This contest is open to all Grangers, as well as their children and grandchildren. However, only Grange Members may compete at National Grange.

a. America the Beautiful
b. Animals
c. Grangers in Action
d. Family Celebrations
e. Historic Places or Events

Please Note: Grangers in Action should be pictures of Grangers doing something, not posed shots.

Rules:

1. Only prints are accepted. No slides in any category.

2. Participants may enter all categories, but are limited to one entry in each category.

3. Entries must be taken by participant after June 10, 2011.

4. A rigid backing is required for all photographs. No glass or frame is allowed.

5. Print may be processed commercially, but must have been taken by the entrant. Remember, this is a picture you took, not a picture of you.

6. Panoramic photographs as well as black and white photographs may be entered, but no separate category is provided for these.

7. Size of Backing: No smaller than 4"x6" or larger than 11"x14".

8. Name, Category, Grange and Grange Number must be placed on the back of picture.

9. Youth Entries (Age 14 and under) will be judged separately.

10. Judging: Photos will be judged at Cheshire Grange Hall on Sat. June 9th. Entries may be mailed or given to the State Lecturer ahead of time, or may be brought to Cheshire Grange Hall between 9:00 & 10:00 a.m. on June 9.

CSG Agricultural Committee has been in contact with the Connecticut Food Bank and they thought if we could get our members to grow the squash and donate (some of them) that would be of great assistance to the food bank. They have assured us that even if we have great participation we cannot overwhelm them with to much produce.

If your Grange grows and donates squash we ask that you keep a total of the number of pounds that you donate as this is an additional contest. The cut off date for donations eligible for this contest will be October 1, 2011 and your totals must be given to a member of the Agricultural Committee no later than October 10, 2011 for entry into this contest.

Our contact at the Connecticut Food Bank for distribution of donations will be Carolyn Russell, who can be reached at (203) 469-5000 ext 312. So Mission Number One is to grow a lot of produce for the Food Bank. In addition to growing squash for the above contest, we would like some of the Granges to consider using this project as a means to get non-Grangers involved in a Grange activity. We would like you to consider asking other groups such as the FFA, local land trust, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, school kids and the general public to assist in growing the produce.

We recommend having a meeting with any other interested parties to supply them with seeds and growing instructions. A second meeting is necessary to gather the squash for later donations to the food bank. And lastly if you have good participation you should have a formal meeting to thank any non-Grangers for their assistance.

Your attempts to interact with the general public is also a contest. Please keep track of your attempts to get non-Grangers involved (even if your efforts are not successful) and provide the Connecticut State Grange a report of your efforts (in booklet form) for display at State Session. You may add pictures and any newspaper clippings you might have for your project. The booklets will be judged solely on the basis of effort. So Mission Number Two is to broadcast this grange project to non-Grangers to get them involved and get them to become acquainted with the Grange. Good Luck Everyone.

You must grow the squash used in this contest. The Hart Seed Company has agreed to donate sufficient seeds for us to send to all our local granges. Should you need addition seeds, please contact a member of the CSG Agricultural Committee for more seeds. Your squash is to take on a human form for this contest. It may be only part or all of the human body. You may use any means to decorate your squash: you may add such things as hair, eyes, hands, feet and or clothes.

Your squash is to be judged at the Subordinate level, Pomona level and then at the Connecticut State Grange session in October. Your squash will be judged on creativity, originality, completeness and with a general eye towards entertainment.

Your squash should rest on a 9" plastic or paper plate that has your name, address, phone number, grange number and whether or not you would like your squash back taped to the back of the plate. Have fun with this.

To Be Announced

Open to the Public - you do not have to be a Grange Member to enter this contest.

No Product requirement

There are ten classes for competition - - afghans, doilies, embroidery, baby set, plastic canvas, counted cross stitch, adult garment, latch hook, quilted wall hanging and stuffed toy. All items submitted for judging must be clean and odor free.

ALL FIRST PLACE STATE WINNERS WILL COMPETE IN THE NEW ENGLAND FINALS.

ALL JUDGING FOR THE STATE CWA CONTESTS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JUNE 9th (The day before) “LET’S CELEBRATE DAY” – JUNE 10, 2012 AT CHESHIRE GRANGE HALL. THIS WILL BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH GRANGE SUNDAY AND THE LECTURER’S PROGRAM.

All entries must be at the Grange Hall by 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 9th.

Brochures/entry forms for the New England Grange Needlework Contest may be obtained from theFamily Activities Committee, Pomona or Subordinate chairmen, and are available for download from this website.

PRIZES FOR THE NEEDLEWORK CONTESTS AT THE STATE LEVEL WILL BE: 1ST PLACE - $15.00, 2ND PLACE – $10.00 AND 3RD PLACE - $5.00.

PRIZES FOR THE CRAFT CONTESTS AT THE STATE LEVEL WILL BE: 1ST PLACE - $10.00, 2ND PLACE – $5.00 AND 3RD PLACE - $3.00. State ribbons will be given in all contests.

PRIZES FOR THE CRAFT CONTESTS AT THE STATE LEVEL WILL BE: 1ST PLACE - $10.00, 2ND PLACE – $5.00 AND 3RD PLACE - $3.00. State ribbons will be given in all contests.

You may enter a scrapbook of any size, any subject, any design.

ALL SCRAPBOOK ENTRIES WILL BE RETURNED TO THE PERSON MAKING THE BOOK.

Contest is for Grange members only.

PRIZES FOR THE CRAFT CONTESTS AT THE STATE LEVEL WILL BE: 1ST PLACE - $10.00, 2ND PLACE – $5.00 AND 3RD PLACE - $3.00. State ribbons will be given in all contests.

NEEDLEWORK CONTEST: This contest requires the use of any type of needle – sewing, crocheting, knitting, etc.

BAKING CONTEST: The Juniors will use the same recipe as the adults.

ALL JUNIOR ENTRIES FOR BOTH OF THE CONTESTS WILL
BE SENT TO THE STATE JUDGING ON JUNE 9th (The day before) “LET’S CELEBRATE DAY” - June 10, 2012 AT CHESHIRE GRANGE HALL. All entries must be at the Grange Hall by 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 9th.

PRIZES WILL BE 1ST PLACE - $5.00, 2ND PLACE $3.00
AND 3RD PLACE - $2.00

Create a commercial for your Grange that is 60 seconds in length, using the either the theme "Community Grown" or "Create, Win, Grow."

Deadline: October 1, 2012

Creative: Think of an idea for a commercial representing your Grange. Make us laugh. Make us cry. Make us say, "Wow! I want to join the Grange." Make it something you’d want to see on TV. You write it. You cast it. You direct and shoot it. You have total creative control.

Requirements: The Commercial must be sixty (60) seconds in length, including any tags. The entry must reflect the either the theme "Community Grown" or "Create, Win, Grow." Please note the following: Any elements in your submission, including without limitation music, audio, speech/voiceovers, stills, video, supers, or other audiovisual materials used must be 1) entirely original, created and performed by you, 2) be in the public domain. Use of any elements, including without limitation music, audio, speech/voiceovers, video, stills, visuals, or other materials that are not original or in the public domain may result in disqualification of submission.

Judging Criteria: The judging criteria is as follows:

(1) Originality (40%)
(2) Overall Appeal (30%)
(3) Likelihood to Motivate People to Join the Grange (30%)

Prizes: Best of Show submission will receive a framed certificate declaring their achievement, prominent placement on the Connecticut State Grange website and YouTube page, a special showing of their clip at the 2012 Annual Session of the Connecticut State Grange, mentions and links on the Connecticut State Grange Social Media outlets, and a custom media blitz. Honorable Mentions will be awarded to all who submit entries. Prizes will be awarded at the Annual Connecticut State Grange Session in October.

Submission Rules: Upload your completed video to YouTube, then send an e-mail to publicrealtions@ctstategrange.org containing the link to your YouTube page as your submission, as well as your Name, Grange Name and Number, Address, Phone Number and E-mail Address. We will send you a confirmation e-mail to verify your entry has been received.

Technical Requirements: The maximum file size for any video file uploaded to YouTube is 100 MB. Video file(s) submitted to your YouTube account must be provided in one of the following file formats: avi, mov, mpg, or wmv. See the YouTube User Terms of Use for additional details.

Conditions of Entry: By uploading and entering a submission, entrant warrants and represents that the submission:

1.) is original and has been legally created, and is not negative or detrimental to the missions of the Grange;

2.) does not infringe the intellectual property, privacy or publicity rights or any other legal or moral rights of any third party;

3.) has not been published or distributed previously

Spread the Word about your Grange, its projects, activities and events by submitting content to the Connecticut State Grange website. Submissions can be articles, photos, calendar events and scrapbook items (such as newspaper clippings and historical data).

Contest Period: Submission period will run November 1, 2011 - October 1, 2012

Submission Rules: Submissions should be e-mailed to submissions@ctstategrange.org or information@ctstategrange.org.

Please include Name, Grange Name and Number, Address, Phone Number and E-mail Address on all submissions. Photos and scans should be a MINIMUM size of 400 x 600 pixels, with a minimum resolution of 72 dpi. (Larger is better for clarity.) Multiple photos from one event will be counted as ONE submission. Any submission used for publication will be counted for judging. We encourage quality submissions for publication, but quality is not necessarily a factor of judging. We reserve the right to edit or decline any and all submissions prior to publication on the Connecticut State Grange website.

Judging Criteria / Prizes: This contest is based on numbers of submissions.

1 submission - Honorable Mention Participation Certificate

2 - 24 submissions - Participation Certificate

25 or more submissions - President's Award Certificate

The Grange with the most overall submissions will receive a special recognition; all prizes will be awarded at the 2012 Connecticut State Grange Session.

Conditions of Entry: Submissions cannot contain any profanities or any other language, suggestion, or message that is inappropriate, negative, and inconsistent with the Grange’s mission and work.

One of the best ways for the Grange to reach the community is to spread the Grange name. Show us a collection of the ways that your Grange promotes itself in the community through its marketing efforts. The possibilities are endless. Some examples include:

• Hosting and then publicizing an Agricultural Fair
• Participation in community programs and projects, such as the Farmer's Markets, Chamber of Commerce, Recycling Centers, Can and Bottle Drives, etc.
• Community Displays and Booths at local non-Grange sponsored community events
• Newspaper, Television and Radio Advertising
• Signage in your community
• Original printed pieces, such as Flyers, Brochures, Letterhead, Postcards and Notecards
• Participation in internet activities such as having an individual Grange Website and Social Media such as Facebook and Twitter
• and more!

Deadline: October 1, 2012

Submission Rules: To enter, submit a report of NO MORE than 12 pages containing a description and photos/scans on how your Grange promotes itself through marketing. Note that this contest is not a community service contest, although it incorporates community service fundamentals. Entries should concentrate on the promotional aspects of the projects your Grange participates in. Submissions must be fronted by a cover sheet that contains the following information: Name, Grange Name and Number, Address, Phone Number and E-mail Address. Reports should be mailed to Public Relations Co-Director Robert Charbonneau, 102 Spring Street, Meriden, CT 06451 or sent as an attachment (PDF or Microsoft Word Format) via e-mail to publicrealtions@ctstategrange.org prior to the October 1, 2012 deadline.

Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

(1) Content: Diversity of Scope (30%)
(2) Content: Community Impact (30%)
(3) Content: Originality (20%)
(4) Presentation of Entry (20%)

Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to be presented at the Annual Connecticut State Grange Session in October. A Best of Show submission may be selected if deemed outstanding and receive a special plaque declaring their achievement, mentions and links on the Connecticut State Grange Website and Social Media outlets, a custom media blitz. Honorable Mentions will be awarded to all who submit entries.

An engaging press release with an interesting ‘hook’ or angle is an excellent way to gain exposure for your Grange and can lead to publication in newspapers, magazines and on the internet. Show us how your Grange uses Press Releases to capture an audience.

Deadline: October 1, 2012

Creative: A press release is a news story, written in third person, that seeks to demonstrate to an editor or reporter the newsworthiness of a particular person, event, service or project.

Submission Rules: Entries must be an ACTUAL press release written and used by your Grange, should be less than 400 words in length, and follow the proper style and format as described in the Connecticut State Grange Public Relations Tool-Kit booklet. Entries should be mailed to Public Relations Co-Director Robert Charbonneau, 102 Spring Street, Meriden, CT 06451, or sent as an attachment (PDF or Microsoft Word Format) via e-mail to publicrealtions@ctstategrange.org prior to the October 1, 2011 deadline. Submissions must contain the following information: Name, Grange Name and Number, Address, Phone Number and E-mail Address.

Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

(1) Use of Proper Format (20%)
(2) Accurate Spelling and Grammar (20%)
(3) Content: Engagement (20%)
(4) Content: Originality (20%)
(5) Overall Impact of Message (20%)

Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to be presented at the Annual Connecticut State Grange Session in October.

Set your imagination lose! Let your mind run wild, but be sure that your artwork relates to your Grange event.

Deadline: October 1, 2012

Submission Rules: Submissions must be an ACTUAL poster designed, executed, and used by your Grange for an event. Posters should be a minimum of 8.5 x 11 in size (no limit on maximum size), and may be in either black and white, or color. Submissions must contain the following information: Name, Grange Name and Number, Address, Phone Number and E-mail Address. Submissions should be mailed to Public Relations Co-Director Robert Charbonneau, 102 Spring Street, Meriden, CT 06451, or sent as an attachment (PDF, JPG, or Microsoft Word Format) via e-mail to publicrealtions@ctstategrange.org prior to the October 1, 2012 deadline.

Judging Criteria:

There will be two categories for entries -

A. Digital Design (developed with the aid of a computer and software)
B. Traditional Media Design (developed using traditional artistic media, such as paint, pencil, ink, etc.)

Adult and Junior entries will be judged in both categories. Exhibitors may enter both the traditional and digital categories.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

(1) Clarity of Message (40%)
(2) Creativity and Originality (30%)
(3) Visual Impact (30%)

Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to be presented at the Annual Connecticut State Grange Session in October.

Conditions of Entry: The use of any copyrighted cartoon figures (such as Spongebob Squarepants, Charlie Brown, etc.) or pictures of famous individuals will result in poster being disqualified.

Research has revealed that the news media is responsible for influencing the thoughts and behavior of the general public. Here's an opportunity to show how the Media has helped promote your Grange through the written word.

Deadline: October 1, 2012

Submission Rules: Entries must be an ACTUAL printed or published newspaper article written about your Grange. Entries should be mailed to Public Relations Co-Director Robert Charbonneau, 102 Spring Street, Meriden, CT 06451, or scanned and sent as an attachment (PDF, JPG or Microsoft Word Format) via e-mail to publicrealtions@ctstategrange.org prior to the October 1, 2012 deadline. Submissions must contain the following information: Name, Grange Name and Number, Address, Phone Number and E-mail Address.

Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

(1) Accuracy (40%)
(2) Overall Appeal (30%)
(3) Community Impact (30%)

Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to be presented at the Annual Connecticut State Grange Session in October.

Create a Buzz about your Grange, its projects, activities and events by setting up a proper Facebook or Twitter Page and then managing its contents. This contest is open to all Community Granges, Pomona Granges and Junior Granges.

Deadline: Pages must be active at any point within the period of November 1, 2011 - October 1, 2012

Submission Rules: Let us know when your Grange has set-up its Facebook and/or Twitter pages via e-mail to either publicrelations@ctstategrange.org or information@ctstategrange.org. Pages must be set-up according to the guidelines specified by the Connecticut State Grange, and be in compliance with the Terms of Service of Facebook and/or Twitter.

Judging Criteria: Facebook and Twitter Pages will be each separately judged on the following criteria:

(1) Page Management - Consistent Updates (30%)
(2) Content - Variety and Accuracy (25%)
(3) Overall Appeal (20%)
(4) Community Impact (20%)
(5) Number of Fans / Followers (5%)

Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards to be presented at the Annual Connecticut State Grange Session in October. Recognition Certificates will be awarded to all Granges who have Facebook and/or Twitter Pages.

To Be Announced

To Be Announced