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Annual Session - Resolutions and Results
Resolutions are available for download in PDF form on the downloads page.
Resolutions for year:
1. RE: MAINTAINING OPTIONS FOR CONSUMER USE OF COMPUTER-BASED TECHNOLOGY

WHEREAS technology has evolved quickly in all areas of the consumers’ daily living, including home, work and community settings, and

WHEREAS many traditional means of communication, business transactions and shopping are being phased out and being replaced by electronic methods and virtual formats, and

WHEREAS many consumers in rural and urban communities continue to have little to no access for computer use at home for essential activities such as financial tasks and managing healthcare appoiontments, and

WHEREAS many consumers, including seniors or individuals with functional challenges may not be able to adapt to nor prefer to use new technology, and

WHEREAS choices should remain for traditional forms of communication (land line telephone use), financial tasks (hard copy bill writing) and methods for consumer assistance (access to a live person).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Community Granges and the National Grange encourage recognition of varied consumer needs related to computer use, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Granges support any policy development that would retain options for traditional methods of communication.


REFERRED: Good of the Order/Membership/Master’s Address


Greenfield Hill Grange No. 133; Nutmeg Pomona Grange No. 16

Adopted:
Rejected:

2. RE: CONNECTICUT STATE GRANGE ALCOHOL POLICY

WHEREAS the delegates to the 138th Annual Session of the Connecticut State Grange adopted the policies of Sections 10.11.1 through Section 10.11.5 of the National Digest and authorized the State Grange Executive Committee to outline application requirements for obtaining temporary liquor permits.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED Article XI (General Provisions) of the Connecticut State Grange By-Laws be amended to include:

Section 7. Community and Pomona Granges are permitted to have alcoholic beverages at Grange sponsored activities provided Granges obtain host liquor or liquor liability coverage and follow all requirements outlined by the State Grange Executive Committee if it sponsors any events where alcohol will be served.

Section 8. Community and Pomona Granges are permitted to have alcoholic beverages at functions sponsored by non-Grange groups that rent or lease Grange property. Such renters must provide proof of host liquor or liquor liability coverage.

Section 9. No Grange shall apply for or hold a liquor license/permit except for temporary permits for special events.

Section 10. The Connecticut State Grange Alcohol Policy does not supersede any policies as outlined by National Digest sections 10.11.1 through 10.11.5.


REFERRED: Credentials / Constitution & By-Laws


*NOTE: This resolution does not propose new policy. Delegates to the 138th Annual Session adopted Resolution #10 whose resolve states:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange adopt the policies of Section 10.11.1 through Section 10.11.5 of the National Grange Digest of Laws to allow local Subordinate and Pomona Granges the ability to apply for a temporary liquor permit in accordance with the State of Connecticut Liquor Control Commission application requirements and to obtain necessary liquor liability insurance, and approval of the Connecticut State Grange Executive Committee.

This resolution formally adds this adopted policy to the By-Laws of the Connecticut State Grange.


Connecticut State Grange Board of Directors

Adopted: X
Rejected:

3. RE: RECOGNITION OF TERRI FASSIO

WHEREAS Terri Fassio contributes many uncompensated hours of work on Connecticut State Grange activities and programs, including the Connecticut Granger, the Big E as well as Zoom meetings for a number of meetings, posters, banners, and all the work she does for Subordinate Granges, and

WHEREAS we think it would be fitting to give a gift of appreciation for her dedication and hard work above and beyond the call of duty, and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange recognize Terri Fassio to show our appreciation for her dedication and hard work in support of activities and programs of the Connecticut State Grange and that the Connecticut State Grange honor Terri Fassio with a gift of $2,000.00.


REFERRED: Good of the Order/Membership/Master’s Address


Taghhannuck Grange No. 100

Adopted:
Rejected:

4. RE: GOLDEN SHEAF DUES REFORM

WHEREAS many Subordinate Granges are in financial difficulty, and

WHEREAS these Granges are now assessed $7.50 per member, per quarter (total of $30.00 per year, per member), and

WHEREAS Subordinate Granges have to pay for Golden Sheaf members.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange forgive payment of Golden Sheaf dues from Subordinate Granges, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange lobby the National Grange to also forgive Golden Sheaf Payments.


REFERRED: Credentials/Constitution & By-Laws


Beacon Valley Grange No. 103

Adopted:
Rejected: X

5. RE: PROTECTING PARENTAL RIGHTS

WHEREAS some schools will not tell parents about their children being in transition, and

WHEREAS these schools are grooming the children into transition, and

WHEREAS parents are the ones that are responsible for looking out for what is best for their children. The children do not belong to the government.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that anyone taking such action be arrested and charged with child abuse, fined and serve jail time.

REFERRED: Legislative/Insurance


Hemlock Grange No. 182

Adopted:
Rejected: X

6. RE: PROTECTING TITLE IX

WHEREAS male and female at birth are physically different, and

WHEREAS males as they get older get stronger than females in many different areas, and

WHEREAS transitioning is a choice, and

WHEREAS a birth male is not the best female.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Title IX be enforced that birth females compete against birth females and not against birth males.



REFERRED: Legislative/Insurance

Hemlock Grange No. 182

Adopted:
Rejected: X

7. RE: CONNECTICUT’S TRASH PROBLEM

WHEREAS Connecticut is in a trash crisis. Nearly 40% of Connecticut’s trash is shipped out of state to landfills in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, among others, and

WHEREAS this problem was created by the closing of one of the State’s three trash to energy plants in Hartford due to both the cost to upgrade the plant and the hazards of continuing to burn trash, and

WHEREAS there will come a time in the not too distant future when the remaining two plants will close permanently, and

WHEREAS Connecticut cannot be proud of closing the State’s landfills while dumping its trash in other states, and

WHEREAS the General Assembly and the Governor have taken positive steps by expanding the Food Waste Recycling program which will hopefully cut into the large amount of our trash which is food, and

WHEREAS the State has no other plans in development to handle our trash problem in-state without shipping trash out of state.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange encourage the Connecticut General Assembly to appoint a blue ribbon commission comprised of comprised of legislative leaders and industry experts tasked with investigating solutions to Connecticut’s trash problem and make recommendations for solutions to the Governor and General Assembly to alleviate this financial and environmental burden.


REFERRED: Agriculture/Conservation/Environment


Winchester Grange No. 74

Adopted: X
Rejected:

8. RE: LEGISLATIVE POLICY BOOK

WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange has traditionally produced a Legislative Policy Guide which has been distributed to the General Assembly, State Senate, Governor and Lt. Governor to promote the policies adopted by the delegates of the State Grange in annual session, and

WHEREAS the resolution process is pointless if we are not publishing the policy book and promoting those policies in Hartford, and

WHEREAS it has been a custom to publish a policy book, not a requirement.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee be requested to publish an updated Legislative Policy Book each year for distribution to the State’s legislators, Governor, Lt. Governor and any other agencies and departments that can support our legislative policies.



REFERRED: Legislative/Insurance


Winchester Grange No. 74

Adopted: X
Rejected:

9. RE: CONGRESS BANNED FROM INSIDER TRADING

WHEREAS members of Congress on committees have inside knowledge of filings and loopholes for bills they will vote upon, and

WHEREAS members of Congress have family interests in receiving these funds, and

WHEREAS members of Congress have received these funds with the knowledge of the terms of the written bills, which they have had a hand in writing.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange oppose members of Congress using their inside knowledge from obtaining funds from government programs.


REFERRED: Legislative/Insurance


(Returned to Committee)

Coventry Grange #75

Adopted:
Rejected:

10. RE: SUPREME COURT ETHICS RULES

WHEREAS members of the Supreme Court have received gifts and items from wealthy donors or from large corporations, which present the image of influence pedaling, and

WHEREAS the Chief Justice has taken the stance of not establishing a code of ethics for members of the Supreme Court, and

WHEREAS this latest stance and filings of this year’s findings of the Supreme Court has the American public questioning the fairness of settled rules, or misguided decisions that have been made.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge our members of Congress to establish ethics rules that our Federal judges have to adhere to and make them part of the Supreme Court Code of Ethics, to bring faith back to the court and equal justice for all and this resolution be forwarded to the National Grange for its support.


REFERRED: Agriculture/Conservation/Environment


Coventry Grange #75; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted:
Rejected: X

11. RE: STUDENT LOAN CORRECTION

WHEREAS the student loan provision was voted by Congress back in the 1990s under President Bill Clinton, and

WHEREAS on the night before the full vote, a no bankruptcy clause was added without debate by a Representative of Pennsylvania, and

WHEREAS this clause has cost many graduates large sums of added loan charges and no opportunity to get out of a large financial burden, and

WHEREAS student loans are the only loan systems that have this no bankruptcy clause forcing students with large student loans no way out of debt, even through death, parents are forced to repay student loans.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange urge Congress to repair the student loan system to make it fair to students to have fair access to bankruptcy laws, and this resolution go to the National Grange for its support.


REFERRED: Good of the Order/Membership/Master’s Address


Coventry Grange #75; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted:
Rejected:

12. RE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

WHEREAS Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that is popping up in many different areas like academia, publishing, the court system, movies, television, art images and graphics, recording, and

WHEREAS a group of major AI software developers and technology companies (Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Google, etc.) have formed an advisory council and developed a framework of six key principles for responsible AI: accountability, inclusiveness, reliability and safety, fairness, transparency, and privacy and security, and

WHEREAS these principles are essential to creating responsible and trustworthy AI as it moves into mainstream products and services, and

WHEREAS it is documented that the framework addresses ethical issues, such as inclusivity, accountability, and discrimination, and insures that AI systems can justify their decisions and are in compliance with company policies, industry standards, and government regulations, and

WHEREAS one of the areas that poses the most danger for our society is the artificial creation of videos, sound bites, graphics and other digital media that can easily be confused for the real thing, and

WHEREAS public trust of news, as well as artistic and media sources is low and generally citizens believe current safeguards are insufficient, and that there is a fear of AI taking over human jobs, and

WHEREAS a trusted and transparent AI framework will promote responsibility yet not eliminate creativity and artistic license, and create new employment based on implementing targeted human intervention, and

WHEREAS a bipartisan group of U.S. legislators introduced a bill on June 20, 2023 to create a government commission focused on regulation and adoption of emerging artificial intelligence called the National AI Commission Act,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Congress work alongside the technology companies to establish ethical and sustainable fair-use guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence that does not disregard the rights of creators and developers.


REFERRED: Good of the Order


Mountain Laurel Pomona #15

Adopted:
Rejected:

13. RE: ELIMINATION OF CT GROSS RECEIPTS TAX

WHEREAS, the Gross Receipts Tax on gasoline has had a long, controversial history in the State of Connecticut, and

WHEREAS, the original legislation prohibited companies from passing the tax on to consumers; however, the provision was later struck down in court on the fact that it was preempted by federal law, and

WHEREAS, the gross receipts tax on gasoline is percentage-based, but with a capping mechanism rate of 0.881 % to the wholesale price until that price hits $3 per gallon, setting its ceiling at 26.4 cents per gallon, and

WHEREAS, this tax was started in 1991 to fund the Underground Storage Tank Fund that offered compensation to gas station owners to clean up their underground petroleum storage tanks in case of a spill, and

WHEREAS, the Underground Storage Tank Fund was disbanded in 2012, yet the gross receipts tax on gasoline remained in place and the funds now go into the General Fund, and

WHEREAS, Connecticut farmers and all residents rely on gasoline to support their daily jobs and activities, and

WHEREAS, this gross receipts tax unfairly subjects Connecticut farmers and all residents to higher gasoline costs than in the other 49 states hurting our business profits, and

WHEREAS the elimination of this unfair and obsolete gross receipts tax on gasoline would make Connecticut farmers and all businesses more competitive, and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut immediately eliminated the gross receipts tax on gasoline, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that rebates be considered for businesses, such as Connecticut farmers, who have been unfairly impacted by this obsolete tax for over a decade, and


REFERRED: Credentials/Constitution & By-Laws


NOTE: Final resolve deleted by amendment

Riverton Grange #169

Adopted: X
Rejected:

14. RE: USE OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO INSTALL GANTRIES FOR FUTURE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ON I-95 AND I-84

WHEREAS the Federal government has funding available for highway projects under the “Build Back Better Plan”, and

WHEREAS Connecticut does not have tolls to collect revenue for road repairs, and

WHEREAS installing gantries now would enable the Department of Transportation’s ability to install cameras, license plate readers, and future toll devices for cars, trucks, and electric vehicles to help pay maintenance to these highways.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the Governor and State Legislature to use federal funding to install gantries for future highway projects on the entrance points of I-95 and I-84.


REFERRED: Credentials/Constitution & By-Laws


Coventry Grange #75; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted:
Rejected: X

15. RE: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BOTTLE REDEMPTION CENTERS

WHEREAS the State of Connecticut wants people to return bottles and cans for refunds, and

WHEREAS many organizations, clubs, youth groups, civic groups, and fire departments sponsor bottle and can drives to raise money to donate back to the community, and

WHEREAS many homeless and lower income families collect bottles and cans to earn as income, and

WHEREAS many return centers at local markets do not take all bottles and cans, and a number of redemption centers have closed due to the decline of recycling exports in this country.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge our Legislators to develop a plan to increase the number of bottle and can redemption centers in Connecticut to aid in the recycling of bottles and cans to help keep our state clean.



REFERRED: Agriculture/Conservation/Environment


NOTE: rejected for new Committee Resolution #27

Coventry Grange #75; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted:
Rejected: X

16. RE: HEALTHCARE SECURITY

WHEREAS the recent cyber-attack on Prospect Medical Holdings crippled healthcare in the Eastern Connecticut Healthcare Network (ECHN) and healthcare in many states where Prospect has holdings, and

WHEREAS for almost a month the attack has halted many hospital services, diagnostic testing, surgeries, and access to medical records by health care providers and patients due to computer systems being down, and

WHEREAS many laboratories, diagnostic facilities and providers were forced to halt providing services, and

WHEREAS denied access to healthcare can be life altering, even life threatening, and

WHEREAS protected healthcare information has been obtained by hackers in a massive data theft, and

WHEREAS the safety of our medical records and health care computer systems are the safety of our health, and

WHEREAS the Federal Department of Health and Human Services warns that Rysida (the known worldwide cyber-extortion group) has proven itself to be a significant threat to organizations worldwide.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge Congress to enact legislation requiring all health care providers and medical companies have tight security measures in place to protect the safety of healthcare, health records and that there be strict penalties in place due to negligence to comply with this law, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to National Grange for their support for action.



REFERRED: Legislative/Insurance

Vernon Grange #52; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted: X
Rejected:

17. RE: EMAIL DELIVERY OF CT GRANGER

WHEREAS the Connecticut Granger is mailed to every Grange member in Connecticut, and

WHEREAS postage and printing fees are increasing, and

WHEREAS many members do not receive the Connecticut Granger in a timely manner from the U. S. Postal system, and

WHEREAS many members rather read the Connecticut Granger online vs print format.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED we urge the Connecticut Granger to offer an email option to all members.



REFERRED: Agriculture/Conservation/Environment


Vernon Grange #52; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted: X
Rejected:

18. RE: CREATION OF RECYCLING EDUCATION INCENTIVE TO CT TOWNS

WHEREAS every town in the State of Connecticut has different recycling rules, and

WHEREAS residents are constantly confused as to what can be recycled, and

WHEREAS countless money is spent to sort recycled material and many items damage recycling machines.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee urge the General Assembly to establish incentive grants to towns and Regional Recycling Centers to establish a recycling education program which includes recycling instructions for that specific town’s recycling bins as well as educational flyers to go to every resident in the town that includes specific instructions to the town’s recycling plan.


REFERRED: Agriculture/Conservation/Environment


Vernon Grange #52; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted: X
Rejected:

19. RE: AGE LIMITS IN GOVERNMENT

WHEREAS the Age Discrimination Act of 1967 discriminates against employment of persons aged 40 and older which has allowed this to extend to all persons seeking government office, and

WHEREAS Americans over 60 hold many of the highest offices in the U.S. government, the average age for Senators is 64, and house members is 58, and

WHEREAS many companies and unions do have a mandatory retirement age, e.g. airline pilots is 65 as is judges in most U.S. States, and in Canada, Senators may hold office until age 75.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED all government offices, whether elected or appointed, have a retirement age of 75, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no person who would attain the age of 75 during a term in office be allowed to run for that office.



REFERRED: Good of the Order/Membership/Master’s Address


Vernon Grange #52; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted:
Rejected:

20. RE: PAPER RECYCLING

WHEREAS Connecticut State law requires the recycling of three types of paper: high grade white office paper, corrugated cardboard, and newspapers; and

WHEREAS people place their paper into the recycling receptors along with all the other recyclable materials such as glass, plastic, and cans, and

WHEREAS wastepaper recovered from mixed municipal waste generally does not meet industry specifications for use by paper mills in the United States, and

WHEREAS the best results are achieved through source separation programs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Connecticut should be encouraged to design a source separation program to maximize quantity of wastepaper for residential members, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Connecticut should be encouraged to return to collecting paper items in separate recycling bins to avoid contamination in products.


REFERRED: Agriculture/Conservation/Environment


Vernon Grange #52; Eastern CT Pomona #14

Adopted: X
Rejected:

21. RE: POMONA OBLIGATION CEREMONY

WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange has prohibited the use of the Pomona Obligation Ceremony except when deemed necessary by the Master of the State Grange, and

WHEREAS the limited number of meetings and even more limited number of Fifth Degree conferrals has likely deterred members from advancing to the Sixth and Seventh Degrees, limiting the new members coming through the ranks necessary to ensure the future of both the State and National Granges, and

WHEREAS the Fourth Degree Obligation has worked well in giving applicants almost instant membership status.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange authorize the use of the Pomona Obligation Ceremony by Pomona Granges and the Master of the Connecticut State Grange when deemed necessary, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED obligated members be encouraged to attend a Fifth Degree conferral within the year following their obligation.



REFERRED: Credentials/Constitution & By-Laws


Riverton Grange No. 169

Adopted:
Rejected: X

22. RE: LIMITATION ON SUBORDINATE GRANGE MEMBERSHIPS

WHEREAS the National Grange prohibits Fourth Degree members from being a member of more than one Subordinate Grange at the same time, except that Fourth Degree members may be elected to membership in one additional Subordinate Grange only as an Affiliate Member, and

WHEREAS some Fourth Degree Grange members have ample time, skills and resources to serve as an Affiliate member with more than two local Subordinate Granges, and

WHEREAS the limitation on multiple Affiliate memberships has limited the ability of Fourth Degree Grange members to help revitalize closing Subordinate Granges or promote the growth of new Subordinate Granges.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange send this resolution to National Grange asking to remove any restriction on the number of Affiliate memberships a Fourth Degree member may have in Subordinate Granges.



REFERRED: Good of the Order/Membershi/Master’s Address


Riverton Grange #169

Adopted:
Rejected:

23. RE: ASSEMBLY OF DEMETER TITLES

WHEREAS the Assembly of Demeter and its officers are clearly defined in our National Grange Constitution & By-Laws, and

WHEREAS the concept of the Assembly of Demeter is difficult to understand especially by those who are not members of our Order, and

WHEREAS the titles of the officers are not easily explained to the public and can bring confusion by the public of the general principles of our Order, and

WHEREAS several years ago the National Grange approved the use of alternative titles for several officers including President for Master, Vice President for Overseer and Board of Directors for the Executive Committee to better explain the functions of the office, and

WHEREAS though considered National Officers, the elected officers of the Assembly of Demeter are not shown on the National Grange website and it difficult for members to contact them.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that for use in outside publications including any official website, the Alternative Title of “Division of Heritage and History” may be substituted for the Assembly of Demeter, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the following paragraph be added to 4.10.1 (B) Designation of Officers:

“The following alternative titles may be used in communications and publications for use outside the Order: Director for High Priest, Vice Director for Priest Archon, and Recorder for Priest Analyst; of the Division of Heritage and History. The alternative titles will not be used during official business of the Assembly of Demeter.”



REFERRED: Credentials/Constitution & By-Laws


Riverton Grange #169

Adopted: X
Rejected:

24. RE: ELECTRONIC STATE GRANGE QUARTERLY REPORTS & ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS

WHEREAS the corporation paperwork is required to be filled out online and paid electronically, and

WHEREAS there’s a late fee for CT State Grange quarterly reports not turned in on time, and

WHEREAS the USPS mail process seems to be getting slower and slower, and

WHEREAS electronic mail and electronic payments are instantaneous.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Connecticut State Grange investigate a way of offering both an electronic way of filling out quarterly reports and paying dues electronically, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this will only be an additional method so as not to alienate the Granges without this capability.



REFERRED: Legislative/Insurance


Groton Community Grange #213

Adopted: X
Rejected:

25. RE: FOOD DISTRIBUTOR FEES

WHEREAS large food distributors such as United Foods are charging additional transportation fees of $50 or more for making regular deliveries in Connecticut, and

WHEREAS these fees are being assigned equally to all retail locations whether they be small local general stores and rural cooperatives or large “big box” mega-stores such as Hannaford and Whole Foods, and

WHEREAS this procedure is clearly inequitable.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange recommend guidance for the State Legislature to require that such additional fees on food product deliveries be allocated proportionate to size and/or weight of such deliveries rather than causing disproportional punishment.



REFERRED: Legislative/Insurance


Note: Sent back to Committee

Taghhannuck Grange No. 100

Adopted:
Rejected:

26. RE: MASTER'S ADDRESS

Resolution submitted at Session.

Referred to the Good of the Order, Membership and Master's Address Committee

Floor Resolution

Adopted:
Rejected:

27. RE: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BOTTLE REDEMPTION CENTERS

Replacement Resolution for #15.

Note: Sent back to Committee

Committee Resolution

Adopted:
Rejected:

 
     
     
       
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