| JUNE 1, 2025 -- We all belong to a Fraternity with bonds between members and we took obligations to uphold certain ideals of behavior concerning those fraternal relationships. It doesn’t always mean we are the closest of friends with everyone in the fraternity and may not agree at all times with various fraternal brothers and sisters. In these ties, we should ideally remember the meaning of our fraternity and our obligations to care for each other and respect the differences of opinion and hopefully compromise on issues.
At National Grange Leaders Conference this year, there was a wonderful presentation by two brothers of the fraternity, Vic Stevens and Scott Lyle, about “Being Un-offendable.” That is to say, one should not take offense at the actions and words of others. This philosophy can lead to better inter-personal relations. When we react negatively to perceived offenses, we lose control and create divisions. Now, let us return to the issue at hand.
There is a Grange where evidently one member thought another member was not doing a job properly. The point of disagreement related to renovations being done on the hall and whether they had been done properly in preparation for an upcoming event. The work was being done by a contractor who is licensed and knows the codes and such. The contractor was approved by said Grange to do the work. Instead of letting the contractor finish the repair, the member in disagreement notified the town building inspector of a perceived violation in the Grange work. Furthermore, a relative of said member went to the hall to interrupt the work in some fashion. In my view, this type of situation should have been handled internally. If all things were done by proper Grange procedure, the process including choice of contractor, would be approved by majority Grange vote.
Disagreements on matters once voted by the Grange should be handled civilly between the interested parties or the State President can be called in to mediate. Once a vote is taken on an issue, all members should respect the will of the majority. In this case, the contractor was a Grange member as well and while I’m sure the person was chosen in good faith and has worked diligently with the Grange, perhaps a non-member contractor might have been a more neutral choice, but that was the choice of this Grange and should have been respected by all. Furthermore, in this case, the contractor has gone out of his way for the Grange to make sure things were done as required for completion of the project. Disagreements may and will happen but I as State President can never condone a member getting in the way of a project that resulted from a majority vote of the Grange. There are ways to disagree, but this is not one I want to see emulated.
When you join our Order, you take certain obligations which don’t require you to pledge to be best friends with all, but a certain level of respect, toleration, and camaraderie are expected. Folks, the reality of our current situation has been exacerbated by membership decline. As our membership numbers plummet, we become more concentrated, bringing strong personalities into closer proximity and the chances for conflicts among dissimilar personalities rises. Even with more people, there would still be disagreements, but that is why we elect our officers and take votes on various issues of business, so that the majority will lead the way.
In the Grange Installation ritual, there is a directive that the President shall take decisions against him/her cheerfully as should we all. If this Order is to succeed and Persevere in the times to come, we must get along and work together for the common good of all. If that doesn’t work, fall back to the old lesson I’m sure you’ve heard before: If you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.
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