Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, June 26, 2016
June 4th meeting sets more rental polices, painting starts, and we consider siding for the North end
June Grange meeting (last until September) sets Berlin Hall use policies, buys “quick-books” for the CCG, and makes donations–and welcomes a new member!
Our meeting on June 4th was a busy one, full of discussions and activity. We were able to induct one of the new members we expected, Katherine Blakely, with musical accompaniment by pianist Matt Nunnelly, who also played for some typically exuberant sing-alongs.
One of our main items of business was policy-making: how do we regulate the free rentals we have offered to residents and organizations from Berlin, in return for the 5-year exemption from property taxes they voted for us on March 1st? Rental Agent Merry Shernock has been conferring with our insurance agent, and proposed the following policy package, which we adopted as CCG policy: Free rentals will be standard for Berlin residents as long as they meet the following criteria:
One of our main items of business was policy-making: how do we regulate the free rentals we have offered to residents and organizations from Berlin, in return for the 5-year exemption from property taxes they voted for us on March 1st? Rental Agent Merry Shernock has been conferring with our insurance agent, and proposed the following policy package, which we adopted as CCG policy: Free rentals will be standard for Berlin residents as long as they meet the following criteria:
- No previous reservation for the time period requested exists (we don’t want to jeopardize our existing rentals).
- The rental is for a Berlin resident, or an organization based in Berlin (not just that a single member is a Berlin resident)
- The event is for less than approximately 50 people (we feel that larger events imply larger costs on the Grange Hall)
- The event does not include alcohol being served (we have a pre-existing specific policy about required insurance and liability requirements for alcohol-serving events)
The policies are designed to reflect the realities of running our Hall, including the insurance costs for liability protection. Our good relationship with Noyle W. Johnson Agency has given us a better understanding of what can be expected to be covered by the standard policy we buy, and what events need separate insurance coverage.
Another motion passed was also proposed by Merry, to purchase a QuickBooks Online Plus bookkeeping package. This will be used by new volunteer Justin Sargent to start electronic bookkeeping for the Grange; we passed this one, too.
Our third official act was approving a set of donations to traditional Grange causes: supporting the Grange Center in Brookfield (used as a camp for Junior Grange and other events–and also available for rent by anyone), the Grange Educational Aid fund (which provides scholarships to Grange members and others), State Grange Home Ec projects (our Secretary Charles Martin is co-leader)–paying for prizes for Grange contests, We also made donations to the Heifer Project and the Kelly Farm, an historic farm in Minnesota, whose original owner was one of the original founders of the National Grange.
We had a visit from VT State Grange Secretary Nancy Perkins, who served as Steward for our meeting, and took part in our singing as well! We appreciate her coming as a representative of the State Grange, which has supported our projects. She also had positive comments about our continued ability to bring in new members, and to take on the improvements to our Hall.
Another motion passed was also proposed by Merry, to purchase a QuickBooks Online Plus bookkeeping package. This will be used by new volunteer Justin Sargent to start electronic bookkeeping for the Grange; we passed this one, too.
Our third official act was approving a set of donations to traditional Grange causes: supporting the Grange Center in Brookfield (used as a camp for Junior Grange and other events–and also available for rent by anyone), the Grange Educational Aid fund (which provides scholarships to Grange members and others), State Grange Home Ec projects (our Secretary Charles Martin is co-leader)–paying for prizes for Grange contests, We also made donations to the Heifer Project and the Kelly Farm, an historic farm in Minnesota, whose original owner was one of the original founders of the National Grange.
We had a visit from VT State Grange Secretary Nancy Perkins, who served as Steward for our meeting, and took part in our singing as well! We appreciate her coming as a representative of the State Grange, which has supported our projects. She also had positive comments about our continued ability to bring in new members, and to take on the improvements to our Hall.
Joe makes it look better!
As I told you in the last “Grange Notes”, member Joe Blakely has been working on spot-scraping, and now priming and painting the peeling spots on the Grange Hall’s east, south and west sides. All of these have relatively small areas where the paint is peeling. Joe is using his training in lead-paint removal, along with his work-buddy Miguel Perez to scrape the loose paint areas. He is also following up with a coat of a very “sticky” primer designed for hard to bond areas, and a coat of white paint. See below for an appeal for more help with the painting part–the easiest and best-looking part after Joe & Miguel take care of the tough work.
Joe gave us a report on his work at the meeting in June as well.
Joe gave us a report on his work at the meeting in June as well.
Women’s clothing exchange for all!
A social event for women. Clean out your closets and bring a dish to share! Meet new friends and take home something new to wear!
This is a special event organized by Erin Berry, who brings us “KIDS TRADE & PLAY” every month.
PLEASE RSVP (birthsinnerlight@yahoo.com) to help her plan.
Adding “Tones” to the Hall, we welcome the quartet-singers!
We have a new group meeting every Monday evening at the Hall–the Barre-Tones. This long-running organization was founded in 1969, whose goal is to empower all women through education, friendship and a cappella singing in the barbershop style. They are part of an international organization, Harmony Inc., with members around the world. Find out more at the Barre-Tones website: https://barretonesvt.com/
You will see the risers, sheet music files and other accessories stored in the alcove next to the stage.
BTW: We have moved storage of the CDU’s fans to the Dance closet, and the step-ladders are under the stage, next to the floor-covers cart.
You will see the risers, sheet music files and other accessories stored in the alcove next to the stage.
BTW: We have moved storage of the CDU’s fans to the Dance closet, and the step-ladders are under the stage, next to the floor-covers cart.
Projects still available
- Exterior Painting: As noted above, Joe & Miguel are doing the hard part–scraping and priming the peeling places. We’d love to have a couple of volunteers to put a couple of coats of “Navajo White” over those spots so they blend in and last a while.
- Fire Exit roof: We’d like to get an extended roof built over the concrete landing outside the new fire exit–to keep the snow sliding off the roof from blocking the door opening. The Fire Marshal would like it too–and so would I, so I don’t have to stop by after snowstorms to shovel it clear.
- Dead Tree removal: there is a dead stump leaning over the driveway–it would be great to get it taken down–before it becomes a barrier by falling down. Wood is free for the worker(s) taking it down!
- Articles for the Notes: I’ve been sending these out for a long time–and would love to feature writing by Grange members, renters, and friends (a set of overlapping categories).
What would YOU like to see happening at the Grange? What are we doing wrong, or right?