COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Co-Directors:
Melvin Phelps PO Box 493, Copenhagen, NY 13626
Telephone: 315-778-6712
Joan Phelps 1862 Ledge Rd., Basom, NY 14013
Telephone: 585-762-8503
GOAL:
To make our local Grange communities a more vital and viable place by encouraging visible Grange projects and events that fulfill community needs and make the best use of the interests and abilities of the Grange members.
High schools, colleges and many organizations require students or members to complete a specific number of community service hours prior to graduation or as part of their membership to the organization. Why the big push for community service? Research has shown that community service has many benefits for everyone.
Young people who participate in community service projects tend to become more involved in their communities. This leads to them caring more about their neighborhood, becoming active voters, and remaining involved in their communities.
Participating in community service also helps people learn how to better solve problems as they are sometimes faced with challenges in their community service project. Not only do they become problem solvers, they also become a team player as they usually work with others on a project. Leadership skills also begin to develop when working on a community service project.
The health benefits for everyone participating on community service include better physical and mental health than people who do not participate in community service projects. By giving of their time and talents to others, people are benefiting themselves as well.
Young adults who join in community service projects begin to network with other people and organizations. This gives them the opportunity to make connections, which could later be used as references and/or job opportunities as they begin to enter the work force.
There are multiple reasons to go out and become involved in community service projects. Let’s make it a goal of the Granges in New York State to participate in as many community service projects as possible. Our organization will be healthier and stronger as a result of all of the good that we are able to do in our communities.
Keep track of your Grange’s community service activities from September 1 to August 31 of each year. Please submit a report of the community service activities that your Grange has done in a way that is easiest for your Grange. The report can be submitted either as a letter outlining your activities, a scrapbook, or just a little memo or outline of all of your outreach services. All community service reports are due to the New York State Grange Community Service Director, and must be postmarked by September 1 each year. Your reports will be judged based on the score sheet included in the 2022-2023 State Grange Handbook.
New York State Grange will award the following prizes to the top four reports:
1st place $100
2nd place $ 75
3rd place $ 50
4th place $ 25
The New York State Grange 1st place winner will be sent on to National Grange for judging at the National level.
Any State Grange who receives reports from at least 25% of their Granges will be awarded $250 – in New York State this is a very reachable goal – about 50 Granges need to write a letter, or memo, or make a scrapbook, put a report entry on top and submit it by SEPTEMBER 1st, 2026 (no exceptions to this date) to:
Melvin Phelps, Director,
New York State Grange Community Service
PO Box 493
Copenhagen, NY 13626
Want to get emails in relation to State Grange activities? click here and supply the requested information.
Do you have pictures from your Grange’s Community Service Project?
To share them, please contact us below!
View/download/print 2026 Community Service Program here
View/download/print CS Project Planning guide here
View/download/print CS Volunteer Service Hours report here
View/download/print CS Annual Report form here
NEW YORK STATE GRANGE
2026
Calendar of Events, Activities, & Dues Dates
January 1 Junior Grange Annual Dues Report Due
January 8 NYS Agricultural Society Meeting, Rochester
January 9 Empire State CAO Meeting , Rochester
January 9 – 11 Northeast Leaders Conference – Vermont
January 16 – 18 Winter Youth Weekend – Stanford Grange – Dutchess County
January 19 Executive Committee Meeting, 9:30 a.m. – Headquarters & Zoom
February 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
February 26 – 28 Central NY Farm Show – State Fair Grounds – Syracuse
March 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
March 23 Executive Committee Meeting, 4 p.m. – Zoom
March 27 – 29 Spring Youth Weekend – Walton Grange – Delaware County
March 31 Subordinate Dues to State Secretary
March 31 Junior Grange Quarterly Report Due to State Secretary
April 1-30 GRANGE MONTH – Plan a special public activity/event
April 15 Art/Photo Entries due at HDQ for Judging
April 15 Talent Entry Report Sheets due to the State Lecturer
April 17 – 19 Northeast Lecturer’s Conference – State Grange Headquarters – Cortland
April 20 Woodworking, Quilting, & Needlework due at HDQ for Judging
April 24 Executive Committee Meeting, 2:30 p.m. – Hybrid
April 25 Lecturer/FAC Conference – State Grange Headquarters – Cortland
April 26 State Dart Ball Tournament – State Grange Headquarters – 9 a.m.
May 14 – 16 NYS FFA Convention, Buffalo
May 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
June 7 State Bowling Tournament – Cort-Lanes Bowling Alley, Cortland, 12 Noon
June 19 Executive Committee Meeting – Lux Hotel & Conference Center, Waterloo – 9:30 a.m.
June 30 Subordinate Dues to State Secretary
June 30 Junior Grange Quarterly Report Due to State Secretary
July 7 Executive Committee Meeting – Headquarters – Budget – 9:30 a.m.
July 12 State Golf Tournament – Vassar Golf Course – Poughkeepsie – 12 Noon
July 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
July 27 – 31 Grange Camp “Kids Day Out Events;” 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday, July 27 – Brunswick Grange, Rensselaer County Tuesday, July 28 – Colonel Harper Grange, Delaware County Wednesday, July 29 – Wide Awake Grange, Ontario County Friday, July 31 – Kendrew Grange, St. Lawrence County
August 1 Cornhole Tournament – State Grange Headquarters – 9 a.m.
August 26 – Sept. 7 New York State Fair – Syracuse
September 1 National JG Report due
September 5 Grange Day at the New York State Fair – Syracuse
September 12 State Grange Health Fair – Headquarters – 9 a.m.
September 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
September 15 Lecturer’s Reports due to State Lecturer
September 15 Community Service Yearbooks due to Director
September 18 – 20 Fall Youth Weekend – Jefferson County
Sept. 18 – Oct. 4 Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) – West Springfield, Massachusetts
September 25 Executive Committee Meeting – Headquarters – 3:30 p.m.
September 26 State Grange Legislative Day – Headquarters – 9 a.m.
September 27 Grange Day at the Big E – West Springfield, Massachusetts
September 30 Subordinate Dues to State Secretary
September 30 Junior Grange Quarterly Report to State Secretary
October 16 – 20 154th Annual New York State Grange Session – Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo, Seneca County
October 20 New York State Grange Cultural & Educational Foundation Meeting – Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo
October 20 Executive Committee Meeting – Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo
November 15 Empire State Granger Copy Due
November 10 – 14 160th Annual National Grange Session – Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
December Executive Committee Meeting - TBA
December 31 Subordinate Dues to State Secretary
December 31 Junior Grange Quarterly Report & Dues due to State Secretary
As of 01/19/2026
Download/Print here
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