MICHIGAN STATE GRANGE MASTER/PRESIDENT
Christopher D. Johnston
6241 Grand River Road
Bancroft, MI 48414
(989)634-9350 (H) (989)666-6648 (C)
msgprez19@yahoo.com

MICHIGAN STATE GRANGE OFFICE
404 S. Oak Street
Durand, MI 48429
(989)288-4546
msgrange1873@yahoo.com



NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024​ GRANGE NEWS
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New Grange Year
As we begin a new Grange year, let's strive to make this the best one yet. Our Granges and Grangers have done amazing things in the past year and we continue to impress our friends and neighbors. In our efforts to
serve the communities we inhabit, we continue to miss our opportunities to share our excitement when we accomplish whatever we are doing in the community by inviting our friends and neighbors to join in
our efforts.
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When we ask them to join us they have a choice to either say yes or no. It has been said that for every ninety-nine No’s there will be one YES. We need to capitalize on the YES’S. The more members we have the more we can do in our own communities.
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Before we volunteer our members to become No’s we need to remember that many hands make little work. While we strive to keep our members from getting volunteer burnout, keep in mind that it is always good to thank your members and volunteers. Fredonia Grange does a catered meal once a year to thank all who have helped them throughout the year, a very nice gesture.
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National Session
As I write this we are preparing to head out to the National Grange Convention in Bettendorf, Iowa. I look forward to visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. We have been hard at work with our host
committee work for the last few months, we will continue with that work through the convention. If you happen to be in the area during the convention we would love to have you stop by and say hi. The National
Convention is designed for more than just the delegates. If you have seen any of the information about this year's convention you will notice that there are over 60 different breakout sessions that are designed for the
non-delegates. 

​​State Session
I would like to wish congratulations to all of the contest entry winners within the departments. The handiwork of our members never ceases to amaze me. We have so many talented individuals around the state, I would hope that our Lecturers are using those individuals to educate our members on their crafts and hobbies.
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I would also like to thank Randy Cebulski and the Region Granges and Grangers that put together a spectacular State Sesson.  The facility was spacious and had room for everything, and of course as Grangers, we adapted to the loss of heat that the Church experienced right before our session.

​​And a big thank you to all that donated to the North Carolina Granges in need. I’m preparing to travel there in just a few short days and am proud of the amount that Michigan Grangers have donated. Every little bit will help our fellow Grangers and their communities re-establish their lives after the devastation brought on by Hurricane Helene.
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“As we are again to separate and mingle with the world, let us not forget the precepts of our order. Let us add dignity to labor, helping the fatherless and the widows, and keeping ourselves unspotted from the world….” But never forget to tell them who we are, what we do, and invite them to join
us. 

​​Until next time……
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025 GRANGE NEWS

Happy New Year!!
I hope you had a nice holiday and welcome to 2025. As always, a new year is a time to focus on what you want to accomplish in the Grange. Be it new members, new community service activities or the ever challenging ambition to start a new Grange! This is the time to start making those plans!
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National Grange Session
I’m happy to report that the host committee did a fantastic job hosting the 2024 National Grange Session. The committee was tasked with a few new projects and they definitely succeeded with the challenge. The host banquet was different as it was a lunch on a riverboat cruise that was open to all attendees. There were multiple tour options at different times so members were able to attend more than one. And finally, several workshops offered all day, every day that members could choose from. And I’m happy to say that the Wreaths Across America community service project Connie was in charge of resulted in donations of $5,220.00, sponsoring 307 wreaths! Thank you for helping make that contribution!
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As for the business side of things, we sent two resolutions from our state session. The one on balloon releases was rejected as a state issue and the other one on the Grange websites through National Grange was approved.

​Lame Duck Session
Hopefully you’ve been following the happenings in Lansing. It appears that a few bills regarding the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are being pushed and passed by the house before the democrats lose control, however, they still have to go before the Senate. House bill 6229 presented by Rep. Amos O’Neal aims to increase hunting and fishing licenses. Some key changes are hunting licenses will go up by 50% from $20.00 to $30.00 for residents, fishing licenses will be required at the age of 16 instead of 17, a Shooting and Education Fund created which would then allow the DNR to charge a permit fee for the use of a state-owned shooting ranges, and senior discounts will go down from 60% to 25%. While fees haven’t been increased since 2014, these are still some pretty high increases and the concern is that there will be fewer licenses purchased.
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Also passed is House Bill 5428 that would increase the DNR Recreational Passport fee from $13.00 to $14.00; but the main issue is that there is no longer the option to enroll. You now will be automatically charged, unless you opt-out of purchasing it. This can be misleading and will require people to pay attention when renewing/purchasing registration tabs if they don’t plan or aren’t able to use the state parks system.
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Leadership Conference
While normally the Leadership Conference, formally known as the Master’s Conference, has been for State Masters in the past, the National President is welcoming other state leaders as well. This would include the President and a second delegate, Vice Presidents, Executive Committee Chairperson or other up-and-comer. This year’s conference will be held in Sonoma County, California, February 14 - 16, 2025. If you would like to know more information about the
conference, please contact me and I can share the details with you.