| October 1, 2019 -- State Session is thundering towards us now. There’s a million and one details to take care of but we will be ready!
I was made aware of at least one incident where a member was told by Holiday Inn that the Grange Room Block was full and then charged that member rack rate (or full price) for their room. While it was true that the room block was full, our room block is not “closed” until September 30. Normally the block is expanded (if rooms remain available in the hotel) until the closing date.
I was able to change this member’s reservation to the group/Grange rate but there is no way to know if there are other members in this situation. If you were told by the hotel there were no rooms available under the Grange rate ($105 plus taxes and fees) and were forced to pay a higher rate AND this occurred prior to September 30, please let me know. We should be able to get your room listed under the State Grange rate. We are required, by contract, to meet minimum numbers of room reservations and to have members in the hotel who are not counted in our numbers would be a shame.
Thank you to the many Granges who have sent in their Dues Receipts payments promptly. It is appreciated. Journals of Proceedings for the 2018 Session will be distributed at the Registration table during State Session. Granges not attending Session will receive theirs by mail following Session.
We remind everyone that the Sixth Degree will be conferred at State Session on Saturday, October 19 beginning at 3:00 P.M. Candidates wishing to take the degree should be at the Holiday Inn by 2:30. Tickets to take the degree may be purchased from me anytime during the Session right up to the Degree conferral. Tickets remain $10.00 each.
I was pleased to make reservations for 8 or 9 members to take degrees at Dutchess County Pomona’s (NY) Degree Day held on October 5 in LaGrangeville, NY. We thank the members of Dutchess County Pomona for inviting Connecticut Grangers to attend their conferral and I invite all to consider taking the Sixth Degree at State Session.
The Public Relations Department has re-stocked the State Office with updated materials that are now available for Granges to request. Unfortunately, due to the move to Winchester Center, every piece of promotional material had to be redone to reflect the new State Grange address. It is hoped that Granges put local contact information with these materials so potential new members know who to contact in their communities regarding Grange membership.
There will be much, much more in the next issue after State Session. Until then... we’ll see you in Norwich!
|
