| MARCH 12, 2019 --
As of this writing, the deadline to register for Leaders Conference is just over a week away. The deadline listed on the registration form does day March 1. However, we will accept registrations up until it is necessary to give numbers to the hotel. The form is printed for a final time in this issue. Please clip it out and send it out to me as soon as possible. You may also call me (860) 307-1522 to let me know that your registration is on the way. As you have read in the Master’s column, the Conference speakers are excellent and everyone in attendance will find the conference to be time well spent.
The State Master has decided to conduct a special gift basket drawing during the conference. All three Pomonas have been asked to provide a basket. Proceeds from the drawing will be donated to the “Love for Lillian” Fund of the Connecticut State Grange Foundation. We have had many ask if they too can donate gift baskets from both individuals and Granges. The answer is yes, we would be delighted to have many more baskets. We only ask they be brought to the Holiday Inn on Friday evening at least before the official opening of the conference. Please let me know if you have any questions.
On the subject of “Love for Lillian” - donations continue to come in from around the state and we thank you all for your generous support. We will continue to accept donations to the fund for as long as there is a need.
BONDING
The annual bonding renewal letters went out to Granges in December. Unfortunately, I have a large number of Granges who have not responded. Our list has been turned in to National Grange and all Granges who did not respond will have their bonding renewed at the basic level of $5,000 with a $50 premium. Those Granges will be billed for the premium.
FISCAL YEAR
Letters have also gone out to all Granges regarding a required change of fiscal year if there are Granges who operate on a January 1 to December 31 bookkeeping year. We have been informed that all Granges that fall under the State Grange group exemption must have the same fiscal year used by the State Grange (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30). The form enclosed with the letter must be filled out and returned to the Central Office regardless of which category your Grange falls under. We need these completed forms for our files. Please let me know if you have any questions.
The 990N filings will be completed for all Granges shortly and you will also be receiving the receipts from these filings. Please put them in a safe place as they are your proof of filing your tax return with the IRS. (The 990N is your Grange’s version of a tax return).
All Secretaries interested in having access to an online program to maintain your membership records should contact me. I will provide you with the access information so you will be able to log on to the National Grange program that has been designed for all Granges in the country to maintain more accurate and accessible membership records. This has been a problem when Granges lose access to records maintained by their Secretaries. |
