MARY ANN ROCCO
145 Beadle Lake Drive
Battle Creek, MI 49014
Battle Creek, MI 49014
Tel: 269-209-6640
Email: roccomaryann@yahoo.com
THE DICTIONARY PROJECT
"The Dictionary Project" started in South Carolina. The purpose of the project is to put dictionaries into the hands of third graders. These dictionaries are theirs to keep. The organizers of this project are well organized, and have structured the project to make it a success with a minimum of effort. The website includes sample letters, suggestions for labeling the dictionaries, press releases... in short they have thought of everything you need to make the project a success. You may even send for samples of the dictionaries that are offered for sale. Since the current school year is at an end you will have plenty of time to collect information on you school, ordering the dictionaries and make presentation to the school.
There are four things to recommend this project:
GOOD PURPOSE — The Grange has always supported the advancement of education
MEDIUM EXPENSE — The dictionaries are available at a reasonable cost. The books are sold in case lots.
MINIMUM EFFORT — The instructions are very complete. All the thinking work has been done for you. And it would take very few people to finish the project. A small committee could handle it easily.
GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS — This project would make a very newsworthy story for print or radio.
Please consider this project. If you are interested please contact:
http://www.dictionaryproject.org or
Mary L. French
P.O. Box #1845
Charleston SC 29402
"The Dictionary Project" started in South Carolina. The purpose of the project is to put dictionaries into the hands of third graders. These dictionaries are theirs to keep. The organizers of this project are well organized, and have structured the project to make it a success with a minimum of effort. The website includes sample letters, suggestions for labeling the dictionaries, press releases... in short they have thought of everything you need to make the project a success. You may even send for samples of the dictionaries that are offered for sale. Since the current school year is at an end you will have plenty of time to collect information on you school, ordering the dictionaries and make presentation to the school.
There are four things to recommend this project:
GOOD PURPOSE — The Grange has always supported the advancement of education
MEDIUM EXPENSE — The dictionaries are available at a reasonable cost. The books are sold in case lots.
MINIMUM EFFORT — The instructions are very complete. All the thinking work has been done for you. And it would take very few people to finish the project. A small committee could handle it easily.
GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS — This project would make a very newsworthy story for print or radio.
Please consider this project. If you are interested please contact:
http://www.dictionaryproject.org or
Mary L. French
P.O. Box #1845
Charleston SC 29402
COMMUNITY SERVICE
MAY/JUNE 2025 GRANGE NEWS
Communication from National Grange on the changes as to how we report our State’s Community Service Projects to National Grange.
Lets look at some awards your Grange can receive for Community Service.
HELLO SPRING!!!!! Hopefully sunshine and warmer temperatures are coming soon. Summer is knocking on our door April was Grange month and on April 19th we had a Day Of Learning workshop for all Grange
members hosted at Fredonia Grange Hall. Lots of good information was shared.
New this year!!!
Reporting Community Service to National Grange: A new way of reporting Community Services Projects will be followed in 2025.
Communication from National Grange on the changes as to how we report our State’s Community Service Projects to National Grange.
State Community Service Directors:
The 2025 National Grange Community Service Program is now posted on the National Grange
website (nationalgrange.org).
We have found that not all PCs/Laptops/smart phones show the same format but under Community Service, you will find a page with the CS logo describing the 2025 National Grange Community Service Program.
Also included are the National Grange Community Service Report Form and a "Share Your Project's Story" Form and Program Ideas.
In 2025, the focus of Community Service will not be a contest, but a celebration of good works. As such, there will be no judging on the National level. No notebooks are to be taken to National Convention or sent electronically prior to Convention to the community service email address.
Likewise, "Of the Year" Nominations for Fireman, Teacher and Policeman will not be judged on the National level but can be recognized on the local and State levels.
In 2025, the focus of Community Service will not be a contest, but a celebration of good works. As such, there will be no judging on the National level. No notebooks are to be taken to National Convention or sent electronically prior to Convention to the community service email address.
Likewise, "Of the Year" Nominations for Fireman, Teacher and Policeman will not be judged on the National level but can be recognized on the local and State levels.
We encourage each State to receive the Subordinate Grange reports/notebooks and "Of the Year" nominations in the format that best serves your State. The option to judge or don't judge is yours. As State Director, you have the responsibility to work with your State President and others as necessary to determine what is best for your State and get it communicated to your Subordinate Granges.
Any Subordinate Grange can submit a "Share Your Project's Story" Form.
We do trust, however, that you have been making a difference in your communities and now we can finally all move forward together with the 2025 National Grange Community Service Program.
We do trust, however, that you have been making a difference in your communities and now we can finally all move forward together with the 2025 National Grange Community Service Program.
At this time Michigan has not made any changes in the way we report our Community Service projects at the State Session.
Remember when putting your community service report together the focus of all Community Service Reports is on the Community Service your Grange has done this year.
Remember when putting your community service report together the focus of all Community Service Reports is on the Community Service your Grange has done this year.
Know your Community and their needs and give them a helping hand. Our Community Services are a
way to help each other and to help in our community.
The National Grange website has information on the Do’s and Do Not's for your Community Service
Report.
National Grange’s Website also has information on Community Service. www.nationalgrange.org.
Lets look at some awards your Grange can receive for Community Service.
GRANGE AWARDS
Lets review the awards that are available to our Granges We would like to encourage Granges to
nominate a Grange member for the VIP (Very Important Patron) and The Firefighter/EMT, Law Enforcement Officer and Teacher of the Year Awards.
VIP –VERY IMPORTANT PERSON
The purpose of the VIP Award is for each Grange to honor a member who has made an outstanding
contribution to the Grange.
Submission:
Submission:
Only one entry from a Grange may be submitted to the State Grange per year. Submit a biography and a
summary of the contribution the VIP nominee has made to the Grange. If possible also submit a photograph of your VIP. The submission shall be sent to the State Community Service Director postmarked by September 10th,2025
National Grange Firefighter/EMT, Law Enforcement Officer and Teacher of the Year Award only
given at the Local and State level this year.
This is a wonderful way to thank people in your community. I hope more Granges try to award this to
deserving people in their community.
The purpose
in nominating an individual, in one of these categories, gives public recognition to those
who have made an outstanding effort, is important in your various community service projects, that include honoring these hometown hero’s. National Grange encourages your Grange to honor these well deserving individuals.
Submission:
Each State Grange may submit one nominee for each category. Submit your nomination form, and any
other supporting paper work, for possible National Grange recognition, to the State Community Director, the same time, as your Community Service report is due.
Your Community Service Report and Award nominations are due on September 10th, 2025.
JULY/AUGUST 2025 GRANGE NEWS
We will be judging our Community Service books the same as we always have; reporting to the National Grange is all that has changed.The changes were discussed in last months Michigan Grange News.This information can also be found on the National Grange website.
Here is a review of information and organization of our Community Service Report.
The Notebook Reports
Organize the Notebooks
Ways to Organize
Summer Is Here !!!!!
Summer is a busy time for all families. We have many Grange activities happening in the next few months. Lets try to support our fellow Granges by attending some of these activities.
Fredonia Grange will again be participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Calhoun County. It is community based and raises money for cancer research. Relay For Life is held at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds on June 21rd 3:00pm through 3:00pm Saturday the 23th. To raise funds for this project Fredonia Grange will be selling Luminary bags, in honor of or in memory of a loved one, to be placed along the walking route. If you wish to purchase a Luminary Bag please contact Andrea Peck, 517-568-3304. Fredonia will also have a walking team.
August bring the Calhoun Country Fair, August 10th through August 16th. Fredonia will again have its food booth open and filled with many homemade goodies. Come and join us for some delicious eats.
As you are working on your community service projects, I hope you were able to expand and add a new project this year. It’s never too late to give a helping hand to your community.
August 31st marks the end of our Community Service year. Your Community Service Report is due on September 10th, 2025. That means it needs to be delivered to the State Community Service Director on or before that date. (If special arrangements need to be made for the delivery of your Community Service Report please contact me.)
Mary Ann Rocco 145 Beadle Lake Drive, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014
(Just a little note, when mailing your materials please put Drive on the address. There is also Beadle Lake Road and a Beadle Lake in the same zip code.) 269 209-6640 roccomaryann@yahoo.com
Summer is a busy time for all families. We have many Grange activities happening in the next few months. Lets try to support our fellow Granges by attending some of these activities.
Fredonia Grange will again be participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Calhoun County. It is community based and raises money for cancer research. Relay For Life is held at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds on June 21rd 3:00pm through 3:00pm Saturday the 23th. To raise funds for this project Fredonia Grange will be selling Luminary bags, in honor of or in memory of a loved one, to be placed along the walking route. If you wish to purchase a Luminary Bag please contact Andrea Peck, 517-568-3304. Fredonia will also have a walking team.
August bring the Calhoun Country Fair, August 10th through August 16th. Fredonia will again have its food booth open and filled with many homemade goodies. Come and join us for some delicious eats.
As you are working on your community service projects, I hope you were able to expand and add a new project this year. It’s never too late to give a helping hand to your community.
August 31st marks the end of our Community Service year. Your Community Service Report is due on September 10th, 2025. That means it needs to be delivered to the State Community Service Director on or before that date. (If special arrangements need to be made for the delivery of your Community Service Report please contact me.)
Mary Ann Rocco 145 Beadle Lake Drive, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014
(Just a little note, when mailing your materials please put Drive on the address. There is also Beadle Lake Road and a Beadle Lake in the same zip code.) 269 209-6640 roccomaryann@yahoo.com
We will be judging our Community Service books the same as we always have; reporting to the National Grange is all that has changed.The changes were discussed in last months Michigan Grange News.This information can also be found on the National Grange website.
Here is a review of information and organization of our Community Service Report.
The Notebook Reports
- Please place the summary report at the beginning of the Notebook. It is required!
- Please do not send more than one Notebook. Notebooks cannot be larger than a 2 inch binder
- Videotapes and computer discs cannot be used in place of a report for judging.
Organize the Notebooks
- Tell the your story as you organize your projects
- Group the projects together
- Keep items that support your projects, like thank you letters and newspaper articles, with or without photos.
- Simplify your notebook by selecting the best couple of photos for each project.
- Be concise and stick to the point. More is not always better.
Ways to Organize
- Organize by New Projects and Continuing Projects
- Or-Organize in chronological order from the beginning to the end of the year
- Or -Organize by the largest projects to the smallest projects
- Keep the page clean and concise
- List all project at the beginning of the book (Index)
- Donations for a project should be noted
- If tabs are use make sure they are secured so they don’t fall out
- Remember the notebook maximum size is a 2-inch binder.
Something to think about
Special awards were outlined in last months Michigan Grange News. Refer to it if you are thinking about nominating a special person in your Grange.
(Nomination forms will be sent to your Community Service chairman soon).
The National Grange website has information on the Do’s and Don’ts of a Community Service Report.
COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORTS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 10th, 2025.
Stay safe and enjoy your summer!
Special awards were outlined in last months Michigan Grange News. Refer to it if you are thinking about nominating a special person in your Grange.
- Each Grange may recognize and submit one nominee for each category, Firefighter, Law Enforcement Officer and Teacher of the Year. " Nominations for Fireman, Teacher and Policeman will not be judged on the National level but can be recognized on the local and/or State levels.
- A Dedicated Worker and a Very Important Person Award. To be recognized at the State level
- Nominations need to be turned in with your Community Service Report.
(Nomination forms will be sent to your Community Service chairman soon).
The National Grange website has information on the Do’s and Don’ts of a Community Service Report.
COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORTS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 10th, 2025.
Stay safe and enjoy your summer!
COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT FORMS
Community Service Chairman Letter
Community Service Book Letter
Summary Report Form
Community Service Chairman Letter
Community Service Book Letter
Summary Report Form
