Community Service reports evulation, there is a new emphasis on new community service projects. It’s important to reach out to areas in your community where you can give a helping hand. 

Here are some ideas to think about.
  •  Read to a sick child in the hospital.
  •  Visit the nursery and rock the newborns.
  •  Help with Spring Cleanup in your community.
  •  Organize an Easter Egg Hunt. 

Our Granges are doing many exciting projects throughout their communities I would love to share something your Grange is or has done this year. Just let me know and I’ll put it in the Michigan Grange News.  
  
Lets take a look at what our Community Service reports should include,
​
The Notebook Reports:
  •  The summary report should be placed at the beginning of the Notebook. This form is required!
  •  Material should be organized. Suggested ways to submit the Notebook is to have the projects grouped together by the size of the project, chronologically or have your Notebook read like a book. Easy to read and follow activities. This is your opportunity to tell the story of your Grange in a neat and concise manner.
  •  Please do not send more than one Notebook. Notebooks cannot be larger than a 2-inch binder! More isn’t always better!
  •  Videotapes and computer discs cannot be used in place of a report for judging. 
Projects:
  •  Describe the new and old project(s) that will answer the Who? What? Where? 
  • When? Why? And How?
  •  Why did you choose this project? Did it benefit the community? Did you overcome obstacles? Did you record what you would do differently?
  •  Would you recommend this type of project to other Granges? 
  •  Include the details of the work. Were there special committees? Did it take cooperation of other groups? How many Grangers and non-Grangers were involved? What did you accomplish? Describe your successes.
  •  Include support materials used such as publicity, pictures, news articles & letters.
  •  Keep the report concise. Include only material that directly impacts the projects you are explaining.
  •  On the Project List pages: List the projects, the approximate number of hours spent on each project. List the number of Grangers and non-Grangers who assisted with the project. If more space is needed use additional pages.
Community Service Reports are due September 10th, 2024.